Need to buy a bigger car (for family)...not sure what to get...

[drebo]

Have two kids now, and the two cars we have aren't cutting it. One's a Yaris and the other's a shitty 4-door sedan. They're just too small.

Third row seat is my primary requirement. Secondary to that, I'd like something that can tow. Also, no minivans.

If I had unlimited money, a Toyota 4Runner would be the choice, but I just can't see myself spending $50k+ on a car, so I'm looking at used stuff.

Even late model used SUVs are in the $40k+ range.

Locally, there's an '06 Jeep Commander that fits the bill. It's got $100k miles but is only $15k. There are also all sorts of shitty Chevy Tahoes from 2002-2008 with anywhere from 100k to 200k miles on them for around the same price range.

I'm just not sure if buying a 8-9 year old car with 100k miles on it is that great of an idea...I mean, yeah, the price is great and it's basically a throw-away car, but I just am not sure if it's financially the right idea. Even if it only lasted another 5 years and I had to replace it with another $15k car, I'd still be ahead of the game over buying a $50k 4Runner now.

There isn't necessarily anything wrong with my cars that couldn't be fixed relatively easily...we just need something bigger. Any other (non-minivan) ideas for 3rd-row seating cars that might be a bit less expensive?

 

[Crono]

The Mazda CX-9, Kia Sorento (V6), Hyundai Santa Fe (V6, not the Sport), and Honda Pilot are the good, reasonable budget options I would look at first. Throw in the Ford Flex if you like/don't mind the styling. All ~ $30k new (base MSRP pricing) or less for used with low mileage.

 

[Insomniator]

Dunno about jeep, friend just bought a used 06 or 07 Grand Cherokee and the front wheel completely fell off while doing 60 on a highway. Besides that, the car felt like a total piece of crap otherwise. Have never heard anything good about Jeep in general. He traded it in and leased a Mazda, wouldn't stop complaining about that Jeep.

Why not a used 4Runner?

 

[Fenixgoon]

minivan? not cool, but practical as shit. there is hardly a better family vehicle.

 

[pauldun170]

What are you towing? How often?
How often will you be using the third row?
Will this be doing double duty as a commuter vehicle? If so what distance?

Toyota Highlander is pretty capable and covers all the basics.
Also Honda Pilot, Ford Flex, Arcadia

 

[Evilviking]

Honda pilots. They have third rows. You can find several used for under $15k

 

[michal1980]

minivan? not cool, but practical as shit. there is hardly a better family vehicle.

this

 

[A5]

Always fun to read the "I need a vehicle with these requirements, but I'm going to eliminate the best option out of hand for reasons".

It's not like whatever 3-row crossover you end up with is going to *not* have a soccer mom reputation...

 

[Scarpozzi]

In 2011 we bought a 4Runner brand new with 86 miles on it (they had to drive from another dealership) with 3rd row for $32,000 even. This was 2WD, SR5 trim, had running boards, 3rd row seating, and we had leather installed at the dealership for $1500 (part of the $32000 price). Now it has 36k miles on it...it's been a great car for car seats and long trips, but we rarely use the 3rd row. They're more like jump-seats. With the car seats in, we can't get to them unless we enter through the back...and they take all the cargo space.

3rd row in a SUV is almost useless if you need the cargo space for anything. Mini-vans are much better suited because they provide more vertical storage space. In either case, if you travel, you need to get a roof rack and a good storage box for up top. I ordered a SportRack from Walmart.com (Made by Thule) for this... Similar to this one: http://www.walmart.com/ip/23735486?...39019112&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=78652608872&veh=sem

 

[Guurn]

Ford Flex?

 

[Denly]

2008+ Land Rover LR3, I got mine last year for $11k with 100k miles on it. V8 w/ tow rate of 6000lb, 3rd row that is not a dog seat I am 6ft tall and I can fit in there np, heated 1st/2nd row leather, 2nd and 3rd row can fold flat cargo space is almost as good as the MPV I had before and all the bell and whistle.

I tested everything that had a 3rd row and this is the nicest one within the price range.

And it has been trouble free so far.

Oh forgot to mention it had heated windshield, not just the bottom the whole windshield is heated. if you live in the snow it is awesome.

 

[extide]

minivan? not cool, but practical as shit. there is hardly a better family vehicle.

X2, seriously. I used to be 100% anti mini-van but now I am a convert. I have 2 kids as well, and a typical sedan is just not cutting it with 2 child seats and stuff.

Then my wife found a Van for $1000 on a facebook yard sale site, went to check it out, talked em down to $800 and I had myself a Pontiac Montanna (can never remember if its a 1999 or 2001) -- sure it's old but it is a real minivan, and even has the sliding door on both sides.

After taking this thing on a couple family trips, its amazing! My kids are small (1 and 3 years) and still breastfeed (mostly the little one) but with a van my wife can sit up front most of the time but slide into the back with the kids while driving if needed to take care of them if needed. This is a major plus. Not to mention the HUGE cargo capacity if you take out or even just fold down the 3rd row seats, which you can of course use and fit decent size people back there but you do cut your cargo space in about half.

Overall, we are definitely going to be getting another, newer, one in the future when we are able to.

 

[aShufflinZombie]

+1 on the minivan option.

Third row seats in SUVs are usually way too cramped and uncomfortable for anyone that is over 5'.

 

[Murloc]

think about whether you really need the third row, as in a non-minivan car it will take up too much trunk space that you need for the holidays.

If you're planning on having more kids in a short while, then get a minivan. Having a big family has its drawbacks, and having to drive a minivan is the smallest of these. You can't beat sliding doors for getting stuff in and out of the car.

 

[soulcougher73]

You just havent realized what you want is a minivan yet Its ok, it happens to all parents

 

[Banana]

The Commander is big on the outside and cramped on the inside. Bad fuel economy with the V8, and anemic with the V6. Reliability? Doesn't seem to fit the role of a family hauler. On the other hand, your kids might get a kick out of having a big ol' Jeep on the driveway.

 

[Yuriman]

Who is the third row of seats for?

 

[drebo]

I'd like to be able to tow a small camper, like a 21-foot or something.

I don't anticipate having more kids, but might adopt one more in a few years. Third row would be for kids' friends, etc. We had one growing up and it was useful.

The Santa Fe looks decent and has 5000lbs towing capacity, but it's also $40k configured with the third row + tow + V6.

There are a couple used Land Rovers around...didn't think about checking them...might have to look into them. Thanks for the suggestion.

No minivans!

 

[Meghan54]

First, a 21' camper trailer, depending upon brand and build, can range in weight from 3000# to over 4500#...and those are dry weights. Once you add in propane bottle(s), all the junk you'll have inside, water, etc., etc., you are going to have probably a fully laden weight of at least 4000# on the lighter built trailers.

Also remember, a vehicle's rated towing capacity is on an unladen vehicle (empty) except for a driver and, usually, a half tank of gas. This is significant because as you add cargo and weight to the tow vehicle (passengers, cargo, etc.), its towing capacity drops a corresponding amount.

Now, some manufacturers do rate their vehicles with two adults in the vehicle, but it's not typical, and this info can be darned hard to find, esp. from imports. Owner's manuals will have this info, but on the various mfgr's web sites, some mfgrs. make it darned hard if not impossible to discern how the tow rating was derived and what equipment is necessary to achieve the rating. I know Toyota's Highlander used to require the tow package to get its rating up to 3500# (larger radiator, higher capacity alternator, etc.) from 1500# without the tow package.

Just things to consider.

 

[crashtech]

Your requirements practically scream minivan. It's rather hilarious to be so appearance conscious as to totally ignore what is clearly the best option. My wife was the same way back in the day until I got her one, we both ended up loving that damn van.

 

[gregulator]

I am just going to leave this here:

We have an A8L and a Sienna. The wife and I fight over the minivan, and the A8L rarely gets driven. Just get the van!

Same advice as above posters, third row in SUVs are useless. You will thank us all later if you just tuck your balls in already and just get the damn van!

 

[Zivic]

I am just going to leave this here:

We have an A8L and a Sienna. The wife and I fight over the minivan, and the A8L rarely gets driven. Just get the van!

Same advice as above posters, third row in SUVs are useless. You will thank us all later if you just tuck your balls in already and just get the damn van!

the most humorous posts about what vehicle to get are the ones ending in "no minivans".....

 

[drebo]

I drove a minivan in highschool and college. Couldn't stand it, still can't.

 

[PricklyPete]

You can get a base model 4Runner for well under 50k. Hell, I bought a dealer demo 2013Limited (fully optioned at 45k) for 36k with 10k on the odo.

Love the 4Runner even though it is zero funs to drive. The 3rd row is a joke. It is a great "boxed in" truck though and handles everything CO throws at it. Should also last me a long time. Ok gas mileage. Would buy again, but it is not nearly as refined as a crossover like the highlander, pilot, etc.

 

[SearchMaster]

Have you considered a minivan?

When we were initially looking at family vehicles for my wife in 2007, we wanted to look at as many options as possible but knew we needed a third row. We looked at the Pilot, Highlander, RAV-4, and Mazda 5, as well as minivans. All of them had fairly useless third rows, though I suspect the options have improved in the last 8 years. We weren't interested in the really large SUVs.

We settled on an Odyssey, which she drove very happily for over 200K miles until our mechanic told us it was time to start looking. We got another Odyssey and it's even better (MPG is at least 25% better in real world driving).

The point is not that Minivan Is Always The Answer in your case, but it's very likely that all your third row options in the $30K-$40K range are going to be subpar. The larger SUVs with the better third rows are damned pricey, as you noted. I've read very good things about the CX-9 but haven't driven one (I liked the smaller CX-7) but looking at Google images of it, you're still going to struggle to get anyone bigger than a 12 year old into it.