We need some advice...
We know what kind of van we want, we're just trying to find a good deal.
We found one tonight at a dealership about 30 minutes away.
They are having a special 4th of July sale that lasts until tomorrow.
The price is good and it looks like just what we want.
But... we're not sure if it has a DVD player or not.
That's something we've said we wanted.
Not for frequent use, not for short trips, just for longer ones.
We have a portable one that we use now, but only occasionally. (We don't go on that many long trips.)
The question we are asking ourselves... should the DVD be a deciding factor?
Yes, a built in one would be much more convenient.
But... is it that important?
We plan on having this van for a long, long time.
But... would we end up using it too much? Breaking our rule about not using it on short car trips, just because it's so convenient?
The one we have just has 2 screens, but the baby won't be facing the right direction for a year. When the time comes, could 2 kids watch off one screen in captains chairs? (One child would be pretty off center from the screen.)
So those of you with or without DVD players... what is your opinion??
If this van has the DVD, it will be a no-brainer.
But if it doesn't... do we hold out for one with the DVD or do we just keep our portable one and call it good? Will we end up regretting not getting the DVD?
We are going to look at this van tomorrow (remember... sale ends tomorrow) and we need some advice...
A working mom... trying to find the balance between wife, mommy, teacher and friend. Hoping to remember all the little things that make me smile.
we had a DVD installed in the used van we bought, total life saver!
ReplyDeleteIt was the deciding factor in the last two vehicles we bought, but the Suburban has an aftermarket one that works just fine. So - if it's a great van - just know you can still install one...
ReplyDeleteWe use ours too much. I admit it. I am a real stickler about nap time being MY time ;) and if we are out in the morning and there is a risk of children falling asleep, I will not hesitate to switch on a movie. We have a set of dvds that are Bible stories (approx 2 min long) with Sunday School songs. I don't feel *too* bad putting those on often...
But we were like you "only for longer trips". Hmm. Never for trips into town. But heading home from the zoo? That's a longer trip, right???
;)
A few years ago when we bought our new van, we decided not to do the DVD player...the automatic doors were the must. Even for long trips, we use nothing. It's a great time to play games with them, talk, and listen to their favorite kiddo cds and sing along. I think the routine is easy to slip into, and it becomes a regular occurance. No need to cause friction with that one.
ReplyDeleteWhen we bought out van in '05, it had a VCR built in & we told them if they added a DVD player, we would buy it. So, they did. :) It's not built in but, since the screen was already in the van, it has worked out fine. We have only used it on long trips OR when the weather is icy/snowy (and school is not cancelled!) and I know our trip will be an hour or more home & I need to have quiet so I can drive safely. We love ours & we have stuck to our guns about only on long drives... :)
ReplyDeleteWe have a portable dvd that we take on long trips. I have 3 girls. One in each captain chair in the 2nd row seperated in the middle. My 3 year old sits in the 3rd row in the middle and all 3 can see the 10 inch screen just fine. I like that when we are done, we take it out and then it's "out of sight, out of mind". It's just easier that way. Hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteA DVD player should absolutely not be a deciding factor. It is not that important. You may end up regretting the decision to get a DVD player, rather than regretting not having one.
ReplyDeleteWhy? Think of all the fun games you played and fond memories of childhood vacations. While at times road trips can be long and stressful, turning on a movie is not the best solution. It will take away from conversation, silliness, sing-alongs, and imaginative game play. These activities are very rewarding and have a positive impact on the entire family.
Since you already have a portable one and you "don't go on that many long trips", this should be a no-brainer.
I think it shouldn't be the deciding factor, especially since you have a portable one.
ReplyDeleteWe *just* bought a portable DVD player on our trip to CO the other day. But we lived for a lot of years without one. :)
Loved it though!
Built in DVD is the best way to go. Forget the portable one. You'll regret it. My husband sells Nissan's and it's a deciding factor for a lot of people.
ReplyDeleteWhen we bought our van in '04 we told the sales people we did not want a DVD player. They looked at us like we were crazy. We have survived just fine without one. Don't let that be the determining factor. Happy shopping!
ReplyDeleteDon't let it be the deciding factor, there are a lot of options...keeping your portable, getting another portable, installing after market, going without one. Hope you get it today!!!
ReplyDeleteI know this is probably too late, but . . .
ReplyDeletewe struggled with that same decision as we also have a portable one but don't use it all that much (only for long trips). We found a van we wanted without a built in one and so we found a product that hooks between two shoulder rests (either between the two front or two middle seats) and is a shelf that holds the portable dvd player and hooks onto it with straps so it won't slide around. It's a next best thing to built in, I think . . . two or three can watch it easily without having to figure out who holds it or whatever. Hope you have a new van by now!