Looks like it'll be a full day!!! Maybe after she sits in a couple "Third row for show" 'crossovers,' I can convince her that a van is the answer. I'll definitely check out the Veracruz. Used Pilots are in her price range too, if we go the 'purchase' route.
In reply to poopshovel:
Yes, thank you. So it doesn't matter because she's the kind of person willing to throw away a huge some of money every 3 years on a car anyway. That's great for a lease then as it will save her some money over her normal habits, providing she doesn't berkeley up the car, and as you said, it will help her when she realizes the booger flickers will be driving their own hoopties.
Take a look at the larger 5-seaters too, poop. As soon as one of the kids tries to cram into a 3rd row, they'll veto that E36 M3.
When she finally gives in to van-dom though have her check out the Caravan. That thing is pimp.
Hyundai's VeraCruz seems to be a great people mover. Wife's friend looked at one and they tried it out on a lease. Ended up buying it outright 2 years later. She regularly trucks around her 5 nieces/nephews throughtout the summer time and has had zero complaints or issues with it.
Javelin wrote: Take a look at the larger 5-seaters too, poop. As soon as one of the kids tries to cram into a 3rd row, they'll veto that E36 M3. When she finally gives in to van-dom though have her check out the Caravan. That thing is pimp.
Will do. Trying to explain that to her. I think she'll get the whole "crossover" thing out of her head pretty quickly once she sees my burly ass trying to squeeze in the back. Somebody's always gonna get "stuck" in the back. I'm with you. BIG 5-seater or van is the answer. Hell, anything other than a berkeleying 2-door Focus is probably the answer. Focus wagon would be rad.
Javelin wrote: Take a look at the larger 5-seaters too, poop. As soon as one of the kids tries to cram into a 3rd row, they'll veto that E36 M3. When she finally gives in to van-dom though have her check out the Caravan. That thing is pimp.
Will do. Trying to explain that to her. I think she'll get the whole "crossover" thing out of her head pretty quickly once she sees my burly ass trying to squeeze in the back. Somebody's always gonna get "stuck" in the back. I'm with you. BIG 5-seater or van is the answer. Hell, anything other than a berkeleying 2-door Focus is probably the answer. Focus wagon would be rad.
Oh, and suddenly, as of ten seconds ago, she likes the 5!!! berkeleying women. They're doing 0% interest on 2012's, so with some masterful negotiation I may even be able to get her into a new one (purchase.)
Dooooo it!
(Don't forget to buy your own 5 while you're there) 
I am not sure of the ages of the kids but with two soon driving they must be older.
Speaking from experience of owning, the Mazda5 is a great 4 seater with two temporary seats for either the real young or the tiny. If all three kids are larger, the rearmost seat will become known as the penalty box.
Compromise:
I know you had discouraged the spending of $15k on used but what about these two options priced at or under $10k but less than 8 years old:
Buick Rendezvous
Chrysler Pacifica
Neither really hold their resale well (though dealers have them priced high) and I bet you can score a good bargain.
I especially like the Rendezvous as a people hauler and I used to request them as rental cars if I was moving a group of adults. The rear seat if done w/o the captains chairs offers a real mid bench. This bench really is wide enough to seat 3 adults abreast. A rear seat is an option and though smaller it can seat two reasonably well.
These are the forefathers of the modern SUV crossover. These were thinly disguised minivans with traditional rear doors to help avoid looking like minivans. The new Traverse and Flex are much more disguised but they too are mostly a minivan.
Quick samples:
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=30143&endYear=2013&modelCode1=RENDEZVOUS&showcaseOwnerId=65512947&startYear=1981&makeCode1=BUICK&searchRadius=75&listingId=325550637&Log=0
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=30143&endYear=2013&modelCode1=RENDEZVOUS&showcaseOwnerId=65512947&startYear=1981&makeCode1=BUICK&firstRecord=26&searchRadius=75&listingId=320673126&Log=0
I would stay away from the AWD to avoid unneeded complexity but this listing does a good job of pictures of the interior:
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=30143&endYear=2013&modelCode1=RENDEZVOUS&showcaseOwnerId=65512947&startYear=1981&makeCode1=BUICK&firstRecord=26&searchRadius=75&listingId=320181028&Log=0
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/3107311648.html
My wife has driven an Acura MDX for the last 5 years (an 02 and 04). Has been reliable and great to drive. The third row is capable of holding adults too.
MPG sucks though
(at least when my wife drives it)
Assuming you are talking new (which you can get a lease on), the CX9 is the same platform as the Explorer, Edge, and Flex (x isn't around anymore). they seem to drive ok...
anyway- poop- make sure she tries them out!!!! The CX9 is pretty much the exact same thing as an Edge, and I can't really imagine having a 3rd row in our truck. And having sat in the 3rd row of a similar Suzuki- the rear row is stunningly tight. .
ummmm wrong. yes same platform but a completly different variation. the cx9 is a bigger platform and bigger car. the cx7 is the same as an edge not the cx9.
KATYB wrote: ummmm wrong. yes same platform but a completly different variation. the cx9 is a bigger platform and bigger car. the cx7 is the same as an edge not the cx9.
I've made that mistake before- the CX7 is smaller, and uses a 4 cyl turbo, the CX-9 is identical to the Edge/MKX. It was calibrated by friends of mine- all done in house. If you want to be more correct, the CX-9 and the MKX are almost twins, to the point of sharing a 3.7l TiVCT V6. The only real difference that matters is the transmission.
The MKT/Flex/Exlplorer is the bigger version of the Edge/CX-9/MKX platform.
I don't even think the CX7 is that D car platform.
CX9, Edge, MKX are much closer to the Taurus/MKS- mainly in lenght. Which is why I caution the 3rd row seat in standard sized CUV's.
except a cx9 is 14 inches longer than an edge.
where as a cx7 and edge are within an inch of eachother in legth and width.
mkx is 14 inches shorter than a cx9 also.
KATYB wrote: except a cx9 is 14 inches longer than an edge.
then it would be a flex. Oh, and the stated wheel base appears to be 2" difference.
CX7 is not the same vehicle.
CX9 is still the D platform that is derived from volvo.
In reply to KATYB:
You do know I actually do work on these things, right?
The CX7 was totally done by Mazda, whereas the calibration for the CX9 was done here at Ford, as was the 6 with the v6.
CX7 is NOT an D car.
Oh yeah. We'll definitely try out the seats. As I'm interested in a 5 for myself, I'll pay extra special attention there. She really needs a berkeleying van. Like a REAL van...or, just to ditch the boyfriend and go back to one kid up front, 2 in back. It's the cheapest, simplest solution.
alfadriver wrote:KATYB wrote: except a cx9 is 14 inches longer than an edge.then it would be a flex. Oh, and the stated wheel base appears to be 2" difference. CX7 is not the same vehicle. CX9 is still the D platform that is derived from volvo.
CX9 has a 2" longer wheelbase than the Edge/MKX, but shorter than the flex by 4", and I know that the Edge and the Flex are the same platform. It's why they share so many powertrains.
the CX9 is the same platform as the Explorer, Edge, and Flex (x isn't around anymore). they seem to drive ok..
Yes but those have ford looks, inside and out. I see the main appeal of the mazda variant as being the mazda aesthetics.
Also, i didnt mention this earlier but i am actually a fan of the Pacifica. I spent some time (like 1+hour drives) in the 3rd row of one and had no complaints, although having TWO adults back there would suck. Im 6'0 200lb.
I like the 3.5 motor, i have no beef with the 604 trans as long as it's got a big cooler on it ($40 + install time.....), and if you get the 4.0, 6spd, dual exhaust, and 19" wheels.. well, all the better. I think they're pretty sharp with the right wheels.
Its basically a caravan for people who are too stupid to understand that vans are cooler than Compromised-Utility Vehicles.
And the winner is......drumroll.....2012 Mazda5 Grand Touring!
Hit the Dodge and Ford lots, then Honda, where we were looking at a used Pilot. What did I spy with my little eye from 100 yards away? An unmistakable big ass tail light from a 2010 Mazda5.
It was in a detail bay getting cleaned up. We scoped it out. She says THIS is the 5? And fell in love.
We left there and went to the Mazda dealer to scope out a new one. 0% interest for 36 months or 1.9% for 60, btw.
Spent all afternoon playing third baseman. They didn't budge a lot, but I saved her about $2,100.
She's super stoked. MAN, it's a lotta car for the money. Leather, bluetooth, heated seats, etc. Very nice car, and handles really well.....
Now I'm off unicorn-hunting. Looking for a grand touring with a manual. According to the salesdouche they do exist, but are really rare. Thank you mazda for saving the stick!!!
Thanks guys! 11 hours of shoppin! I'm SPENT.
In reply to poopshovel:
First of all, congrats! Second of all, I don't know about the 12's, but the 5's of my generation were manual in the Sport model only. Just FYI. Should be easy enough to swap leather buckets in though 
Nice poopshovel. And sounds like she is happy too.
Javelin wrote: In reply to poopshovel: First of all, congrats! Second of all, I don't know about the 12's, but the 5's of my generation were manual in the Sport model only. Just FYI. Should be easy enough to swap leather buckets in though
Yeah. Salesguy did say "Cadillac Converter," while going over the warranty stuff, so I'll take your word over his. I was close to saying "So this thing converts in to a Cadillac?" but he and I were not friends by that point.
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