Need some parental advice

Hey,

I own a 2000 LS V8, and except for the price of gas, love the car. Although I did have the leaky spark plug seal problem (which wouldn't have been a problem if whoever replaced the valve cover gasket did it right the first time), and various other strange issues (door check broke, 3 window regulators so far, sunroof quit working for a day, AC quit working for a week), I feel she is still reliable and could go for another 125,000 miles (have 115,000 now).

My wife and I just found out that we're having a baby. Her immediate words were "We need a family vehicle", which I went "The f*** we do". She wants to get an SUV because you can haul more stuff. I'm going "the baby don't need that much stuff, plus talk with other parents about pulling kids in and out of SUVs. It ain't fun.". I know I can't haul as much stuff as SUVs, although I'm currently hauling 3 rolls of insulation, 2 raccoon traps, and a set of golf clubs with the passenger seat still empty, but I'm arguing that my LS is alot safer than any SUV on the road because:

1) less possible to roll over
2) higher front and side impact ratings
3) out brake, out accelerate, and stable turning than SUVs
4) I've got those anchors that I haven't used yet.
5) My car is paid off. New SUV requires new car payment. (I know, not a safer point, but a new car payment money can be easily spent elsewhere)

Are there any other parent's here to argue an LS over an SUV, of, if you can, talk me into an SUV. I know I would hate it, but if an SUV is overall more valuable than my LS, I am willing to swap.

She has a Honda Accord, and apparently not interested in parting with it either.

Thanks,
Craig

I'd stick with the LS. There' no need for an SUV, especially with gas prices the way they are, save your money for the college education! I have 2 kids of my own and we never got an SUV. We traded in my wife's Beretta for a Chrysler LHS, and then traded that in for a minivan a couple of years later. The kids either ride in the minivan or my Buick Roadmaster. If you need more space to haul things, a minivan can have more space than an SUV, get better gas mileage, and usually be less expensive to repair,( that is if she decides she needs something with more space.) SUVs are not necessarily safer either. I live in an area that can get up to 200 inches of snow a season and I see plenty of SUVs off the road and in ditches when the weather is bad.Good luck at convincing your wife.

Fortunately, snow is not an issue here. I live in Huntsville, AL, and if there is more than half an inch, things start shutting down.

I did argue for a van/minivan. Growing up, we had a Ford Econoline which was fun going on trips to Six Flags; remove the rear seat and playing both ways. Can't do that now since kids have to be in car seats until they're 16. With vans, the non-driving parent can get up, move around and check on the kids.

The main problem with vans, minivans, and station wagons is they are so expensive. I know, I can carry the playpen to the grandparents, but with the price difference, I will buy a new playpen once we get there.

Not necessarily. If you do the research, you can find a van that is 1 to 3 years old and up to 1/2 off what it originally cost new. The auto industry has changed so much in the past decade with leases and trade ins flooding the market. Now there are dealerships that deal exclusively in pre owned cars, cars that have just come off lease, trade ins, program cars, demonstrators, and others. You can get a real good deal if you know in advance what options you want and what they cost originally. Take for instance my situation. Back in 1998 weppurchased a 1997 Chevy Venture minivan that the original owner had just traded in with 16,125 miles on it. We paid $19,995 for it. We replaced that vehicle last fall with a 2006 Chevy Uplander we bought after careful research for $16, 590 with about 8600 on the odometer. This vehicle has more options than the Venture did, including a dvd player for the kids. It had 1/2 the miles as the van we purchased almost 10 years prior and cost us over $3000 LESS. There are plenty of vehicles out there that are fairly new and the best part is that most of the depreciation has already been taken out by the previous owner, and the insurance can be lower because it is not brand new. You ca wheel and deal on these vehicles like you can a new car to get the best deal also.Another thing you might consider is a "crossover" vehicle. These are quickly replacing the minivan and are a cross between a SUV and minivan.

My wife has her 2002 Lincoln LS and I have a 2007 Infiniti G35S. I also have a 2000 Mercury Mountaineer. Our daughter is now 3 years old and has been riding in the LS since infancy. We have child #2 on the way. My wife absolutely refuses to get a minivan, and certainly prefers the LS over the SUV. The SUV rides like, well, a truck. Our daughter prefers either of the cars over the SUV. We have no problem fitting two car seats in the LS (or the Infiniti for that matter) and have a lot more piece of mind in the stability of the car over the SUV.

Granted I haven't found two women yet that are the same (not really looking either) but I know my wife would have been upset with the purchase of an SUV after enjoying her LS for so long. She really prefers the comfort of her car over the Mountaineer. As for getting the child in and out of the LS versus the Mountaineer, that is about the same. Actually, the Infiniti is the best from entry and egress. The rear doors open nearly 90 degrees which is very helpful with car seats.... Plus, the insurance and registration is less here in Iowa on my Infiniti than it was on my 2004 LS V8 that I traded in for the G35S.

-Rod