Woo! We're having a baby!

"Ryanator122" (hawkeye122)
08/31/2015 at 19:10 • Filed to: None

So my fiancée has been pregnant since February and we’ve been talking about replacing her aging 2002 CRV with something a little larger.

I know Crossover isn’t supposed to be the answer, but I keep seeing Highlanders and thinking “Yeah, I’d rock that”. Tall enough not to scrape, loads of room in the back, optional 3rd row, reasonably efficient.

As much as I’d love a V70 or an E39 Wagon, those don’t seem entirely practical on the upkeep side. I’ll have my Camry still for more efficient drives, so maybe a step larger wouldn’t be too bad? Looking in the $10,000 range, but would way prefer to spend less.

Here’s a G37 GTR to make fun of for your time. It was parked in my hometown and I wanted to leave a “LOL pathetic” themed note so bad...

DISCUSSION (25)

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > Ryanator122
08/31/2015 at 19:14

First gen Pilot would be a good starting point. You could also probably find a cheap Mazda5 with a stick if you want something a little more fun. If you want something a little younger, newer CR-Vs or Foresters are a safe bet.

$kaycog > Ryanator122
08/31/2015 at 19:14

Congratulations, new daddy to be!

T5Killer > Ryanator122
08/31/2015 at 19:15

Congrats!

Ryanator122 > T5Killer
08/31/2015 at 19:19

Thanks!

Ryanator122 > $kaycog
08/31/2015 at 19:19

Thanks!!!

Ryanator122 > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/31/2015 at 19:21

I've heard Forester transmission horror stories, and evidentially the CRV is too small. I will look at Pilots though.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > Ryanator122
08/31/2015 at 19:24

A newer CR-V will be fine if you only have one kid (if there are are more down the road, it may not be the best choice). You should check out a 5, as it'll be practical but still drive well and have a manual.

dogisbadob > Ryanator122
08/31/2015 at 19:26

Congrats on the upcoming tot.

Perhaps a Mazda 5 or Kia Rondo would work for you? The Focus wagon may suit your needs as well. They were sold here through 2007 and have quite a bit of room.

I guess the Lucas electrical shit stopped working on your CRV :p

vicali > Ryanator122
08/31/2015 at 19:26

My sister is test driving Pilot/Highlander/4Runner 7 this afternoon.. Their big thing is 3rd row seats to carry their two kids and all their stuff. Our two kids are fine in the back of our SG Forester, also good in the Tacoma doublecab.. I’m busy convincing my wife that a nice 5th gen T4R would look better in our driveway -> Double Expo Rigs ftw..

Ryanator122 > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/31/2015 at 19:28

Eh, there’s at least one more coming and we’re active so gotta carry tents and ice chests and bikes and crap. I keep looking and passing on the 5, I need to just drive one...

Ryanator122 > vicali
08/31/2015 at 19:30

Haha that would look better for sure.

Let me know how the test driving goes? My mother had a 2007 4Runner V8, I love that thing but they hold their damn value too well, or have 11 billion miles on the clock

Ryanator122 > dogisbadob
08/31/2015 at 19:32

Between the electrics and the random bits of trim falling off (big black rail things which run down to the hood) I was ok, but the transmission has gotten progressively more sloppy and clunky since I've met her. 180k is a long life for a Honda AT....

dogisbadob > Ryanator122
08/31/2015 at 19:34

cool cool

How about the Trailblazer EXT and friends? Three usable rows of seating and an I6 engine.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > Ryanator122
08/31/2015 at 19:45

If you're gonna carry tents and stuff in addition to kids, a larger SUV (or minivan) is probably better.

Ryanator122 > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/31/2015 at 19:46

I really really am not ready for 10mog though :/ bahhhh

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Ryanator122
08/31/2015 at 21:30

Congrats man!

Tom McParland > Ryanator122
08/31/2015 at 21:38

Congrats!

ahem - http://carbuying.jalopnik.com/parents-just-b…

or not - http://carbuying.jalopnik.com/here-are-the-b…

Wacko > Ryanator122
08/31/2015 at 22:43

Congrats, little Jalop or a jezzie?

My baby girl is 16 months old, and my boy is due in a month and a half.

I bought a 2014 pathfinder this March, even if it has a CVT. so far so good, great interior, and great leg room all 3rows.

orcim > Ryanator122
09/01/2015 at 01:25

OK. You probably aren’t gonna like this comment. Really. It’s from a dad person with 3 boys who are now late teens and 20’s.

I was where you are, but without the Oppo gene. 3 months before the first born, I bought a brand new (my *only* new purchase) top end minivan. Had a 5 speed Jetta for commutes, mom had the Civic for other stuff (though once kid showed, we sold it.) And the minivan, that embarrassing Facebook-tagging, connotation driving, land-based spaceship yacht saved my fucking life. How? I didn’t have to spend time thinking, packing, arranging, arguing (with my significant other) for how the *shit* was gonna fit. Not once.

I simply *shoveled* and went. Even after the second kid.

Now, some people may prioritize image over smooth flow in life. That’s fine. Just make sure that’s a choice you’re good with. I wasn’t - I wanted flow. Never having to “pack” (although as a dad I had the topological space-time sense to realize that what couldn’t be packed could, in fact, be packed) but it costs to do that. I-got-rid-of-that-cost (stress down, pre-worry down, domestic maintenance high.) And I consider my life to have better for it, even if others may have considered me a fuddy duddy. Actually - fuck them, they didn’t have kids and had no idea what sleep deprivation and parent worry can do to a person.

Also - congrats! Bottom line? Space to shovel. That’s all.

Ryanator122 > Tom McParland
09/01/2015 at 01:46

Dude Tom hit me up on my post? Awesome.

Yeah, I've read before. I'm looking at older/cheaper cars though. In vain, I'm holding out for not a van

Ryanator122 > Wacko
09/01/2015 at 01:48

Jezzie. I know there's this big thing of guys wanting boys but I'm not getting that, I'm just excited.

Ryanator122 > orcim
09/01/2015 at 02:05

Yeah I hear ya. I'm worried though... WHICH minivan? Does a Suburban count?

Tom McParland > Ryanator122
09/01/2015 at 08:44

Yeah I totally glossed over your price point...I’ll echo the others on the first or second gen Highlanders, if you can find a well maintained one, they should run for a long time.

Ryanator122 > Tom McParland
09/01/2015 at 12:24

I’m glad I’m on the right track then.

Thanks for the well wishes, man

orcim > Ryanator122
09/02/2015 at 02:30

You need to note something specific in my comment - it’s about “flow”. Whatever, and I mean, *whatever*, that means to you. I picked every “battle” in raising a family based on that, and almost nothing else - because all that other shit was ‘me’ specific, and not my kids/family “specific.”

Personally, I’ve seen many parents create anti-flow, conflict, etc. from their beliefs or triggered actions. Bad news in my mind, but I guess they were “happy.” Don’t do that. Find the things that work within your own constraints and rock it. Minivan/Suburban - who cares? Does it flow, does it make things smoother, does it decrease the stress and increase the incidence of getting laid? Those are the $64,000 questions. (And trust me, a few of those question will become *very* important lateron.)