I could use some advice

[Bow Tie 67]

My wife wants a vehicle that seats 6 or more and mentioned she would like a minivan. I'm looking for suggestions and or other options. The little bit of research I have done makes it look like all minivans are garbage. Whatever we decide it will be a used vehicle in the 6 - 8,000.00 range.

Thanks for any input.

[rjsjea]

Suburban or Tahoe w/ third row. Gives me a little bit of comfort when my kids are rolling around in 6000+ lbs

[68Formula]

Wife's Mazda5 seats 6 (3 rows of 2) and we averaged 29mpg on a recent trip with 2 adults, 2 kids, and loaded down with luggage and gifts. Handles really well too (feels like a spirited compact). They can be had with a 5 speed manual or gear selectible automatic. (Ours is the auto, but it's fun to drive it in manual mode). My only wish they made a Mazdaspeed version. A turbo with a little more suspension tuning would be awesome.

The Mazda MPV, which is still available elsewhere but stopped being imported to the US in 2006, is also a great 6 seater. One of the top handling minivans. Mileage is also comparible to other minivans. Should be easy to find in your price range.

[The Stickman]

Originally sat 8 now seats 4. Build cost well under your price (at present time) and it handles and looks great.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n251/xxThe_Stickmanxx/The%20Olds%20Kids/100_3647.jpg

[Bow Tie 67]

Originally sat 8 now seats 4. Build cost well under your price (at present time) and it handles and looks great.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n251/xxThe_Stickmanxx/The%20Olds%20Kids/100_3647.jpg


I'd love to put her into something like that, but she would have to be stiff as a board to do it. Lol

[ATAK, Inc.]

Also the Ford Explorer starting in 2002 has the third row seat and seats seven quite well. It also has A/C in all three rows an a luggage rack when the cabin is full.
I got one for my wife, it was $5,800.

[eville]

I've heard that the third seat in the explorer is a "novelty" not really functional.

We have a Sienna and LOVE it.

[BIGX69]

GET a dodge magnum 3.5 .. you can pick one up for a little under 10k... and they look good

[Bow Tie 67]

I like the magnum not sure if she will go for it. ( something I can mod :) ) Our kids are in the teens so we dont have to worry about car seats but legroom is a must.

[dogtag]

I liked my Toyota Siena so well, I got a second one for the Wife.
Daily drivers.
Front wheel drive gets 26 and my all wheel gets 22.
I've got every option in the all wheel and it's just great.
Totally trouble free and comfortable hauling lot's of people.
I also like the fact that the rear seats fold down and disappear.
Mid seats can be removed.
Love the Media system. Plays MP3 discs.
Has built in 6 disc changer and rear seat DVD player.
Has tire pressure monitors and remote controls on all the doors and rear hatch.
Also has radar cruise control.
As you pull up behind someone, it detects them and makes your cruise match their speed until they move out of the way then resumes.

Mine also came with run flat 17's. Wonderful.
Came down the pass with a flat and drove almost 80 miles to a tire shop which just put a patch on it. Good as new.

The van has loads of power and is a great freeway cruiser.
I love it.

DT

[dadto2jays]

I've heard that the third seat in the explorer is a "novelty" not really functional.

We have a Sienna and LOVE it.

+1 on the Toyota Sienna....great reliable vehicle!!!

[streetfytr68]

My wife wants a vehicle that seats 6 or more and mentioned she would like a minivan. I'm looking for suggestions and or other options. The little bit of research I have done makes it look like all minivans are garbage. Whatever we decide it will be a used vehicle in the 6 - 8,000.00 range.

Thanks for any input.

Garbage? Whattya mean, garbage?

rLIlqY6SwxA

[PT Sportwagon]

I picked my 04 Yukon Denali XL for under 11K. it stickered new for over 50K. Keep looking they are out there.

Tim

[blown9746]

to seat six you are limited to SUV or minivan for sure.

[jocko124]

I'm in the process of buying the wife an Acura MDX. It has a third row, but it can only realistically accomodate small children. The gas mileage is unimpressive at 15/20. So you can check it off your list! As far as minivans go, we used to have a Toyota Sienna and I loved the thing--very utilitarian.

[tommycomfort]

I'm not saying this is the best plan, but we bought this one running and needing some work for around $2500. Sure we had to drive to Northern California to get it, but... Oh yeah, the 35x12.5-15's aren't always that popular with the wives, but they can be changed too. The wives that is...

[DarkBuddha]

Look, I hear ya on wanting a minivan alternative, but I'll tell you that our '07 Honda Odyssey has be very very good to us (and me!). It's not an inspiring or cool ride, but it is practical as it gets and is decent to drive... seriously. We're the kind of folks that want to drive our kids and their friends around. We've loaded it with 8 people and still had room for the stroller, a bike, and beach gear. I've hauled home wheels, motors (don't tell my missus), diffs, cabinets, furniture, lumber, etc. It will fit some seriously big stuff with the rearmost seats folded down and the middle row removed. And it handled the drive from Seattle to Sarasota without a blink and pulled down nearly 30mpg along the way (and loved to cruise around 100mph). But like I said, it can be boring to drive, and it's boring to look at. But a set of lowering springs or airbags, a factory body kit, and some nice 18s would make it mighty tasty. Besides, Honda engineers put one in the One Lap, so it's got a race pedigree:

http://media.nextautos.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/odyssey_main.jpg


BTW, you might consider an older Odyssey too... I've heard they can be tuned and be made fun to drive:

http://www.tuningfever.fr/pics-med-11252-291449-honda-odyssey.jpg

[dropit69]

Tommy that thing is bad ass..my buddy was looking for one years ago and couldnt find a decent one here in midwest..and 2500 was a steal..
Matt do you want 4x4 if so the older tahoes can be had cheap and are cool vehicles...

[406 Q-ship]

I like the magnum not sure if she will go for it. ( something I can mod :) ) Our kids are in the teens so we dont have to worry about car seats but legroom is a must.

I have to say this, if the kids are teens how much longer will they all need to be riding in the same car with Mom at the sametime? You will have a few new drivers in the next few years and a vehicle with a real high capacity isn't as important as you or your wife might think IMO. Anyway that may open up some other options for you.

[tommycomfort]

Tommy that thing is bad ass..my buddy was looking for one years ago and couldnt find a decent one here in midwest..and 2500 was a steal..
Matt do you want 4x4 if so the older tahoes can be had cheap and are cool vehicles...

We're actually thinking about selling our 04 F-350 Dually and making the Burb my daily driver and tow vehicle. Just needs a lot of fine tuning and interior work. Truth be told, my wife loves it too.
Tom
:fingersx:

[surlyjoe]

Suburban. Lots of room, truck chassis, ls power, comfy ride. Although the wagon above is way cool. Gotta love wagons.

[Bow Tie 67]

I have to say this, if the kids are teens how much longer will they all need to be riding in the same car with Mom at the sametime? You will have a few new drivers in the next few years and a vehicle with a real high capacity isn't as important as you or your wife might think IMO. Anyway that may open up some other options for you.


Thank you, I think I have her ready to agree with this logic. By Jan 3 of the 4 will have their drivers license.

Now shes looking at the Acura MDX, which I have to admit looks like a nice vehicle.