[ARCHIVED THREAD] - 3 Row Seating SUV... (Page 1 of 3)
Posted: 6/4/2011 5:58:10 PM EDT
Well, with our 3rd child on the way, it's time to say goodbye to my car:
(Not my pic.) And get something with 3 rows. I went and test drove, hang on... let me get my flame suit on, a Chevrolet Traverse. The reason I'm looking at those is for price, 3 rows and styling. I really don't want to support Obama Motors any more than the next guy, but I have to think about my family and my wallet. Anyone here brave enough to say if they have one and how it's been for you? Any other suggestions for something with 3 rows that is not a mini van and is between $25k and $30k? I comped an Explorer and it's close to $40k set up the way the Traverse LT is. |
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Since you like Mazdas, what about the 5? I know you said no minivans, but it's not like a friggin Traverse is any cooler. We have one of these. Looks like it's a tiny hatchback but it has sliding doors on both sides, 3 rows of seats and if you fold the rear row down you can fit a washing machine in the back. I've done it. Decent on gas, reasonably fun to drive. |
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You should have a look at a Mazda CX-9. Very comfortable, seats for 7, and doesn't drive like a mini-van....the Traverse does. My current .mil job requires a lot of driving of .gov vehicles and rentals while traveling. I've driven every domestic current production large SUV, except the new Explorer, and most vans. If you want a 3-row SUV, I'd go with the Mazda CX-9. My family is on our third one. First totaled by tornado/hail storm. Second totaled after being rear-ended by a jack-knifed semi. Passenger compartment was totally intact in the collision.
But with 2 boys, 6 and 2, with another on the way, our next will be a mini-van. Just can't beat the room or ease of access of a mini-van. I'd look at a Quest or Odessy. |
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Expedition. The third row folds FLAT, its a huge help and lets you easily go from loading at home depot to piling the family/friends in and heading off. We got a 1.5 year old EL version for 27K and we love the big honking thing. Gas sucks, but it hauls, tows, and packs likes no ones business.
My wife and I also looked into the Tahoe/Suburban. They were nice, pretty much on par with other truck frames SUVs. The only problem is their third row is an afterthought. They are basically jump seats which just folds in half, not flat. If you want it near flat (the rails still stay in the way) the rear seats need to be physically removed and stored, then put back in. The seats aren't light either, so your wife may have an issue pulling them and trying to get them back in. |
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The Volvo XC 90 is really nice inside, seats 7 and can tow 5000lbs. Starts at $38,000. Too much money. I want to stay around $30k and not buy a KIA. Nothing against KIA owners  Fuck you!  Sorry bro. Actually, some of the KIA's are nice looking. I just don't think I could owe a bank to drive one. |
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You should have a look at a Mazda CX-9. Very comfortable, seats for 7, and doesn't drive like a mini-van....the Traverse does. My current .mil job requires a lot of driving of .gov vehicles and rentals while traveling. I've driven every domestic current production large SUV, except the new Explorer, and most vans. If you want a 3-row SUV, I'd go with the Mazda CX-9. My family is on our third one. First totaled by tornado/hail storm. Second totaled after being rear-ended by a jack-knifed semi. Passenger compartment was totally intact in the collision. But with 2 boys, 6 and 2, with another on the way, our next will be a mini-van. Just can't beat the room or ease of access of a mini-van. I'd look at a Quest or Odessy. My wife has a new(ish 2010) CX-7 and I think her next car will be the CX-9. Can't see having two of them. On the Mini-Van... I'm only 35. I just can't do it yet!
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We bought a Ford Freestyle Limited AWD. Taurus X is pretty much the same thing except it has a 3.5L/ 6 sp auto and an electronic AWD whereas the Freestyle has a 3.0 w/CVT and a Haldex AWD.
Couldnt' be happier with it. I was set on the Volvo XC90 until I did the research and found out that the Freestyle is the same chassis as the XC90 and S80 sedan, but is much cheaper and has much better reliabilty ratings and fuel mileage. Safety ratings are excellent. It's 4200 lbs and AWD and still gets 26mpg on the highway. The FWD gets 1-2 mpg better. The Taurus X doesn't get quite the mileage due the the lack of CVT and larger engine, but has quite a bit more power. It has plenty of room for our family, and the 3rd row can even flip around and face towards the rear with the liftgate open for picnics or other outdoor events. If you do look at the XC90, STAY AWAY FROM THE TWIN TURBO!!! For some reason, Ford/Volvo decided to source the transmission from General Motors and it is JUNK. A good one will go 50k miles before needing a new transmission. 
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We bought a Ford Freestyle Limited AWD. Taurus X is pretty much the same thing except it has a 3.5L/ 6 sp auto and an electronic AWD whereas the Freestyle has a 3.0 w/CVT and a Haldex AWD. Couldnt' be happier with it. I was set on the Volvo XC90 until I did the research and found out that the Freestyle is the same chassis as the XC90 and S80 sedan, but is much cheaper and has much better reliabilty ratings and fuel mileage. Safety ratings are excellent. It's 4200 lbs and AWD and still gets 26mpg on the highway. The FWD gets 1-2 mpg better. The Taurus X doesn't get quite the mileage due the the lack of CVT and larger engine, but has quite a bit more power. It has plenty of room for our family, and the 3rd row can even flip around and face towards the rear with the liftgate open for picnics or other outdoor events. If you do look at the XC90, STAY AWAY FROM THE TWIN TURBO!!! For some reason, Ford/Volvo decided to source the transmission from General Motors and it is JUNK. A good one will go 50k miles before needing a new transmission. http://images.dealerrevs.com/pictures/41704010.jpg I had one of those for a rental a while back. It was okay, but I prefer the Traverse. |
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Here you go!!!!  you can have a tribe of 8 if you want!!!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b96/leondana/d80eb42d.jpg I wish that Ford would being that back with the new EcoBoost. |
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Well, with our 3rd child on the way, it's time to say goodbye to my car:
http://image.automobilemag.com/f/26629816+w750+st0/0911_03_z+2010_mazda_mazdaspeed_3+rear_three_quarter_view.jpg (Not my pic.) And get something with 3 rows. I went and test drove, hang on... let me get my flame suit on, a Chevrolet Traverse. The reason I'm looking at those is for price, 3 rows and styling. I really don't want to support Obama Motors any more than the next guy, but I have to think about my family and my wallet. Anyone here brave enough to say if they have one and how it's been for you? Any other suggestions for something with 3 rows that is not a mini van and is between $25k and $30k? I comped an Explorer and it's close to $40k set up the way the Traverse LT is. Wife & I went through exactly this. she liked the traverse, but it is just too small a form factor. convinced her that a suburban was the way to go. tons of room/power, ect |
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Get a used LandCruiser. Last 300,000 miles, and you won't feel like you've traded in your man card. Honorable mention for 7.3L Excursion or 2500 Suburban. Brand new cars are for suckers and people who are too concerned about impressing the neighbors. Have you noticed the price of gas lately? I don't need a huge SUV, although if I had the money a Yukon XL would be on the list. I'm trying to be reasonable here and something around $30k is as reasonable as I want to go. FWIW- I drove this: 
before getting the little Mazda. I never used near it's full capability and wouldn't use a 2500 Suburban for all it can do either. |
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When faced with the same dilemma, I purchased a $44K 4Runner. Not sure if I fucked up yet. http://imganuncios.mitula.net/2011_toyota_4runner_limited_classic_silver_metallic_in_des_peres_missouri_93252239306850155.jpg 44 fucking thousand dollars? Holyshit. Nice truck and all, but 44 fucking thousand dollars???? Why not a Sequoia? My Tundra was nice, I was just tired of 12mpg for something I didn't need. |
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I went from a 97 Blazer to an 04 Trailblazer to a 10 Traverse. We had one as a rental on Maui about a year and a half ago and liked it it. When I started looking for a third row SUV this winter, the Traverse was #2 on my list behind the Tahoe. Drove a Tahoe and loved it. Oldest immediately went to the third row and loved it - she was my test drive co-pilot. Drove a Dodge Durango with the 5.7L Hemo and loved it, except that I swear I saw the gas gauge move when I got on the freeway. Found a used 10 Traverse LT2 with 19K miles on it for $25K and never looked back. Only thing it did't have that I wanted was remote start and bluetooth. Heated seats would have been nice, too since the wife's car has the, she gets the garage and I park outside. Traverse gets so-so mileage. I get about 15 in town and 21 on the freeway. The Trailblazer got better mileage than that.
 But for the third row when we take the kids and GP's with us, it works really well. I've put about 2,500 miles on it since January and am happy with how it handles in the snow, on ice, and general in town and freeway traffic. |
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That's a sweet Tundra. My next truck will definitely be a 4x4 CrewMax. If you don't need the extra capability, then a big V8 4x4 is a waste. I tend to buy used quality 4x4s because I find they last much longer than comparably priced newer cars. But I also tow things offroad. I would just stay away from some of these newer FWD SUV things because they will be a bitch to maintain once they get up in the miles. Seems like the auto makers these days are more concerned with turning out vehicles with the newest electronic feature, rather than making something that is reliable past 100k miles. Replacing on board computers and transmissions at 75k is not my cup of tea. I drive cars until they literally fall apart. If you are the type of person that trades vehicle every 3 or 4 years, you will probably be fine though. My buddy has a Traverse, and it is a very nice car on the inside.
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Get a used LandCruiser. Last 300,000 miles, and you won't feel like you've traded in your man card. Honorable mention for 7.3L Excursion or 2500 Suburban. Brand new cars are for suckers and people who are too concerned about impressing the neighbors. Have you noticed the price of gas lately? I don't need a huge SUV, although if I had the money a Yukon XL would be on the list. I'm trying to be reasonable here and something around $30k is as reasonable as I want to go. FWIW- I drove this: http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h183/bwheeler111/Truck008.jpg?t=1241943301 before getting the little Mazda. I never used near it's full capability and wouldn't use a 2500 Suburban for all it can do either. |
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When faced with the same dilemma, I purchased a $44K 4Runner. Not sure if I fucked up yet. http://imganuncios.mitula.net/2011_toyota_4runner_limited_classic_silver_metallic_in_des_peres_missouri_93252239306850155.jpg Not trying to be a dick...but, you may have...I feel like I fucked up because my wife and I have 2 cars totaling $50k ($30k and $20k) both are within a year and a half of being paid off now, but I think of all the different things i could have purchased if we just went cheap...it hurts my heart... (I do love 4Runners though, so I can't say I blame you) |
| Here's a thought. Pay 15k for a good condition 02-03 LandCruiser straight up, and don't look back. As long as you keep up on the maintenance, they will literally last forever. The other 15k buys a lot of gas. Most of the big crossover SUVs don't get that much better mileage anyway. I prefer the interior of my 2000 Cruiser to my buddy's 2009 Tahoe. The materials are definitely of higher quality. |
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When faced with the same dilemma, I purchased a $44K 4Runner. Not sure if I fucked up yet. http://imganuncios.mitula.net/2011_toyota_4runner_limited_classic_silver_metallic_in_des_peres_missouri_93252239306850155.jpg $44k! Holy fuck! Congrats to you (seriously). My wife and I do quite well, but I couldn't stomach $44k. I bet it (the car) sure is nice though. |
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RIght now, the wife is driving an extended Navigator. We just go out of an extended Ford equivalent (is that an extended Expedition? I can't remember).
The extended Ford/Lincolns drive very well and are built like tanks. Then again, their fuel economies are on the level with tanks! They have enough seating for five but with enough separation that the three kids aren't homidcidal (or that you aren't suicidal) after a long trip. I'd look at a 2005-2009 Expedition or Navigator (extended version) for your price range. |
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I was in the same spot as you and ended up with an Acadia. I like the styling much more than the Transverse, that Saturn thing or the Enclave. ETA: We get 22/23mpg on the interstate and 25mpg cruising 45-60. I like Acadia a little more than the Traverse, but it seems to be $3k-$4k more for the same comparable trim level. If you don't mind, which trim package did you get and what did you pay for it? |
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My Honda Pilot has three rows (although I admit the third row is somewhat small for trying to fit adults in) But I like it. I haven't priced new ones. I bought mine used. I love my Pilot If my Honda van ever dies, we'll be getting a late model Pilot, they are sweet. |
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Just get the mini-van and be done with it...  This, I am partial to the Chrysler products, and have had very good luck with them, Toyota makes a very reliable minivan as well, although pricey. Honda also makes a minivan, but they have transmission problems as often as Chrysler vans, only twice as expensive to fix. Our current minivan is a 2000 Caravan, we sold a newer, lower mileage Kia Sedona before we bought it, the Kia (which is identical to the Hyundai Entourage) is a flaming POS, don't buy it, don't even think about it. The Dodge has been very reliable, at 140K it is running strong, and has only had a couple of very minor issues. at about 130 I had to replace a front wheel bearing, bought the complete hub with tone ring for $70, slapped it on in about half an hour, the eleven year old Infinity speakers are about shot, debating replacing them with good speakers on such an old car. |
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 That's no so bad for the first flaming of the thread. Fuggin' Flamer The obvious would be stop humping out so many babies and ..... 
I'm breeding conservative, gun loving children here to counteract the libtards and ghetto rats that are growing exponentially. And you think that's funny!!!! What are you doing to save our cause? Now make me feel better and tell me the Tra"Hussein"verse is a good car. |
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Here you go!!!! you can have a tribe of 8 if you want!!!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b96/leondana/d80eb42d.jpg I wish that Ford would being that back with the new EcoBoost. Expedition EL is the same size of the Excursion, just has 1/2 ton frame and driveline instead of 3/4. I'm looking for a 7.3L Excursion now, and I can't find any that haven't been beat to hell. Now if Ford would put a 3/4 ton driveline in the Expedition EL with the new 6.7L Scorpion.......... excuse me I came a little. 
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Bonanza? |