Best option for a used vehicle with a 3rd row?

[Kelvrick]

How about a used Lexus GX 470. I guess you'd probably have to go back to 2008-2009 to hit your price range and it won't get the gas mileage you want, but it should be reliable. I think there were problems with the rear shocks, but people often replaced the expensive air adjustable ones with ones from a 4runner without the expensive air lift.

8.3" of ground clearance and plenty of power. Should be capable going offroad. My brother has 4 kids and got a GX 470. At the time, he only had 3 though. Oldest was probably around 4yo, a 2yo and a newborn. He now has a honda oddysey and says the minivan is so much more convenient. He lives in suburban southern california though and has no need for offroad capabilities.

 

[ballmode]

Honda Pilot

 

[Thump553]

Except that the OP said he needed ground clearance. Long uncleared driveway.

Otherwise I agree.

Instead of spending hundreds, even thousands of dollars extra each year on gas due to AWD/4WD poor mileage, why not get up an hour or two earlier? Cost benefit analysis.

BTW I drive 600+ miles a week, have lived in New England or Wisconsin all my adult life and have never seen the "need" for 4WD or AWD. Sometimes it would be nice, but what really matters is driver skill and techniques. I've driven past plenty of $WD pickup trucks skidded off road in my Prius.

Another vote for minivan, especially the Sienna (have owned both that and Grand Caravan, both 2WD).

 

[LTC8K6]

Instead of spending hundreds, even thousands of dollars extra each year on gas due to AWD/4WD poor mileage, why not get up an hour or two earlier? Cost benefit analysis.

BTW I drive 600+ miles a week, have lived in New England or Wisconsin all my adult life and have never seen the "need" for 4WD or AWD. Sometimes it would be nice, but what really matters is driver skill and techniques. I've driven past plenty of $WD pickup trucks skidded off road in my Prius.

Another vote for minivan, especially the Sienna (have owned both that and Grand Caravan, both 2WD).

Why would you direct that at me?

However, since you did, I don't care what you think you need for a vehicle.

The OP laid out the requirements that he wanted met. Most posters tried to help him out.

A few, as usual, just can't resist "correcting" him and bragging about how they would never get stuck in the snow even with crap tires, and how every time it snows, everyone but them crashes their car.

Give it a rest, please.