Author Topic: Minivan Alternative (Read 5886 times)

ChikkyMonkey · « **on:** May 18, 2013, 09:46:48 PM »

Anyone have any recommendations for 6-7 pax SUV they use instead of a minivan? Looking for something of equal price...

Anyone have a Highlander? What other options are there?

thanks

cozmohoot · « **Reply #1 on:** May 18, 2013, 09:49:07 PM »

Durango, pilot, traverse.?

EMES · « **Reply #2 on:** May 18, 2013, 10:04:31 PM »

Quote from: ChikkyMonkey on May 18, 2013, 09:46:48 PM

Anyone have any recommendations for 6-7 pax SUV they use instead of a minivan? Looking for something of equal price...

Anyone have a Highlander? What other options are there?

thanks

price wise , if u are leasing a pilot is the best way to go ... But u can prob get a deal on a highlander ...

ChikkyMonkey · « **Reply #3 on:** May 18, 2013, 10:23:03 PM »

I'm looking to buy either new or something not too old... financing not an option as I will be shipping overseas... anyone have any recommendations for a good dealer who will give low price without haggling?

Didn't realize the pilot has 3rd row... anyone have any experience with it?

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with the above mentioned vehicles and care to compare?

Dan · « **Reply #4 on:** May 18, 2013, 10:58:48 PM »

Nothing I've seen offers the convenience of a minivan.
If you use the 3rd row you have no trunk and if it does have a 3rd row and a trunk it's a monstrosity that can't be parked and gets awful gas mileage.

Am I wrong?

Centurion · « **Reply #5 on:** May 18, 2013, 11:00:57 PM »

Quote from: Dan on May 18, 2013, 10:58:48 PM

Nothing I've seen offers the convenience of a minivan.
If you use the 3rd row you have no trunk and if it does have a 3rd row and a trunk it's a monstrosity that can't be parked and gets awful gas mileage.

Am I wrong?

+100
nothing comes close
i either rented or leased every type of car/van in the last 5 years- if you need a minivan there is no other option
closest option would be an old station wagon!

ChikkyMonkey · « **Reply #6 on:** May 18, 2013, 11:03:29 PM »

I agree nothing will give the same storage as minivan... but for where I live I'm more inclined to get an SUV for many reasons..

Wondering of the options out there, which is most spacious?

Upon some more reading I'm seeing the traverse is rated very high...

EMES · « **Reply #7 on:** May 18, 2013, 11:04:22 PM »

Quote from: ChikkyMonkey on May 18, 2013, 10:23:03 PM

I'm looking to buy either new or something not too old... financing not an option as I will be shipping overseas... anyone have any recommendations for a good dealer who will give low price without haggling?

Didn't realize the pilot has 3rd row... anyone have any experience with it?

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with the above mentioned vehicles and care to compare?

maybe look into a for flex should be interesting with decent gas milage

MnM1130 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 18, 2013, 11:20:47 PM »

was gonna say check out the ford flex- ive seen it around and i think its quite nice. dont know anything about it though

bhphotoman · « **Reply #9 on:** May 18, 2013, 11:32:33 PM »

Mazda cx9

SGF · « **Reply #10 on:** May 19, 2013, 01:18:16 AM »

highlander i think is only 5 seater

Traverse/Acadia has no trunk space

Ford explorer?

robi · « **Reply #11 on:** May 19, 2013, 02:22:13 AM »

Quote from: SGF on May 19, 2013, 01:18:16 AM

highlander i think is only 5 seater

Traverse/Acadia has no trunk space

Ford explorer?

highlander is a 7 seater,I have it and love it. but with the 3rd row up there's no trunk. the pilot is bigger and roomier, although it has a pretty rough drive

Ez · « **Reply #12 on:** May 19, 2013, 04:13:51 AM »

Quote from: ChikkyMonkey on May 18, 2013, 11:03:29 PM

Upon some more reading I'm seeing the traverse is rated very high...

+1 on the Traverse.

I personally drive it & although it's not a minivan, I think it's still the closest from all options mentioned above.
it's 3rd row seating is comfortable enough for adults to sit in, and it does have some trunk space (enough to fit a bulky stroller & more).

EMES · « **Reply #13 on:** May 19, 2013, 04:26:11 AM »

Quote from: SGF on May 19, 2013, 01:18:16 AM

highlander i think is only 5 seater

Traverse/Acadia has no trunk space

Ford explorer?

like mentioned before the highlander is a 7 pass,
But I think the ford explorer is a food option as well!
Don't go for the Acadia it's very clumsy .. And do for a style update

SGF · « **Reply #14 on:** May 19, 2013, 08:10:45 AM »

Quote from: Ez on May 19, 2013, 04:13:51 AM

+1 on the Traverse.

I personally drive it & although it's not a minivan, I think it's still the closest from all options mentioned above.
it's 3rd row seating is comfortable enough for adults to sit in, and it does have some trunk space (enough to fit a bulky stroller & more).

Can barely fit 2 large suitcases

whYME · « **Reply #15 on:** May 20, 2013, 12:33:22 PM »

Quote from: Dan on May 18, 2013, 10:58:48 PM

Nothing I've seen offers the convenience of a minivan.
If you use the 3rd row you have no trunk and if it does have a 3rd row and a trunk it's a monstrosity that can't be parked and gets awful gas mileage.

Am I wrong?

Depends on the vehicle.
I have a Seqouia and I would say it's a little harder to park. Most of the time, if I can't fit in a spot, it's also too small for a minivan or full-size car. (a Suburban or Expedition EL is probably a different story...)

Another thing to consider, a large SUV has significantly more seating room than a minivan. My middle row is huge, it can comfortably fit 3 large adults (or 3 big carseats) and my "cramped" 3rd row is probably comparable to the second row of a minivan.

RT · « **Reply #16 on:** May 20, 2013, 12:36:44 PM »

Quote from: Dan on May 18, 2013, 10:58:48 PM

Nothing I've seen offers the convenience of a minivan.
If you use the 3rd row you have no trunk and if it does have a 3rd row and a trunk it's a monstrosity that can't be parked and gets awful gas mileage.

Am I wrong?

The highlander is not that big and I think it has a decent trunk..