Wife and I decided we need a bigger car due to kid's activities and friend portage.
That said, 3 rows of seats is mandatory. We're 5 on our own, it'd be nice to seat 7 or 8.
Prefer something reasonably used.
Right now we've been looking at <gasp> mini vans. not sure I'm sold on one.
Any suggestions?
Must be looking at that minivan through bi-focals.....
A common thing to say to a married man is that he is now dead. Driving a mini-van is what happens after you have lived, died and gone to hell.
But at least some of them have push buttons to open the doors and tail lid. That is really helpful when you are worn out from beating children.
At least if you buy a mini-van there will be a reason the young hotties ignore you, besides being old.
Even this:
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/Skybarney/Internet%20Pics/images_zpsb92fbdf1.jpg) (http://s46.photobucket.com/user/Skybarney/media/Internet%20Pics/images_zpsb92fbdf1.jpg.html)
Is still a minivan.
;D
Choose wisely and preserve your manhood. ;D
I had a Toyota Avensis for a couple of years. It was emasculating.. [laugh]
Dodge Journey or similar? Not quite a mini van but similar seating capacity. Used Benz GLK series?
JM
You might be able to find some cross-overs or similar cars with a third row seat. Not sure if it's better than a minivan, but a Volvo XC60 does sit 7.
http://editorial.autos.msn.com/7-up-20-family-friendly-vehicles-that-seat-seven (http://editorial.autos.msn.com/7-up-20-family-friendly-vehicles-that-seat-seven)
Good luck, I hate car shopping. MOST of the dealers are heartless shits that think we are dumb and will just sign up for anything. My wife and I just finished a three plus year search for the right vehicle. We bought a 2013 VW Touareg just last week at a great price but sadly it only seats 5.
I recommend you look at the Ford Flex it does alot of good stuff but isn't a minivan.
If you're not the type to negotiate, but still want a better price, try www.truecar.com (//http://). You will always get the better price if you negotiate hard yourself, but this gets you a decent start.
Quote from: yamifixer on April 11, 2014, 09:13:10 AM
I recommend you look at the Ford Flex it does alot of good stuff but isn't a minivan.
Especially the 3.5L EcoBoost version. That engine rocks. [evil]
Denali, Yukon, Suburban, Expedition (two sisters with anklebiters and very active lifestyles both had these vehicles in their garages at one point or another for the same reasons you give).
Duccarlos is right about TrueCar.
I'm in the industry and have sent a number of people who were shopping for pre-owned to TrueCar. A few ended up buying new because of the better deal they got through this site. Can still buy pre-owned through them as well with "qualifying" (participating) dealers.
Good luck!
Quote from: Stella on April 11, 2014, 11:01:34 AM
Duccarlos is right...
Don't hear this very often.
Quote from: duccarlos on April 11, 2014, 11:16:30 AM
Don't hear this very often.
[laugh] Take it and run!
[thumbsup]
I picked up a '12 Travers. fits 8 but with 2 car seats, I I'd rather have the 7 seater with 2 middle captains seats. easier to get to 3rd row. I like it. I'd rather rather have rather have the rather have the new dodge, but waiting on the 8 speed.
I have the mother-in-laws (I swear it isn't mine) Mercedes Vito 115 here at the moment which I have to sell so it's a shame there is a bit of a geographical issue otherwise you could have got a bargain!
Other then the looks this thing actually drives better then expected with power to spare and the fuel economy is pretty good as well! 8 seats which you can remove in pairs or singular (two of each) and being so low it easily fits a bike in the back without the any effort. If I needed an 8 seater I would consider one but would probably go an all wheel drive suv with 7 seats instead.
Binky rented a Flex on a trip with her parents, and really liked it.
Not sure if it has enough room for your army.
All this "your man-life is over coz you need to drive a vehicle with enough seats to accommodate your family" talk is just a little juvenile doncha think?
Buy the make the beast with two backsing minivan. Any make the beast with two backsing minivan that does the job at the right price.
And don't listen to the fat, bald infertile "real men" in their convertibles [laugh]
Quote from: ungeheuer on April 12, 2014, 09:21:25 AM
All this "your man-life is over coz you need to drive a vehicle with enough seats to accommodate your family" talk is just a little juvenile doncha think?
Buy the make the beast with two backsing minivan. Any make the beast with two backsing minivan that does the job at the right price.
And don't listen to the fat, bald infertile "real men" in their convertibles [laugh]
It's an American thing that you won't understand and therefore easy to make fun of but it does matter here. ;D
Quote from: Ducatamount on April 12, 2014, 09:28:25 AM
It's an American thing that you won't understand and therefore easy to make fun of but it does matter here. ;D
Who's making fun?
Juvenile is universal, so don't tell me what I do and do not understand :-*
Bedtime for feisty, juicing aliens ;D
Hah, Aussies borrow American car culture. They do not know squat about the tease over a mini-van. Despite the "juvenile" behavior of some of us giving him a hard time he (being American) gets it. It is a standard tease amongst men here in America. Not juvenile at all.
We will still all ride in a mini-van, as long as there is free beer, or girls.
BTW lots and lots of American families buy mini-vans. Pull up at the local bar and your gonna get ribbed. It is all in good fun though and not really meant to be mean or to make him buy something else.
Here is a neat little fact I bet you do not know. More than 70% of all cars sold in America are picked by women. It is why women are actually on most of the design teams these days. Happy wife, happy life and Privateer still rides a Duc so despite the minivan his manhood will remain intact. :)
Quote from: Skybarney on April 12, 2014, 01:38:15 PM
Hah, Aussies borrow American car culture. They do not know squat about the tease over a mini-van. Despite the "juvenile" behavior of some of us giving him a hard time he (being American) gets it. It is a standard tease amongst men here in America. Not juvenile at all.
We will still all ride in a mini-van, as long as there is free beer, or girls.
BTW lots and lots of American families buy mini-vans. Pull up at the local bar and your gonna get ribbed. It is all in good fun though and not really meant to be mean or to make him buy something else.
Here is a neat little fact I bet you do not know. More than 70% of all cars sold in America are picked by women. It is why women are actually on most of the design teams these days. Happy wife, happy life and Privateer still rides a Duc so despite the minivan his manhood will remain intact. :)
Ahhh.. I see [thumbsup]
Thanks for explaining.
Coz no bloke in Australia would ever hang shit on his mates for showing up in something that looks like this...
(http://img2.netcarshow.com/Fiat-Multipla_2002_800x600_wallpaper_01.jpg)
[cheeky]
:o
That's awful. :-X
[puke] [puke] [puke]
Good god
My car dealer gave me a Nissan Cube for a loaner. OK, not as bad as that...ummm...can't think of what to call that vehicle ungeheuer posted.
Worst handling of any car I ever drove, kinda felt like the wheels were connected to the steering gear with rubber bands. Awful CVT, two modes, slow and noisier slow. First time in my life I was happy driving in the slow lane at or below lane and you could put a lot of crap in it. Kinda liked it, but I did know I would get the Audi back.
I'd rather not have the minivan, honestly, but it's the right tool for the job right now. Sliding doors mean the kids are effing dinging every car we park next to. Walk up, pop the doors with the remote, kids climb and buckle themselves, auto-close the doors, and drive away. Some of the cool ones the seats fold down into the floor, or at least fold flat, so I can fit plenty of stuff into it. Shoulda seen me trying to bring my new BBQ home in the wife's mid-SUV.
yeah the flex is on our list too, but a little pricier. It is my preference, but the price tag is deterring me. Same with the Odyssey the wife wants. Even used ones are ridiculously expensive. Been seeing former fleet Grand Caravans in the low 20 range. Most of the flex/odysseys are in the 25-30 range. USED!
Suburban is a choice, have to see what I can fnd. Seems like the MPG on those is about the same now as a minivan. Wife drives a lot every day taking the kids where they need to be, so it's a consideration I have to take into account.
Look into the ford explorer sport. In fact, you can get the Eco boost engine in the limited trim as well BUT the sport is a lot more fun to drive. You have a little "umph" when hitting the gas. We drove ours at 85 mph for 4 hours and averaged 24mpg, I thought I was dreaming but I hand calculated (10 mph tail wind helped :))
You can buy this from me in the fall...
(http://s3.amazonaws.com/toyota.site.p01/toyota/media/content/vehicles/highlander/2014/gallery/highlander_gallery_image_02.jpg)
Minivans get horrid MPG. Any newer SUV will get better gas mileage, but as you mentioned, you'll never have to worry about dinging another car. If you're looking for an Odyssey sub 20K, you'll ned to look 4 to 5 years old. These damn things hold their value.
My Sienna used to haul my bikes to track days and I was able to sleep in it by folding all the seats. No need for hotels and tents. It fit a small air mattress.
picked up a loan preapproval from the credit union today. now just a matter of finding something.
when the wife saw the fold away seats and price diff between an odyssey and a grand caravan, I might have her sworn off the odyssey.
explorer sport is an option, i do like those. Waiting to see what a Tahoe goes for also.
Been a life long fan and owner of Chevy's and loved that 5.3 engine but the Explorer has me grinning......when I steal it from the Wife that is.
R class. Seats 6. Comes in Diesel.
(http://topcarsinusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/2011_mercedes_benz_r_class_black.jpg)
(http://images.thecarconnection.com/lrg/2012-mercedes-benz-r-class_100369467_l.jpg)
(http://www.automobilesreview.com/img/2011-mercedes-benz-r-class/2011-mercedes-benz-r-class-12.jpg)
find a used one. save money.
Old school station Wagon with a drop in economic friendly diesel that runs off anything...
Whatever you do, don't go for a Chrysler Pacifica. I'm having a huge issue with mine right now involving a rusted engine cradle that Chrysler won't cover.
More on that in my own thread that I will start later.