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Last week’s indecisive (read: my nature) post lead to comments on Car & Caboodle, private e-mails, private messages and many responses on Facebook. While scattered in were a few “No”s and “Don’t do its”, all readers were certain about their advice, and many comments were so insightful I feel the need to share. Some excerpts:

…we LOVE our 8-seat Sienna with two Safeseats and a Wizard. The automatic doors are just sweet… and that’s a function you won’t find on an SUV. Cheryl

…I love my Odyssey. Don’t get me wrong I am looking forward to eventually downsizing but with three I think you’ll need the space. What will you do with three play date kids??? And no one has to climb over the seat. Dottie

You need to do it – I LOVE our Odyssey. It is so easy with the kids, and if I need to access them quickly (which is often) all I do is climb back. Plus, the third row is easy to use and access, too, without having to move carseats around. Lena

We have three and I love my SUV! We have an Expedition EL with captains chairs in the second row so we can access the third row easily. And I have room for two labs and suitcases behind the third row! I love it way more than my mom’s Odyssey. Robin

We avoided the minivan at all costs. We wound up w/the new Chevy Traverse and cannot be any happier. Candice

We got the Buick Enclave and you can get it with Captains Chairs in the middle. It is great and the kids can walk right through to the third row. There is still room for groceries in the back with the third row up also. The third row has a 60/40 split. Brandie

…the Toyato Highlander has an option for 2 captain chairs in the middle, so it’s like a mini without being one. Debbie

…we test drove a pilot and I really liked it, but just couldn’t see having to climb through the trunk to access the 3rd row and would have issues getting the 2nd seat to fold down b/c it would have car seats. Jenn (who is pregnant with her 3rd and just purchased the new Highlander.)

We have been looking at the Mazda 5. It’s mini-van like, smaller than a minivan, but better seating capacity than our Ford Focus. pscherry

While I love our [Expedition] NOW, I remember using my dad’s Expedition when the kids were in real car seats and I had to lift them in and buckle them. It was a pain in the butt in the Expedition b/c it’s so much higher. You have to lift them up into the car and not just our on front of you. My Explorer was perfect–not too low like a sedan, but not too high. Devon

We’ve had our Toyota Sienna for almost 5 years now and can’t imagine what we did before. Our kids love it more than we do. The sliding doors, the ease of hopping in and out for them. The room each child has, the road trips we’ve had in them from TX to Florida. The trunk space is 2x or 3x’s the size of our old SUV’s. … The best advice I can give is to at least test drive it… you will be surprised how much you love it. Susan

Now that’s a lot to take in. Great advice… many cars to at least check out. And its Susan’s advice I’ll follow. At least I’ll test drive. And continue the discussion for several more weeks, I’m sure.

I recently had the opportunity to test drive the Ford Flex and it was a huge problem for me. Because I and my kids liked it so much, we did not want to give it back.

We gave our test model a name. “Sexy Flexy”. Probably because of the vehicle’s magnetic appeal. From the instant we saw it in our driveway we were mesmerized. My daughters blushed. Umm… Mommy? Can we sit in the front seat? Like just while it’s parked here? Would that be ok? Can me and my friend sit in the car and hang out while you’re making dinner? Can I show the neighbors?

Fashionista Mom that I am, I was not going to be won over so easily by the suave good looks alone. After all, I bought a Minivan recently for the utility. Much as I’d love to drive the kids to school and run errands in a Maserati, it’s just not practical. I liked the looks of the Flex from the first time I saw it at the LA Auto Show. But I’m demanding of my vehicles – not a pushover for a two tone paint job and grooved door panels. It was going to take a little more to get this practical Fashionista mom’s stamp of approval.

Continue reading to see our slide show and read more about our experience with the Ford Flex.

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AutoBlog: C-Max and Kuga may follow Euro Focus to the U.S.

AutoBlog reports that Ford officials have confirmed their intent to bring the Kuga, a compact CUV, and the C-Max, a people-moving cousin of the Mazda5, to the US. No details yet on when we can expect their arrival, but it’s good to see that Ford is willing to bring some new  family-friendly vehicles across the Atlantic.

Gizmag: Tummy Shield seat belt keeps mother and baby safe

Auto-related injuries are the leading cause of fetal loss in pregnant women, and there is a new product out of Australia that aims to stop that loss. The Tummy Shield certainly isn’t the first maternity seat belt adapter, but the design is definitely interesting!

Car and Driver: Chrysler extends $2.99 gasoline deal

Chrysler’s promotion guaranteeing $2.99 gas for three years is generating lots of waves in the automotive industry, and has reportedly increased traffic up to 20% in showrooms since the May 7 Launch. Originally slated to end June 2, executives have extended the promotion until July 7. The Dodge Avenger, Caliber, Journey and the Chrysler Sebring are selling the best in this promotion.  Less thrifty vehicles like the SRT line, Viper and Jeep Wrangler do not apply.

Kelley Blue Book: 2008 Best New Road Trip Vehicles

Kelley Blue Book has put together a list of the Best New Road Trip Vehicles for 2008, with some… interesting… choices on board. I don’t think i’d bring any Cheerios or Goldfish if we were going to Grandma’s in my Bugatti!