suggestions for a new car, Please!

[Rose]

Our 2000 Explorer has done well as our 1st family car but at 166,000 miles its starting to get noisy and we fear the end is soon! Any suggestions for a new vehicle? My only want is a 3rd row seat. We have a 4 yo and 7 yo. DH drives a f-150. A third seat would allow us 2 carpool or take my parents w/ us on short trips. Also figuring there will be more room for those occassional long trips by folding down the seat or removing it.Unfortunately DH hates minivans. He is a "more power" kinda guy. Used to have a rx-7 before the girls came along! I however do not want a gas guzzler so weve ruled out the expedition.We live in VA and get the occassional snow so all wheel or 4 wheel is a necessity.Considered a flex but the 1 that gets the best gas milege is out of our price range Desparately need some advice! Thinking we may just have to go w/ an explorer w/ 3rd seat...

[twowhat?]

What's your price range?

[Rose]

Hoping for 25,000 but could do $27,000. Also prefer used since new depriates sooo much so probally a 2008-2010 model...

[JBaxter]

Does your DH's truck have 4wheel drive?

[Rose]

Yes he has 4 wheel drive but we work opposite shifts same days at a TARGET dist. center. They are merciless when it comes to missing any time ): So we each need 1 to get through snow.

[ecofem]

I would go with a used GMC Acadia or Toyota Highlander...............

[bnme]

We love our GMC Envoy. We bought it used and it has been great to us. It is a 2002 we bought in 2005.

[crl]

We love our Ford Flex. The third row is actually roomy enough for me to be comfortable for extended trips--I am 5 ft 7 in tall. And the seats fold completely, truly flat, unlike a lot of minvans and SUVs (this was important to dh for fishing trips where he can drive over the night before, sleep in the Flex and fish in the morning). It has great rear visibility. And just feels very roomy inside.

We bought a 2009 used. 2009 was the first year so there aren't tons of used ones out there, but we were able to find one easily through a local Ford dealer.

They have a huge range of options so the prices vary a lot. And I think some models may even come without AWD? So be careful to check for that on a used one.

Catherine

[AnnieW625]

Hoping for 25,000 but could do $27,000. Also prefer used since new depriates sooo much so probally a 2008-2010 model...

We bought our 2006 Honda Pilot EX-L new for $26,000 (list price was $33,000) we bought it during the model year end clearance so if you can wait until the end of July that might be a good thing. We bought used the online/fleet sales department. You can probably find a 2008 (http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/overview.aspx?year=2008&make=Honda&model=Pilot&icid=search_ecard_blurb) (last year of this body style, which I love compared to the newer body style) for under $20,000 (unless it has really low miles), but a newer 2009 to 2011 model might go for between $20,000 to $25,000 certified by the dealer.

We have the third row in our car, but we have only used it once, but it does have top tethers for carseats so if it's easier to put the kids in the third row with their carseats when you have other adults with you that could be an option too.

[boilermakermom]

We have an '08 Jeep Grand Cherokee which I HATE. (We are tossing around the idea of getting something else b/c the interior room is soo small.)

I would look into the Toyota Highlander or the Toyota 4 Runner. I think the 4 Runner offers 3rd row seating, and they both have 4WD or AWD.

We looked at both, but decided on Jeep since that is all DH has ever owned. (We traded in an '03 Grand Cherokee to buy the current one - DH's 7th Jeep.) We will NEVER again buy a Chrysler product; if that tells you how bad it is.

I agree with your DH - I'm not a minivan lover either. I want something that goes!!!

[Rose]

Thanks for all the ideas ladies! Now I have something to research! Next step... hubbies approval!

[Katigre]

I would look at the Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander. The Pilot seems nicer (also more $$ - but for your price range you can get a newer used model). If you wanted to go less expensive the Mitsubishi Outlander (2007 or 2008) comes with a 3rd row in some models and gets good reviews - you could get one for $15-$17,000 depending on mileage/model.

[liz]

Chevy Traverse? I have the Saturn Outlook (same SUV platform) and I love it. We have 3 rows which fits adults really well, captains chairs in the 2nd, 6 cyl, AWD and lots of trunk room. gl on your search