Open to vehicle suggestions...

[08MKZ]

Re: Open to vehicle suggestions...

How about the Ford Flex. Sat in one when I picked up the MKZ. If it was in the showroom when I bought it I probably would have gone with that.

[08MKZ]

Re: Open to vehicle suggestions...

Has a low ride height and would make it easy getting the kids in and out.

[onawrxhigh]

Re: Open to vehicle suggestions...

Onawrxhigh,

Thanks you for the thoughts. All good ideas, but I just wanted to give you a tidbit of info... seing that we are both from Jersey with kids.

As of December 1, 2001, New Jersey's child passenger safety law requires:

• Children up to age 8 or 80 pounds must ride in a safety or booster seat in the rear seat of the vehicle. If there is no back seat, the child must sit in the front seat secured by a safety or booster seat.
• Children under age 8 who weigh more than 80 pounds must wear a seat belt anywhere n the vehicle.
• Passengers age 8 to 18 (Regardless of weight) must wear a seat belt anywhere inside the vehicle.

3Fitty,

I forgot about the change. I know with my son he went into a booster seat at age four due to size of him. He is 5 1/2 now and is over sixty pounds and is almost 4 foot tall. He ended up going into a boost seat cause he out grew his safety seat. You may just need to bite that bullet. My wife had a ford freestar mini van and had it only 1 year before we sold it. She like it for the added space but the kids were still packed in the rear seat and no room for a 3rd person to sit due to the seats. Her expedition allows a 3rd person to sit between the 2 seats so it would be able to put a 3rd car seat in that space if necessary.

Andrew

[VoicesInMyHead]

Re: Open to vehicle suggestions...

Also check out the Honda Ridgeline. Awesome Ridgeline Forum. Some of the best safety features around.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Open to vehicle suggestions...

The Ford EDGE has been killing everything in the segment, including the Lexus RS 330!

Don't know size specs for your specific application, but definitely worth a look.

As for the Ford FLEX, at least go take a look at it...it's one hell of a vehicle and has 5 star crash testing in EVERY category- surely that means something for your family hauler.

If you're worried about reliability, don't be...Ford has been doing NOTHING but improving for years...above the industry rates in fact. They are currently tied with Toyota and Honda in reliability.

[jmitch8011]

Re: Open to vehicle suggestions...

H2 or H3 and call it a day. Of course i don't think you will have much money left after filling it up everyday. Honestly, I don't know but Mazda has a minivan/car thing that is pretty sweet. I know vans are out but look for it. Ok I found it but i also found another one too....the mazda cx-9. I actually road in the mazda A5. It might be a fit just right.

[3Fitty]

Re: Open to vehicle suggestions...

Also check out the Honda Ridgeline. Awesome Ridgeline Forum. Some of the best safety features around.

Don't even joke, the Ridgeline is probably her FAVORITE vehicle on the road right now!

[VoicesInMyHead]

Re: Open to vehicle suggestions...

Don't even joke...

Man and a Ridgeline drive into a bar...
Ok, that sounded better amongst myself...

[new2detailing]

Re: Open to vehicle suggestions...

The Acura MDX is essentially a Honda Pilot in disguise which "shutter the thought" is based off of the Honda Odyssey. My wife was dead set against a minivan, one quick drive in a Honda Odyssey changed that perception ( finally sold it 7 years later with 100k trouble free miles). The Subaru Tribeca, Toyota Highlander, and the Mazda 5 are also great vehicles to consider. Congratulations with the new addition.

[brianshaeffer]

Re: Open to vehicle suggestions...

One thing to keep in mind is that most car makers do not want 3 child seats across if the seat is a split folding seat. My Buick Rendezvous is about as wide as an MDX, certainly wide enough for 3 seats. But, there are only 2 sets of anchors. The owner's manual has explicit instructions to not put a child seat across the 2 seat halves in a middle posistion. You could find this to be the case with an MDX or others as well.

[3Fitty]

Re: Open to vehicle suggestions...

I looked at the MDX last night it had restraints for three seats, but that was certainly a concern of mine and one of the reasons I wanted to go look at it.

[Jokeman]

Re: Open to vehicle suggestions...

Jokeman,

Nice find. Never looked at it.

Bigger than the MDX on both specs, cheaper in price, mileage is close, the only thing I worry about is reliability. What do you think?

I have an 02 Silverado. Basically the same motor except the new ones use FlexFuel and have an aluminum block. They are LSx based motors and are virtually indestructible. I have 150,000 miles when I pulled my motor and it was in perfect shape. I did regular oil changes every 3k with Mobil1 and never had a problem.

In 150,000 miles I replaced:
1 u-joint
1 battery
1 alternator
1 slip yoke
and did the brakes at 110,000.

I know a ton of people with these vehicles and I have not heard many complaints about them.

If you do decide to buy one, stay away from the E85, it eats gaskets.

[dvtldav]

Re: Open to vehicle suggestions...

Does this mean that Meguiar's didn't come thru on your last chance offer?

Have looked at the Buick Enclave? I am not sure of the size but it appears to be about the size of some of the other vehicles you have looked at. I have had Buicks for the last 10 years & have had no problems with any of them. The '07 Lucerne I have now is probably one of the best riding & quietest cars I have ever driven. Just a thought.

Dave

[BigLouie]

Re: Open to vehicle suggestions...

I know what you said, but you should at least test the Honda Oddessy. I'm guessing that Mrs. Fitty will be the primary driver? If so, she will love sliding doors and the plethora of cup holders.

If you refuse to test it, then the Pilot/MDX/Highlander are very good options.

[Kooz]

Re: Open to vehicle suggestions...

I know what you said, but you should at least test the Honda Oddessy. I'm guessing that Mrs. Fitty will be the primary driver? If so, she will love sliding doors and the plethora of cup holders.

If you refuse to test it, then the Pilot/MDX/Highlander are very good options.

I have to agree. I was very resistant when Mrs. Kooz bought a minivan this past Spring but now that we have it, it's so nice for kids and such. Eight cupholders, power dual sliding doors, power lift gate, rear thermostat controls, removable seats, etc. What SUV is going to offer all that? We currently have one toddler and two big dogs and the van is a lifesaver for us. It's a Dodge Grand Caravan.

But I still see your point 3Fitty. They're just not as cool SUVs.