3 kids, no 3rd row vehicle

[Phljeeper]

Another MDX/JT garage . I don't want to turn this thread into an MDX lovefest, but our 2006 MDX had 205K and was still going strong. We also had a 2010 ZDX (which is basically a fastback MDX), a 2016 MDX, and now a 2018 MDX. We're planning on sliding into the 2022 MDX Type S (there will be no 2021 model).

These suckers are bulletproof.

I agree. 100k on our 2014 and it has never needed anything except a set of tires and oil changes. And with 100k it still runs and looks like new.

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[DirkG]

Another ringing endorsement for the MDX! If I show my wife this thread she'll be sold. I got my dream car, she might as well get hers!

Joe, have her wait for the 2022 model (Acura's reveal is coming ironically tomorrow, 10/14/20). There will be no 2021 model (thanks COVID) but the 2022 is supposed to hit dealers early Spring 2021. Reportedly the best MDX yet.

 

[JTBurns]

Joe, have her wait for the 2022 model (Acura's reveal is coming ironically tomorrow, 10/14/20). There will be no 2021 model (thanks COVID) but the 2022 is supposed to hit dealers early Spring 2021. Reportedly the best MDX yet.

Alright nice, I'll have to lookout for that reveal tomorrow. And that works great for our plan, because we can have the Mazda paid off for a little, and then hopefully get at least $12k on a trade with it when we pull the trigger. Plus we financed the JT for 3 years so, get that to about a year and a half left and we don't have to float two car payments for long

 

[Murgatroid]

So my wonderful wife just gave birth to our 3rd (and final) child. I have the three seats set up in the back of the JT, and our other vehicle is a Mazda CX-5 that's just about paid off with 50k miles. We are not convinced that a three row vehicle is a must, so does that make us crazy? We feel between the bed of the truck and the roof rack on the CX-5, we could haul our kids and stuff without a problem. Understand it'll be a little tight, but outside of vacation, our trips are generally less than two hours at the furthest.

My wife doesn't really want to drive a bigger vehicle, but if we did get a 3rd row, it's narrowed down town Acura MDX or Mazda CX-9 and we'd want Captain's chairs in either.

So just wondering if anyone out there is toting three kids without a 3rd row and find it at least tolerable? We'd like to at least get the JT paid off (2 1/2 years) or the Mazda closer to 100k miles before trade. Appreciate the replies in advance!

You should be able to haul at least one kid strapped to the roof. Plenty of room.

 

[Just-Me]

Thanks for the advice! Agreed we will have to pull the trigger eventually, just trying to put it off a couple years if possible. I like the Flex too, actually! I test drove one once at a fundraising event and really liked how it drove. I've been trying to convince the wife on that one...

If your into fords the Ford explorer is a great choice as well. The Mrs has had 2 both had captain chairs and a third row. Drives like a car but more room.

 

[JTBurns]

You should be able to haul at least one kid strapped to the roof. Plenty of room.

Haha yea, now we're thinking outside the box! Or maybe get a bed rug and just tell the 4 year old to lay down in there?

 

[JTBurns]

https://www.thedrive.com/news/37051/someone-turned-a-jeep-gladiator-into-a-three-row-wrangler

Maybe I don't need another vehicle after all? I could just convert the JT to a 3 row! I saw a build thread on the forum here too, wonder if they are one in the same...

Seriously, this isn't in the cards for me because I still want the bed, but pretty crazy this has already been done at least once

 

[DocMike]

I got 4 in my JT and manage just fine. I don't have a wife. I did have a Audi wagon with 3 rows which was nice. And I'm picking up a 64 Chevy wagon that seats 9. But for DD duties, the JT does great with 4 kids.

So my wonderful wife just gave birth to our 3rd (and final) child. I have the three seats set up in the back of the JT, and our other vehicle is a Mazda CX-5 that's just about paid off with 50k miles. We are not convinced that a three row vehicle is a must, so does that make us crazy? We feel between the bed of the truck and the roof rack on the CX-5, we could haul our kids and stuff without a problem. Understand it'll be a little tight, but outside of vacation, our trips are generally less than two hours at the furthest.

My wife doesn't really want to drive a bigger vehicle, but if we did get a 3rd row, it's narrowed down town Acura MDX or Mazda CX-9 and we'd want Captain's chairs in either.

So just wondering if anyone out there is toting three kids without a 3rd row and find it at least tolerable? We'd like to at least get the JT paid off (2 1/2 years) or the Mazda closer to 100k miles before trade. Appreciate the replies in advance!

 

[JkJT84]

3 kids here, ones driving age and has own car so I was able to get a Gladiator. My wife has an armada with captain chairs for when the whole family is going somewhere. From my experience even one kid in a car seat makes it impossible to own a non third row car with 3 kids (these days). Too much stuff to lug around when you take kids somewhere.

 

[ChargedUp!]

We also have 3 kids. 14yo boy, 12yo boy and a 9yo girl. We currently have 2x 2018 Hyundai’s. I drive a Tucson Limited and the wife drives the Santa Fe Limited. Hers has the three rows with captain chairs in the middle and we wouldn’t do without those for when we go on road trips. We fold one seat flat in the very back for hauling stuff and also use a cargo hitch carrier when we need to carry lots of stuff. Both vehicles work great for us and the kids. My Tucson will go to the oldest next year when he starts driving and then I will pick up my new gladiator. Spring can’t come soon enough!

 

[eaglerugby04]

9 year old twins and a 6 year old one of the 9 year olds rides in the front with me. At their age and size they would not be happy riding in the back together, however up until they were 6 and 4 they were all riding together in the middle row of the van together, now my son takes the back row. Depending on the age of your kids I think you can hold out until you get the JT paid off, you might just need to get very creative with seat placement.

Also seriously consider a van. With the power sliding doors everything is soooo much easier. I kept mine when I got the JT due to how well it works as a family car still. Had to move a couch for a friend but it was raining, van to the rescue while the JT sat at home. When it came down to it an SUV made no sense on every level I looked at it.

 

[Lexx]

We have triplet 9 yo boys and a Subaru Ascent with 3 rows. We have the captains chairs in the 2nd row. Access to row #3 is really easy with the captains chairs, as a kid can just scramble in between the 2nd row chairs.

LP Adventure and even Eibach makes lift kits for the Ascent. Skid plates are also available. This isn't ever going to be a rock crawler, but you'd be surprised at how many Subaru owners actually take their vehicles off-road.

 

[AdrianVall]

3 kids here! Their ages are 4, 2, and 7 months. It is seriously tight, but they all fit! Definitely not ideal, but it is a small sacrifice to drive what I want. My wife has a hemi Durango that has 3 rows and captains chairs. If we take any road trips, we usually drive her car, but my JT definitely has the fun factor.

 

[DirkG]

Acura released the production 2022 MDX specs and photos yesterday. Just saying...

 

[JTBurns]

Acura released the production 2022 MDX specs and photos yesterday. Just saying...

Yep I think that's what we're sold on!

Also we've been making it fine for about 2 months now with just the truck and a crossover and been making it well. I still have plenty of room for cargo with the bed and their seats give th their own space. So we'll be cheap until the Jeep is paid off and then go after that MDX!

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