The Prius: A Perfect Family Car

Jamie Ervin — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:42:35 +0000

We drive a Prius, and in case you missed the memo, we are a family of seven humans, one dog and two cats. (Disclaimer: we do have a larger vehicle for times when more than five of us are going someplace at once, which is usually once a week.)

Frequently I hear, “I’d love to have a Prius but we couldn’t fit” or “It wouldn’t be practical”. Let me tell you, I put three carseats across the backseat in ours and it works just fine. The trunk is roomy and hauls around strollers, boxes, even dogs when needed. The back seats fold down in a 60/40 split, for those times when I have a child + things to haul.

Single Car Family: Surviving in the Suburbs with One Car

Tara Benwell — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 04:21:56 +0000

We are a single car family and have been so for five years. This is seen as a sacrifice by some, especially my own father who has four vehicles of his own and just married a woman with two more. To me, living with one car is a convenience. I work from home and we live in a small town where almost everyone can walk to work, school, and the beach. Weeks go by when I don’t even get behind the wheel. This is all about to change as we move across Canada to eastern suburbia.

Though we’re excited about the change and the opportunity to be closer to family, my husband insists that we’re going to need two cars. I think “need” is too strong of a word, though I’m close to admitting that it will be difficult living with one car when the kids get older. Still, I want to try, and this is one eco-battle/financial scrap I’m determined to win. Here are our arguments. What do you think my chances are?

Green Options » family car

The Prius: A Perfect Family Car

Single Car Family: Surviving in the Suburbs with One Car