In reply to JohnRW1621:
berkeley nuggets, that's sweet!
In reply to JohnRW1621:
berkeley nuggets, that's sweet!
Damn finally read this thread and I am in the same boat with the wife wanting something that will fit 2kids, one in a rear facing and the other in a full back booster, the dog, herself and the MIL!
The answer is a minivan, but currently she has the Av and wants a 'Burb.... berkeley that.
I know the Elantra GT and Sonata/Optima twins both fit 3 car seats across the back. Got a member on one of the Elantra boards that has had both and done it.
I'm a big fan of my "new-to-me" '07 V8 4Runner. Limited, 4x4, Nav, heated seats, leather, slammin' 10 speaker JBL system. Soaks up highway miles with aplomb.
It is relatively thirsty though.
Lingenfelter Suburban!
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/lingenfelter-gmc-suburban-archived-specialty-file
No stick but it does have 510hp.
Cotton wrote: Lingenfelter Suburban! http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/lingenfelter-gmc-suburban-archived-specialty-file
Wow. 
What about an ex-police Tahoe?
I have to say that Vanagon is the tits. You should get that.
In reply to Powar:
You and me both!
Ex police tahoe is another good option. Didn't a member here "Forza12" buy one? He hasn't posted in awhile, but I think he had one in addition to some other really cool stuff.
Airport limo?
2005+ Xterra is MUCH more capable/powerful and (surprisingly) better on gas.
Javelin wrote: The XC90 comes in some interesting flavors (TT V6?!?) and is the only vehicle to ever ace every crash test, plus it's a prancing moose. Just so not my style. I want to downsize, or better yet, make her buy something big and I'll take her GP GT for now until I find my unicorn car (Mazda6 Wagon MT5 Sport Pack Moonroof Cloth) but she doesn't think buying two cars makes sense (even though I dumped $2500 into her car last year and rolled it over to 140K today).
I am shopping for something now too. The Ford Flex is in the running as is the Volvo XC90. Also looking at the Mercedes E350, but it doesn't have a hitch option, too chic to tow with; leave to the 'help'. The Flex looks good on paper but I haven't driven one yet. 2013 got some nice updates and you can pick up low mileage former rentals for cheap.
I don't get the appeal of the Mazda 6 wagon. I tested one once and found the interior to be sea of ugly plastic and the performance lackluster. You can get a 2.0T Saab 9-3 SC that is better in every way. It only comes with leather seats though. You can get a manual with or without a sunroof, 5 or 6 gears depending on year. It can be tuned to 260hp for a few $100. Nobody wants a Saab so the buy-in is cheap and they have much better than average reliability while getting well over 30mpg.
Honestly, nothing beats a proper minivan for this task. We had a 2012 Grand Caravan, and it was simply much better at family transport than the CX-9 we have now. Buy a fun small car so you can still enjoy driving when you want to. :)
I rented one of the Caravans when we were getting married in Hawaii. I was impressed with how it drive and it certainly had enough power to get out of its own way and with the shifter in manual, you could start having a bit of fun.
The seats were comfy, great visibility, handled pretty well for a large box on wheels.
The seats stowed away into the floor or those holes were cubbys for kids stuff. The doors open with a push of a button.
That or an Odyssey would be my choice. Both can tow enough to be useful for something like a 914, kart, etc.
I don't know why anyone bothers with jacked up station wagons aka most SUVs whe they have to haul more than a few people, especially kids. If you think anyone thinks differently of you when you drive a minivan, I find driving it like you stole it tends to shut them up.
I agree on the minivan. Three car seats will work in other vehicles, but you will want the sliding doors. We love our Odyssey. Three car seats in the second row, easy as pie getting kids in and out. The van handles it's weight quite well. The steering is nice an weighty, and the ride is not floaty. On paper the power is not impressive but Honda must sprinkle some fairy dust on that engine because it will move. Gets awesome gas mileage. Our driving is mainly highway and we see 25+ quite often. Just bite the bullet and test drive one, you will be impressed.
The E90 3-series is a really good big car that you can find with a 5-speed. I just haven't driven an E39 or an E60 yet. A fifth gen Jetta sportwagen is not exactly small and those are really good. The best driving minivan is probably your best bet though, and if she needs the space, make her drive it.
Ram 2500, Cummins 408i6, 6-speed manual. Will not be easy on fuel, will not be light on consumables, will not be easy to park. Will be GREAT fun on any back roads, so long as they are wide and dirt.
BMW 528i, 530i, 545i touring, manual, e39 or e60. They're more expensive than a Miata or Civic to run, but they are big and fast.
How about a Chevy Colorado Crew Cab 2wd stick shift? They are unicorns but out there..
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