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We have 2-year old twins and so our current 1995 Subaru wagon (which I love, but is getting old) can't fit more than for (me, hubby, and two carseats).
Since we will be in carseats for a bit longer (and heaven forbid we have another child ) I was thinking mini-van was the only way I could go.
I would prefer a hybrid, but there don't seem to be a whole lot of options. We are NOT SUV fans (apologies to those who are) but we do have a lot of bad weather to deal with living in Anchorage.
My priorities are safety, room, and fuel efficiency.
If you're taking it to Anchorage, you might want to check with some people up there to see if the cold will cause problems with the batteries, or if the heater will keep the car warm with the engine shut off at lights.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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my friends who have to drive Escapes for their 'gov' job HATE them when the going gets rough and it is COLD. And they get 'towed' in a lot.
Quite honestly I would do a search and find a used, low mileage, non-rust belt, AWD minivan, (ship it up) and just consider it a chapter in life. We have got 200,000 out of a couple minivans that we use as 'utility cars'. Unfortunately have had to put a transmission in each, but...once they are fixed, and new coolers added + I change fluid every 20k... $1200 is not too bad to spend on something that you can get for under $10k and use for 10 yrs. Beat the tar out of it, and kids spill stuff and after you build a few houses and carry construction material and paint and ladders... they get a little rough. But pretty low cost per mile and they get ~ 22- 24 mpg and are very easy to get fixed and cheap for parts, if you ever need any. I did have to put a water pump in one last yr - $13.00. ~ 30 min job to replace. Only one set of spark plugs in 120,000 miles, and running fine. Oh, and I had to add a can of juice to the AC - $5.00.
Guess I should have made it a little clearer. We are not moving to Anchorage, rather I have lived here for the last 15 years.
Loving my Subaru wagon as I do, the Forrester might be the way to go, but with the necessity for two car seats, the problem I have is still the same.
Unless we want to go for an over large SUV (No, thanks), I think to fit more than the 4 of us, it will have to be a minivan. I just wish that they got better mileage (or that Subaru made one ).
Location: The Frenchie Farm, Where We Grow 'em Big!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by terise
Thanks for tips.
Guess I should have made it a little clearer. We are not moving to Anchorage, rather I have lived here for the last 15 years.
Loving my Subaru wagon as I do, the Forrester might be the way to go, but with the necessity for two car seats, the problem I have is still the same.
Unless we want to go for an over large SUV (No, thanks), I think to fit more than the 4 of us, it will have to be a minivan. I just wish that they got better mileage (or that Subaru made one ).
I know...I love my all-wheel drive wagon, but again there is the space issue. We will need at the two carseats or boosters for the next few years and cant fit anyone else in the car. So...minvan momma I might have to be
But the new Subaru is a crossover. So you wouldn't exactly be a minivan momma.
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) I was thinking mini-van was the only way I could go.
).
