As I’m adding to my family and making gains at work, I realize I’m at the point where I need to upgrade my vehicle. Yes, my current vehicle still runs and has plenty of room in the back for two kids. But it has more than !25K miles, and it seems like every other day it needs repairs of some sort. I think I need something a little newer and yes – more fuel efficient. As someone who regularly drives 60-plus miles to work, a fuel-efficient car is a must. And finding one that can haul around kids and doesn’t scream “SOCCER MOM” is a necessity.
Check out www.fueleconomy.gov to search by make, model and year to find a car that suits you and your family’s lifestyle. You can compare cars side by side to see how much it will cost you to fill the tank, how long you can go between fill-ups, and annual cost of gas. I’ve been on there at least once a week whenever I see a new car that I think I might like to purchase.
So let me know: what do you drive? Does it fit the kids comfortably? How’s your gas mileage?
I drive a 2008 Ford Fusion. It’s good on gas. My tank holds about 400 miles which is a trip from Detroit to Kent and back. It fits 2 carseats, well a car seat and booster seat in the back well with enough space for someone else to tag along. I don’t like the trunk size though. It’s smaller than the 2006 Fusion I had so I can only fit the stroller and maybe a few other things back there. Other than that, I love my goldie!
When I bought my car 3 or 4 years ago, I based it on safety ratings. I didn’t have any children at the time, but I was taking my niece (who was an itty bitty baby) back and forth to the babysitter and I needed something that in case of a car accident would keep my precious cargo safe. I got a Honda CRV which had the highest safety ratings of any SUV that year and got as good gas mileage as the SUV hybrid of comparable size. And my nieces and nephews love being in my car, so I suppose it’s comfy for them. I’m surprised that safety ratings wasn’t the main focus of your car search.
@Courtney – I’ve been looking at another sedan, but I hear good things about the Ford Escape hybrid.
@Tina – Can I have a glass of milk to go along with my mommy guilt please? LOL. Of course safety ratings are important. That’s the entire reason I bought my current car. I wouldn’t buy a car that I wouldn’t trust my groceries in just so I can save myself the “agony” of the soccer mom label. When I wrote this post 1) it was one day after I had my son, forgive me if my brain skipped over this very important part -LOL and 2)gas was $700 (or what felt like it) a gallon in my state.