Hilltopmom Posted October 1, 2016 Share Posted October 1, 2016 (edited) Trying to downsize vehicles after a huge cut in our income. Going from a 12 seater van to 4 kids in a Subaru wagon? Technically, the 2 smaller car seats we own (radian & chicco Nextfit) fit in back with room for a teen. Other teen in front seat, I drive. (This would be for our many errands around town all week. Dh would buy a beater car with cash from proceeds of 12 seater van for him to get to work) If we go for it, we'd be stuck with the arrangement for 2 long years. We're trialing it this week with dh's Subaru. Wish me luck. All the kids may revolt. Edited October 1, 2016 by Hilltopmom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeAgain Posted October 1, 2016 Share Posted October 1, 2016 Good luck! :D 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted October 1, 2016 Share Posted October 1, 2016 Ummm, yes that is crazy. LOL. Good luck! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK_Mom4 Posted October 1, 2016 Share Posted October 1, 2016 I don't think it is that crazy at all. The leg room in the back seat of a Subaru isn't that bad. As long as there is room for all three to fit without compromising seat belts, I would absolutely do it. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted October 1, 2016 Share Posted October 1, 2016 What happens when all six of you want to go somewhere together? This is what I'm thinking? Can you never bring an extra teen anywhere? Do you ever road trip at all? It just does seem very limiting to me. I drive a minivan with just 2 kids and we use all that extra space a bunch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeenagerMom Posted October 1, 2016 Share Posted October 1, 2016 I drive a 7 seater with a 4 person all adult sized family and sometimes IT isn't big enough! LOL! At least 50% of the time I have at least 1 extra teenager with us or another younger family member! So I vote for crazy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noreen Claire Posted October 1, 2016 Share Posted October 1, 2016 What happens when all six of you want to go somewhere together? I'm about to have this problem, too. We drive a Mazda5, which seats 6 (2 parents, 1 grown child, 3 car seats). We are about to have a 5th and, if all 7 of us need to go somewhere, we will need to take 2 cars. It won't happen very often, but it still isn't what I want to do. Good luck! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne in ABQ Posted October 1, 2016 Share Posted October 1, 2016 Going from a 12 passenger van to a wagon seems like quite a stretch. You skipped over the 7 passenger mini-van. Seems like that would be a better transition vehicle for a family of six. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypamama Posted October 1, 2016 Share Posted October 1, 2016 I used our Ford Focus with three boys in boosters/carseats in the back and DD up front for a while; you do what you have to do sometimes, and finances are finances. My concern with getting a beater for your husband is that the beaters we've had have unexpectedly needed expensive and very necessary repairs. If income is tight, having to come up with several hundred dollars right away so that your husband can get to work can be really hard, since savings might not be the top priority. Can you work a small car payment for a better car for your DH into the budget? I had a paid-for minivan that kept breaking down and needing really expensive repairs, and I am much happier with a small car payment and a reliable van. (Fwiw, DH's 2004 Ford Focus has been blessedly reliable. We put one replacement engine in it at 200K miles, and it's needed a couple of small things over the years, but nothing terribly emergent. It also has a surprisingly roomy backseat and trunk space. The fuel economy is great too. I would definitely recommend it and will consider another Focus when this one eventually becomes not reasonable.) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopmom Posted October 1, 2016 Author Share Posted October 1, 2016 Well, we already own the Subaru & it's almost paid for. I'd love to go back to a AWD Sienna, but we're having a lot of trouble finding a dealer that will take our 12 seater for a decent price AND find us a AWD Sienna. AWD is a deal breaker since we need it to get up our steep driveway during the long winter here. The Sienna's with AWD are hard to come by around here. His beater won't be too much of a beater, but hoping to be able to pay cash for it, then pay off Subaru in 2 years. Then get van I want. But I'm not sure we can make it through 2 years in the Subaru. Yea, if we all go somewhere (maybe 1x a month), we'll have to take both cars. Btdt. It's annoying but way less gas than driving the big van back n forth all the time. Road trips don't really happen here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted October 1, 2016 Share Posted October 1, 2016 Ugh..no... If trips are usually short maybe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopmom Posted October 1, 2016 Author Share Posted October 1, 2016 Having major second thoughts about this now :) Seems like doable in theory but in reality, not so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjzimmer1 Posted October 1, 2016 Share Posted October 1, 2016 We are an 8 person family who had a 7 passenger vehicle as our largest vehicle for almost 3 years. It wasn't ideal but honestly the times we needed to take everyone to the same place at the same time was really quite limited. Even with the extra gas from taking two vehicles it was still far cheaper than buying a larger vehicle. Now I know your situation is reversed but I'd look at how often you need to take everyone. For running errands and around town, even if the teen in back is a little squished I'd be more than willing to consider it if the financial difference was substantial. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lang Syne Boardie Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 (edited) I'd vote no, and I am very frugal about cars and don't mind inconvenience. But this is a shade too much, IMO...it would get old SO quick. Edited October 2, 2016 by Tibbie Dunbar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MistyMountain Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 (edited) With cars I prefer cars with good gas mileage that cost less. We had a station wagon even when it was hard to fit 3 car seats or boosters and when adults were visiting when we had 2 kids. For things like grocery shopping and everyday driving it has never been an issue. We even go camping with it. It is harder for camping but we got a roof basket for camping and trips to Lowes. I would without a second thought have a car that just fits us even if it is a tight fit and I had teens. My dh would probably just get a bigger vehicle if it were not for me but I do not mind making it work in small vehicles. Edited October 2, 2016 by MistyMountain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xahm Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 If you need to make it work,you will. For a time, my parents made three teens sit on the bench of a small SUV. No fun,especially since i always had to be in the middle, but we survived. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jen3kids Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 We drove 12+ hours, twice, with 2 adults and 3 teens in our Subaru Forester this past summer. It was tight, but doable. I'm 100% sure we won't do it again, but it's doable for short drives. A couple questions... do all the kids need to go on every trip? Can one of the teens stay home with one of the littles? When will your oldest get his license and be able to drive himself/sibling to activities? Can you move your 3 year old to a smaller booster within the next 2 years? I think you do what you need to do. Will everyone be happy? Nope. Will it kill them? Nope. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 (edited) I think it could work assuming the Subaru is an Outback or Forrester and not say, the Impreza Sport hatchback. And assuming your 13 year old is average or below average size. It's just two years. You own it, so try it for a week or two before you sell the 12 passenger thing. Edited October 2, 2016 by LucyStoner 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplejackmama Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 Um how big are your teens? :) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnificent_baby Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 I drive a vehicle around that size. It is very, very cramped with my 3 adolescent children. I can't imagine trying it with 4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypamama Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 How often do all of you go somewhere together? In my case, it's generally less than once a week. We'd make two cars work for a time period if need be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TX Native Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 Since AWD Sienna's are hard to come by in your area, would it be difficult to find an AWD commuter car for your dh? I am guessing his commuter car will need to be AWD as well since you mention the steep hill in winter, but maybe not. Have you considered selling the 12 passenger van privately to get more money than through the dealer? This would allow more money towards your 2nd vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartlikealion Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 What happens if/when car seats change? Will everyone still fit safely? What about vacations? You take two cars? Is there room for everyone's stuff if you have to say, lug sports equipment, pick up groceries, etc.? I know it can be a pain thinking of car seats and such. We have one car and only dh can drive it when we go anywhere as a family because of the configuration of the car seats. He's very tall so must sit in front of ds' booster rather than in front of dd's rear facing convertible carseat. Everyone gets annoyed with me at the car pick up line at ds' school because of what door we have to open to get him out. I tried to tell them, "sorry, I can't move his seat to the other side. My husband wouldn't fit in the driver seat if I did." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 Two vehicles when everyone is going somewhere together will be a pain, but it sounds like financially it makes sense. It could be nice to be able to leave or return home in separate groups too, get the little ones to bed on time without the teenager having to come home too. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SereneHome Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 I am a firm believer in you do what you have to do. I would, however, run a few scenarios. How much insurance, registration, etc will be for each car. In our state, registration depends on the year and model of the car. We also have inspections every year, so the "beater" can't be that beaten or it will cost $$$ to pass inspection. Gas prices are fairly cheap right now so filling up a small 4 cylinder vs big van won't be THAT much difference, but it is a difference and it adds up. Just take emotions out of it and run the numbers. And then figure out if the price worth the inconvenience. Good luck!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 Having major second thoughts about this now :) Seems like doable in theory but in reality, not so much. I don't have a Subaru, but I have a car where 3 can fit in the back (even with car seats). Sometimes I sit back there with my 2 kids. I hate it. It's so horribly uncomfortable and I no longer have any car seats. It's fine for the very rare instance we need to fit 5 in the car, but, again, it's so damn uncomfortable. And when car seats are there it is even more difficult to get in and out of the car unless you put one of them in the middle, but I'm assuming you won't do that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FriedClams Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 (edited) We couldn't do it. We're all tall. It would be misery. I have a friend with two petite teen daughters and they'd be fine. I think it depends a lot on people size. I applaud you for downsizing and not being car fussy. It's hard to do these days, and squishing in a car might be a great life lesson for everyone. BEST of luck! Edited October 2, 2016 by FriedClams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 Questions to ask yourself: How tall (and wide) is the teen you're planning to put in the back seat? Is that likely to change while still using this car? I cannot imagine that scenario on a regular basis. I've sat between two car seats on a couple of occasions and wouldn't do it again. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK_Mom4 Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 (edited) Questions to ask yourself: How tall (and wide) is the teen you're planning to put in the back seat? Is that likely to change while still using this car? I cannot imagine that scenario on a regular basis. I've sat between two car seats on a couple of occasions and wouldn't do it again. I wouldn't do it if the teen had to sit in the middle either! That would be terribly incomfortable! Since you have the car, why not try it out and see how it works? I would absolutely put the teen on one side - whichever side can have the most leg room with the two car seats in the middle and side seats. Edited October 2, 2016 by AK_Mom4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 I wouldn't do it if the teen had to sit in the middle either! That would be terribly incomfortable! Since you have the car, why not try it out and see how it works? I would absolutely put the teen on one side - whichever side can have the most leg room with the two car seats in the middle and side seats. It was in a vehicle similar to the Subaru. The two car seats didn't fit properly side by side, they had to be on the outer seats with the empty seat in the middle. It was awful. And I'm short and not particularly wide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 Maybe try to find a Camry as a beater car and have that be your vehicle for a couple of years until you can upgrade for a van? A Camry with snow tires can do long uphill driveways in the snow (FWD or AWD), and you'd have considerably more space across the back for car seats/teen. Moreover, a Camry tends to have good reliability and it's not hard to find one in the $3-4K budget range. I could do that for two years if I had a definite plan on how to get to a better vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 It was in a vehicle similar to the Subaru. The two car seats didn't fit properly side by side, they had to be on the outer seats with the empty seat in the middle. It was awful. And I'm short and not particularly wide. Same here. I'm short and not particularly wide. It is extremely uncomfortable! It puts me in a horrible mood when I have to do it. And I'm the mom sitting with her kids so I also don't bicker with my kids while back there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamakelly Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 It's really hard to get in a car, around car seats. Maybe get a dry run a few times and see how it goes? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MistyMountain Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 I have had to sit with car seats and so has my parents and sister before in cars or minivans and we do quite a bit if driving when we do. It is tight but we do what we have to do. I do not think it is that bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 I have had to sit with car seats and so has my parents and sister before in cars or minivans and we do quite a bit if driving when we do. It is tight but we do what we have to do. I do not think it is that bad. The backseat of my minivan has considerably more room than the Subaru the OP was talking about........ Can people do it? yes. If there's another option, especially if trips of more than about 30 minutes will be required, than it's something to think about. I would be a very cranky person by the end of a trip of even an hour or two if I were in the middle of two car seats. Or even on the side, with a car seat encroaching into my space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MistyMountain Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 (edited) I have a station wagon that is not known for wideness too and I actually found squeezing in the minivan harder. Edited October 2, 2016 by MistyMountain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 I have a station wagon that is not known for wideness too and I actually found squeezing in the minivan harder. That's probably one of those things that's really going to vary by the actual minivan......... I was simply comparing mine to the specific Subaru the op mentioned. I couldn't do it for long and wouldn't expect my teenagers to do it either. Everyone has to determine their own comfort levels and bottom lines...... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artichoke Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 (edited) Well, we already own the Subaru & it's almost paid for. I'd love to go back to a AWD Sienna, but we're having a lot of trouble finding a dealer that will take our 12 seater for a decent price AND find us a AWD Sienna. AWD is a deal breaker since we need it to get up our steep driveway during the long winter here. The Sienna's with AWD are hard to come by around here. His beater won't be too much of a beater, but hoping to be able to pay cash for it, then pay off Subaru in 2 years. Then get van I want. But I'm not sure we can make it through 2 years in the Subaru. Yea, if we all go somewhere (maybe 1x a month), we'll have to take both cars. Btdt. It's annoying but way less gas than driving the big van back n forth all the time. Road trips don't really happen here. Could you sell your 12 passenger as a private party? What about trading your 12 passenger in on something other than a Sienna but meets your criteria? What about an SUV with an optional third row? The third row is usually smaller but one teen can sit comfortably in it. The times you need to all go as a family everyone would fit. I'm in a larger area with many used cars "for sale by owner". Is this something you can explore in your area? ​Best wishes as you find a solution that works for you and yours. Edited October 2, 2016 by Artichoke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skimomma Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 Maybe try to find a Camry as a beater car and have that be your vehicle for a couple of years until you can upgrade for a van? A Camry with snow tires can do long uphill driveways in the snow (FWD or AWD), and you'd have considerably more space across the back for car seats/teen. Moreover, a Camry tends to have good reliability and it's not hard to find one in the $3-4K budget range. I could do that for two years if I had a definite plan on how to get to a better vehicle. We just sold our Camry because we could NOT get it up our hill in winter, even with snow tires. It was honestly the worst winter car we have ever owned. It might have just been that era or engine but we usually have FWD cars and have never had so much trouble getting going. As to the OP, no I do not think you are crazy. It might be a little inconvenient or uncomfortable sometimes but many many people are juggling families with one or no car. If it is safe and meets your financial constraints, do it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopmom Posted October 3, 2016 Author Share Posted October 3, 2016 Widened our search area today to up to about a 3 hour drive from us, found another handful of possible Sienna's :) The Subaru is workable, but not swell. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnificent_baby Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 Widened our search area today to up to about a 3 hour drive from us, found another handful of possible Sienna's :) The Subaru is workable, but not swell. Your kids will appreciate a van if you can find one. My kids ask almost daily if we can go back to our Sienna. They loathe my smallish AWD. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 (edited) We've had 2 Kia Sedonas and they've been great for us if you're open to other minivan suggestions. ETA - we used to have a Suburu wagon as well and I thought it was very tight with the carseats. I can't imagine having to regularly fit a 3rd in between 2 of them. So uncomfortable. Edited October 3, 2016 by WoolySocks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vonbon Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 Signed in to say I have a Subaru and am 5'3, ~120 pounds. Sometimes we have taken 2 adults in the front (a driver and a passenger) and I have had to sit between the 2 carseats (not huge ones, BTW) in the back. The leg room is not the problem. It's the shoulder and hip room. It's almost impossible to sit all the way back because the space between the carseats is not enough for the shoulders. I'm a slender build, so if one of your teens is very small, it's a possibility, but it's not at all comfortable. I wouldn't want to sit that way beyond 20 minutes or so. It doesn't really feel safe because you have to lean forward or at an angle the whole time. Maybe if one of your children in the carseats is going to graduate to a narrower booster soon, it would work for a bit. Otherwise, I wouldn't plan on that long-term. OK in a pinch, but not great for a normal way of getting around town. I get the finances thing so I think it's great that you're being creative, but for the long-haul, I'd search for something with a bit more room. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 Hmmm....I would not personally do it. But my thirteen year boys had a penchant for going from 5'3 to 5'10 in two years and 6'ft by 16 years of age. Their legs ached when they grew like that so being that cramped would have been realy hars on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopmom Posted October 4, 2016 Author Share Posted October 4, 2016 Well, found a dealer to buy the big van & a low end, low mileage, low- ish price Sienna! Picking it up this weekend :) Thanks, all. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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