So we have this baby, right? You’ve probably noticed a post or two about her. Well, she’s super. We also have a dog, and for the year prior to the baby, he was the baby. A tall, gangly, long-legged 65 pound baby. A baby that used to go for frequent car rides around town with me. A baby that used to go to the dog park to run with his friends.
We have a fundamental problem right now with the logistics of toting infant and dog around. Chris and I both drive modest sedans. Sedans do not offer a practical or safe way to transport a tender infant with a somewhat awkward and heavy dog. Hence, the time is coming very soon where one of the sedans will have to go.
The problem is, I am having a hard time deciding what the new car should be. Nevermind lease or buy (but at this point, lease is looking better and better all the time because some of these vehicles are pricey). So I’ve been keeping a shortlist of vehicles we are considering. Here it is in no particular order:
1. Toyota RAV 4
2. Mazda CX 7
3. Honda Pilot
4. Toyota Highlander
5. Subaru Forester
6. Subaru Outback Wagon
7. Saturn Outlook (we considered the Vue until we saw the tiny back cargo area)
8. Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute/Mercury Mariner
9. Buick Rendevous
10. Mitsubishi Outlander
11. Nissan Rogue
12. BMW x3 (NO, really. We found a used one from a private seller that is a ridiculously affordable price, actually more so affordable than a baseline Toyota Highlander or Honda Pilot)
After considering the list, it’s really not that short and it does complicate the vehicle hunt. I can safely eliminate minivans from consideration due to the fact I started my impressionable driving years in a Dodge Caravan. Done that, don’t need to do it again.
So I’ve been a little distracted lately between caring for the squirt and trying to research all these potential vehicles. Anyone want to help me test drive? So far I can only test drive one or two cars a day because I have to bring the wee one with me (and it’s really hard to determine road noise in a candidate vehicle with Reese going Code Red in the back seat).
Also, I’m currently carless for the next few days while I have some bodywork done on my car (we want to squeeze as much trade in value as we can). A little help getting out of the house would be rad.
There might be a metric ton of chocolates in it for you.