New car shopping

[Chisoxfn]

Its kinda funny, you and I are on almost the same path, you are just a couple years behind me. We had a 2008 Ford Escape (Hybrid in our case), as our one car, eventually had the one kid... then moved to the suburbs, had a 2nd kid, and then caved in to get a 2nd car.

 

If you are thinking hybrids, check out lists on this site to see what is out there (will show you traditional hybrids, electrics, plug-ins, etc. I personally am a fan of the plug-in hybrids, sort of a best of both worlds thing, but every has different needs of course (and there are only a few models availabel now: Prius PH, Chevy Volt). As for traditional hybrid sedans, you've got the hybrid versions of lots of sedans (Prius, Honda Civic, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima).

 

For us, we almost bought the Camry Hybrid. Very reliable cars, great mileage, etc. We ended up getting an SUV instead (not a hybrid), for various reasons, but if we had gone sedan, the Camry Hybrid would definitely have won out. As for other sedans in that size range, the Ford Fusion is just a bit smaller and worth looking at... and Honda will have a hybrid Accord soon, I think for 2013 maybe.

The new Fusion Hybrid looks very promising. Heard a lot of good things about it.

[NorthSideSox72]

I reference you to my wife when we discussed future family plans and whether the Escape would be big enough for 2 car seats and our boston terrier. So what SUV did you buy? Maybe I need to follow your lead!

 

Ford I guess has a European model (C-Max) they are bringing over soon that gets better gas mileage than the Pruis (47mpg), but again it's a hatcback thing. I'd get the Prius but I hate that Aztek look of the back of the car.

The C-Max is a plug-in too, right?

 

The Escape was a good car but really became an issue with 2 kids. I was sort of shocked how little leg room there was in the back, when we had to move the baby seat from the middle to the side, and have her face forward. We ended up getting a much bigger SUV, I am sort of embarrased to admit... Honda Pilot (Touring 4WD version). Great car and we love it, but boy does it suck down gas, especially after coming off the FEH. But tons of room and lots of other great stuff. Also looked at the Toyota Highlander and the Ford Explorer, but the Pilot was a clear winner for us in that group.

 

Though like I said, since we wanted leg room but weren't sure we needed a giant SUV, we did also look at sedans like the Camry and Fusion, both of which had MORE LEG ROOM than the Escape, even though the Escape is an SUV.

 

We just decided that, we end up using a lot of room for "stuff" trucking back and forth to the family in distant suburbs, we actually use it offroad occasionally (I am an outdoorsman), we live in Chicago where 4WD can be handy in winter, and with 2 kids we will now be driving instead of flying for most vacations. So we went big for the primary car, and I got a cheap 8 year old beater vehicle for our 2nd car (but big enough to get two kids into as necessary).

 

[Jenksismyhero]

The C-Max is a plug-in too, right?

 

The Escape was a good car but really became an issue with 2 kids. I was sort of shocked how little leg room there was in the back, when we had to move the baby seat from the middle to the side, and have her face forward. We ended up getting a much bigger SUV, I am sort of embarrased to admit... Honda Pilot (Touring 4WD version). Great car and we love it, but boy does it suck down gas, especially after coming off the FEH. But tons of room and lots of other great stuff. Also looked at the Toyota Highlander and the Ford Explorer, but the Pilot was a clear winner for us in that group.

 

Though like I said, since we wanted leg room but weren't sure we needed a giant SUV, we did also look at sedans like the Camry and Fusion, both of which had MORE LEG ROOM than the Escape, even though the Escape is an SUV.

 

We just decided that, we end up using a lot of room for "stuff" trucking back and forth to the family in distant suburbs, we actually use it offroad occasionally (I am an outdoorsman), we live in Chicago where 4WD can be handy in winter, and with 2 kids we will now be driving instead of flying for most vacations. So we went big for the primary car, and I got a cheap 8 year old beater vehicle for our 2nd car (but big enough to get two kids into as necessary).

 

Ford is planning to do the regular hybrid first and then a plug-in the year after. Something to consider.