Need a new wife/family vehicle for 3 kids

Loser cruiser

 

I was sceptical also before the first one, but once you get used to how practical they are, how nice they drive, value for your money, etc...I am sold on minivans. Forget about the 'image' issue and get your money's worth.

 

With twins and a 5 year old I would only be looking at vans. The Sienna or Odyssey. Nissan's Quest is unusual looking but very nice and you could probably get the better deal on one.

The RAV4 third row is not practical. My wife has a 2008 Limited V6 and it is a power monster but I can't see squeezing someone into the third row.

 

I have a 2008 Sienna. I couldn't care less about the minivan stigma. The wife hauls kids and groceries all over the place getting ~25mpg. When I have an out of town race I can take the seats out, tow 1000+ lbs of motorcycles over the rockies at 80mph and still get 20mpg then sleep in the damn thing when I get there. Sienna + Tacoma fulfills the 4 wheel needs of my family pretty well.

 

Off topic but at first glance I thought it said "need a new wife/family" haha

 

My in laws have a 2008 Sienna and we borrow it when I have family in town so we can haul everyone. It has tons of room for hauling as well.

 

I also interpreted it as needing a new "wife" and "family car". lol. I'm sure some scumbag salesmen will throw in his wife with the purchase of a "swagger wagon". (minivan)

 

We just bought a 2012 Chevy Equinox. Look into those.

 

Van. Sienna or Odyssey.

Congrats & good luck.

 

Highlander is out. Just looked at one and don't think that miniature middle seat will work for a car seat. I want the ability to mount 3 seats across in the 2nd row. Plus the 3rd row was very cramped. The Pilot is still the best for passenger room

Haven't looked at a 4runner yet. Maybe later next week I will hit a Toyota dealer.

I still need more suggestions.

I don't care about the van image or stigma, I just hate driving them. Just did a family vacation for 10 days and we had 11 people in the group (6 adults 5 kids). We rented a Nissan Quest and a Suburban. The Quest was terrible and I hated driving it. Felt like the chassis was twisting and the steering and handling was awful. The Suburban drove fine, but I question the quality (having owned a Tahoe). With the Chevy, the motor was making noise and it was almost new. Sounded like something was loose in the top end.

I would like to be able to do this.


But that may be pushing it with car based SUV's and vans. I have a similar setup for my Tacoma.

 

That's smaller than the Traverse right? I need lots of space, double strollers are huge. I might consider a Traverse but my sister has had many issues with here Buick Enclave. She's lucky she paid for the extended warranty.

A year ago we had a Traverse rental, it was ok.

 

OK, just found a new contender. New Pathfinder looks cool. But I hate buying first year models. Bad experiences with that.
http://www.nissanusa.com/all-new-pathfinder/?next=pathfinder_micro.top_nav.section.link


MPG is 20/26
5000# towing
seating configuration looks like it would work. 2nd row folds with car seat still in it.

 

Yeah it's a step down from the traverse. Only 2 rows

 

I need to look at the wifes 4Runner again. I'm not sure if you can fit 3 car seats on the 2nd row.

 

Look at the dodge journeys too! My friends parents got one and i like it a lot! It has navigation, 3 row seating, rear a/c, plenty of power, i think it has a dvd player, an ice chest built into it, and i dont think theyre too expensive! But the new 4runners are really nice if you wanna spend the money.

 

It's going to be hard finding a vehicle where you can fit 3 car seats in one row.
You might have to go full size for that. My sister has a Sequoia with 3 car seats and even that is a tight fit.

As far as the minivan, I would not let your experience with the Quest be your basis for a minivan. I have looked at all 4 (Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Chrysler) and the first two are miles ahead. However, I am not trying to sway you, it seems like you need a SUV, but so did I before I got the first van, so I am just saying....

 

I've seen 3 car seats in the 2nd row a few times. In fact my friend does it in his 2nd gen Tacoma Double Cab.

If I can't get 3 in 2nd row then I'm screwed. Using the 3rd row cuts down on cargo space. Again, double strollers for twins are huge.

 

If it's for your wife to drive, and you need the room for 3 car seats, you definitely need a minivan. In my book, you can't go wrong with a Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna. You can easily put three car seats in an SUV but you won't have near the room or comfort a minivan provides. Just my two cents. Good luck!

 

Tahoe

 

Or the 4 door Chevy 1500