Someone... PLEASE... explain to me this "We're having a baby so now we have to buy an SUV" phenomenon. PLEASE.

My cousin and his wife recently bought a G35. They traded her car for the new car, but she gets to drive the old Grand Cherokee while he rides around in the new car. His reasoning: She has to get used to it, they plan on having a kid.

Is the problem simply that people have never seen babies before? If so, allow me to help:

BABIES ARE SMALL. THEY FIT INTO NORMAL CARS.

I know that babies have stuff, but accordingly, their stuff is also (generally) small. What, exactly, are you planning to tote about that requires a behemouth vehicle? Are you carrying the childs swingset and entire toy collection with you every time you put the SMALL child into the vehicle?

Why, god... WHY?????

 

Ok, as I have a child -- allow me to explain the theory the best that I can.

It isn't that a child is small and their stuff is small -- it is that you have ALOT of it. Also, in today's world, where more is better and add to it that all your "soccer mom" friends have big cars -- you must keep up, right??

WRONG. We actually traded two SUVs for a MINI and a Subaru wagon while I was pregnant!! We downsized! Yes, now why? Simple, SUVs cost much money in gas, much money in payments, and much money we no longer wished to pour into a car -- when we could pour it into the kid!! Plus, we wanted a MINI -- and shouldn't we have what we want???

Now, when we take long road trips, we take the wagon, and yes we have to put the roof box on it for the space. (But, for trips about town; we do just fine with three people in the MINI.) On a long trip, the space hogs are the portable crib (hotel cribs are ick and sometimes we are staying at someone's house); the stroller (yes, we keep it in the back at all times. We have two, one small one for the MINI -- that takes the whole boot-- and the Land Yacht); the two suitcases it takes us to travel in; the cooler for food for the road. Also, in the beginning, we'd travel with his bathtub and a bouncey seat. We have since been able to pair down considerably, as we have gotten better at this and he needs less of his whole world taken with him.

However, in contrast, my friends who own SUVs tend to overpack for trips making them think "I need all this space", instead of "What are the most essential items we need" Frankly, I think it is laziness of the highest order.

Now, I say all of this, to say I have NOTHING against the SUV as a concept. I think there are valid reasons to own one. I loved owning mine and in my married life, we have had three! However, I don't believe that you HAVE to get an SUV or a minivan for that matter just because you have a carseat in the back; anymore than I believe that you have to have a DVD player in the car for the kids to run your daily errands.

Just one Mommy's opinion.
PB

 

Another related phenom is that when most (but I understand not all) people have one kid, they anticipate having a second within a year or two. Mom, Dad, and one kid will fit into most any vehicle; but it gets might near impossible to fit 2 adults and two kids under 4 (with all of their assorted crap...literally and figuratively ) in anything smaller than a wagon.

In my experience, two kids and their stuff fit fine in any of the small station wagon vehicles (e.g., Subaru, Volvo, Audi, Saturn, etc.). Add a frequent traveling companion -- e.g., dog(s) and/or grandparent -- and you're in minivan territory. But there's no excuse for SUVs with their relative lack of safety and relatively awful fuel economy. No excuses except for the eggregious ones of stupidity, selfishness, or over-compensation for inadequate social or physical stature.

I applaud the practice of downsizing. Now that my kids are out of strollers and the humongous car seats; we're down to one dog; and we have only one infrequent grandparent...I'm again eyeing those small wagons myself (we had one, but got rid of it for a van with the advent of the second kid).

 

Kel,


When you have kids, you'll understand. The previous posters are correct in that the smaller the occupant, the greater the requirement of "stuff" needed. Diaper bag, check; nourishment, check; car seat, check; stroller, check; extra change of clothing for the inevitable, check; toys, check; kiddie song cd, check.... you'll get the picture.

But why an SUV? One reason is because it is easier on the parent's back to load/unload baby and things from an SUV than a regular passenger vehicle. Another is like a mini-van, it is often possible for a front seat passenger to move from the front to the rear of the vehicle without stopping (like in when the inevitable occurs). They are practical, if overpriced, gas-guzzling, poor handling, boring machines.

 

I bought a certified used 03 Corolla earlier this year
because my wife and I are having a boy in a few months. The
reason is because my G20 which I was 'lending' to my wife
has aftermarket struts and is a wee bit stiff ride.

I was looking for a cheap-o car with soft suspension and reliable
day to day economical performance(?)...and the Corolla was my choice.
Since I bought the car about 5 months ago, I only washed it once...
kinda telling you how much I CARE about that car.


I wouldn't buy a SUV just for the baby..but would buy a car with
a plush soft suspension at least until the baby's head is seated well on
its neck. After that, I think you can use any car of your choice, but
a 4dr would probably be easier to use.

 

PB... now that you've clarified the SUV thing, I'm going to need a little help understanding the "bouncey seat" thing...


Ok... never thought of the parental-spinal aspect. Much bending--gotcha. Thanks. :smile:

But what did parents do before the advent of the SUV?

And this is not to knock SUVs -- though I, personally, don't like them, I understand that there are valid reasons for ownership. I just needed help with the "we need an SUV" mentality when, clearly, people were procreating and traveling just fine prior to their introduction.

I was also unaware of the volume of stuff that babies apparently require. They're so little (the babies, that is) I couldn't have imagined that they needed/wanted so much... stuff!

 

I agree with everything MGCMAN said and note that it's all the more reason to support a minivan over an SUV. It's a whole lot easier to move from the front passenger seat to one of the back seats in a minivan vs. an SUV. Also, riding with only one of the second row seats installed (the common config in my minivan, and something not possible in many SUVs) leaves a nice flat floor "platform" from which to strap in the kids (they don't strap themselves...), perform diaper changing duties, or park the uncollapsed mega-stroller when a quick getaway from a typically melting down toddler activity is necessary. Minivans are very kid friendly...if not usually quite so friendly to the parents' egos.

 

Before SUV's? Anyone remember these?




But the way to go today, would be one of these:

 

So how is it that the majority of parents around the world manage fine without an SUV? I bet there are plenty of parents with little darlings reliant upon Smart cars etc.

My folks toted my brother and I in a pink ("Salmon") Plymouth and they liked it. In my day bulgemobile ownership of any kind was not justified by birthing of babies. And I don't remember any Native Americans complaining about having to strap their progeny onto their backs and walk em to Kindercare. Of course, not having kids I don't know what the hell I'm talking about, but dagnabbit, I don't care.

 

We got by (with twins no less) without an SUV. 'Course it helped that they were born when we lived in Europe and SUV's were non-existant, save for a few Jeep Cherokees made in Austria. Solution? VW Passat diesel (25 mpg) then replaced by an Audi A6 Avant (station wagon in Audispeak). Yep, got us the European equivalent of the Vista Cruiser. It has seats for seven (rear facing jump seat for two), is AWD and gets 22 mpg. We be happy with it.

p.s. danp has plugged into my thought process on this thread.

 

Im kind of a wagon-type myself (vs SUV/minivan). Been considering the
new legacy wagon. :smile: I can always use more traction in these snowy
chicago roads in the winter.

but again, it wouldn't be just for the baby..just want a car that can carry
soso big stuff. Otherwise, I just borrow the company van.

 

Hey this topic ties directly to my weekend shopping for a bigger vehicle cuz we are new parents. Let me start by saying that I have stated many times in this forum my dislike (ok hatred) of suvs. However now that we are trying to cram an infant car seat into my wife's Honda Civid 4dr we now realize bigger is sometimes better.

In my wifes Civic the safest place for an infant car seat is in the middle of the back seat facing rearward. This is the recommeded position for any vehicle. In the MINI this is not an option so the infant seat must go in the back on either the left or right side and the front seat must be moved foward all the way, which makes riding in that front seat uncomfortable and less safe (not supposed to sit close to air bag). Back to the Civic. With the car seat in the middle there is little room on either side for passengers, my wife sat back there and was very cramped. Infant car seats are not small, they take up a lot of room.

Then you must think about when you need to squeeze in two car seats. Children are requried to be in car seats until about 5-6 years of age. In the MINI it would be nearly impossible to put two kids in back under the age of 5 or 6. In the Civic it's doable but the capicity is maxed, no room from friends or family or the poor dog who never gets to go anywhere anymore.

My wife and I test drove a Mazda 6 wagon (what we were looking for) and the Mazda Tribute V6 SUV. She liked the Tribute better, funner to drive, felt more responsive, better vision out of the back and higher up. We also test drove a Saab 9 2-x but it was too small.

I found that what is important is the width of the vehicle. You need a wide back seat to fit the infant seat in the middle and have room for passengers on either side or for when you have two kids in car seats.

We discussed it a decided we are still not the SUV type. We will make do with the Civic for now and keep looking at wagons. And yes I am stalling in order to let MINI come out with a wagon.

 

The reason people buy SUV's instead of station wagons, minivans and other alternatives is image.

Station Wagons are starting to make a comeback, with cars like the A4 Avant, but for the most part, you still think of the Brady Bunch, or Clark Griswold Family Truckster, when you think of wagons.

Minivans have the most boring image of any car created. It's hard to think of one red blooded male who dreams of owning a Dodge Caravan. Minivans pretty much have too much of an estrogen (sic?) image for most women I know.

So in order to get the play pens, swings and other stuff to grandmas house folks feel like they need bigger cars. They would rather have the image of an outdoorsman, than a family in the process. At least that has been my perception of all the folks I know with SUV's.

We have one and are buying another, but we thorougly thrash ours. It tows stuff, gets kayaks thrown on the roof and mud down the side. We probably put it in 4-wheel drive at least once a month.

People buy the capability of SUV's like that exercise equipment, camping gear and other recreational items you buy thinking you will use, but you never will.

 

Given the choice between minivan or SUV, I'd take an SUV and wouldn't think twice about it...

A lot of it has to do the with the fact that a minivan is a utilitarian family hauler, no more, no less...

To me an SUV is a little more, and no I'm not talking about an Escalade, or a Lexus SUV... I'm talking a Yukon or a (ick) Explorer here... Something that I'd be willing to throw some tents and go driving up into the mountains with...

How many Hummers, or Acura's or Land Cruisers do you see lugging a trailer or covered in mud?

 

I have never seen a kindergarden-aged child disembark from a car seat and I challenge the mentality that requires kids that old to be placed in them. Is this law? Parental common sense? I find this even more confusing than the bouncey seat...

I was raised through infant-hood to tiny copilot in a Trans Am (replete with giant chicken and special edition rims). 4 door schmoor door.

 

Proving beyond all doubt that Toasty is indeed the illicit love child of Burt Reynolds and Sally Field

It all depends on how tall your kindergarten child is. If s/he's tall enough not to get choked by the shoulder belt, then a booster seat is all that's required. Although I suppose that there are some kids so short and light (under 40 lbs) that they still need the full-blown kiddie seat at age 5 - 6.

 

It depends on the state I believe, many if not most states require the use of a booster seat (off the top of my head I believe the standard is 8 years or 80 lbs). It has to do with the seatbelts not being the right size for a child, apparently if the strap covers their face it's considered a bad thing... whoda thunk!

Heck, I remeber riding on the BACK DECK of my grandfather's Lincoln Continental and playing with my matchbox cars up there as we drove down to Florida! Safety seats??? I used to wave to the cops!

 

So you were the lucky one on the back deck! I had to ride in the trunk, with the hunting dogs.

 

At least there was a lot of room in the trunks on those old Lincolns!

 

things have definately changed for the better. I'm not a big research/numbers guy but I bet small children are now fairing a lot better in accidents.

I remember when my brother and I would fight over who get the front seat in my mom's Pinto. That is who gets to stand up on the front seat where the only safety feature was moms arm that got thrust over to keep us from flying out of the windshield.

It is a real ***** getting my son in and out of his rearward facing car seat, I would not want to try it very often in a two door. Kids can ride in the front seat but are safer in the back seat and I'm big on doing what's best not what's easier.

However I do agree that a lot of the stuff we have come to rely on today is based on comsumerism. Our boy has a very nice designer crib set he has never slept in, an 'arm's reach co-sleeper, a moses basket, some other thing called a 'miracle bed' or something and my wife is chomping at the bit to get more stuff. He currently sleeps in a moses basket in the co-sleeper, that is until he makes the first little peep then he is quickly scooped up and placed in bed with us.

 

I have a two year old boy and have no problems carting him about in the MINI. My wife is 5'9" and we all fit fine. We move the seat far enough up so he doesn't kick the back of the seat too hard. That can get annoying on long trips...

We have a Saab wagon as well but end up taking the MINI most of the time. I think the key is what someone said earlier. We are past the age of bouncy chairs and strollers etc. He is old enough to walk and usually would rather walk any ways. Two year olds can be very picky about such things. When he was an infant we usually took the Saab because we needed the space for all his infant crap. Now we just make sure he has his favorite bear, plastic car and of course a sippy cup full of milk!

He likes riding in the MINI better because he can see more. We have the sunroof and he loves it. Everytime I put it back he says "oooooooooohhhh". :smile:

 

Someone please explain the bouncey seat!!! What is this contraption? I need to know so I can ask my mother if I had one, thereby finding out if I was deprived at all as a small child...

Booster seats -- I'm AMAZED! This may very well turn out to be the single most informative thread I've ever been involved in. I think my mother let me stop wearing my seat belt when I turned 8...

Did I mention, Jsun, that the Trans Am had T-tops?

 

Kel,


I feel like a surrogate parent to you.

Check this out:

http://www.gracobaby.com/


Baby 101

What do they teach kids in college these days?

p.s. can you get me Burt and Sally's autograph?

 

I'm thinking that when we have kids, we'll dump the cars for motorcycles. Isn't that what sidecars are for? Maybe a Harley Electraglyde Standard....mmmmm Harley.

Marty

 

rcase13,

Let me get this straight, your 2 y.o. rides in a child safety seat, facing forward behind the passenger seat and there is still room for you wife to ride comfortably? The passenger seat does not have to be moved all the way forward?

What kind of car seat are you using because we are still using the infant seat which may for some reason be a lot bigger than the one you are using.

I attempted to put the infant seat in the MINI once but gave up because the passenger seat had to be all the way forward and I knew not to insist that my wife ride with her forehead pressed against the windshield.