NOT in your demographic BUT...

Pam — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:32:20 -0500

We like a family "style" car because we are huge fans of the epic road trip. We like to be able to sleep in the car if we have to, to carry all our gear, and to, duh, not shell out a zillion dollars to fill the tank. We are also diehard carpoolers and want to seat four humans and all their schlepp to work stuff if need be. Even though I work at home these days, it's something we wanted. In short, we wanted a STATION WAGON, but wow, try to find one.

We bought the Vibe. The Sub wagons were too expensive and not as fuel efficient. The Matrix was the same car for x-thousand more for the Toyota brand. (No, really, it's THE SAME car.) The hybirds were too expensive for us and did not meet our needs - the Prius just doesn't fit the bill like a hatchback wagon does.

We considered a Focus wagon, but when I sat in it, I just didn't love it. A friend has one and she likes it fine, but says the finish is kind of cheap.

There was no way I was shelling out the bucks for a hybrid SUV that gets worse mileage than the Vibe, that was just a nonstarter. The market limited our options to two cars: the Vibe and the Matrix. We looked at the Honda Fit and it's a GREAT little car, but it was just too small to serve our needs - so it probably wouldn't work for a family of five, either.

Our requirements determined what we bought. The market offered us almost nothing by way of choice.

Nerd's Eye View

Are Eco Friendly Family Vehicles An Urban Legend?

Jody DeVere -- Ask Patty — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 04:27:41 -0500

Eco-Blogger Kristen Chase is soon expecting her third child, and has become quite aware of the difficulties inherent in trying to negotiate automotive seating for two car seats and a booster seat - and let's not forget to leave room for the parents, and storage for the necessary strollers and baggage that little ones require.

We agree with Kristen when she says nothing puts a hurting on a budget like a new car -- and an eco-friendly one at that! She enthusiastically proclaims, "add in the fact that my husband and I really want something that's eco-friendly and doesn't have the word "VAN" in it and we've got ourselves quite a dilemma."

As part of her research, which has also included test drives of GM's Acadia and Tahoe Hybrid, and Volvo's V-70 Wagon, Kristen has asked me to join her on her parenting podcast Wednesday, July 2, from 9-9:30pm EST to discuss eco- and family friendly cars.

In preparation for the broadcast, Kristin would love to hear from eco-conscious families of five plus -- what car are you driving and what do you think about it? Leave your answer in the comments or share them on the Motherhood Uncensored podcast from 9-9:30pm EST by calling in to 646-915-8634 or chatting at Blog Talk Radio.

Kristen, a former musician and college professor now pilot widow and stay-at-home-parent, talks about all things mom (and not-so-mom) in her bi-monthly podcast. Her "no-more-mrs.-nice-mom" take on motherhood is not for the faint of heart. Weak bladders, however, are welcome. Join us, won't you?

Jody DeVere
President
www.askpatty.com
www.carblabber.com

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NOT in your demographic BUT...

Are Eco Friendly Family Vehicles An Urban Legend?