kopy_kat Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 i don't like the pseudo SUV's.. RAV4, CRV, etc.. they are just taller w/ a tad bigger trunk space than their sedan sibling... if trunk space is important to you, i like the Outback from your list.. though i think the car can be a tad wider and longer. if SUV is your thing, go look at the Highlander while you are looking at the RAV4.. it is around 4-5k more.. but all around more 'utilitarian' car. anyways, that's my $0.10.. (the market is killing me!!).. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxerGT2.5 Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x26/DickDastardly00/Lukeandstocking.jpg You have porn on the tube behind you or something? OBAMA......One Big Ass Mistake America! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdisco Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 If you have a couple kids, and take long trips together as a family, you'll need a full-sized SUV (ie: Acura MDX-sized) or a minivan. The wife is on her second MDX mommymobile its an 06. The down side its not cheap $36k+, 18.5 mpg downhill with the wind. Plus side "its not a minivan" so I can drive it without turning in my man card, 2nd row is roomy for 2 kid seats + mom-in-law, can count the # of times we have use the 3rd row on one hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DickDastardly00 Posted January 23, 2008 Author Share Posted January 23, 2008 You have porn on the tube behind you or something? No man , it was Christmas morning, we all just woke up and I was trying to get a shot of Luke with his stocking and his name at the top. ♪Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; None but ourselves can free our minds.♫ -Bob Marley, Redemption Song Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gire Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 The wife is on her second MDX mommymobile its an 06. The down side its not cheap $36k+, 18.5 mpg downhill with the wind. Plus side "its not a minivan" so I can drive it without turning in my man card, 2nd row is roomy for 2 kid seats + mom-in-law, can count the # of times we have use the 3rd row on one hand. my step dad drives one. Great vehicle. I drive it all the time. brutal city-driven gas mileage though... He too has popped up the 3rd row about twice the whole time he's owned it. As a 5 seater, it really works well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLegacy99 Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 My boss has an '03 MDX. The exterior is still nice, but the interior doesn't seem to be holding up that well. And the gas mileage is atrocious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DickDastardly00 Posted January 23, 2008 Author Share Posted January 23, 2008 I like the MDX, it's just out of our budget range for now. Honestly I would probably buy a 08 Tribeca over a MDX though. I think the Tribeca is a better value for the money, plus they drive great and have a nice interior. ♪Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; None but ourselves can free our minds.♫ -Bob Marley, Redemption Song Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meltdown07 Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 I would love nothing more than to buy a 2007 Impreza Wagon, but in the past she wouldn't go for it (maybe I'll have better luck this time). Is that really any bigger than the Mazda 3 hatch? Doesnt sound to me like the Impreza hatch is solving your core problem there. Go Cardinals! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gire Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 ^^^ Agreed. A legacy wagon won't help either. I maxed mine out with two kids on road trips last year. This is with a ski box on the roof too... A CRV-sized truck wouldn't be any better in my mind, you need to step up and get a truck or a minivan! See yourself in 5 years and plan accordingly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdw Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Even with only one kid, you need to consider how well a forward facing child seat will fit in the 2nd row. Ideally, if there's one kid, he should be in the middle of the second row. I have an 05 LGT wagon so basically the same as a new Outback. A Britax Roundabout fits pretty well in the middle 2nd row position and my daughter is comfortable even though I have the driver's seat all the way back. The problem is I have cloth seats and her shoes were a bit hard on the shoulder area of the two front seats and the cloth is starting to pill a bit. Plus, the car gets really full if we go on a week vacation to the beach or wherever. The solution for us was a 2008 Highlander Sport and it's great. A base 08 Highlander may be in your budget but otherwise, consider something like a Tribeca or a RAV4 or CRV. All three are very good vehicles. The Outback is just a bit tight interior wise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DickDastardly00 Posted January 23, 2008 Author Share Posted January 23, 2008 Is that really any bigger than the Mazda 3 hatch? Doesnt sound to me like the Impreza hatch is solving your core problem there. The Impreza has a bigger trunk, but that's it. We could technically make something like that work, but an Outback would be much better all the way around. That's why I'm not including the Impreza on my testdrive list. ♪Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; None but ourselves can free our minds.♫ -Bob Marley, Redemption Song Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DickDastardly00 Posted January 23, 2008 Author Share Posted January 23, 2008 Even with only one kid, you need to consider how well a forward facing child seat will fit in the 2nd row. Ideally, if there's one kid, he should be in the middle of the second row. I have an 05 LGT wagon so basically the same as a new Outback. A Britax Roundabout fits pretty well in the middle 2nd row position and my daughter is comfortable even though I have the driver's seat all the way back. The problem is I have cloth seats and her shoes were a bit hard on the shoulder area of the two front seats and the cloth is starting to pill a bit. Plus, the car gets really full if we go on a week vacation to the beach or wherever. The solution for us was a 2008 Highlander Sport and it's great. A base 08 Highlander may be in your budget but otherwise, consider something like a Tribeca or a RAV4 or CRV. All three are very good vehicles. The Outback is just a bit tight interior wise. I would love a Tribeca, but she wants to stay at $25K or under and keep our payment around $288 (that's what the Mazda is now). I will take a look at the base model Highlander though, that's an idea. I've always liked the looks of them. With our income, we could easily afford to spend more, but we are pretty conservative with our spending overall. Here is my new tenative testdrive list: Toyota Rav4 V6 Toyota Highlander (base model) 2007 Outback Limited Honda CRV ♪Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; None but ourselves can free our minds.♫ -Bob Marley, Redemption Song Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meltdown07 Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 I drove the Rav4 V6 AWD and like it, for what its worth. Go Cardinals! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DickDastardly00 Posted January 23, 2008 Author Share Posted January 23, 2008 Meltdown, from what I've seen of the newer RAV4's, I like them a lot better than the older ones. The seem a lot roomier, and have a bigger cargo area. I think I read somehwere that the extended the length the last time they did the redesign. Plus I think they look nicer now too. ♪Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; None but ourselves can free our minds.♫ -Bob Marley, Redemption Song Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxerGT2.5 Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 No man , it was Christmas morning, we all just woke up and I was trying to get a shot of Luke with his stocking and his name at the top. Just saying, Jr looks like he's getting an eyeful of something and liking it alot. OBAMA......One Big Ass Mistake America! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DickDastardly00 Posted January 23, 2008 Author Share Posted January 23, 2008 Nah, he's just smiling at daddy:lol: probably because I was making faces at him to get a smile. The kids is enthralled by football though, sit him in front of a game and you won't hear a peep out of him for several hours. I've never seen a more content baby lol. ♪Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; None but ourselves can free our minds.♫ -Bob Marley, Redemption Song Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLegacy99 Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 I say forget all of these and get an S5. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meltdown07 Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Meltdown, from what I've seen of the newer RAV4's, I like them a lot better than the older ones. The seem a lot roomier, and have a bigger cargo area. I think I read somehwere that the extended the length the last time they did the redesign. Plus I think they look nicer now too. They definitely did expand them. Its a much bigger SUV than the older models with rather nice interior appointments for something in its class, but its not so huge that is cumbersome or a gas guzzler. I was impressed with it, and almost chose it over the LGT, just to have something to more easily carry all my band gear around in (guitar amps, pedals, guitars, etc). Sometimes I still wish I would have purchased the RAV instead, but ultimately the turbo won me over. Definitely give it a try! Let us know what you think. On another note, my girlfriend loves the EDGE too, and wants one of those when she's done with her PhD. Go Cardinals! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DickDastardly00 Posted January 23, 2008 Author Share Posted January 23, 2008 Meltdown, I know what you mean about hauling gear around. That's why I loved my 1997 Outback Sport for so many years (Bought it in 97, traded it in 05 for the LGT), that thing could haul a lot of gear with the rear seats folded down. I could fit 4 guitars, two amps, a full sized keyboard, pedals, and a gigbag in that thing. God I love hatchbacks for that reason. Even the 2000 Celica that my wife traded in for the Mazda had a decent sized cargo capacity compared to the new Mazda. I fit a 42" Sharp Aquos (new in the box) in that Celica with no problems last year. I like the Mazda, I really do, but you take one look that trunk and tell me it's not the size of an Exotic sports car's trunk; it's just dinky lol. Other than that, the trim is nice, it has almost every option that My LGT limited has (everthing except the butt warmers), but I have to admit, the Bose system in that Mazda is way better than my LGT's stereo. I think it's one of the best stock stereos I've ever heard. Like I said earlier, it's a great car for a young adult, but it just doesn't fit our needs right now. I will definitley give the RAV4 a try. Her dad is coming into town on Saturday, and we will probably spend some of the day test driving cars (you have to know her dad, he could spend all day testdriving vehicles; he's the biggest car nut I've ever met). ♪Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; None but ourselves can free our minds.♫ -Bob Marley, Redemption Song Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sactojesse Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 You haven't mentioned AWD as a criterion. If AWD isn't necessary, then the Mazda 5 might fit the bill. It's a FWD wagon, but w/ minivan like sliding doors. And it gets good gas mileage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DickDastardly00 Posted January 23, 2008 Author Share Posted January 23, 2008 You haven't mentioned AWD as a criterion. If AWD isn't necessary, then the Mazda 5 might fit the bill. It's a FWD wagon, but w/ minivan like sliding doors. And it gets good gas mileage. AWD is not an absolute must, but it would have a huge advantage over a FWD car. My Wife has only owned FWD and RWD cars in her life, but she loves the way Subarus handle in severe weather. AWD is a huge selling point for her right now. We did test drive the Mazda 5 last year, and we both liked it. The only drawback for us was the center console between the two back seats didn't allow for a rear-facing car seat to be placed right in the middle. The middle of a back seat is the safest place to put a car seat, and because there was a console there, the carseat couldn't be mounted in the middle. Other than that, I really liked it. ♪Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; None but ourselves can free our minds.♫ -Bob Marley, Redemption Song Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IwannaSportSedan Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Passenger side rear isn't as ideal as middle, but probably still somewhat workable, especially with a curtain airbag equipped vehicle. And it will handle and move a lot like the Mazda 3, which it basically is, with a slightly bigger body, and sliding doors. If Mazda would get up the gumption to even put Haldex and a turbo into the 5 and make it a Mazdaspeed5, like the mazdaspeed6, I think that would be a fun little hauler. The 08 mazda 5 got a slight interior makeover, but I am not sure if there is a center 2-nd row seat. Most minivans with two captains chairs in the second row don't have a center seat, anyway, unless the child seat is all the way on the back bench, which is pretty far away from the front passenger seat for attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DickDastardly00 Posted January 24, 2008 Author Share Posted January 24, 2008 Passenger side rear isn't as ideal as middle, but probably still somewhat workable, especially with a curtain airbag equipped vehicle. And it will handle and move a lot like the Mazda 3, which it basically is, with a slightly bigger body, and sliding doors. If Mazda would get up the gumption to even put Haldex and a turbo into the 5 and make it a Mazdaspeed5, like the mazdaspeed6, I think that would be a fun little hauler. The 08 mazda 5 got a slight interior makeover, but I am not sure if there is a center 2-nd row seat. Most minivans with two captains chairs in the second row don't have a center seat, anyway, unless the child seat is all the way on the back bench, which is pretty far away from the front passenger seat for attention. We really gave the Mazda 5 a hard look last year, but she fell in love with the Mazda 3 instead. It really is good looking minivan-esque vehicle. ♪Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; None but ourselves can free our minds.♫ -Bob Marley, Redemption Song Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdw Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 I would love a Tribeca, but she wants to stay at $25K or under and keep our payment around $288 (that's what the Mazda is now). I will take a look at the base model Highlander though, that's an idea. I've always liked the looks of them. With our income, we could easily afford to spend more, but we are pretty conservative with our spending overall. Here is my new tenative testdrive list: Toyota Rav4 V6 Toyota Highlander (base model) 2007 Outback Limited Honda CRV You might find some leftover '07 Tribecas still around. You can also get good deals on Pilots but I'm not a huge fan of them. The design is really old at this point. On the Highlander base, you're going to be heavily negotiating to get that price but I think it's worth a try. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DickDastardly00 Posted January 24, 2008 Author Share Posted January 24, 2008 Did they change the tail lights on the Tribecas in 2007 or was it on the 2008's? I forget.... ♪Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; None but ourselves can free our minds.♫ -Bob Marley, Redemption Song Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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