6+ seater vehicles
#16
Re: 6+ seater vehicles
As a bit of a practical guide. I have a 4.7L Jeep Grand Cherokee here in the US, and when I lived in London I had a 1.6L Rover 200. I would say that the cost of buying gas/petrol once you factor in lower mpg and lower gas prices in the US works out more or less the same here as a I paid in London for the same mileage.
#17
Re: 6+ seater vehicles
I drive a Mazda 5. It's a 6 seater.
It's not huge, but has the seats and can get a filing cabinet in the back with the seats down. Does about 30mpg on the highway.
I like the fact it's not a big car. Has the space when I need it, but can park and doesn't cost a fortune to run.
MSRP is less than $20K brand new with full warranty. Could probably get a better price than that at the dealer.
http://www.edmunds.com/mazda/mazda5/2012/
It's not huge, but has the seats and can get a filing cabinet in the back with the seats down. Does about 30mpg on the highway.
I like the fact it's not a big car. Has the space when I need it, but can park and doesn't cost a fortune to run.
MSRP is less than $20K brand new with full warranty. Could probably get a better price than that at the dealer.
http://www.edmunds.com/mazda/mazda5/2012/
#18
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Northport, New York
Posts: 82
Re: 6+ seater vehicles
Another vote for Mazda- the CX-9 is really nice, great interior with an optional 3rd row for when you need it. Also my boss has the Acura MDX- another one with the optional 3rd row, and a nice all round sporty looking SUV.
#20
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: WA
Posts: 53
Re: 6+ seater vehicles
We've got a 09 Odyssey we're very happy with. It's perfect hauling around visitors, and go shopping when there's only four of us. The average 15mpg could be better, but we've got heavy feet.
#21
Re: 6+ seater vehicles
You can get a good quality "Program" Dodge Grand Caravan for under $20K. The "Stow 'n Go" seating are a big plus for most buyers and they are pretty reliable, too.
Our company has several 2010 models with over 70,000 miles on the clock. No problems, other than routine oil changes.
Jim.
Our company has several 2010 models with over 70,000 miles on the clock. No problems, other than routine oil changes.
Jim.
#22
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 52
Re: 6+ seater vehicles
You can get a good quality "Program" Dodge Grand Caravan for under $20K. The "Stow 'n Go" seating are a big plus for most buyers and they are pretty reliable, too.
Our company has several 2010 models with over 70,000 miles on the clock. No problems, other than routine oil changes.
Jim.
Our company has several 2010 models with over 70,000 miles on the clock. No problems, other than routine oil changes.
Jim.
I have a 2009 Dodge Grand caravan which , when I bought it was 9 months old and it cost 21K. Has electirc doors+ tailgate, stow and go , entertainment system for kids ( good on long trips ). Mechanicaly its fine and its comfortable on long trips. My biggest gripe would be the quality of the trim...its a bit plasticy. We only have two kids but seat them in different rows to stop in car fights
#23
Re: 6+ seater vehicles
I have a 2009 Dodge Grand caravan which , when I bought it was 9 months old and it cost 21K. Has electirc doors+ tailgate, stow and go , entertainment system for kids ( good on long trips ). Mechanicaly its fine and its comfortable on long trips. My biggest gripe would be the quality of the trim...its a bit plasticy. We only have two kids but seat them in different rows to stop in car fights
Jim.
#24
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Herts to CA for nearly 10 years and now MD
Posts: 351
Re: 6+ seater vehicles
The most popular minivans in the US are Toyota Sienna, and the Honda Odyssey, they are also the best rated but generally the most expensive. We have a Kia Sedona, which is built on the same chassis as the Honda but is considerably cheaper it is also pretty safe (top 3) in crash tests.
I'm currently pregnant with twins (boys - aarrgghh) so once I get past Christmas, we'll have to start thinking logistics. 3 pre-schoolers in bulky car seats and a dog just won't fit in our current car options (other car is a VW Jetta TDI). One friend has a land rover which apparently gets three kids car seats in the back seat but I'm scared by the price. We considered the Honda Odyssey but discover that they don't do a 4WD model so that's out. On paper it looks like we'll be getting a Toyota Sienna; if I would let him hubbie would get a Tahoe or Suburban or even a truck in a heartbeat. That's the American in him - the bigger the better and sod the mileage.
#25
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2003
Location: La Grande, Oregon
Posts: 61
Re: 6+ seater vehicles
Land Rover Discovery 3, known here as the 'LR3'. Seats for 7 adults. You might be hard pressed to find a decent one for $20k but my '08 is a fantastic rig. The 4.4 Jag V8 is silky smooth, and it gets 20mpg on the highway.
Plus, it's British.
Plus, it's British.
#27
Re: 6+ seater vehicles
You mention "oomph." Do you mean low speed torque and acceleration or top speed? Hill climbing ability? My wife drives a 2004 BMW 525i with a 2.5 liter engine -- that thing is blindingly fast, but it lacks low speed "oomph."
As noted, the Imperial Gallon is 20% bigger than the US gallon. [Historically speaking, the UK used to have a "wine gallon" and an "ale gallon." In the 19th century, the UK standardised the "ale gallon" as a "gallon, while the former Colonies standardized the "wine gallon" as a "gallon."] So, the mileage of US cars will seem to be lower. [BTW, after one service, my wife told me that after a dealer service the the fuel consumption read-out on the dashboard showed a large decrease in fuel consumption on an MPG basis, but she was buying just as much fuel. We finally figured out that the "I-drive" had been reset to read in imperial gallons.]
#28
Re: 6+ seater vehicles
I had a new LR3 a few years ago...never again. My husband had a new XJ...never again. We've never had so many problems with vehicles as we had with these two. Got rid of both within 2 years.
#29
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: 6+ seater vehicles
I have a F150, room for 6 plus bikes, dogs etc in the back. I have been moving wood, can fit 2/3rds of a cord in there.
Dog actually prefers front passenger seat, can stretch out, only problem is accidental application of door locks or window switches with her muzzle.
Dog actually prefers front passenger seat, can stretch out, only problem is accidental application of door locks or window switches with her muzzle.
#30
Re: 6+ seater vehicles
Jim.