I know it’s cliché to complain about it, but I’m going to do it anyway.
I am my ‘tween daughter’s chauffeur.
It’s snuck up on me slowly, you know. And not because I’m not used to driving the kid around everywhere: hey, we live in the ‘burbs, so toting kids all over creation in the car is not new to me. It’s just that I used to drive her to playdates and stuff. More often than not I was taking her somewhere and staying. It was like, “Mom, can we go to the zoo today?” or “Mom, can we go see a movie today?” and now it’s “Mom, can you drive me and my friends to a movie today?” And then when we get there, they all hop out, independent as anything, with a “thanks for the drive!” and “I’ll text you when the movie’s over,” and that’s it. I’m no longer needed.
So far, it doesn’t really bother me too much. So far, it feels like a sweet little taste of freedom. She’s old enough to go to a movie/the mall/the amusement park on her own! I don’t have to take her to all these places. Just drive her. WOW.
I’m sure this elation will lose its lustre, however. Soon it will become tiresome to have to interrupt my day to drive a gaggle of girls all over town. Soon there will be two of them asking for rides (so far my younger one is still too little to be left to wander on her own). Soon she’ll be asking for the car, not just a ride!
Which has got me thinking: I soooo want a new car. And the weird thing is that my current car isn’t even old, by any stretch: I’ve only owned it just over a year and it was brand new when I got it. It’s just I totally brain-farted when I got it and opted for the manual transmission. You know when $1,000 savings seems like so much on the bottom line, but when you amortize it out it’s like, $10 a month or something and there isn’t a day that I drive that car that I don’t wish it was an automatic.
Plus, with all this chauffeuring, I am really missing my old Sienna minivan. I have two daughters and my current ride (a Matrix) seats five. That means I can take my two kids, plus a friend each, and that’s it. Which is normally plenty, but there have been enough times this summer that I’ve yearned for that third row of seats.
Which is not to say that I’d get another minivan, but I have been looking at some SUVs with an optional third row of seating. I have my eye on the Toyota Rav-4 (I am a loyal Toyota owner) but I’ve heard the optional 3rd row of seats is really, really small. Which means I can fit extra kids in there, but there will be fights about who’s stuck in the back-back. So I looked around a bit, and the Hyundai Veracruz caught my eye: it even has a built-in bevvie cooler! On the other hand, for the same price as a brand spanking new Rav-4 I can get a used Volvo XC-90, with major luxury (I sure do love me some automotive luxury) and the added benefit of, you know, reliability and safety.
Anyway…if I do get a new car, it won’t be for a few months yet, although I’d probably want to do it before the snow flies (which, in Calgary, could be tomorrow!). So here’s my question: who has experience with cars featuring an optional third row of seats? Which ones are best? Just FYI, I have this thing about only liking imports, so if you’re going to try to sell me on a domestic vehicle, you’re going to have to do a slick job of it!
Jess, thanks for the tip, I will def keep it in mind. A friend has the Pilot and it is a lovely vehicle, but man! Is it ever HUGE! That’s what drew me to the Rav and other such vehicles…they’re not quite so tank-like 🙂 Maybe the Honda point is good though: I should try a CRV.
Thanks for the feedback Margot. One major downfall of the XC-90 is the dismal fuel economy, though. It sure is a tough decision!
Just my two cents: I owned a Rav 4 and just couldn’t bond with it. I gave it a cute name, Moxie, and got some bells and whistles. It was the right choice. Smart and safe and rated really high by consumers etc. But…yeah…never bonded. I ended up trading in my 3 yo (oh the LOSS of money still hurts!) Rav for a 2 yo Honda Pilot. I…LOVE…THIS…CAR/TRUCK/THiNG. Her name is Tilly, short for Metilda. She’s got a much comfier ride and doesn’t feel at all truck-like. Btw, others often complained about the ride in the Rav 4. The driver’s seat was ok but apparently the others were subpar. Now? Compliments from the peanut gallery abound. Good luck with your choice. Me? I’d skip the Rav and look at the Volvo or try the Pilot!!!
Hey Kath, I currently am a minivan owner, & I do love it for its utility. When people visit, we often don’t have to take 2 cars. But I do long for the days of going back to a normal car. I had a Volvo V70 before & would love to go back to it. If there is any car that is made for Calgary’s winters, it is a Swedish one!! The XC90 is wonderful, but I would say that even in that the 3rd row seat is small. Perfect for kids, but I tried to sit back there (granted I’m 6′ tall) & felt totally claustrophobic. Also, although it is not a big car, it seems to have the turning radius of a tank, which make parking a little more “interesting.” The thing is with a Volvo is that it is made to last; our 2000 V70 is still doing great with just regular maintenance.
Good luck with your search!