Our family has an AWD model, and although it is certainly great in the (very infrequent) snow here in DC - the maintenance costs are significantly higher.

This is especially true because all mechanics conspire to convince you that you ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY MUST replace all 4 tires at the same time in order to avoid blowing up your transaxle (?) or differential (?) or whatever really expensive part is applicable.

Also, if you blow a tranny entirely, forgeddaboutit (been there).

So true! (AWD) I still slow down and don't drive like an idiot in foul weather(like so many in SUVs thinkin' they can control those things on snow at 70 mph), and I felt very sure footed in the Outback.

We've also had a couple of close calls in parking lots where I have been very surprised at how I was able to to yank the wheel to avoid stupid people and how nimbly it responded, particularly for a station wagon.

I suspect I will look for the sporty more recent years of an Outback (mine is a 2000) when it's time for a new one, but not the newest suv wannabe version.

We closed on the Ford Edge last Thursday and it is a really wonderful car. We splurged a bit and bought the vista sun roof, which is 50% of the roof plus a small panel for the back seat passengers to enjoy.

My daughter let the sales clown know what she thought of their sales tactics and BS by soiling her diaper in the sales managers small office. I then proceeded to change the diaper right there on the floor of his office letting the poo waft up and perfume his office... muahahaha! I love my little girl.

Dan

We have an '05 Mustang GT and an '09 Flex in the garage. The Flex is the first vehicle I have been absolutely in love with since my '87 IROC-Z. By far the most comfortable drive, best set of options 9even has a little fridge), best interior (material and roominess) and best ride of all the SUVs/minivans/wagons we looked at. It's nice to have a family wagon that doesn't look blah.

We drove a 2010 Tahoe this weekend to the game it was very nice. I like the space, everybody fit and had a little room. I didn't even feel bad about sucking down the petrol. I like to drink lot's o brew the truck likes to drink lot's o gas. XM radio is nice.

Got me a Prius this weekend. I burned a whole gallon driving around this weekend. I also have a SUV (Acura MDX) which was hard to fill up(premium) at the pump.

The Prius is surprisingly roomy on the inside. I might even end up using it when the baby arrives. Let's see how it goes.

@daddyroger

Congrats on the Prius. No reason that a sedan can't function perfectly well as a family car, IMHO.

Looking forward to trying out a GM car in the near future. I'm heading out on the road with my son for a soccer tourney and he is lobbying hard that I request a Camaro.

I was thinking more Cadillac CTS. But I'd be happy with a GMC Acadia or Chevy Traverse.

@DaddyClay

I was playing around with my Excel spreadsheet to see how much I could save if we both carpooled to work in our Prius. It added up to $4600/yr. I know it sounds crazy. Here is the breakdown.

Toll Savings: 2 tolls vs 1 carpool: $1885 ($7.50/day)
Gas Cost Saving: (1 Car & SUV) vs Prius: $1761
Savings in maintenance & Insurance ~ $1000 /yr

We need to save as much as we can with the baby on the way.

Daddy Clay.

I see nothing wrong with taking a Camaro for a joy ride with your son. Not only will it help you judge the customer relations of the dealership, you will also gain major cool points with your son. Let the sales rep know why you are taking it out and see if you can get an SS or something cool.

I also suggest looking at the Ford Flex. We are very happy with our Ford Edge. I think Ford is on a roll right now...

Dan

We have an '05 Outback that drives like a dream. AWD is a bit unnerving when you're used to managing treacherous roads entirely by your own skill and moxy. I don't like having my car think for me but on the other hand I've yet to end up facing the wrong way in the gutter. Better yet, niether has my wife. My wife gets that one because she commutes up to a mountain community for work in far from ideal driving conditions during winter.

I drive the '71 F100 Custom "3 on the tree" with a "mint chip" paint job, rapidly decaying bench seat and an 8x6 playpen in the back. The tailgate makes a great changing table (but not in hard rain). Charlie prefers the pickup over the wagon because he can see where we're going and the occasional gear grind and backfire adds excitement to otherwise boring grocery trips. It does mean that carpooling to playdates or other activities is usually out. Nor can I buy groceries too far from home during the summer with the 3/60 AC. My friends also shy from riding with me since the car seat has to go at the end of the seat creating too much masculine coziness for most guys' comfort.

We'll eventually have to upgrade when #2(of??) arrives in a couple years. I'm trying to talk my wife into a full size van in hopes that we can actually pay it off before outgrowing it. I'll need at least that long to convince her. Until we fill it with our own kids I can be the neighborhood Busdriver Bob... except that my name is Tim. @PoserDad Yeah, I really am jealous!

Also, as a SAHD that occupies his free time between loads of dishes and diapers by working on the never-ending restoration of our 1920 bungalow, having a vehicle that can haul sheets of plywood or a yard of rock and tow a trailer of concrete is very important to me. My F100 is only a half ton but as long as I don't mind not speeding, I just treat like a 1 ton and fudge the latter often. My 17 m.o. loves watching from the cab as the front end loader at our local sand & gravel yard fills the bed with this or that. In general, I'd recommend a pickup for anyone with few/small enough kids.
This image is hidden for guests. Please login or register to see it.

@RobinsHero

You are really making me miss the '66 F150 that I had for a while when my oldest was a little guy. We called it "Old Gerty" because of the I-Beam construction, lame I know. Fully restored. Marine blue with a white top. My son and I would tool around our neighborhood with "LA Freeway" blaring on the stereo.

Your truck sounds awesome.

I'm wishing that I had a pickup right about now. A friend has given us full access permission to use his boat, but it's right at the maximum towing weight for my van and I'll have to get a tow hitch put on.

About a month ago after my son was born i thought it would be time to trade in my Kia Rio. My wife drives a Ford Expedition that works perfect for a family. But i got myself our new family vehicle. It fits us three the baby in his car seat his stroller in the back very comfortably. I got myself the Kia Soul and we love it.
Here is a pic of my new baby
This image is hidden for guests. Please login or register to see it.

A couple of years ago, we bought a 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (4 Door) specifically to be able to take the kids out on the trails and camping. They are only 3 months old, so it will still be a while before they will be able to enjoy it, but still looking forward to it

This image is hidden for guests. Please login or register to see it.

@rocking_dad Sweet ride. Kia has come a loooong way, very fast. Definitely making a lot of people in the car biz nervous.

@myklt8 Whoa. I'm loving the green, but how easy is it to get carseats in and out of that beast?

I got to drive a bunch of different cars this past weekend at a dad conference that Chevy was sponsoring, and I cam e away impressed. As I mentioned over at the maintenance thread, I just sunk a bunch of cash into the MPV so I won't be trading it in for a Traverse any time soon, but the lease will be up on my Mazda six in 12 months, so I'm already thinking ahead.

I gave some thought to buying a used 3 series Beemer, then considered scaling back to the Mazda 3 hatch, but I drove the Chevy Cruze this weekend and it's on the top of the list at the moment. A very sweet smaller ride -- the perfect commuter for our family, because we already have the hauler in the garage. Actually, we don't have a garage.

not bad to get car seats in and out of, it does not sit all that high...I would want to do it in a 2 door though