Suggest a new vehicle ...

Here are a few pics of my Pilot...It's the Touring AWD model with DVD, Navigation, Leather, Sunroof, Heated Seats, Back up Camera, etc and we paid $35k brand new in January 2009. MSRP was $40k. I just blue booked it and it's still at about $36k!

http://www.kbb.com/used-cars/honda/pilot/2009/retail-value/pricing-report?id=236804&equipment=2882182%7ctrue%7c2882182%7ctrue&condition=excellent&mileage=22000

I'll have to say it's not the prettiest SUV but it also has 3rd row seating that actually fits adults. We average about 18mpg in town and over 24mpg on the highway.

I added the front chrome grille, running boards and sunroof wind deflector.

 

I'd get a couple year old 4 runner or sequoia. The honda pilot is pretty nice too. I checked out that new Toyota Venza. Pretty cool ride as well. I have the mazda 3, its a great little car but my 5 year old brother's car seat (booster seat) is a tight fit behind my seat with it almost all the way back. The Mazda 6 would be just fine for rear facing seats though. My mom has a Honda CRV and honestly... I hate it. I drive myself anytime I know I will have to be in there for long periods of time. It is way to small.

 

Personally, nothing is going to give you the cargo/passenger space as much as a mini van. I would highly recommend the Odyssey or Sienna, but if you do not want a van, you would have to go with a Sequioa or Suburban. IMO....Pilots, Highlanders, the smaller SUV's are not big enough for 2 dogs and 2 kids. They could fit, but very tight.

 

Much as I hate to say it John, sounds like a 4 cyl. minivan is going to be the best option for a growing family. Gotta do right by the family, right? It's only temporary, and you still get to drive your truck when you're alone.

 

We travel all the time with my 2 kids (no carseats) and 2 small dogs and it's fine. The new Honda Pilots are actually very roomy inside. The 3rd row seating folds flat into the floor when not in use.

 

u need a honda pilot! My buddy has one and fits quite a bit in there.

Btw the pilot is a fwd suv! untill you lock in the rear. Thats bad ass!

or go all out and find an old ford diesel excursion!

 

Love my 07 sequoia!!!!!!!

Once we loaded 4 adults and four children, plus stuff for an over night stay!! It was prefect amount of space

Only prob is horrible gas milage, it gets like 14

 

My brother just got a highlander ( he mADe fun a me for getting a big suv) he was in town over Christmas and told me he is sorry for talking crap about the sequoia and then said he wished he had one.

 

My wife had a 2005 Lexus GX 470 and it was awesome. You can get a used one with 50k miles in your price range and they are incredible vehicles.

http://www.edmunds.com/lexus/gx-470/2005/

 

My wife are doing the same thing right now...we'll be trading in her 07 corolla to make room for the new edition. I tried to talk her into a FJ but the suicide doors halted my campaign. our price range is 25K-32K. We've looked at a bunch of cars and have narrowed it to the Highlander and the Mazda CX9...I think the CX9 wins for best features for the price but you cant beat the 2yrs free MX that toyota is offering. choices...

 

A growing family = save money = don't buy new. Let someone else take that hit for being the first one to drive the vehicle off the lot.

Just a thought - congrats on the new addition.

 

We just got wifey the 2011 Highlander and its a very spacious vehicle. Nothing like a minivan. The new Odyssey is butt ugly and the Sienna looks nice...

I say highlander, if not the highlander than a minivan. The Pilot is a box with wheels.

 

A growing family = save money = don't buy new. Let someone else take that hit for being the first one to drive the vehicle off the lot.

Just a thought - congrats on the new addition.

 

exactly

 

4Runner

 

Subaru Outback. Restyled for 2010, not a huge fan of the new look, but, for the money, I'd say you can't go wrong. One of the few wagons that are available in both standard (6 speed) and auto. The all-wheel drive is almost perfect, and the safety ratings are tops all across the board. Good gas mileage, plenty of space for a family of four, two medium-size dogs and some geer would likely not be a too tight fit.

As an aside, I drove our '09 Outback from Albuquerque, NM to Asheville, NC last year with my dad, two bird cages, two cats in travel carriers, two German Shepherds, a little red "mountain dog", and a gecko... It was a little tight, but with a roof rack and some creative packing it was not so bad.

Best of luck to you!

http://blogs.trucktrend.com/6200863...k-earn-high-ratings-in-crash-tests/index.html

 

I say sienna. The new ones are pretty nice. Then again, you would take the hit on it for being new.

 

My sister has 3 kids and has one of these.Very nice for a van. Good luck.

 

The wife wants a Sienna after looking at them..

4RUnner/Highlander are too small..

Sequioa cost too much

Just need to find a sienna that isnt over priced.. only issue is that we keep running into extra options we dont want

 

consider this...
Get a vehicle with 2 captains chairs in the middle row.
Reason: You can strap down the car seats without having to remove them to access the 3rd row. The available space in the middle allows for someone to get through.
Make sure the two chairs are on a track and that they fold down flat at the same time for additional space.
The 3rd row should be a 60/40 split.
Reason: This still allows 2 to sit on the back row. Some have a 50/50 or some fold down as one. That's a bad design. If your 3rd row fits 3, you should be able to fit 2 still in the rear.

Consider these vehicles...
The new Ford Explorer
GMC Acadia

I love the new 4Runner and the Highlander. As much as I would love to purchase another Toyota, the two vehicles mentioned above are ones I'd consider. The Sienna is one I'd look at but only if I got the SE sport (it's still a minivan though).