My wife has been driving around the Murano by Nissan for the last year, but we have outgrown it. I have 2 children now and my wife carpools 4 kids back and forth to school. She cant get all the kids and the stroller and the baby and all the other **** she totes around in it. Initially I was the one that picked the Murano and she never really liked it that much...at least thats what she tells me now...i guess it didnt help when I came home in the cayman...[img]/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/embaressed_smile.gif[/img]. She wants to get a vehicle with a third row seat that still gives some cargo space behind them. My wife is a great mom...but she refueses to let her vehicle label her as such. She has an aversion to minivans and stationwagons..which doesnt help our situation. I love the volvo V70R and the Honda Passport (oops...correction...I meant Odyssey)....but they are a big no go....so.......


We are looking for space, reliability, comfort, bang fo the buck...etc. I would rather pay extra now for a vehicle that is more enviornmentally friendly and economical in the fuel dept. (if thats possible!...my wife drives around all day long....) I know some of you have similar family situations and have gone through the same dillema. Of course you all have wonderful taste in automobiles..[img]/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/wink_smile.gif[/img]...so I know this is a great place to ask for advice. Help a brother out....any positive input is appreciated!


Thanks much..

Edited by - RedRocket on 05/28/2006 08:10:11 AM

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My Cayman may be gone...but not forgotten.

You don't need an SUV, you need a mini-van. So I put down 'other'. I would suggest the new Honda Odyssey, the EX-L or Touring models with Navigation and rear seat entertainment system (best currently offered in any vehicle). The ride feels like a BMW sedan and the engine shuts down 3 cylinders in cruise mode. Although we average 18-20mpg around town, on the highway we can get 25-27 when set on cruise and driving long distances. Getting kids/cargo in and out couldn't be easier (no door to swing open in a crowded supermarket parking lot) and there is tons of storage, below floor carousel, 3rd row fold flat seating, etc. The Touring model comes with automatic hatch, run flat tires (Michelin PAX) and a number of other goodies. I was never a 'van guy' before this van, in fact I swore off them, swore I would never own one. Now that we do I'd never go back, too convenient, too practical, too cool with all the features it has! Oh and it makes a great track support vehicle to carry wheels/tires/etc.

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K-Man S

My wife loves her Toyota Sienna, I realize your wife and minivans do not mix.


When I visit construction sites with no roads I go ina Toyota 4 Rummer 4wd. It is available with a third row seat, but when you use it you loose most the cargo area. I specifically did not want the trird row seat, but that is just me. A friend of mine has a Toyota Sequoia, it is even bigger.


You can not avoid the laws of Physics. The larger and heavier the car the more fuel it uses, and the more powerfull the car is the more fuel it uses.


If it was me I would ivestigate the newer Diesels, ( no experience with them). Another alternative is to buy a lightly used large SUV,(they are being let go cheap)and consider the savings a downpayment on the $60 to $100 bills at the pump.


Whatever you do make sure your wife is involved from the begining. There is no right answer, so the right answer is the one she likes.


Good luck

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Having fun in Puerto Rico

Any views on the Cayenne S ??


I may be in the market for one towards the end of the year when our little one arrives [img]/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/regular_smile.gif[/img]

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Sj.

I love the Q7. Having said that, the new Mazda CX-7 looks like great value.

The difference between the Toyota 4 Runner and the Lexus GX470 are purely cosmetics. Drive the V6 version and compare it with the V8 4 runner or Lexus Gx470. I do not know if you can tell the difference between the V8's except for the trim level, and the V6 is almost as good . Neither is going to be a sports car, I like my V6 4Runer.


I will second K-Man S what you need is a Minivan.

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Having fun in Puerto Rico

We have a GX470. Gets remarkably good mileage and is trouble free. Has a terrific sound system as well. That said the Audi wagons are on the radar for the next trade.

Hey RedRocket I voted for the Audi Q7. Yesterday I attended the Audi Streets of Tomorrow event and the Q7 was spectacular. It has a beautiful interior and drives like a car not an SUV. I really like this SUV.

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Tomas Prado

K-Man S....i said Passport in my original post...I meant Odyssey. One of my employees has a loaded 2006 Odyssey and it is right on. I love it...but....my wife has an aversion to vans. I know...it doesnt even look like a van. I cant tell you how many arguments we have been in over it. ah well....sometimes you have to pick your battles.


sjagota...the Cayanne....ugghhh. drives well and its got guts, but poorly appointed, unimpressive fit and finish, and things just aren't in the right spots. I drove one as a loaner and was utterly unimpressed. Definitely not crazy about the looks either...just my 2cents. More importantly it doesnt have 3rd row seating...which is key.


WAY, SF, and tomasp77....the Audi is my pick of the litter...i already went to the dealership and looked at it. it is sweet..inside and out. Unfortunately I have a feeling my wife...who hasnt seen one up close yet...is gonna think it looks 'to much like a bubble'. i guess we will see.


So far she favors the Lexus...she has liked it ever since it came out. Weactually have the Mercedes at homeright now...they gave it to me for the weekend....kind of a boat, and from what i have read...reliability may bean issue. anyway....thanks for all chiming in.

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My Cayman may be gone...but not forgotten.

Had a CayenneS for 3 years and LOVED it. Good thing they come with a warranty though...

Red Rocket, how about Mercedes R-class? I like it better than the GL for sure. It is also very nicely appointed and built, at least theR500 I have seen here in Australia.

Hey RR ... I have had a Volvo XC 90 for about 3 years now and we love it. It's my wife's daily drive ... we have 3 kids (1 baby age, so we have the stroller + car seat thing going on too) and often others join in. It's a breeze to convert seats in the third row which easily carry 2 kids, but I have also ridden in the back and it's fine for around town drives.


I initally chose it when we moved back from Europe in 2003, and my wife was looking for something roomy ... aka minivan. Not relishing the thought of a minivan for the family vacation car as well, I checked into 7 seaters, and it was down to the Acura MDX or the Volvo. The Volvo had just launched in Holland, so I got a chance to take a look there and drive it as well. Lucky for me I could buy in the U.S. and avoid the 1yr waitlist in Holland at the time!


As well, the vehicle has unbelievable cargo space and great width/length dimensions... I have hauled an antique stove in there, full-length wall standards, etc.


I also got the chance to go to Foxboro stadium and drive the XC 90s as part of a Volvo / Skip Barber driving school day and was very impressed with just how hard the car can be driven (including the 'moose test') without fear of a rollover ... can't say I would have ever tried those moves in a Ford Explorer.


Anyway, I know you said the V70R was a no-no, but maybe you would consider this model. If so, just let me know if you would like more info or thoughts on certain aspects of the vehicle.