The Down Side to Being a Parent

April 2, 2011

If you've read my blog for any period of time you know that I LOVE my car (Volkswagen CC).  Probably, an un-Godly amount actually.  It was the only car I've had out of 4 that wasn't a hand me down and I actually got to pick it out.


So, the other night we were on our way to our last baby class and our "homework" was to install our car seat (which we did) and the entire time we were driving to the class it just didn't feel right having the car seat in that car.

My car has only two seats in the back and a center console.  Also, the seats are contoured to fit around your body.  I think it's to make it look "sporty" I guess...anyways, the car seat just didn't fit very well (although it did fit and was secure, because of the anchors in the car, but it just wasn't "great").  I also had to scoot the passenger seat way up so that the car seat would actually fit.

Don't get me wrong...it would work but I just didn't feel 100% about it.


So, we bit the bullet and made the decision it was time to get a family car (ugh...I really hate strongly dislike the sound of that).  My husband drives an old Jeep so that's not really "family" friendly and he's actually looking into trading that in to get another "project" car that can also be his daily driver as he says...we'll see about that.

Here are some personal facts:

I don't think that just because you're having a baby you need an SUV.  I think that is quite ridiculous actually BUT we thought it would be a bit silly to trade in one car for another.  If we were actually going to get another vehicle we figured it might as well last us awhile this time around so we're trading up if you will...whether I like it or not.  For me, this is honestly all about vanity.

When we look for cars I take into account looks and gas mileage.  For me, looks knocks A LOT of SUV's off my list.  Honestly, there just aren't a ton out there I even like much less love.  Then, when you factor in gas mileage there are even less.  My car currently only takes premium ($$$) but it does get very good mileage.

Then comes my third row hatred.  I know if we were to get a third row SUV I would most likely never ride back there but to any of you who have ridden in the third row...it's uncomfortable, right???  Jonathan and I being the youngest in our families often get shoved into third rows and I always end up cramped and car sick (unless it's an expedition...their third row is the same level as the second row).  So, no third row for us.

So with all that being said here is the list we narrowed it down to based only on style and what we ended up test driving:  Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Commander, Mazda CX-7, and the Nissan Juke.  Yes my friends, those are the only SUV's I like.  Well, I like the Volvo and Audi as well but we don't want our car payment to go up so those never even made it to our real list.  I'm not about to make a whole new budget after I spent hours on the other ones.

Right off the bat the hubs knocked off both Jeeps because they don't get good MPG.  Plus, the Commander has a third row but I thought I could get over it since I thought they were cute.  Yeah, I was wrong.  It's like the worst third row ever.

The Nissan Juke, while I thought it was cute on TV it was teeny tiny.  As in, smaller than my car.  Plus, in person was way funnier looking than I thought it would be.  Kind of looks like a frog in person...not so much my thing.

(Sorry if anyone drives the cars I marked off of my list.  Nothing personal.  Just my opinion.)

So, that leaves us with the CX-7.  When I bought my car these were actually the two choices I had come up with then so I've liked them for awhile now.  Hubs approves because it has good MPG (good for family road trips) and his college car was a Mazda 3 and it ran really well so we know they are a good car company.

All of that being said, there may have been some tears on the way to trade in my car.  Ok, I'll be honest I totally bawled TWICE.  Once, when we were looking around the parking lot at the dealership and a second time when we drove away in the new car.  I'm so vain...I know, but I LOOOOOOOOOOOVED my Volkswagen CC.  It was just so pretty!  I would have driven it forever had it been more family friendly (towards babies that is.)

So, here it what we drive now.  I think it's pretty too...and there actually isn't another SUV I would rather drive.


I kind of think it looks like the SUV version of my older car (I tend to go for sleek over boxy) and I really do like it BUT it's a mom car.  I totally drive a mom car now and that makes me cringe.  I don't mean to be rude, since I've totally joined the club now, but for me it's just a bit odd.  Today Jonathan and I went to take the recycling, and the car seat is already in the back, and I just looked at him and said, "we are totally those people now..."

Good bye fun car!  I loved you for the year I got to drive you.

13 comments:

C Mae said...

With the way gas is going to be you were very smart to really consider what cars get for gas these days. I'm going to pick on Jeep and say thank your lucky stars you didn't get one. They have a lot of problems in due time things break easy and aren't cheap repairs! 8 out of 10 people I know who have one say they wouldn't get one again. We had a jeep Cherokee and my dad didn't even want me learning to drive in it because it just wasn't reliable! And it was only a few yrs old at the time! ha.

Mazdas are good cars. Don't worry, for an SUV it doesn't look like a mom car! :)

Jamie said...

Love the new ride! Very pretty :)

AbbyS. said...

Listen girl, I am coming to grips with the fact that I am going to have to trade in my Highlander for a VAN pretty soon. I could cry thinking about it. But 3 car seats just will not work any other way. Think about me while you drive your sporty, adorable car! :)ha!
I do love your new ride.

Anonymous said...

Be thankful that you can afford such a luxury, other's are not so fortunate.

Ashley said...

Looks great!!! I am glad you found something that meets most of your needs!!! Enjoy your new wheels!!

I drive a dodge caliber and will hafta trade in when a baby comes along too, there is no way my dogs, baby gear, baby and hubby and myself would all fit in my car!!! Glad you listed a few options to consider!!

tara said...

i think its cute! i'm thinking about getting an SUV soon. i LOVE the volvo, but i know thats not going to happen. my mom drives a nissan murano and i really like it, so i may do that!

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

Oh, I'm pretty sure that what you are feeling is very, very normal. I got my first "non-Mommy" car this past Dec. I had driven a van or suburban for over 30 years. Yikes! that's a very long time. I'm loving my "non-Mommy" car!

I think you made a very good choice. So cute and sassy!

Anonymous said...

I agree with anonymous...I think the baby would have been just fine in the car. Not that it is any of my business, but I don't know how all you gals in the south have all you do on 2 teacher salaries. It's nice to think/dream about your next car/house/vacation...just make sure you slow down enough to enjoy the present.

Angie Acapella said...

I couldn't relate to this post more! I have a "car vanity" issue as well! It's funny, I don't care about fashion or shoes or hand bags, but I DO like a nice car! LOL Exactly one week before I found out I was pregnant, I bought a brand new, red Mustang convertible. I loved that car, but only for a week because the minute I found out I was pregnant, I didn't want it because I knew it wouldn't fit a new family. :( And guess what we chose...for the very same reasons you did...a Mazda CX 7! LOL That was almost 3 years ago and we've been very happy with it. The only thing I haven't liked about it is, after only a year, we had to replace our tires because they were completely bald. I'd never had a car whose tires wore out so fast! And they aren't cheap! But other than that, we've loved it! Have fun!

Unknown said...

Ohhh you mean when I have kids I'll have to give up my mini cooper? :-) Lol I know I will have to. Like your choice hun!

Megan C said...

I love the new car! I will miss the old one though, it was really pretty but you are right, the new ones look like a SUV version of the old one. I think you will like it a lot and with all the things babies come with, you will have a full car. Especially when you have more than one. Next time I see you, you will have to take me on a ride!

Jen said...

Aww Jay LOVESSSS his CC too; I was wondering though if the carseat will fit in there!

Anonymous said...

I've been following for a while now and have never left a comment. First off congrats, and can't wait to see your little girl. Also, let me just say what a lucky girl you are. You bought the car I really want. Well I still can't decide if I want to CX-7 or the CX-9 [I love the CX-9 in Dolphin Grey]. My husband and I wouldn't buy it until 3-4 years from now. But since I'm a planner, I've already got my mind set on a Mazda [my hubs owns a Mazda as well] and pretty much know what I want when we have kids.

If it makes you feel any better the Mazda CX-7 is a crossover so it's not a full sized SUV. Oh and not to offend anyone, but it's better than a minivan [now that makes me cringe lol].

P.S I agree with you on your "An Amendment" post.

Afternoon Sun

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