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

[Torn Mind]

Most CUVs are off your list. No 21 ft camper is weighing less than 3200 lbs(even lightweight ones), so anything with 3500 tow capacity or less is scratched off your shopping list. That includes minivans, if that makes you happy. But full-sized vans are still an option. XD

So, many your options are the typical "truck bastards", like Tahoes, Suburbans, Expeditions, 4 Runners(w/ proper tow package), Armadas, Sequoias. OLDER Pathfinders(before 2012) and Explorers(before 2011), when they were still body-on-frame, etc) also have sufficient towing capacity.

There are some unibody vehicles with 5000+ lbs of towing capacity, such as the Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Chevy Traverse requires a tow package to get 5200 lbs of towing capacity. Otherwise, it only has 2000 lbs of towing capacity. The VW Tourareg and the Porsche Cayenne surprisingly have 7716 maximum towing capacity, lol.

www.Onlinetowingguide.com has a list of recent makes a models and their towing capacities. They won't let you see older vehicles without getting their app, but you can get an idea what is out there.

 

[NutBucket]

LOL @ 21' being a "small" camper. Yeah, buy a Tahoe/Expedition/etc. and be done with it. No unibody vehicle will adequately serve your towing needs.

Yes, you can tow 5k with a few of the larger crossovers but it's not ideal.

 

[Torn Mind]

LOL @ 21' being a "small" camper. Yeah, buy a Tahoe/Expedition/etc. and be done with it. No unibody vehicle will adequately serve your towing needs.

Yes, you can tow 5k with a few of the larger crossovers but it's not ideal.

The Cayenne should handle 5000 lbs.

First gen ones with the V8 must have their coolant lines replaced or else it is a ticking time bomb.

 

[NutBucket]

But again, you're at the limits of the vehicle. Not a great idea. Plus, the Cayenne (depending on version) has power to spare. Most others do not.

 

[pauldun170]

Just get quad cab dualie
Something like a Ram 3500 or a Ford F-250
That should solve your towing needs

 

[squirrel dog]

Sounds to me like you need a family truckster !

 

[Zargon]

the 3 hour drive home with my wifes new grand caravan sold me on it.



older 7.3L TD Excursion?

 

[Homerboy]

You may hate on minivans, but your hate is irrational. There's just no better type of vehicle for a family of 4+. You just have to get past the stigma of it. Even if you get a 3rd row SUV, those kids climbing in back -- and you having to help them once they are back there.... SUCKS. Not to mention carrying your 2 kids and their 4+ friends and all their sleep over crap, or sports gear, or school junk.

Minivans can't be beat.

 

[Midwayman]

Also sounds like you suffer from "I want my vehicle to do everything!!!"itis. You should seriously consider how often you really need a 3rd roll of seats, or towing and consider how much extra costs you're going to run into for that ability vs just renting or borrowing something when you need to tow or haul a lot of people.

Heck, buying a car that meets your day to day needs and an older truck you use to tow may be cheaper than trying to get it all in one vehicle (not to mention gas.)

 

[crashtech]

I have a beater truck that I go camping with or when I need to haul stuff around.

 

[WoodButcher]

What's wrong w/ minivans?
I'll tow 5,000 lbs easy but I've made a few,,,


adjustments.

http://www.astrosafari.com/viewtopic.php?f=127&t=17922&start=200#p583370

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Here's a good deal - http://www.offleaseonly.com/used-car/dodge-durango-limited-1d4hd58246f180036.htm

But everyone is right, you need a Minivan - all new Dodge/Chrysler comes out next year so for $17,995 or so you can get a brand new Caravan AVP.

 

[pauldun170]

You're welcome

 

[pauldun170]

Screw the camper.
Just bring home with you

 

[crashtech]

Are you sure it has third row seating, though?

 

[pauldun170]

Are you sure it has third row seating, though?

Good call. Freightliner lacks 3rd row.

Second pick does have 3rd row seating. Its in the living room

 

[Pulsar]

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?

Minivan. Minivan. Minivan.

Sorry, I had to man. They really are great. You hate 'em but you love 'em.

Anyway... Other options to consider are the Dodge Durango, Mazda CX-9, and the Acadia, or a Ford Transit. The dodge is available with a V8 for towing.

 

[drebo]

Also sounds like you suffer from "I want my vehicle to do everything!!!"itis. You should seriously consider how often you really need a 3rd roll of seats, or towing and consider how much extra costs you're going to run into for that ability vs just renting or borrowing something when you need to tow or haul a lot of people.

Heck, buying a car that meets your day to day needs and an older truck you use to tow may be cheaper than trying to get it all in one vehicle (not to mention gas.)

I've considered that, honestly.

 

[desy]

I bought a 17' 3100lb trailer yesterday, towed it home with my Flex, didn't have much issue other than 2X the fuel consumption, yeesh
I bought the Flex to tow a boat but the Durango 07/08 sooo cheap around here with 100k miles or so I'd have done it differently if it intended on towing what I am now.

 

[Pulsar]

I bought a 17' 3100lb trailer yesterday, towed it home with my Flex, didn't have much issue other than 2X the fuel consumption, yeesh
I bought the Flex to tow a boat but the Durango 07/08 sooo cheap around here with 100k miles or so I'd have done it differently if it intended on towing what I am now.

Careful. The engine can handle it - the transmission can't. I don't know if a Flex has a transmission temperature sensor, but my Freestar does and after an hour of pulling a trailer I have to pull over and let it cool or throw it in a higher gear for a while.

 

[NutBucket]

IIRC the tow rating of Flex is 5k or so. I'm not sure if there's a towing package required though.

 

[Pulsar]

IIRC the tow rating of Flex is 5k or so. I'm not sure if there's a towing package required though.

Oops - you're right. 4.5k with towing package and oil cooler.

 

[desy]

Mine came w the factory towing package and cooler, manual say 5k
Wife isn't opposed to the Durango idea, we could start commuting together and leave the Durango in garage most of the time

 

[I Saw OJ]

We bought the wife a 2012 Buick Enclave with about 40k miles for $27k something last november. Its got plenty of space inside, loaded with every option you want and drives like a dream. We have 3 kids, two of them sitting in childen seats and there is plenty of room.

 

[NutBucket]

That trans still scares me for towing even though it's been improved over the years.