SUV Bleg
With the second child due roughly next week, we need more vehicle. The Mrs. needs a SUV with third row seating. We were looking at the Lincoln Aviator because we like our friend’s Navigator but don’t like fact it is gigantic. But, the Aviator gets some crappy reviews from Consumer Reports (of course, the Navigator does too). Plus, I’m not real keen on spending $40K on a ride.
We want third row seating, leather interior, roomy and smooth ride. Optional features we want include V8 and 4WD. Anyone have a recommendation?
Update: Thanks for all the comments. But we’re simply not gettting a minivan nor a station wagon. I suggested a van but the Mrs. absolutely refuses and station wagons aren’t practical.
May 4th, 2006 at 11:30 am
Honda Pilot.
We’re looking at the Pilot and the Odyssey. Probably the former if we buy new, or the latter if we buy used. Gas mileage is basically identical between the two.
May 4th, 2006 at 12:18 pm
Durango with the Hemi. My folks have one and they just love it. We’ve got an older Durango with the 4.7L V8 and it’s been [knock on wood] very reliable (bear in mind that my wife drives it; she works 2 miles from the house which results in a 2001 Durango having 51K miles on it).
Covers all the bases, and for under $40K (although not by much if you really trick it out…)
May 4th, 2006 at 12:53 pm
…what’s wrong with a mean minivan? 😀 They’re all well up above 200HP now…
May 4th, 2006 at 1:22 pm
I like the explorer. They really did a good job with it this time. The new ones have the third row. The Expedition type vehicles are too dang big.
There’s also the Freestyle, which we are considering. Also has third row. The Explorer is an actual off-road vehicle though (we have a 1999 one and I love it), but the freestyle is not so rugged. But it does get better gas mileage. The Pilot is not so much of an off road vehicle, more in the class of the freestyle (our good friends have one). Nice car, but it depends on what you want.
May 4th, 2006 at 2:04 pm
The price of cars these days is outrageous
May 4th, 2006 at 2:15 pm
Chevy Tahoe, unless you want adults in the back seat, in that case get a Suburban.
May 4th, 2006 at 2:18 pm
I hate to say it, but minivan. My mom has been happy with the Ford variety for several years. They also tend to get pretty good mileage and they are extremely versatile. Once you buy one, you don’t go back.
May 4th, 2006 at 3:19 pm
I’m not going to recommend a SUV in paticular, tho I agree with getting a minivan. I had one when my son was little and the sliding doors make it so much easier to get the little ones in and out in a parking lot.
I’m recommending a dealership. I got a new (to me) car a few weeks ago at Carmax and I swear, I will never buy a car from anyone else. I HATE car shopping but at Carmax, it was actually stress free and nice. The trade in and purchase are handle as separate transactions and there is no pressure. I figured out what I wanted and went to their website to check their inventory. I called them and got this guy Mario. He called the location that had the one I wanted to make sure it had all the features I wanted. Did the paperwork for the transfer and it got here in about 4 days. Test drove it, liked it and bought it.
May 4th, 2006 at 4:30 pm
I swore there were two things I would never drive–a mini-van and a station wagon. We have a friend who is a car dealer, and he insisted I drive one around for a few days. For the money (if that’s an issue for you), there really isn’t anything better. They drive like a car but are so convenient with the kids. I guess that’s why everyone has them and why I broke my pledge.
I don’t know how the bumper sticker “you can have my gun when you pry my cold dead hands from it” will look on a mini-van–but the earth-firsters at your local kiddies-day-out program will have something to talk about.
May 4th, 2006 at 7:25 pm
Hate to say it but Mini-Van is the way to go. They ride is very nice, they have TONS more room than an SUV. They are much more convenient than an SUV with the automatic sliding doors and automatic rear gates especially if you are dealing with Kids. Not to mention that they are much more comfortable than an SUV also…
Personally I would only look at an SUV if I had to drive 5 miles of dirt road every day to get to my house, and if I took it into the deep wilderness at least two weekends a month.
May 4th, 2006 at 7:29 pm
Oh and I second the Carmax experience. We have purchased our last two almost new cars at Carmax. The financing is also very competitive at Carmax if that is a concern.
May 4th, 2006 at 10:26 pm
Ditto on the mini van. I have a windstar for the wife and kids. It is great on trips and good on the fuel. Plenty of pickup, mine has a v6, pulls real hard. I have never seen a 4WD version though. I am not sure of your needs, 4WD seems like a waste unless you need to go offroad alot, even then you are just further away when you get stuck.
May 4th, 2006 at 11:49 pm
I am thinking look at consumer reports. They give you a pretty good idea of which cars or trucks are better.
I think it is like 5 dollars a month.
I would think a mini van might be cheaper to fix, because they are cheaper in general. If you tow stuff you can even get a version with a 6 cyld. engine.
May 5th, 2006 at 1:09 am
Last I checked, the Toyota 4Runner had available 3rd row, V8, and 4WD (I prefer AWD myself-I drive an Audi for at least a couple more years), and there’s got to be a reason they’re about to grind GM into the dirt.
May 5th, 2006 at 8:41 am
Carmax does indeed rule. Just traded for a truck out there.
May 5th, 2006 at 9:20 am
Thanks for all the comments. But we’re simply not gettting a minivan nor a station wagon. I suggested a van but the Mrs. absolutely refuses and station wagons aren’t practical.
May 5th, 2006 at 10:05 am
The nearest library should have plenty of back issues of motor trend and consumer reports for your research needs.
I find myself in a similar situation… We need a 4 door vehicle with enough oomph to pull a trailer. I really don’t want a minivan or a station wagon. A third row would be nice so we can have others ride with us, 2 carseats take up the back seat…
We’re leaning towards an suv… diesel would be nice… but gas prices have added a new factor to the mix.
Good luck finding a ride that suites ya. Let us know what ya get.
Hooz.
May 5th, 2006 at 10:34 am
Chrysler Pacifica has a 250hp V6, three row seating (with adjustable rear seats) and oodles of space for
May 5th, 2006 at 10:36 am
Oops, comments do not filter out ‘<‘ signs.
Chrysler Pacifica has a 250hp V6, three row seating (with adjustable rear seats) and oodles of space for less than $30k. It’s neither a minivan nor a station wagon, you can get them in 4WD and they drive really smooth.
May 5th, 2006 at 1:41 pm
May I suggest a Toyota 4Runner (either “Sport Edition V8 4×4” or “4×4 Limited V8”)
The “4×4 Limited V8” runs just about $40k fully loaded with: Leather seating, 50-State Emissions, DVD Navigation System w/JBL AM/FM/CD and Backup Camera, Daytime Running Lights, Driver & Front Passenger Side Airbags and Front & Second-Row Roll-Sensing Side Curtain Airbags w/Cutoff Switch, Power Tilt/Slide Moonroof, Rear Spoiler w/Center High-Mounted Stop Lamp, X-REAS Shock Absorbers…
I’ve always loved the way they look. Check ’em out. You know Toyota’s are utterly reliable vehicles and the engines/transmissions last 4Ever… (/joke)
🙂
May 5th, 2006 at 5:01 pm
These days, an SUV is a mini-van.