Kid Hauler
 

Well, lets face it...I'm probably going to need a kid hauler within the next 5-7 years. I'm graduating in slightly more than a month, I'm getting married two weeks after that, and I'm moving into the brand new house I'm having built about 3 weeks after that. More likely than not...kids are in my near future.

I'm an avid planner...I like to think way ahead - I hate being surprised by things I could have predicted. I've been struggling with the thought of joining the "soccer mom" crowd by buying a minivan. I'm a strict Honda fundamentalist, so that leaves me with few choices. For a while I've been thinking of buying a CR-V. I still like the idea, but I really don't like SUV's, and it's borderline SUV in the looks department.

This month's Honda Tuning (long time subscriber) gave me new hope. I found out that the 95-97 Odessy's have the same motor as the accords (H/F series). Even cheaper than an Odessy is the Isuzu Oasis (Odessy clone) - I can scoop one up for about $4K. Could you imagine...taking the kids to school in the minivan with a swapped H23-VTEC? It would be even cooler to swap the 5-speed tranny. Haha.

Anyhow, I got a kick out of thinking about this and thought I would share.:D

DaX, I'm a few years ahead of you. I've got 3 children now (4 and under), and it's a blast.

I had a CR-V (2003), and it was a great vehicle. But, it wasn't really large enough when number 3 came along. This is mostly due to car seats (which can't fit 3 across in most any vehicle that has 3 across seating). So, I ended up with a 2002 Odyssey. It's also a great vehicle, but the Gas mileage is only adequate. Sure it's decent among it's peers, but at 20, it's not that great. I have had my eye on the 1st gen Ody and it looks like a great platform. I just don't think I'll be able to talk the wife into it. :( So, in a similar vein of the 5 speed H23 swap into the first gen, I've been fantasizing about a 3.2 Type-S CL with 6-speed swap into the 2nd Gen Ody. :) It's just a passing thing I'm sure, but that would be really neat to have a manual Mini-van.

So keep in mind that the number of kids and their age proximity that will force decisions on seating.

Welcome to a whole new world!

Haha, thanks for the heads up. I'm hoping to only have two, and am unsure as to what age interval to shoot for.

Is there any hope for the father with the pimped 6sp RTAWD wagovan?

Hey, Dax. As civicminded says, welcome to a whole new world. When I got married I owned a '92 Ford Taurus and that served very well as a daily driver and for kids. Tons of room, very comfortable.

I moved on to a '92 Dodge Spirit when the Taurus' electronics died. Just a hair less space, but still plenty of room and comfort for 4.

When my wife and I had our third child we moved up to the '95 Aerostar. Tons of room and power and a complete gas hog. I don't recommend any minivan just for that reason - unless you find an old Dodge 4-banger with a 5-speed. However, with 3 kids a 6+ seater van is a necessity on long trips.

With 2 kids, IMO, you can get away with a sedan. If you're a Honda man then an Accord may last you a really long time.

But, like I said that's just my opinion...and make certain you keep a beater to tool around with. Women don't like it when you experiment on the family grocery getter. :D :(

I always thought the parent at my school with the Peugot was the coolest dude in the world, but that's just me, :)

Yeah, our current car lineup is:

1988 Civic Hatchback
1990 Civic Sedan
1997 Accord Sedan

The Accord (which Tammara drives) is great - we'll at least keep it through our first kid.

I sure hope so! Lowered, 17's with some nice sticky rubber, - and the RL drivetrain. Yummm......

OK, it really is hopeless....:D

I second the Accord notion - I have a stock one that has 256k miles. It has been a great vehicle, and would work well for a family of 4.

My $.02

We bought a 99 Odyssey just before having our first child. 11 months later (after the first child) we had our second. I found that the Odyssey was actually too large for us. We traded it in for the Prius which is a perfect fit. For three kids, yes a minivan is the way to go.

Ok, unless we are cursed (blessed?) with twins the second go round, we won't be having three children. :)