What vehicle for families?

We have 4 boys, 24, 21, and twins who are 18.  When the twins were born, we had a Saturn SL1.  If you're a math whiz you can count 6 people and there were only 5 seatbelts.  Unfortunately, the twins were born a year after we purchased the Saturn and weren't in a position to buy another vehicle because...kids are expensive...

We got a Crown Vic Wagon.  3 seatbelts in the front, 3 in the rear.  We'd put the booster seat in the front between the adults and the two infant seats in the back with the oldest boy (he didn't need a booster at that time).  As they got older, we'd put a twin in the front and one in the rear with the older boys on either side of him.  We traded the wagon for a 12-passenger van when they were 4.  They survived the 4-year "punishment" intact and we took several great family trips including one where the 6 of us slept in the back end of the wagon because we couldn't find a hotel. 

I joked that we should have bought a stretch limo with the privacy glass between the front and rear.  We could install an emergency button and if they pressed it without an emergency, we'd have to make one...

For around-town driving, they'd do ok in the back seat of a family (Taurus) or luxury (Town Car) sedan.  (We had a town car that was reasonable even for 4 adult-size people and two pre-adolescents.)  You can rent a mini-van for trips where the extra space is really nice. 

But...if you like your minivan, is the cost of repairing it less than buying something else?  It'd be foolish to repair it and trade it in, but if spending $2000 to repair it gives you 3 more years it might not be a bad investment. 

3 across is always going to be cramped - either the kids are small enough to be in boosters/kid seats or big enough they're going to be touching. If you're sitting on a bus do you want to be thigh to thigh with the guy next to you?

With 5 people you'll probably often have more stuff than your trunk can hold and end up killing your mpg with a ski/cargo box with the roof anyway.

I'm kind of a car nut and with 3 kids I'd have a van in a heartbeat. And a 2nd fun car.

It's $3,500 if we managed to find used parts, about $5,000 if not. The transmission is starting to show problems, so that is another $2,500 coming soon.

Frankly, the minivan is convenient. I don't love this specific one, so I have no problem finding another one. We are simply trying to decide if to stay with the minivan at this stage.

Another thing to consider is insurance costs. The only other real option you have for third row seating is a suburban or something like a newer Honda Pilot that has fold up third row seating.

But as far as insurance goes the minivan is king. Insurance companies use symbols to determine what to charge. The Dodge Caravan has the lowest symbol of any car you can buy.

So if you like the minivan and aren't embarrased to drive one (my wife and I are pretty sure we couldn't bring ourselves to do it) then I would stick with the van, just get a new (used) one.

I believe having a mom-mobile (aka mini-van) will continue to prove its worth to you over the next 12 years (if it lasts that long). When mrs' gearboy's first minivan (Ford Odyssey) died (with spectacular black smoke out the exhaust, needing to be towed to its final resting place), we replaced it with a Nissan Quest, which served us well for the rest of the kids' childhoods. Think about the long haul (if you will) - not only family trips, but later possibilities of sports, scouts, or other extracurricular activities where you may want to be able to transport large numbers of people and things.

We put some serious mileage on the vans - the Nissan gave up the ghost at 246,000 miles. It saw service in numerous girl scout trips to camping sites, horse shows, band trips, and a memorable trek out to Tennessee for Bonnaroo as a graduation trip for the oldest daughter, her two friends, and the youngest.

We had one for awhile and it had a HORRIBLE blind spot.  I don't know if they have fixed it but something to think about if you consider this car.

We have a Mazda 5 and I LOVE it!  It seats 6 but doesn't have the cargo room that a full size minivan has.  We solved that with a roof rack and a cargo carrier.  We have three kids and my boys (ages 8 and 7) CANNOT be next to each other and this solves most issues.  I think we paid $18,000ish for it so it is cheaper than a minivan and doesn't quite have the soccer mom look to it.  At least that is what I keep telling myself.

x2

5 kids = Toyota Sienna. My husband just got a Ford Edge as a company car and we are hoping once it is ready to trade back to the fleet we will buy it. At that time the teenagers will be driving their own cars (18 & 16) right now and may even be out of the house so we are hoping the smaller vehicle will work for us.

We have the 05 pilot and it has the 3rd row. It's prett y awesome.

We've had two carseats on the middle row, 2 adults on back row, and then stuff in the back. Not too bad.

I'm a Subaru lover.. however, we recently went to the AutoExpo in search of future possibilities.
I'm sold on the Mazda CX-9.  Why?  It's slightly larger than the subaru (3rd row option), AWD (winter driving conditions), and it's Mazda (reliability).  Also, I use my roof racks and as a vertical challenged individual I don't think I'll have to buy a taller step stool to rack my bike and/or skis

I've been checking out USED CX-9's and they seem to hold their value really well.

GOOD LUCK!!!

(FWIW:  Hubby likes the Ford "something or other" but I won't consider it.  There was also a Hyundai that seemed fairly impressive for the $)

Another vote for the Pilot. 

We have a '10 Pilot and ride with 4 boys (17, 16, 11, 10; all over 5'2" & 160lbs) without any issues.  Had a Honda Odyssey and glad we moved to the Pilot.  I like the seating options better and the cargo room is comparable.

I have 3 under 10 and I'm kind of surprised you would even consider having them 3 in row across a back seat.  You must have recently wiped out on your bike and hit your head.  No way, no how, would I put my 3 in the back seat touching each other for anything longer than 30 minutes.  Mine are actually really good for about that long.  not a peep.  but more than that and elbow missiles get launched amongst high volume "negotiations" and violent territorial disputes erupt. (we have a Kia Soul that they get crammed into on occasion).

Since SUV's have just as much room (for the most part) as a minivan these days, I think your real question is 2 rows or 3 rows?  From your comments you sound like you already know the answer is 3 rows.  My vote at the age your kids are at = minivan

If you opt for a minivan, my recommendation would be toward either a Honda Odyssey or a Toyota sienna (in that order).  We currently own a 2007 Nissan quest and it has 55,000 miles on it.  I have gone through 2 sets of tires and 2 sets of brakes already (my wife drives it, not me).  In my opinion that is extremely excessive AND the gas mileage doesn't get much over 17 - 18 mi/gal. I don't have any experience with American minivans, I just don't trust them (based on terrible, horrible experiences with cars and trucks), hence no rec toward any American vehicle.

Just my 2 cents.

edited: for being a dufus

If you're looking for the ability to seperate kids but also not having to pay the high gas costs of the larger cross-overs, SUVs, and mini-vans then I would suggest looking at the Mazda 5 or the upcoming Ford C-Max.  These "micro-vans" are about the size of the original mini-vans, 3-rows, easier on the wallet, and relatively fuel efficient. 

Both offer a semi-sporty drive but I understand that the Mazda might feel a bit underpowered.  Who races in a mini-van anways?