Yep, a what ... thread

Ok, my needs are this: 3rd row, towing at least 2k lbs. under 15k preferably under 10k, reliable, luxurious, and low miles( to me 125k or under) with decent fuel economy 17city/ 2?hwy. We had a 97 Tahoe that almost ticked all the boxes, but didn't have enough seating for family and co. So we bought an 04 navigator for 8k. It has too many glitches and gremlins plus is a gas hog that has air suspension and could spit plugs. I am considering Honda Pilot se or exl, another newer Tahoe, Mercedes wagon ( don't laugh there was one on purple wave plus out other car is a 01 benz e320 I love it) What am I missing. I got 2 kids, dogs, and tow motorcycles on a 5x8 trailer. Learn me plz.

Almost any minivan?

A minivan is what you need. Not sure if you've come to grips with that---- but it's exactly what you've described. I'd look at the usual suspects--- Honda Odyssey, Dodge Grand Caravan / Chrysler T&C, Toyota Sienna, etc.

Any of these are available in your price range, will tow over 2K lbs, and get decent mileage. I prefer the Dodge / Chrysler for the stow and go seating, but YMMV.

Yup pretty much minivan you give up a lot with SUV. We looked at the pilot vs the odyssey and even though we didnt want a minivan sliding doors (power) and sliding rear gate and the better use of space it was a no brainer.

Doh, I should add, I want it to be able to tow out of the box. I know a minivan would do it and be ideal, But SWMBO sez no Minivans.

Did someone mention minivan yet? It checks every single box on your list.

Convince SWMBO to go look at vans and get over the image thing. You're ruling out the ideal solution. They can all tow right out of the box. We use our Sedona for all the things you mention.

If for some reason, you can't get a van, than any Exploder/Traverse/Durango will work...though not as well as the minivan.

Edit: missed the 3rd row Requirement - If you want SUV then:

• Ford Explorer
• Chev Traverse/GMC Acadia/Buick Enclave - there was even a Saturn for a short period (Outlook?)
• Jeep GC/Dodge Durango (but the new ones won't hit your $$$$ limit and the old ones suck gas)

In reply to Klayfish: Thanks for the quick replies, but SWMBO dislikes the minivan.

Then you have to get a minivan that looks like an SUV. You mentioned some good ones already. AVOID Mercedes products if you think that the Lincoln is gremliny. Ford Edge, Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander. I haven't heard great things about the smaller GM stuff (Arcadia, Traverse, and family, Trailblazer and family) from people on this board so avoid those. Buy most any Japanese "SUV" (that is a car underneath) and call it a day. Anything with 7 seats that isn't a full sized SUV will meet your towing and MPG needs. Just find one that is reliable.

I never understand the hatred towards minivans---image I guess. But who looks at an SUV and doesn't think "mommy-mobile?" And what's wrong with being a mom anyways?

If I need to hammer a nail, do I use a screwdriver? No--- I use a hammer, as it's the right tool for the job.

Or you can get an SUV which gets worse mileage, is more cumbersome, has less space, has more expensive consumables, and makes you look every bit as un-cool as a minivan does.

screw it....get a Miata!

carknut wrote: In reply to Klayfish: Thanks for the quick replies, but SWMBO dislikes the minivan.

Just saying my wife disliked the minivan until on the same day we went and test drove and Honda pilot then just happened to look at a same year Odyssey at another dealer where we were also looking at pilots. To be honest we both were not looking for or wanting to get a minivan but when we actually sat in it we realized the utility was just lightyears better than the SUV

Go to a used dealer large enough to have some of both and just look even if just to affirm its really what you don't want. The thing is with the 3rd row in a pilot or something it will only fit smallish kids and it eats almost all your cargo space. In our van the 3rd row is me (6ft) grownup usable and because it folds into the floor it creates more deep storage in the back when its in use

Then go Flex or Acura MDX. Both tick off all of those boxes and deliver ok fuel mileage.

My wife is resisting the van but with so few wagons around and my intolerance of having an SUV in the DD fleet (Joe outlined the reasons), I will be having her test drive a Venza back to back with a Sienna (or similar comparison) to prove a point. I almost bet she will take the van. Who knows maybe I can throw some BBS mesh on there, lower it two inches, and have the most pimpin' van in the land.

Waachaa!

By the way, for the record, I love these threads. If you guys want to discuss what car to buy next, then have at it.

I think we need to start a campaign to get the term "Soccer Mom SUV" into general use. That's who drives them since minivans became verboten in wheel heeled circles. As for minivans , I keep looking at them as a possibility for me and SWMBO next go round, and we don't have kids or grandkids to haul around. Their utility is awesome.Some aftermarket wheels and tires and four Recaros and I'd be good to go.

Joe Gearin wrote: I never understand the hatred towards minivans---image I guess. But who looks at an SUV and doesn't think "mommy-mobile?" And what's wrong with being a mom anyways? If I need to hammer a nail, do I use a screwdriver? No--- I use a hammer, as it's the right tool for the job. Or you can get an SUV which gets worse mileage, is more cumbersome, has less space, has more expensive consumables, and makes you look every bit as un-cool as a minivan does. screw it....get a Miata!

This, this, this. Whenever I go pick up my kids from school or sports practice, the breakdown of vehicles is roughly: 10% car, 20% minivan, 70% SUV type (Explorer, Suburban, CR-V, etc...). They have become the de facto image mommy mobile. But as a family transport they are at a huge disadvantage.

In all honesty, we're shopping right now to replace our minivan with a huge SUV, but only because we want towing capability of 5000+ lbs and minivans can't do that. Otherwise, we'd get another van.

carknut wrote: In reply to Klayfish: Thanks for the quick replies, but SWMBO dislikes the minivan.

Your wife is being irrational and ignoring the comfort and savings involved in a minivan. Go drive some with her and then show her in real money the difference in costs for running one versus a SUV that could do the same. Also many vans are fitted with towing packages out of the box.

If it helps so many people see SUV's as soccer mom cars that they are cliche and the Vans are coming back as the thing to have again (why do you think they are making cross overs now? people are tired of climbing into an SUV, the poor gas mileage the higher cost of consumables and generally poor ride).

get her to drive a van and put the kids seats in the back of the van... Then she will be all about the van.

I'd like to test drive a minivan, but we live in KS and do have some off very tame off road excursions as well as dirt roads to navigate, so ground clearance is a plus. I know she despises the term "soccermom" our kids ride motocross, and play football. So she's technically a MOTOMOM or football mom. (they're way hotter, I know she's reading this)

OK, if she's reading this....

Dear Mrs. carknut,
Look past any preconceived notions you may have about minivans and their image...that's 1990's. I'm sure Mr. Carknut will find you just as hot behind the wheel of a van as an SUV...plus you won't be one of the sheep taking the kids to practice.

My boys play football, wrestling and lacrosse...no soccer. They'd do motocross if I'd let them. My daughter does gymnastics. We've had our minivan on dirt, mud, sand, snow, grass. As long as you're not truly offroading, you'll be fine. It's hauled everything under the sun, and done a lot of towing. If someone looks at our van and thinks soccermom, they can enjoy those thoughts as they're trying to find their white Explorer in the sea of white Explorers in the parking lot...all driven by housewives taking their kids to practice.

You can put the motocross vehicles IN the minivan. Can't really do that with most SUV's.

FWIW--- I drove my Dodge minivan from Daytona to Jacksonville and back last night. (160 miles rt) I set the cruise at 79mph, listened to Sirius radio, and settled into the comfy driver seat for the painless ride. For the trip I averaged 24.4 mpg--- and I was a bit disappointed, as I usually get 26mpg at 80mph or so. There must have been a cross-wind to have it suck gas that badly.

In reply to jstein77:

Ooo I forgot about the new Kia. Nice.

If you can squeeze out a little more money- a Lincoln MKT. Twin Turbo, AWD, doors, etc. Seen them in the $20k range.

(part of looking up cars from the MKS thread)