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Comments
Let's not turn this into a debate on CR.
tidester, host
Why are you assuming it would? The main focus of my post was on third row seating of the Highlander....and how CR could actually place value in it.
This is an SUV vs Mini forum is it not? We are talking about an article in CR about seating capacity of the Toyota Highlander. If we are not allowed to discuss our opinion as to what automotive review mags are saying about certain vehilces, then perhaps you or I are in the wrong place. :confuse:
That is a clear invitation to make CR the issue and that clearly would be off topic. Call my reminder a preemption. If you have any other questions about the matter please take it to email. Meanwhile, feel free to discuss third row seating.
tidester, host
the highlander has an incredibly small 3rd row seat.
got a ride in the dealer shuttle today, a windstar. there were 6 of us.
the driver said we could all go at once, or he could take 2 on a short trip and come back for the rest of us. he ended up taking 2, then coming back. one of the rest of the 4 decided to walk to work. someone would have had to sit in the 'way back' with 4. :sick:
Nonetheless, add to that the theatre style seating and it gives "back seat driving" a whole new name. woo hoo! "You can't touch me way back here! watch out for that car!....turn right here...no, sorry...next right....heeyyyy, nice bald spot"
Plus the cavities in the floor behind the third row (where the third row seats tuck into) increase cargo capacity even more so.
I haven't gotten the new CR. I'm looking forward to it.
SUV gas mileage - Feel free to participate
Post Your Van Gas Mileage Here (say hi to Damar again in there :-))
Steve, Host
We are considering an suv when our minivan lease is up in the spring. We have had a minivan as our main family vehicle for 5 years, first a T&C, now an 04 Odyssey. I love the Odyssey, don't get me wrong, I would just like to drive something different, and something I enjoy driving. I love to drive & spend a lot of time driving. No sports car in my future (3 kids, youngest is 10 months), so this may have to do.
Specifically, we are considering an 06 Acura MDX. My husband has an 05 Pilot and he loves it. I know, I know, it would be a little silly to have both the Pilot and the MDX, but they are both great vehicles! While I do NOT see the MDX as a "chick" car, he and I joke about the his and hers versions in our driveway.
Anyway, I see someone mentioned the transition from a Suburban to an Odyssey, but I'd love to see if anyone has gone FROM a minivan TO an SUV. I know I'll really miss those power sliding doors... but I'll get over it, right?
That's the question. I'd love your input. Thanks.
My dilema...a large enough SUV to hold husband, myself, baby w/ carseat, and the family (on occasions). I have test driven a Sequoia, Tribeca, Murano, Pilot, and Armada. I have never liked the 4runner or Pathfinder. As you can see I am into Japanese models more than American born, but I am running out of options.
I LOVE the Volvo XC90, but don't want to spend 50k on a car.
I have been contemplating a Sienna and really never saw myself driving a minivan. I guess I am mostly venting, but would like some input on how folks resolved this issue.
Help if you can!
an x-c 70 gives you the foreign appeal you are looking for, and is pretty decent on gas. just rent a van for the weekend when needed.
overall, ford mid size suv's are the most efficient package for up to 7 people. had to get in a plug for what i drive.
In the end i sold it and bought Ody. Much lighter on my pocket. Much better Fuel economy, easy to ride, very responsive. Brake distance, acceleration, turn radius all are excellent. Very convenient for kids and other passengers and wife likes it.
I might buy SUV some time in future, just for myself but not for family. For me a minivan ended up being best choice as family vehicle.
he drove a loaner for six weeks while they tried several times to fix the dash rattle(well documented on many sites). i doubt that he will ever feel it is fixed for good.
I will be upside down on payments, but with my GMC it has had nothing but problems from the beginning, it's a hugh gas guzzler (not fun with 2.75 a gallon still in CAlif) etc and its not worth the headache. Good luck with what you decide, will be interested in hearing what you do.
1. Enjoying the better gas mileage (about 21 around town)
2. Enjoy how easy it is to run through car pool line now (you'll understand when your kids are older)
3. Dream up ways I can "pimp my ride". Although, in reality all I did was add heavy duty rubber floor mats to completely cover the floor.
4. Got a red one with pin stripes. If you look at it quickly, then turn away, you kind of think it might have been an SUV.
Something else to consider, in favor of getting something other than a minivan:
1. How much do you actually drive - will the gas mileage make a big deal in your pocket?
2. Your needs with small kids is very different than when they are school age. I went without a minivan for eight years after having kids. When we needed a van, we rented one. Now, I am glad I did - I like the ones now much better than the smaller ones from when my kids were babies.
I also loved the Volvo XC90 - have had Volvos for years. And, the price was also a drawback. Have you check the used Volvo prices? They are usually good deals, and come with complete warranties if the are less than four years old.
Funny how some things never change
Also funny how many folks don't ackowledge the real reasons for most SUV/MV decisions that end up SUV.
Question: do folks considering SUVs worry that gas prices (which are back down again now but will prob spike again in 6 mo or so) will be a problem down the road?
For me, any purchase will give me a gas attack...remember I drive a Corolla. What is that like 3000 mpg? Most are reporting that there is very little difference between the mini and suv. A difference of about 5-10 mpgs or so.
I have about 20 days left before I have to make a decision or I'll have to reapply for financing.
Thanks for the input!
Allison5, I KNOW that I will miss the sliding doors, especially in tight parking spots! But regular doors will give me one thing that the sliding doors will not -- I can put the child lock on and the kids will not be able to open them until I open it for them from the outside. I don't think I can do that with my sliding doors -- I either have to have them "on" or "off". Sometimes my kids jump the gun a little, open the doors, & jump out in the parking lot before I'm really ready to "corral" them. I've found that when I drive my husband's Pilot, it is nice knowing that they are NOT getting out unless I WANT them to!
That being said, I do wish you luck in your own search. Are you sure that the way back windows do not at least tilt open in the new Ody? My 04 Ody has opening rear windows (they don't come "down", they open on the side). But maybe that's not enough air for them? Come to think of it, the windows for the 3rd row passengers in a Pilot/MDX do not open, either, do they?
Thanks again for the input...
Have you test driven the Honda or Toyota Minivans. These are both quite fast 0-60 in 8.5 sec (relatively speaking) and handle well.
I will drive a tahoe again before I make my final decision. Thanks for the advice.
My wife drove a 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan for 4 years and 90,000 miles and then switched to a 2002 Ford Explorer XLT V8 with the 3d row seat. We loved the room of the Dodge minivan and it was a great vehicle, we paid $0 in unscheduled maintenance or repairs.
My wife liked the look of the redesigned Explorer for '02 and she wanted to get 4 wheel drive after facing a few situations where her minivan bordered on being stuck in the snow, so we became SUV owners.
Now after 37 months and 75,000 miles with the Explorer we are itching to get rid of it. It rides well and has enough room for our family of 4 plus the occasional 3rd row passenger. It even gets decent mileage for a V8 SUV, about 19 or 20 MPG on the highway. However, it's been in the shop numerous times for repairs, including 21 days this past May when the 4.6 liter V8 engine was rebuilt. Our extended warranty (thank heavens I purchased that!) just ran out so we are looking to dump this lemon. It's too bad because I know lots of people who have had good reliability out of their Ford Explorers, and Expeditions too, but not this one.
We are considering going back to a minivan, maybe another Grand Caravan or the Sienna or Odyssey this time. The redesigned Nissan Pathfinder is a strong possibility too. I have a new Nissan Titan crew cab that has been a trouble free delight for the first 7 months and 11,000 miles.
http://car-reviews.automobile.com/Kia/review/2006-kia-sedona-ex-road-test/1563/
Steve, Host
And yet it is one of the top rated vans on IIHS.
http://www.hwysafety.org/ratings/summary.aspx?class=80
Actually the reviewer did comment on mpg Steve. Stating "the Sedonas all new 4 valve per cylinder powerplant delivers 50 more ponies than last years v6 and gains a 9% increase in city fuel economy and 12% on highway."
So, somebody break out a calculator. Looks about 1.7 mpg more city and 2.4 mpg more highway. The 2006 Sedona shed a few pounds and is suppose to be much lighter than the previous model.
Thanks Jipster.
Someone else pointed out to me today that the new and larger V6 RAV4 was going to get 20 to 27 mpg on the highway, depending on configuration. That's minivan territory too. Not to mention that the four-cylinder would top out at 31 mpg. (link)
Steve, Host
The windows in the Pilot/MDX do not open in the 3rd row. Good luck with your decision!
Lastly, many cars have had recalls and other probs. not just foreign makes. The real question is still SUV or a Mini. I hope to pick up something in the next 14 days.
I know that the lack of easy of entry into the 3rd row will be an inconvenience, but to be honest with you, my kids don't really find it all that easy to get into the back right now, anyway. Seems like there is always something in the way, lol.
I just want so desperately to drive something that I can wrap my arms around and say, "I LOVE this vehicle!"
PS: We're in New England, too. A lot of New Englanders seem to like posting here.
Ouch! It is too bad that you haven't gotten what you wanted out of your Explorer. It seems like there is a bad story for every good story as far as the Explorer goes.
I am sticking with Honda/Acura or Toyota/Lexus for two main reasons: 1) like their vehicles & they are usually quite reliable, and 2) these companies offer lease terms and deals that the American co's can't touch. I don't know why it is this way, but with our last two deals we shopped around a lot and even gave Chrysler a real shot at our business, but they couldn't even come close because the residual values aren't nearly as high as they are on Hondas and Toyotas. I have nothing against any of the American co's; my previous vehicles were a Chrysler Town & Country and an Eagle Vision. I just have to do what's best for my family and my wallet, lol.
Good luck with your decision!
I was in the same situation this last spring. We had outgrown our Caravan and really wanted a AWD car based SUV. Looked at the Pilot,MDX and XC90. The rear seat was small in all. My 10 year old boy looked like he was ready to outgrow it and the car seats(I have 4 year old twins) in the second row make it hard to get in. We tryed some big sedans still cramped. While we were looking at the Pilot my wife said let's look at that new Odyssey. We weren't sure but when she opened the back and found almost 40 cu. ft of storage things changed. The ody is a good car to drive and I'm not upset that I got another minivan!
Do a comparition of the 3 and you'll see the Ody has alot more storage/seating comfort. It is also alot easier for getting in and out. Enjoy!!
I have a friend who's oldest is 10 and was pretty cramped in the back of the XC90. She considered the Nissan Armada but didn't feel comfortable driving it, so she ended up with a Chev Trailblazer and loves it.
I have decided that I personally am not going to overthink this, how tall my kids are and are going to be, etc, etc. If my oldest gets too big for the 3rd row, then she just won't sit in it anymore!
Hope that helps.
But it's not for everyone, I guess.
Anyone I know who is looking to upgrade their family vehicle from a sedan or tiny suv -- I immediately steer them toward an Ody (or a Pilot if they just can't "do" a minivan).
For me, it is just a matter of time and boredom. I've been driving a minivan for 5 years and *yawn*, I'm bored.
Enjoy your Ody!
Steve, Host
Ford did a great job on the new Explorer. Gotta check it out.
the new ody looks like it is bloated on steroids compared to the gen 2. maybe it has more room.
i prefer rwd, so that kills mv's for me.
One columnist wrote that the Jeep Commander puts the "Ug" in Ugly. I'd have to agree.
I have had no regrets....we go past the people putting on snow chains...and drive right up the mountain in winter.
It carries more stuff, and the kids like it....
The van does have less storage space and does not have 4 wheel drive, but handles better, has a better ride and get about twice the mileage. If you need to tow anything or need serious traction, I would go with the Suburban. If you don't, go with a van. They are much bigger than the "mid size" SUV's.
You get good cars and bad cars. Some of it is the car, some of it is the maintenance and some of it is the dealer. I have had good luck with American vehicles and love the local Chrysler dealer.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2005-12-22-resale-usat_x.htm