What car? 7 seater edition

So currently I have a 2004 Crown Vic which has been an awesome ride with the V8 and watts-linkage and all. However, I think I'm ready to move onto something else. Maybe it's the rubber floors or the dirty looks I seem to get everywhere here in LA.

One of the best attributes of the vic is the ability to hold lots of stuff and I want to take that to the next level. I also want 7 seats for a variety of reasons. Also, I'd like to get something with a bit better mileage although I can't really complain as I get 20ish mpg already. The easy answer is a minivan but I'm 21 and would like to avoid that if possible.

Budget is about $7000 and there seem to be some nice Volvo V70's and Merc E320 wagons. The Merc has become much more attractive as I've been looking at some very nice JDM E60's recently and I guess I have a thing for Volvo's wagons. I'm also looking for a 740 wagon with a V8 swap but haven't found anything up for sale that doesn't need a bunch of work. Any one would be a nice ride, especially with the right wheels but I feel like I might be overlooking some valid options and I know you guys are the best group to ask.

7 seats? 7 real seats? Thats a minivan or an SUV. Those Merc and Volvo back-back seats are tiny. I sat in one once, and I take up nearly the whole thing. Otherwise, its gonna be the GM big-bodied wagons. The Roadmonster, Caprice, and Olds Custom Cruiser.

Or, you could buy 4 Miata's. Remove whichever passenger seat is in the worst shape, and you now have room for a fairly large cooler.

Not to mention that with the Mercedes (and Volvo) wagons I'm familiar with, it's either 7 seats or trunk space. Can't have both.

I'm really looking to have the ability to seat 7 only on occasion and I often have a couple of kids with me to throw in the back. Usually I need space for stuff or people but not both at the same time although that is certainly something the van has going for it. Worst case scenario I can get a box for the roof.

The big american wagons don't handle any better than a modern van so they're out. Also, a Miata is in the works. I just need to decide whether I'm going turbo or V8 :)

Go minivan. Start a new trend with your demographic.

Old school American wagon (70's AMC Ambasador/Matador, Olds Vista Cruiser, Ford Country Squire, etc) or modern Volvo wagon. That's about it.

Land rover Disco. w/7 seat option. Bring your own tools.

join the masses.....get a town & country with sto-n-go

I hate that thing.....wife loves it..

Explorer???

Minivan.

Volvo 700/900 turbos do not need v8. Just add fuel, uncork exhaust, and crank up the boost.

The 960/V90 just needs intake/exhaust (and 92-94 cams) to make suiprizingly good power.

Salvage Honda Pilot/MDX.

I've owned a lot of people movers. I have a big family. SUV's, Volvo Wagons, old school station wagons, full sized vans. I did everything I could to avoid a minivan.

I've got a minivan. About time.

A minivan is the only people mover that you can expect reasonably good performance, handling, fuel economy, and after market support.

Buy the minivan. If you wanna be cool, go turbo. Excellent sleeper.

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/ctd/1640472094.html Through some boost in it and you will be good.

SVreX wrote: I've owned a lot of people movers. I have a big family. SUV's, Volvo Wagons, old school station wagons, full sized vans. I did everything I could to avoid a minivan. I've got a minivan. About time. A minivan is the only people mover that you can expect reasonably good performance, handling, fuel economy, and after market support. Buy the minivan. If you wanna be cool, go turbo. Excellent sleeper.

I agree. Our Odyssey is really a great vehicle. The only downside is lack of towing capacity. If it could tow it would be perfect!

If you could get by with 6 seats, I'd recommend a Mazda 5. For 7, you're either talking Minivan, full-size van, or big SUV.

BTW, the solution to 6 passengers and cargo space in a wagon with a rear-facing seat is to use that roof rack that nearly all of them come with. You won't be able to get more than 100-150lb or so up there, but unless you're doing a Griswold-style vacation you shouldn't need it.

Ive been trying to fill the same need for awhile now. It is depressing. To tow and haul masses of people you can't do anything below a full size ute. That and the fact that to get anything decent you end up spending more than $10k for a 100k mile vehicle. We started with a $6k-$10k budget and ended up seconds away from pulling the trigger on an 60k mile 2005 XC90 with a v8 for $17,000. There is a company called littleseats.com that can sell you a third row you bolt in to cars/trucks that didn't come with them. Might be a viable solution?

Ford Flex with three-row seating and ecoboost V6. Carry much, go fast, tows 4500lbs, and doesn't look half bad.

irish44j wrote: Ford Flex with three-row seating and ecoboost V6. Carry much, go fast, tows 4500lbs, and doesn't look half bad.

That was my first thought too, but:

white_fly wrote: Budget is about $7000

irish44j wrote: Ford Flex with three-row seating and ecoboost V6. Carry much, go fast, tows 4500lbs, and doesn't look half bad.

$45K Yikes!

You want a minivan. You need a minivan. Once you get one, you'll wonder how you got along without it. Trust me .

MrJoshua wrote:

irish44j wrote: Ford Flex with three-row seating and ecoboost V6. Carry much, go fast, tows 4500lbs, and doesn't look half bad.

$45K Yikes!

yupp that price is killer

ignorant wrote:

MrJoshua wrote:

irish44j wrote: Ford Flex with three-row seating and ecoboost V6. Carry much, go fast, tows 4500lbs, and doesn't look half bad.

$45K Yikes!

yupp that price is killer

I'm thinking at that price point supercharging a used AWD Odyssey and putting money aside for 20k mile transmission replacements is a better plan.