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Recommend a family car, truck, SUV or minivan

TangoJuliet

TangoJuliet

Diamond Member
So in January I am going to have to re-arrange the vehicles that my wife and I drive.

Currently I drive a 2009 Focus Coupe and she has a 2007 VW Jetta Wolfsburg

At the time I purchased my focus we didn't have any kids and I was commuting 140 miles a day. We now have 2 kids and moved a little closer 60 miles/day plus I carpool with a co-worker.

The Focus is a great car. I got around 72,000 miles on it and it really gave me a lot of bang for the buck. I believe after rebates, etc I paid $11,000 for it (SES model).

So my plan was to sell the focus, and take the Jetta from my wife. We would then look for something that would be good for the entire family.

My first though was now would be a pretty descent time to get a Hummer H2. High gas prices, etc and I could probably score one for dirt cheap. We only like 8 miles from her job and it would be great for driving in the winter. I decided against it because I was worried about service and parts since it is no longer being made.

I have been debating on going with a Ford Edge, Cadillac SRX, Honda Odyssey or a Toyota Venza. Like I said I won't really start officially looking until January but wanted to get some ideas on what to look at.

I'm pretty sure we are going to buy vs. lease. I don't mind buying used/CPO either.

Cliffs:
Need new car for family (2 kids: 2 yr old and newborn)
Start buying process in January
Good mpg not required
Thinking about: Edge, SRX, Odyssey or Venza
New or Used
Buy vs Lease
 
Forester/Legacy for your winters?

Odyssey would be good if you need something that big, if not, maybe a Mazda5 (dunno about the rust issues)
 
if you get a van, get a sienna. the odyssey is good as well, but the current gen is sooooo ugly.

I don't think something like the SRX or Venza is going to be big enough. with two kids, you need a 3rd row
 
Thanks for the replies guys. My wife doesn't really want to drive a minivan so we were hoping to find something else. I'll take a look at the Sienna though.
 
Sienna has AWD
Nissan has redone the Quest
People who own Flexs love them and might be able to deal on them
Highlander Pilots Traverses Jeep Grand Cherokee's soooo many choices in that mid SUV market
Time to go test drive really, and figure whats in or out!
The used market has stupid markup right now and leases are seldom good deals, really only good for people who can write off the payments
 
desy said:
Sienna has AWD
Nissan has redone the Quest
People who own Flexs love them and might be able to deal on them
Highlander Pilots Traverses Jeep Grand Cherokee's soooo many choices in that mid SUV market
Time to go test drive really, and figure whats in or out!
The used market has stupid markup right now and leases are seldom good deals, really only good for people who can write off the payments
Click to expand...

The problem with some of these minivans is that once you start configuring them with AWD, etc they jump up into the $36-40k range. For that kind of money I'd rather go with a crossover or SUV that offers a little more versatility.

I do not like Nissan or Jeep/Chrysler/Dodge. They may make a great vehicle but for personal reasons I won't buy another.

Not a big fan of the Flex - I'd rather have an Edge.
 
Been also looking at the smaller SUV segment. After I configure the Flex, Explorer and most of the mini vans with AWD, etc we start hitting the 35-40,000 range.

The smaller SUVs I been looking at are the Equinox, Tucson, Rogue (even though I hate nissan) and Sportage. I'm trying to keep the cost around $30,000 so that my payments are around 330-395.

Thoughts?
 
Buick Enclave, Chevy Traverse, GMC Acadia
Mazda CX9

Forester is too small, step up to a Legacy Wagon if you must have a Subaru.

Rogue is way too small - as are most compact SUV's for 4 people plus luggage - they get tight.

Your best bet on your budget - I hate to say it - is a 2012 Dodge Journey with the Pentastar V6. SXT AWD model with popular options is MSRP'd at $29K and you should be able to reap a good $2-3K off sticker.

Chrysler has improved by leaps and bounds over the last 2yrs. Revised interiors and all new powertrain options.
 
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TangoJuliet said:
The problem with some of these minivans is that once you start configuring them with AWD, etc they jump up into the $36-40k range. For that kind of money I'd rather go with a crossover or SUV that offers a little more versatility.

I do not like Nissan or Jeep/Chrysler/Dodge. They may make a great vehicle but for personal reasons I won't buy another.

Not a big fan of the Flex - I'd rather have an Edge.
Click to expand...

what is your definition of versitility?

I have trucks, have had SUVs, and minivans. really the only thing lacking from a van to the suv is the towing capability. the minivans haul people the best and this is what is done the vast majority of the time... they do so with more comfort, better driving experience (don't read that as more fun), and with an increased MPG. the minivans also offer considerably more cargo space, along with easier access for loading.

Sure you don't get the greater ground clearance for off roading, but FWD is more than capable in winter months.

I guess what I am getting at is, if you want the real capabilities of a truck, get a truck. If you need the practicality of a van get a van. the bad views attached to minivans are usually gone after a person actually has one and finds out how nice of an overall vehicle they are. I really liked my SUV that I sold prior to getting my van, but at the end of the day, it really didn't do anything great besides some off roading through the snow
P1010269.jpg
 
Zivic said:
if you get a van, get a sienna. the odyssey is good as well, but the current gen is sooooo ugly.

I don't think something like the SRX or Venza is going to be big enough. with two kids, you need a 3rd row
Click to expand...

As if the sienna isn't ugly? 😵
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I'll check out the CX-9....I like that car and didn't realize it was priced that low ($35k for top model).

As far as versatility....I don't need to tow anything but I would prefer AWD for the bad winters we've been having in NY lately. Once the vans are configured with AWD the price is in the upwards of $38k. With a crossover or SUV at least we'd get a little more ground clearance.

I was thinking about the possibility of leasing a van for 3 years and then buy a crossover, SUV once the kids gets bigger.

Any other suggestions?
Oh and you can forget Subaru. They do make some great vehicles but the maintenance on them is insane. We bought our VW from a VW/Subaru dealership and their prices are crazy
 
Zivic said:
if you get a van, get a sienna. the odyssey is good as well, but the current gen is sooooo ugly.

I don't think something like the SRX or Venza is going to be big enough. with two kids, you need a 3rd row
Click to expand...

I've test driven both new gen Sienna (v6) and new gen Odyssey. For the parts that are important for a miniva, the Odyssey wins hands down.

1. More usable interior room! You won't fit adult passengers in the last row in a Sienna comfortably. You can easily do so in the Oddysey. The interior of the Oddysey is cavernous compared to the Sienna. GO TAKE A LOOK YOURSELF!

2. Better interior design. The interior of the Odyssey is very solid and well engineered. For example. the moving center row seats grooves are built into the seats in the Odyssey, while they are in the floor of the Sienna which can allow crumbs, crap and kid fingers to get lodged.

3. Baby seats. The Sienna has only 4 seats capable for baby seats, the Odyssey has 5. The seats in Odyssey are a perfect fit and comfort for sitting while the Sienna has you bend back a little too much and the seats are closer to the floor leaving less knee room.

4. Real world MPG. My test drive with Sienna = 19.8mpg. Odyssey = 21.25 mpg.

As to the OP's situation, if I were to want a family car without Minivan stigma and with good unility, I would choose a Flex (hopefully with Ecoboost).
 
KIAman said:
I've test driven both new gen Sienna (v6) and new gen Odyssey. For the parts that are important for a miniva, the Odyssey wins hands down.

1. More usable interior room! You won't fit adult passengers in the last row in a Sienna comfortably. You can easily do so in the Oddysey. The interior of the Oddysey is cavernous compared to the Sienna. GO TAKE A LOOK YOURSELF!

2. Better interior design. The interior of the Odyssey is very solid and well engineered. For example. the moving center row seats grooves are built into the seats in the Odyssey, while they are in the floor of the Sienna which can allow crumbs, crap and kid fingers to get lodged.

3. Baby seats. The Sienna has only 4 seats capable for baby seats, the Odyssey has 5. The seats in Odyssey are a perfect fit and comfort for sitting while the Sienna has you bend back a little too much and the seats are closer to the floor leaving less knee room.

4. Real world MPG. My test drive with Sienna = 19.8mpg. Odyssey = 21.25 mpg.

As to the OP's situation, if I were to want a family car without Minivan stigma and with good unility, I would choose a Flex (hopefully with Ecoboost).
Click to expand...


I own an 09 odyssey... I favor the honda, but calling a spade a spade, you have to admit the new honda is beyond ugly. So ugly, I couldn't own one. the interior is nice, as you state. I also do like the new front end on the hondas, so I guess the redesign didn't fail on all accounts

My van as the cylinder deactivation. same motor that is the in the current vans. I do think the higher end models now have an available 6 spd trans. I have about 25k on my van, and I never have broken 20mpg. I have gotten 19.7 as my best tank. in winter I am usually in the 16-17 range, but having a remote start and idling a lot isn't helping mileage. I would think the 6 spd may account for 1-2 mpg as you saw on your test drive, but a test drive isn't all that indicative of MPG over time
 
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TangoJuliet said:
Thanks for the replies guys. I'll check out the CX-9....I like that car and didn't realize it was priced that low ($35k for top model).

As far as versatility....I don't need to tow anything but I would prefer AWD for the bad winters we've been having in NY lately. Once the vans are configured with AWD the price is in the upwards of $38k. With a crossover or SUV at least we'd get a little more ground clearance.

I was thinking about the possibility of leasing a van for 3 years and then buy a crossover, SUV once the kids gets bigger.

Any other suggestions?
Oh and you can forget Subaru. They do make some great vehicles but the maintenance on them is insane. We bought our VW from a VW/Subaru dealership and their prices are crazy
Click to expand...

curious what you consider 'insane" i know plenty of people that own subies and insane maintenance isn't something they complain about. I know a plug change isn't easy. I guess it's all relative. To me, replacement part costs are the concern, not the labor
 
Kia Sorrento or Hyundai Santa Fe.
Both have started using the DFI engine used in the Sonata in them. Making them very fuel efficient, and both cost a ton less than the other options you are looking at.
 
Zivic said:
I own an 09 odyssey... I favor the honda, but calling a spade a spade, you have to admit the new honda is beyond ugly. So ugly, I couldn't own one. the interior is nice, as you state. I also do like the new front end on the hondas, so I guess the redesign didn't fail on all accounts My van as the cylinder deactivation. same motor that is the in the current vans. I do think the higher end models now have an available 6 spd trans. I have about 25k on my van, and I never have broken 20mpg. I have gotten 19.7 as my best tank. in winter I am usually in the 16-17 range, but having a remote start and idling a lot isn't helping mileage. I would think the 6 spd may account for 1-2 mpg as you saw on your test drive, but a test drive isn't all that indicative of MPG over time
Click to expand...

My 2011 Sienna SE pulled 23.9 MPG fully loaded @ 75 MPH over the course of 800 miles. It's lifetime average over 8000 miles is 22 MPG. I'm getting the same exact numbers as Edmunds long term test drive of the van which are also the same exact as the window sticker. The 2011 Ody on the other hand in their testing has averaged about 1MPG better overall than the Sienna, but fell several MPG under the stickered amount. Most people I've talked to said their Honda Vans never even so much as sniffed the highway economy that Honda lists.

And in my own "seat 'o the pants" comparison the Toyota has a much better pull off the line. The 3.5L & transmission they have in their stable is a great powertrain.

I won't go punch by punch in countering Kia's points about the Ody vs. the Sienna other than to say I think he's got an aweful lot of embelishment there. The only real knock I can give the Sienna in terms of storage is the seat locking tracks that are left on the floor when your remove the middle row. Other than that, volume wise I think that the two are comparible if not even in favor of the Toyota.
 
vi edit said:
My 2011 Sienna SE pulled 23.9 MPG fully loaded @ 75 MPH over the course of 800 miles. It's lifetime average over 8000 miles is 22 MPG. I'm getting the same exact numbers as Edmunds long term test drive of the van which are also the same exact as the window sticker. The 2011 Ody on the other hand in their testing has averaged about 1MPG better overall than the Sienna, but fell several MPG under the stickered amount. Most people I've talked to said their Honda Vans never even so much as sniffed the highway economy that Honda lists.

And in my own "seat 'o the pants" comparison the Toyota has a much better pull off the line. The 3.5L & transmission they have in their stable is a great powertrain.

I won't go punch by punch in countering Kia's points about the Ody vs. the Sienna other than to say I think he's got an aweful lot of embelishment there. The only real knock I can give the Sienna in terms of storage is the seat locking tracks that are left on the floor when your remove the middle row. Other than that, volume wise I think that the two are comparible if not even in favor of the Toyota.
Click to expand...

in all fairness, my van doesn't see much highway time. I was actually pretty impressed by the mileage considering my 1.5 litre mazda protege never really gets better than 22
 
vi edit said:
My 2011 Sienna SE pulled 23.9 MPG fully loaded @ 75 MPH over the course of 800 miles. It's lifetime average over 8000 miles is 22 MPG. I'm getting the same exact numbers as Edmunds long term test drive of the van which are also the same exact as the window sticker. The 2011 Ody on the other hand in their testing has averaged about 1MPG better overall than the Sienna, but fell several MPG under the stickered amount. Most people I've talked to said their Honda Vans never even so much as sniffed the highway economy that Honda lists.

And in my own "seat 'o the pants" comparison the Toyota has a much better pull off the line. The 3.5L & transmission they have in their stable is a great powertrain.

I won't go punch by punch in countering Kia's points about the Ody vs. the Sienna other than to say I think he's got an aweful lot of embelishment there. The only real knock I can give the Sienna in terms of storage is the seat locking tracks that are left on the floor when your remove the middle row. Other than that, volume wise I think that the two are comparible if not even in favor of the Toyota.
Click to expand...

I have to add that both the new gen Sienna and Odyssey are great minivans. They completely blow away the rest of the competition. I am not knocking against the Sienna in any way. The comparisons I made are tiny but my overall conclusion is that for the money, the Odyssey is the better buy, by a thin margin.

My biggest gripe has to be the 3rd row seats and being hunched over to fit within the roofline. Come on, for a minivan, that should NOT happen.

I did take 3 seperate test drives on 3 seperate days but a short term test is not necessarily conclusive.

The mileage were based on fillup rather than dash displays.

I do have to admit the v6 in the Sienna has a good HP advantage over the Oddysey but I honestly couldn't tell you which was faster from the seat of the pants.

And wow, Flex ecoboost is expensive as hell.
 
Yes, Look into the Mazda CX-9. We have one and it's a wonderful SUV/Crossover. We now have around 55k on ours and it's been great. Not a single problem with it and it's never been in the shop.
 
KIAman said:
And wow, Flex ecoboost is expensive as hell.
Click to expand...

Yep, it is. Of course, when you look at the people-hauling capability and the performance with the ecoboost, you realize it's in a class by itself. I'd consider a used one, if I could find it reasonably.

I like the edge with the 3.5 for it's sportiness, but it's not huge inside. It depends what you want. For 1-2 kids, it'll do perfectly fine.

I never understood the stigma of the minivan. Frankly, they do what they were designed to better than anything else can. We got a Freestar 3 years ago (2 years old) with 30k miles on it for 11 grand. It's been spectacular for the price, and so far we've never taken it in for anything more major than a brake job.

The odyssey, sienna, and even the grand caravan are excellent minivans.

The new explorer is a damn fine looking vehicle too.

Ford will be releasing the replacement for the escape around August of 2012:
http://thecollegedriver.com/system/photos/1267/large/Ford-Vertrek-Concept.jpg?1294676562
 
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