SUV / Minivan Recommendations

[PM5K]

If LJ is willing to drive one buy a minivan, I probably never would but I have to admit they are so well designed as far as carrying a lot of people, especially kids. They have all of these storage bins, seats that do all kinds of crazy , doors that slide open with the push of a button on both sides, etc.

[desflood]

A few years back we bought an old GMC conversion van. Terrible on gas, but tons of space. It's taken 5 people comfortably to MI and back 3 years in a row. Tons of space = I don't have to hear, "He's touching me!" for 3000 miles.

[PM5K]

A few years back we bought an old GMC conversion van. Terrible on gas, but tons of space. It's taken 5 people comfortably to MI and back 3 years in a row. Tons of space = I don't have to hear, "He's touching me!" for 3000 miles.

How bout you just stop touching them?

[Drachen]

Yeah, I'm not sure we need that big of an SUV, but we'll see. I figure a mid-size SUV that "seats 8" should be comfortable for 6.

Kori, you have to know by now that "seating 8" doesn't mean 8 comfortably, also consider that seating 8 immediatly = seating 6 or less when you factor in 3-4 car seats. In the Grand caravan, I could comfortably seat 2 adults and 4 babies in car seats on with a little space between them (2nd row is two captains chairs and 3rd row would have about a foot between two car seats). Also I could fit a decent amount of luggage in the back (the caravan is much shorter than the grand caravan, plus the cargo area is deep). In this configuration, you won't get a third adult in there, but all of the occupants would be comfortable. TBH for that many people's luggage, I will say that you are probably looking at stacking everything up in the cargo space and putting a bag between the captains chairs on the first and second row. The question that you really need to ask yourself though (regardless of the direction you are thinking of going vis-a-vis which car to buy) is how often are you going to pack it to the hilt like that. If you are thinking a mid-size SUV or minivan, but realize that when you pack it to the hilt you won't be able to get it done, so you move on to a full sized suv, but spend 10k more, you could just as easily buy the mid-sized for all of your running around town and daily life, and for that one time a year that you plan on packing it to the gills, rent an expedition. This would likely save you money when you compare rental rates to the extra that you would have to pay for the vehicle, and the extra that you would have to pay for gas.

I don't know, just a suggestion.

As for John Terry's response, I really have no idea where you are going with that, unless you are a troll. If so, bad job, and kinda stupid.

[John Terry]

Kori, you have to know by now that "seating 8" doesn't mean 8 comfortably, also consider that seating 8 immediatly = seating 6 or less when you factor in 3-4 car seats. In the Grand caravan, I could comfortably seat 2 adults and 4 babies in car seats on with a little space between them (2nd row is two captains chairs and 3rd row would have about a foot between two car seats). Also I could fit a decent amount of luggage in the back (the caravan is much shorter than the grand caravan, plus the cargo area is deep). In this configuration, you won't get a third adult in there, but all of the occupants would be comfortable. TBH for that many people's luggage, I will say that you are probably looking at stacking everything up in the cargo space and putting a bag between the captains chairs on the first and second row. The question that you really need to ask yourself though (regardless of the direction you are thinking of going vis-a-vis which car to buy) is how often are you going to pack it to the hilt like that. If you are thinking a mid-size SUV or minivan, but realize that when you pack it to the hilt you won't be able to get it done, so you move on to a full sized suv, but spend 10k more, you could just as easily buy the mid-sized for all of your running around town and daily life, and for that one time a year that you plan on packing it to the gills, rent an expedition. This would likely save you money when you compare rental rates to the extra that you would have to pay for the vehicle, and the extra that you would have to pay for gas.

I don't know, just a suggestion.

As for John Terry's response, I really have no idea where you are going with that, unless you are a troll. If so, bad job, and kinda stupid.

being an asshole myself I know how much of a shame it is, so I never give a straight response to the questions or statements about what I am. I'm an asshole... aren't you?

[PM5K]

Yeah she does know that seating 8 doesn't mean you can actually seat 8 comfortably, that's why she said it should be able to seat 6, what are you ing re ed?

[CavsSuperFan]

There's little doubt what car would win the prize for world's most fantastic backseat. The Rolls-Royce Phantom can be outfitted with a limitless array of options including a refrigerator with crystal decanters and matching glasses. If you want to do a little work, there are tray tables with luxurious wood veneers. If you fancy a movie, the tops of the tray tables flip up to reveal real TV-sized video screens.

Base sticker price: $380,000


http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/...ats/index.html

[Drachen]

Yeah she does know that seating 8 doesn't mean you can actually seat 8 comfortably, that's why she said it should be able to seat 6, what are you ing re ed?

Whoa the hostility, did you run out of your favorite cereal this morning? Actually she was asking about 6-7 actual people, 3-4 of which would be in car seats (for a time). By my (unscientific) calculations, considering the car seats, ... carry the 1 .... um I would think that she would need a 9 person (maybe greater) vehicle if she is hard set about that 4th baby and 3rd adult and being comfortable.

I think she has all of the answers she needs, however, because she really just needs to get out and test drive them, look at them, etc. and I think that is what she is doing.

[Kori Ellis]

Whoa the hostility, did you run out of your favorite cereal this morning? Actually she was asking about 6-7 actual people, 3-4 of which would be in car seats (for a time). By my (unscientific) calculations, considering the car seats, ... carry the 1 .... um I would think that she would need a 9 person (maybe greater) vehicle if she is hard set about that 4th baby and 3rd adult and being comfortable.

I think she has all of the answers she needs, however, because she really just needs to get out and test drive them, look at them, etc. and I think that is what she is doing.

I'm not hardset about a third adult being comfortable - as that would be rare. I'm hardset on fitting up to 4 babies in car seats and 2 adults, plus have a little cargo room. I would think an "8 passenger" SUV would fit 6 people plus a little cargo. And I'm not talking about luggage - as I said, we won't be vacationing for a long time. I just told the vacation story because I was surprised on vacation that the rental minivan barely had room in the cargo area behind the third seat.

[Drachen]

I'm not hardset about a third adult being comfortable - as that would be rare. I'm hardset on fitting up to 4 babies in car seats and 2 adults, plus have a little cargo room. I would think an "8 passenger" SUV would fit 6 people plus a little cargo. And I'm not talking about luggage - as I said, we won't be vacationing for a long time. I just told the vacation story because I was surprised on vacation that the rental minivan barely had room in the cargo area behind the third seat.

Ok, my mistake, thanks for clarifying. Well I think you have enough suggestions to last you a while. I will leave you to test driving.

[tlongII]

Go with the Lexus LX. That's your best bet!

[Kori Ellis]

Go with the Lexus LX. That's your best bet!

At what price does it start? $80K? A little too much to have a baby throw up on it.

[PM5K]

Don't get a Jeep Commander, that's about all of the useful stuff I can add I think.

[Cane]

My list would include the Enclave, but I'm actually partial to the styling on the GMC Acadia - same underpinings as the Enclave but not quite as fancy. And the Chevy Traverse is also getting pretty good reviews.

I've also been very impressed with the Ford Flex - but wasn't really paying attention to the backseat room. But the Flex was really, really nice up front.

Haven't seen the new Explorer yet but from the website it looks impressive. IMO Ford is doing the best right now in terms of great interior styling in the SUV market. Materials and tolerances are easily the best of the domestics - and I actually like the Flex interior better than anything Honda or Toyota have put out.

Last, the Toyota Highlander seats seven I think - and from a fuel economy standpoint it is terrific - especially the Hybrid version.

Here's what the same website CC used has to say about the Acadia (there's also blurbs in there about the Flex and Highlander):

These vehicles seem pretty good for what the OP is looking for although these car threads are useless without knowing what kind of price range we're working with imo.

[Kori Ellis]

I don't care much about the price, but I don't want to spend $60K+ or anything when it's mainly for kids.

[Cry Havoc]

I don't care much about the price, but I don't want to spend $60K+ or anything when it's mainly for kids.

No



for Kori and LJ? I bet he would like that.

[SpursWoman]

I would have most likely bought the Traverse if it had been around when I was buying my truck. It just might be my next vehicle.

[KEDA]

Bmw x6...

[Kori Ellis]

I would have most likely bought the Traverse if it had been around when I was buying my truck. It just might be my next vehicle.

Yeah it looks like it's far more roomy than the others (without going to a bigger SUV).

[Kori Ellis]

Bmw x6...

Isn't in 4 passenger?

[ducks]

Let me preface this by saying, I don't need a list of environmental reasons why we shouldn't buy one. I'm just wondering if any of you have any recommendations for 7-passenger SUVs or minivans (or ones to avoid).

Thanks.

stay away from the ford freestyle
we bought one throttle went out then other people have had transmittion problems to


traded it in and got a highlander
awesome

rav4 no air in back

highlander 2006 does not have rear air

if your credit is stellar they have no interst rates to on new


2011 are just starting to pop out
good time to buy a new 2010

[Cane]

Hmm yea I'd look at the vehicles that Mark in Austin listed as well as the Mazda CX-9 and I'd also check out the Acura MDX if you want to get something pricier which can also seat 7, is packed with a ton of features, has a smart-AWD system, handles nicely while being luxurious, and is just an overall quality machine. Also about as reliable of a company as it gets (Acura = luxury Honda brand).

[CosmicCowboy]

buy a horse and carriage, its fkn cheaper then a car to operate

You CLEARLY have never owned horses...

[ducks]

the crossovers are nice but the same part ford was using in for the throttle jacket other makes were using
the company that made the part was in germany and they filed bankrapcy
the part cost 700 plus one hundred dollars for labor and only ford dealers can get it from a new company that is building them

also a waiting list

not convinced a crossovers are the way to go

the ford freesytle was fine tell about 50 thousand miles

power train warranty does not cover the trottle jacket
it is called emmision package also

[spurster]

Find out whatever consumer reports rates well then go on a ton of test drives.

According to Consumer Reports Sept. 2010 issue, among their recommended vehicles:

Best for fuel economy:

Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Mazda5
Kia Rondo
Subaru Outback

Most accessible and roomiest third row:

Honda Odyssey
Chevrolet Traverse
Buick Enclave
Ford Flex

Best for cargo and large families:

Honda Odyssey
Chevrolet Traverse
Ford Flex