The Mommy Truck: My Top 5 Picks
Planning for the arrival of a new baby is one of the most exciting times of our lives!
I won’t lie, although exciting it was also nerve wracking and daunting, seeing as though we would be first time parents. There were so many things to think about, from designing a nursery to ensuring we had all the necessary items, that often we overlook some of the basic things like transportation. A newborn means an extra person, and this extra person (although very tiny) has an exorbitant amount of STUFF.
I was absolutely not in the market for a new car. I loved my small SUV - a Porsche Macan. It was perfect for me and seemed to fit a carseat pretty comfortably. However, shortly after the birth of my son I quickly realized that I did not have quite enough space for all the things that I now needed. Who knew a stroller (and all its parts), a car seat, baby luggage and my mom (or nanny if you have one) would take up so much space?
After too many times of having to pack, un-pack and re-pack the car so that everything could fit, I finally decided to purchase a bigger vehicle - my mommy truck.
The first thing to consider about your vehicle when you have a new baby on the way is the size. A baby car seat is not just a comfy chair for your tot but also a legal requirement. It helps to note also that you will be maneuvering the car seat in and out of the car quite often so you will need ample room for that.
My Top 5 Picks
My husband and I spent some time doing our research on different vehicles. My portion of the research involved talking with other moms to see the pros and cons of their vehicles then looking at the style and size of the ones that I liked. Hubby on the other hand, took a lot more into consideration.
After some time of visiting dealerships and test driving a few options. I decided on my top 5 (in no particular order):
Porsche Cayenne
Range Rover Sport
Mercedes GLS
Tesla Model X
Genesis GV80
Having a reliable car is paramount when you have a young family. What you are looking for is a vehicle that has excellent service history. Also, children, and especially young kids, come with a lot of accoutrements. In the early years, there will be the aforementioned baby carseat but as they age, you will need to fit booster seats. So, you need a vehicle that is adaptable to your children’s needs. It is also worth bearing in mind the fact that your kids will have friends, so you may need even more space to fit them in so that you can take them to their activities.
Ultimately, I decided on the Porsche Cayenne. I love Porsche! My previous truck was a Porsche and I was very sad to have to part ways with it because of it’s size. What I simply did was upgrade to the larger truck. The Cayenne is fun and exhilarating to drive, yet can be used as a practical SUV every day. It's a solid SUV that has great performance and a good degree of practicality. Right from the start, the Cayenne came loaded with technology designed to produce a luxurious ride combined with the nimble and responsive nature of a sports car. We love that the Cayenne is an excellent blend of off-road capable, family carrier and twisty corner master.
BONUS: There’s one other vehicle that quite a bit of parents raved about so I figured I’d give it an honorable mention. It’s the Honda Odyssey, a minivan so practical that it is all the rave among the more seasoned parents. I am told “It will change your life!” I am not a fan of the minivan, at least not yet. I am willing to forego this for the foreseeable and continue to make the most of the one I’ve chosen.
As we have learned, there are many things to consider regarding your car when you have a baby on the way. Having a reliable vehicle is crucial as you cannot afford any mishaps with a youngster on board and you need to ensure that it is of a suitable size for them to grow into, and also for the possibility of another child on the way. Make sure it is adaptable to all their needs. It helps too that is super cool and fun!
Lastly, here’s a financial tip: It’s a write off. If you own a business and use your vehicle for that purpose more than 50% of the time, you can write off 100% of the purchase price and any expenses associated with it on your taxes. Note that any vehicle used for business purposes should be at least 6000 pounds to qualify for a write off. Speak to your trusted CPA about this option if you’re considering going this route.
What are your top picks? Drop them in the comments below, I would love to know.