TKDmom Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 What type of car/van do you drive? Since minivans only hold 5 children, I've been curious what I'd have to do if I were ever to have more children than my van will hold. Not that a 5th, let alone a 6th, child is all that likely for me. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milovany Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Well, we have a nine-seater Suburban, but if I had my way, we'd have a mini school bus or airporter shuttle bus. :D (And I'm not kidding.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClassicCole Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 A Suburban which seats nine people. I love it because there is alot of room in the back for transporting groceries and such. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veritaserum Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 We recently bought an 8-passenger Sienna. I love it. :) The 8-passenger Odyssey is also nice. We are almost certainly done with 5, but that extra seat is useful and will be good to have if we get a surprise 6th. I don't know what I would drive if we had 7. There aren't many options at that point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quad Shot Academy Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 We have an 8 passenger Odyssey and our friends have an 8 passenger Suburban which they just installed 3 rear facing seats for a total of 11! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindergretta Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 We have 6 and drive an Expedition. I love it but there is NO room behind the last row. :-/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKDmom Posted January 5, 2011 Author Share Posted January 5, 2011 Well, we have a nine-seater Suburban, but if I had my way, we'd have a mini school bus or airporter shuttle bus. :D (And I'm not kidding.) :lol: That's awesome! I'd be afraid of running into things, though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKDmom Posted January 5, 2011 Author Share Posted January 5, 2011 We recently bought an 8-passenger Sienna. I love it. :) Ooh, I want one of those.:drool5: I have an older Sienna. Honestly, I'm not sure if I could get 5 kids into it. Every time I have to squish the 3 olders into the back , they elbow, and punch, and kick, and ...you get the picture. They make me crazy when they're too close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veritaserum Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Ooh, I want one of those.:drool5:I have an older Sienna. Honestly, I'm not sure if I could get 5 kids into it. Every time I have to squish the 3 olders into the back , they elbow, and punch, and kick, and ...you get the picture. They make me crazy when they're too close. We replaced our 7-passenger Sienna (a 2000). We squeezed all five kids into it. There is definitely more room in the new van! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue G in PA Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 7 kids and we have a 15 pass. Ford Econoline. We used to have a Dodge Ram 15 pass. I hated it. Would not recommend it. I LOVE the Ford Econoline. It drives so much nicer than the Dodge. 15 pass. are hard to come by and we looked for a long time before finding this one. Hard on gas, but what do you expect for a bus like this, right? Plenty of room for our family plus several other kids when necessary. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 We have two vehicles. We can't afford a 12 or 15 passenger, which is what we want. So we are stuck with a mini and a sedan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mosaicmind Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 We have a 15pass van, but are considering down-sizing since we are done having kids and we really only have 5 kids that would go with us on long trips and such now. We are looking at the Odyssey or the Ford Flex. Love both of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 7 kids and we have a 15 pass. Ford Econoline. We used to have a Dodge Ram 15 pass. I hated it. Would not recommend it. I LOVE the Ford Econoline. It drives so much nicer than the Dodge. 15 pass. are hard to come by and we looked for a long time before finding this one. Hard on gas, but what do you expect for a bus like this, right? Plenty of room for our family plus several other kids when necessary. :001_smile: Sue, let me know if anyone in the area is ever giving one away ;) LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Random Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 We just bought a used Toyota Sequoia. We absolutely must have 4WD where we live, otherwise we would have gone with the Odyssey or Sienna. We can comfortably hold 6 kids and there is a decent amount of room behind the 3rd row. And, we get 20+ MPG, which I think is awesome for a 4WD SUV. Previously we had an Expedition. I was always worried because the 3rd row seats didn't have head rests. Also the storage behind the 3rd row was super small. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emmy Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 We have a 9 passenger yukon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFwife Claire Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Ooh, I want one of those.:drool5:I have an older Sienna. Honestly, I'm not sure if I could get 5 kids into it. Every time I have to squish the 3 olders into the back , they elbow, and punch, and kick, and ...you get the picture. They make me crazy when they're too close. When I was pregnant with #6, we bought an 8-seat Sienna. It is so nice! There's plenty of room for carseats and in the backseat, and there is SO much room in the trunk area. When we had #7, then I still could drive the Sienna around town with all 7 kids (my oldest turned 12 not too long after #7 was born, and he rides in the front seat). We also have a 12 passenger van, which we use when we all (including DH) need to go somewhere. Now we're expecting #8, and I am so sad that the kids and I will no longer all fit in the Sienna! But on the other hand, now when I run errands, I usually leave the kids with my oldest 2 kids, so I will still drive the Sienna around town (all by myself, or with just one or 2 kids), instead of the big van! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Tara~ Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 We've had an 8 seater Suburban then an Expedition. Suburban was better due to cargo space behind the third row. But I really liked the Expedition. However, both were older and did not have head rests or shoulder belts in all positions. And I was getting a less than desirable install with one of my car seats. Then since we weren't sure we were done anyway...we replaced the vehicle. (we like the ability to transport others when the need arises as well, it was killing us having our vehicle maxed out) So, now we're in a Ford 12 pass. We're missing the head rests in every position...but..the seats are tall enough to fit my 13 yr old right now. I've heard about having head rests installed so I'm going to look into that for future use. But for now, we're ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaT Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 When the kids were smaller and I had three in carseats and three older dc, we drove a 15-passenger Ford Econoline. We downsized when my olders left home, but only to a Tahoe that seats 8. I now drive a Volvo sedan that seats 5 to shuttle kids to dance, gym, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M&M Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 We only have 5 dc but we also have a 9 seater Suburban. Everyone fits much better than our van with all the car seats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaissezFaire Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 There are 8 of us in the family and I drive a 12 passenger Chevy Express. I LOVE my van. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathmom Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 We have a 7 seat minivan. Our oldest dc helpfully went off to college two weeks after our youngest was born, so I can take all 6 dc at home with me somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiver0f10 Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 A ford E-350 15 passanger van. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toawh Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 We took the middle two seater out of our windstar mini van and bought a three seater bench from a junk yard and put it in. So now it's an eight seater. They make the seats so you can put the two in front or back and vice versa so we just put in two three seaters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyfaithe Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 What type of car/van do you drive? Since minivans only hold 5 children, I've been curious what I'd have to do if I were ever to have more children than my van will hold. Not that a 5th, let alone a 6th, child is all that likely for me. :tongue_smilie: Before any of my older kids were driving, we had a 15 passenger Dodge Ram. My dh nicknamed it "Flippper" because of all the bad press that came out the week after we bought ours....sigh. I really loved that van and I miss it so much. It handled terribly, but I got used to it. What i really loved was that not only did my kids fit comfortably, but everyone could bring a friend. Faithe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mycalling Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Ford 15-passenger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 a big behemoth van, that's what. a van that I hate, that I can't wait to get rid of and that I will throw a party the day it goes buh bye. 15 passenger chevy express (with the last bench out so we can have room for stuff). if you get one, get the all wheel drive. and, if I could do it all over again I'd demand the vinyl instead of the upholstery. I can't begin to tell you how many times kids have thrown up, dogs have thrown up, sodas have spilled. BUT as far as reliability, it starts. It's also an American car, which means it falls apart. The hinges rust and break, the door handles break, the panels pull apart from the walls. Yes, we bought it brand new and it's only 6 years old and that kinda stuff should not be breaking. I dream of Miata's and jeeps. What I would give to have my Benz wagon back.:glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EthiopianFood Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Some Traverses have 9 seats, don't they? I just sat in one once, but wow, it was so roomy, even in the back! I'm hoping to need one some day. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpidarkomama Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Yay, Ford (insert large number)-passenger vans. That's what most large families in our community drive. Also, if you're looking, you can really look all over the country. The cost of a plane ticket and driving it home could end up saving you money over what might (or might not!) be available locally. Just find a reputable repair shop and have it checked out wherever it is before you go. I've had friends who have done this for their last three cars, and they always end up with a really good deal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnitWit Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 There are 8 of us and I drive a 15 passy Chevy Express. We also took our rear bench seat out and it has been great space-wise. We bought ours as a used *lease* vehicle with extremely low mileage. It was like-new. It was also cheaper than anything else we could find for us at the time. My friends have Ford and Dodge vans and I hate them. The center of gravity is *off* or something. In the Express, the rear axle has been moved back so you don't have that rear *hang over* beyond it. It also seems to sit lower to the ground maybe? Anyway, it drives and rides like a car to me, compared to feeling like I'm in a truck with my friends' vans. That said, like one of the previous posters, I find myself dreaming of much smaller vehicles. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mimm Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 I only have two but when my parents had 12 or 14 kids living with them, they had a shuttle bus. You know, the kind where the seats face each other on both sides of an aisle. This was when they didn't have little ones in car seats. Not sure what they would have done then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silliness7 Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 We have a 15 passenger Chevy Express. I really, really, really, really wanted a 12 passenger but we could not find a used one. We probably would have kept the 8-seater Suburban plus my dh's little car and taken 2 cars when necessary, but some lovely driver on a cell phone totalled it when I was newly pregnant with #7. Thankfully noone was injured. I cried when my dh brought the Express home. I was not ready for it. But I'm used to it now. The kids love it!! A friend of mine has one and she described it as driving around a living room. That's exactly right. :001_smile: What I wouldn't give to find a 9-seater Suburban. Sure enough that would come my way and we'd outgrow it in 9 mos. Oh well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarinesWife Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 We have a 12-passenger Ford E-350 that was converted. The 2 middle bench seats were taken out and captain's chairs put in. So now there are 10 available seats. I don't love it. But .. I love it. LOL IT works. I wanted to go with the Ford Excursion but my husband was right...I would have hated the kids climbing over the seats and at the time we had 4 in carseats! The van worked better. IT has a lot of power which I love and a ton of space. We bought it on Ebay. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendybird Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Another 12 passenger Chevy Express. I love it. We had a 15 passenger before this and I loved it even better because I could take a row out for fun, but there is plenty of room in the back still. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 6 kids, all in boosters or convertible carseats. 8-seater Suburban. We need the 4WD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim in TN Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 I drive a Dodge Grand Caravan. It seats 7 people. It's been a great vehicle and is also big enough to haul things, like a twin bed set that I bought. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tricia Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 We have a 15 passenger Chevy Express van. But we also have a Toyota mini van that seats 8. Honda minivan seats 8 too. My sister in law has one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKDmom Posted January 5, 2011 Author Share Posted January 5, 2011 I drive a Dodge Grand Caravan. It seats 7 people. It's been a great vehicle and is also big enough to haul things, like a twin bed set that I bought. :) I used to have a Dodge Grand Caravan. I loved the space inside of it. But it had almost 300,000 miles, and things were breaking right and left. Somehow, we managed to survive summer in Florida with no a/c. It guzzled oil like crazy, and when we tried to get it fixed, our repair shop just told us to get ourselves a new van. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom26 Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 6 kiddos and a 12 seater Econoline Ford van. Plenty of room for extra friends which we always seem to have along for the ride:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HayesW Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 We drive a Dodge Sprinter, otherwise known as an airport shuttle. Love it. Holds our six kids, with room for four more. It is so nice to be able to pick up girls for scouts or bring a friend home from church. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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