I think it is worth noting that Michael has a Mazda5 himself so it will be easy for him to show Brother Dallas that a Mazda5 is not big enough if you expect to have to use all 6 seats every time. The 3rd row in the Mazda 5 is too small to accommodate real car seats.
I also have owned a 2010 Mazda5 since new.
Dave M said:Get a used E250 or Express 2500 passenger van, or even better conversion van. Big, comfy, low miles and CHEAP because people don't want to be seen driving around in the church van. I wanted one for our much smaller family but my wife dinged that idea.
Any minivan will also work, but besides the cheap pricing the van also offers huge amounts of cargo space while seating two adults and four kids.
I'd say any SUV will be tight, even a Suburban.
I tried very hard to convince my wife that we should get one, but she shot it down.
The answer here is minivan. Anything else is just a compromise.
Porsche Boxster and a full time nanny..... okay probably not in the budget. You’re gonna have to go van if you want everyone to be comfortable.
If you want something more fun to drive with a 3rd row, Mazda CX9.
When I had all four kids at home we used an expedition. It had the 4.6 so it was not the best at towing but never let me down. . That thing was a great vehicle. Rust finally killed it or I would still be driving it today.
What about a nissan nv3500?
He brought it up.
My suggestion was for him to wait till model year end close outs, and get a caravan with a lifetime warrenty that was old stock.
Hes watching thus thread....
Nv3500 are $15k?!
What about the ford commercial vans. Can you get them with enough seats?
In reply to mr2s2000elise :
No idea. I didn't know until today that there was a non-work version.
dean1484 said:What about the ford commercial vans. Can you get them with enough seats?
There is a 15 passenger Transit 350, but it’s essentially a small bus.
Dusterbd13-michael said:My suggestion was for him to wait till model year end close outs, and get a caravan with a lifetime warrenty that was old stock.
I just searched for New GC on Cars.com, any distance, then sorted by price.
There are a bunch of these listed: https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/740296340/overview/
(GC for $16,283 brand new)
Dallas, if you're listening, the answer for four kids your age is van. Probably minivan. Sliding doors are really convenient for helping the kiddos buckle up.
If I were in your position, I'd buy the best Caravan possible for $10,000, and put the other five grand in the bank. If and when it needs repairs, just pay the man to fix it. This allows you time to wrench on your fun cars.
But, since you are asking for new suggestions, how about Toyota Sequoia?
In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :
K car wagon. Wood side trim 8 track player. Think about it. Safest car you can get. Reasons, 1... too embarrassing to drive of as a teenager,2... slow. 3...8 track player,no loud music, Glen Cambell , Johnny Cash etc. 4...none of there friends would want to get in this car
..s..so best car for a teenager .they won't drive it.
.t
Sort of a American version of a British rule, first car for your child, but them a British car, teach them how to walk.... oh yes, I was born in Ireland.
Late to chime in. We have 4 kids too, three in car seats. We replaced our “7 passenger” Kia Sorento suv with a Kia Sedona minivan and would never go back. The van is more practical in literally every way that matters for hauling kids, hauling cargo, and taking road trips.
As a current Odyssey and Yukon XL owner, the Odyssey is a much easier load in for the kids, especially if they are in young/small. Lower step in for the toddlers and easier for Mom and Dad if still in carriers and car seats. My boys are older, 8 & 10, so Yukon is fine now but a 2-3 years back when they were smaller, climbing in to the Jeep Grand Cherokee was a challenge for them.
Sorry misread the post.i just did a quick scan of it
. Mazda 5 is a great car/van. I had one for 3 years,and the bloodie thing was a good handler, even bought Polly bushings for the sway bar and did a few auto x in it. It was fun
Alfaromeoguy said:Sorry misread the post.i just did a quick scan of it
. Mazda 5 is a great car/van. I had one for 3 years,and the bloodie thing was a good handler, even bought Polly bushings for the sway bar and did a few auto x in it. It was fun
The 5 is legal for autocrossing? We just bought one.
Floating Doc said:Alfaromeoguy said:Sorry misread the post.i just did a quick scan of it
. Mazda 5 is a great car/van. I had one for 3 years,and the bloodie thing was a good handler, even bought Polly bushings for the sway bar and did a few auto x in it. It was fun
The 5 is legal for autocrossing? We just bought one.
Not for SCCA events.
wawazat said:As a current Odyssey and Yukon XL owner, the Odyssey is a much easier load in for the kids, especially if they are in young/small. Lower step in for the toddlers and easier for Mom and Dad if still in carriers and car seats. My boys are older, 8 & 10, so Yukon is fine now but a 2-3 years back when they were smaller, climbing in to the Jeep Grand Cherokee was a challenge for them.
I had an Odyssey. For the price of a GC new, I'd buy that over any used Odyssey.
In reply to Floating Doc :
Local guys let me pre run the track
It was fun. Don't know why we cannot run a Mazda 5. Just a Mazda 6 with diff. Bodyshell
Alfaromeoguy said:In reply to Floating Doc :
Local guys let me pre run the track
It was fun. Don't know why we cannot run a Mazda 5. Just a Mazda 6 with diff. Bodyshell
Rollover Potential Guidelines
The SSC has reviewed the allowance of competing cars with higher roll centers and has prepared the following chart on the next page to be used as a guideline for assisting Regional members in determining whether a vehicle has a higher than average potential to roll over in Solo® competition. Vehicles falling into the acceptance range still have the possibility to roll over but they are less likely to roll over than those that are not in the acceptable range are. The chart below is for all vehicles not specifically listed in Appendix A. The measurements are to be taken from the ground to the tallest point of the vehicle for the Overall Vehicle Height and the normal track measurement as stated in Section 12 for the Average Track Width. The SEB may use a Static Stability Factor (SSF) for classing new vehicles. SSF is defined as ½ track width (T) divided by the height of the center of gravity above the road (H) and can be calculated by the formula SSF=T/2H.
Vehicles with an SSF of less than 1.30 should not be permitted to compete in Solo® events due to the higher risk of rollover.
A Mazda 5 is on a Mazda 3 platform. Its height is 63.6", avg. track width is 60".
Side note: It bothers me greatly that the X axis does not start at 45.
As of this past Saturday there sits a 2012 CX-9(Grand Touring) in the driveway that pushes all SWMBO's buttons . $13K (TT&L) off the lot ....115K miles.....3.7l v6......three row seating(not that we need that)......back-up camera(makes two neck surgeries less stressful)......and way more stylish than a T&C......oh and being a big GM honk this should be very interesting (an ANSWER, but not that one)....
We had a CX-9, same year.. Great cars, but the third row is best for “old enough to not need a car seat but not old enough to shave” sized kids. Or semi-permanently folded down for a huge cargo area like ours was.
I'm a big fan of CX-9s as long as that 3rd row is used by kids who will get in and out of it without complaining. The 3.7 is really strong and they are a lot more entertaining to drive than the newer minivans i have driven.
Dusterbd13-michael said:Oldest is 5, youngest is 1. So a LONG time need.
I know hes fickle, but i have a feeling that it will be the maybe-a-wife daily. So long term cost of ownership is more likely the biggest concern. I cautioned against the journey because of reputation. However, thats maybe a little premature based on the mopar minivan experience around here.....
Has he thought about the Vasectomy GT? Its quick!
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