I'll say it: I am a mom. A woman who sometimes cleans your face with her own spit, says things like "I suffered through 643 hours of labor with you and THIS is the thanks I get?" and worries about the state of your undergarments and their effect on her reputation. Not always an easy job, motherhood. Or a pretty one, for that matter. But it's also not only about manipulative guilt tactics, bad haircuts and embarrassing you in front of your friends. Being a mom is also about transportation. Somebody's gotta get you to all those sports games, jazz classes, orthodontist appointments, and sleepovers. Those "Mom's Taxi" license plate frames aren't just corny; they speak the truth.
But does mom's car have to be a bland, boring appliance? No way. So, in honor of Mothers Day (it's this Sunday, so there's still time for you to pick up a card, slacker), three cars for Mom that won't make the most important woman in your life yawn and reach for her pleated jean shorts.
Mazda 5
Yeah, it's technically a minivan, but sometimes moms need minivans. And this one's kinda perfect for the mom of a small, young family. The Mazda 5 wins big by being small, easy to drive and park, fun to drive, plus it's available with a manual transmission for cool moms who like to row their own. And its sliding doors, great visibility, and generous max cargo capacity are everything you might want in a minivan but without the enormous minivan that's usually attached. Additionally, the Mazda 5 will get a (Caution: Mom Word Alert) snazzy redesign for 2011, so Mom can look hip and stylish while she's cruisin' to Target for a diaper re-up.
Buick Enclave
Say you're the mom of teenagers who can't drive themselves anywhere yet. Chances are you've got a lot of shuttling to do, and it's not just your kids; their friends are coming along, too. You'll probably appreciate the seven-passenger seating capacity and the decent fuel economy, as well as the Enclave's classy styling and plush interior trappings. Hey, just because you're still driving the carpool, doesn't mean you can't look good doing it.
Audi S5
A coupe screams "I don't have to drag my kids around with me anymore!" An Audi S5 confidently boasts, "I'm through with utilitarian cars, and I deserve to enjoy myself." Perfect for an empty nester mom who wants to have fun behind the wheel. Last-minute romantic road trip? Bring it on! With no child care to arrange, in-car gaming requirements or juice boxes to pack, she can throw a few things in an overnight bag, hop in the well-appointed tourer with her significant other and be off before you can say, "Mom, where's the teriyaki turkey jerky? Mom?"
By blueguydotcom
on May 7, 2010
08:29 AM
My mother always had sports cars and sports coupes. 2 kids and they worked fine. Did sports stuff, carpools, etc.
We have an A3 and it's fine for our kid. I roll my eyes when I hear parents talk about the "need" for a big minivan or SUV with a single kid. Whatever. A diaper bag and a carseat does not = a need for so much space. At most he's got his city mini jogger stroller that goes in the trunk. There's never a time our 17 month old fills up so much space we can't do a Costco run or take passengers.
The cars do not have toys and diapers and juice boxes. No entertainment center. There won't be one in our cars. No LCDs or Wiis or DVD players. Suck it up and either talk with your family, read a book or play a game (punch buggy!).
By kingkhalas
on May 7, 2010
09:27 AM
one kid...any vehicle is okay.
2+ kids with carpool and playdates...minivan is the best.
By sabastian
on May 7, 2010
10:44 AM
My mom has an Audi A4 with a manual transmission, which is larger than any car she owned while I was young. Having one child does not mean you have to drive around in a playroom with wheels, and it certainly doesn't mean that you can't change gears for yourself.
By 06scooby
on May 7, 2010
04:13 PM
We are expecting our first kid in August. I thing our legacy wagon is plenty big... although the wifey really likes the Mazda 5 and the idea you can get a manual in it (although not with leather and a sunroof). We had one as a rental for a week when our subaru got hit and she loved it. She called it her mini-mini-van! haha. I have a 4 door civic that has plenty of room for the one kid.
We joked the other day about getting her a Mini Countryman and me a clubman... that might be a stretch though.
By pat1usmc
on May 7, 2010
04:20 PM
What year Legacy? Wait until you throw that giant rear facing car seat in the back. I swore I wasn't going to get rid of my 5-speed Forester XT.
Car seats are ridiculous these days. In my Forester, there was no LATCH in the middle, so with the car seat behind the passenger seat, the front seat had to be pushed up so far that no human could sit in it. Which meant the wife had to sit behind me, which meant I had to be uncomfortable, which also meant I now had no room for anyone else! There's a reason the new Outback, Legacy and Forester have bigger back seats. Its these crazy baby seats!
I like the Mazda5, however from what I saw it was realistically a 4 seater. With the parents up front, one kid in the second row, you're left with one regular sized seat. That third row is pretty tight.
By 06scooby
on May 10, 2010
03:28 PM
We have an 06 Wagon... It should be alright. We've had our nephew's carseat back there just fine a few times and his car seat was huge (since his parents have a Sienna and space is plentiful). I actually wanted an 06' forester XT or WRX wagon when I bought the legacy (when I was single) but I passed it up because the backseats were cramped when I carried people alot and the legacy was much smoother and quieter. No GT on the legacy though because it meant I had to get an automatic... but without the GT there is no premium fuel, better gas mileage, cheaper insurance and 6k less of a window sticker. It was a fair trade I guess.
We'll find out how well it does in August I guess!
By mlh
on May 11, 2010
11:13 AM
Great post -- well written and fun to read. Thanks!
By billt9
on May 11, 2010
09:01 PM
best car for mom is a Porsche Panamera.
Space for your kid and 2 other kids.