I already have a Forester here in the UK and I agree with your comments, however it's just not big enough.... It's *just* big enough at the moment, with one kid, but we're planning on more (nature willing) once we get to Canada. I need the seat pushed all the way back, would be unworkable with 2 child seats in the back and that leaves no room to cart around visitors either....

I have thought about a larger SUV, but again, not sure what....

Go wild and get yourself a Dodge Durango Hemi 5.7L. Fantastic vehicle, although not very PC!

If you could get one for $12K I probably would!

Once gas hits five bucks a gallon you'll easily get one for twelve grand.

We cart two kids (2&5) around in a legacy (4 door)...not bigger in the back than a forester. We also have a 2008 civic which is big enough at the moment for two kids, and is a great vehicle, and cheap as chips to run. You can lease them for about $300 a month, and the government will throw in $1000 if you dont get the Auto transmission (although that "ecoauto" offer expires soon).

Is it really worth buying more vehicle than you need for the sake of carting occasional visitors around? Just renting a van when you need one might be more cost effective, and certainly more fun to drive around day to day.

Repairs on "imports" are not all that much more expensive, and tend to be less frequent. What does consumer reports have to say about the different models...they are reporting on a much larger volume of vehicles than single case anecdotal evidence.

I don't think this holds for Hondas. Each time the Element needs servicing it's two days and $800; twice as long and three times as much as the Mustang.

I tabled that argument with the wife - we're effectively funding visitors trips over when they could hire a car themselves

On the other hand, a van would be useful on occasions, but as you say, one could be rented.

Either you're really short, or there must be more room in the back of a Legacy - my seat just about touches the back seat in a forester.... A rear facing child seat when he was smaller was no go and his front facing seat means that either his legs would be squashed or I'd have to move my seat forward.... Hence his seat goes behind the wife and she has to move her seat forward....

EDIT: here's a pic to illustrate - http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...4&id=749945111

Ive got the seat all the way back.... Buy a legacy then...you can have mine for $6k (And my upholstery isnt hideous ) With the "full" car seat in there is the occasional kick from behind, but the booster for the older one is fine. Besides, people pay a fortune for a Mercedes with the shiatsu massage seat feature, which is basically the same thing isn't it

Wouldnt know, Ive had no problems with my Honda...but then it only has 6k on it. My friends Oddessy has over 100k and also has had no issues. Maybe its just the Element (wasnt is designed in California...???)

Swap you it for a Forester....

I hear its hard to fit the kids in...

QED

Hi G77

I know Dodges often get a bad press, but I've just recently bought a Grand Caravan Stow & Go, the SE spec model (DVD player etc.)

Don't know what the 'new' price would, but mine was 9 months old with 30k kms and I paid $17k. Still under warranty etc.

I reckon for $12k you should be able to get a 2005 or 2006 Caravan if you so wished. The Stow & Go seating is great - I had all the seats down completely flat (in 2 minutes) and was able to get mattresses etc in the back no problem.

Seem to be getting mid-20s mpg too (imperial gallons!) which isn't too bad for a 3.3 engine.

Canadian Driver has good used review summaries;

Caravan; http://www.canadiandriver.com/articl...caravan_tc.htm

Oddessy; http://www.canadiandriver.com/roadtest/99-04odyssey.htm

Index; http://www.canadiandriver.com/used.htm


Couple of other links that might be usefull...
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/car...er-miniva.html
http://www.cars.com/go/crp/buyingGui...rer=&year=2006

I test-drove a Caravan, a Quest, a Sienna, and an Odyssey when we were in the market for a van on arrival (ended up leasing an Odyssey). Having been used to European handling (we'd owned a succession of VWs, Peugeots and Citroens, ending up with a Picasso, in the UK) I found the Caravan's rear beam axle and leaf springs just scary to drive... I could feel the whole rear end jumping around over expansion joints and uneven surfaces. Sure, trading up to the Chrysler model (TOwn & Country? Voyager?) would get you some better interior bells & whistles than the Dodge for your money, but I'd rather pay the premium for something that doesn't rely on 1890s suspension geometry. I guess on Ontario's roads, with not too many twisty bits, it may not matter too much, but the engineer in me just wouldn't go for it. The world has moved on.

Another point in favour of the Odyssey is (up the list from the base model, at least) its engine management system - iVTEC cuts out three of the six cylinders when up to temperature and not under load, which makes an enormous difference to highway mileage. On a long run in summertime I get well over 35mpg imperial, or 30 mpg US, or (hope you're listening, dbd...) about 7.8l/100km, pretty close to the manufacturer's published figures. Not bad for two tons of bus....