We're shopping used as well but DH doesn't want to go less than a 2009 model
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Ya ~ we bought my van back in 2008 so it was only 4 years old at the time ... while i do not like buying 'brand new' due to the way vehicles depreciate so quickly ~ I would not want to get a vehicle that is too old either cause than you run into issues with too many KM and so forth.
One of the things that helped me when seeking a new vehicle was choosing a car seat store that had awesome customer service ~ it is one thing to try to 'measure' using a tape and 'inches' and quite another thing to be sure that you can actually 'install' the seats in that space while accessing the belts and tightening them properly ... the store here they allowed us to bring the vehicles we were test driving to the store and 'try' the car seats in various styles on in the van to 'ensure' that we could indeed fit the configuration needed ~ LOVED that about them!
I have one of the cheapest minivans on the market, and they don't even make them any more. I have a Chevy Uplander. It fits four car seats - two in the back, and one on each captain's chair in the middle.
With any minivan, can't you fit at least four?
Should as long as it has enough tethers for sure.
When I opened we use to take the bus places that we could not 'walk' because that was my only option ~ however I HATED it ... it was just so inconvenient with the amount of time it took to get anywhere something that is a 10 minute care ride takes over an hour on the bus so that is restricting on where you can 'go' time wise and transfers and so forth and well 'risky' cause the buses can get packed full of people and the drivers are not all 'pleasant' in making sure you are all OFF the bus before trying to pull away ~ I had an incident where a driver started to pull away while I was still trying to get my last kid off add to that dealing with the language and behavior of others you can be exposed to on the bus it just motivated me to do the budgeting and research into getting a vehicle ...I knew I wanted a vehicle that fit 5 cause that is how many kids I typically had each day and what my budget for income reflected at the time ... took some time in the beginning but the FREEDOM it opened up for the program ~ :wub:
We have a Savanna but old enough it doesn't come with any hooks but that is ok since I don't drive. As a vehicle we love it. No matter what vehicle you buy if you can get an extended model go for it as you will want the extra storage space at the back for strollers, wagon, diaper bags etc. If you can get the extension with an extended wheel base too ie the back wheels are further back instead of just a lot of extra vehicle hanging over the end it will be more stable.