[MRM]

Because the Ford Fairlane I grew up in (1966 to 1980, 198,000 miles, RIP) had bench seats that fit three across the front and a back seat that had three seat belt and enough room for two extra kids to squeeze in if you were in a jam. The original 8 passenger vehicle. Now the average car seats two passengers comfortably in the front, and two kids can fit in the back. Family cars fit four comfortably, five if you squeeze someone in the middle. Bigger cars are bigger but they don't give you more passenger space.

There are almost no six passenger cars. That means a family of four can't take grandma and grandpa in the same car, or another couple, or pretty much anyone else. The next step up is something with third row seats, which almost requires some SUV.

I need something that can travel with six people, a dog and a bunch of gear for weekend trips. We'll need to put the boat in and take it out once, and we'll need a couple of trips per year for lawnmowers, beds and things. That pretty much means a Suburban-sized SUV. I'm leaning toward getting something like a used Expedition and drive it only when I need a big vehicle. For daily driving all I need is something that fits me and the kids and is easy to park downtown. Most people either can't aford to park their big vehicle or think they look cool driving a land yacht.