PaulK

What year was your LR3?

SpoogleDrummer

If I had to have a van I'd want a Mitsubishi Delicia, but it would be a bugger to get one in the US.

Jerseygirl

2007.

IPM

We have an Odyssey. No problems to date.

Low on style but a practical vehicle for children, other peoples' children, visits from in-laws, road trips and even tailgating. I get around 350-380 miles a tank. $20k should get you one with about 40,000-50,000 miles.

We looked at Volvo XC90 and Toyota Highlander, but thought the third row was a bit of a token gesture.

To compensate for lack of style noted above, we're about to order a Mini John Cooper Works for a bit of fun.

GeoffM

More ideas! Thanks.

S Folinsky

Btw, it pays to remember that model names can differ a lot between countries. There is a lot of "badge engineering" going on.

For example, last summer we rented a Mitsubishi "Nativa" in Costa Rica. It is marketed as a "Pajero" in Europe and "Montero" in the US. [The Nativa was also a diesel with a manual transmission, neither of which is available in the US].

The badge can also extend to "make" of the car -- the "Skoda Octavia" wagon ["estate car" in UK English] was sold in the US only as a VW Jetta.

Bob

Reminds me of the Mazda MX5/Miata/Eunos...now there was a fun little car

jukes

Does it have room for a childs pushchair and medium size dog? It sounds interesting as we will need a 6 seater that is not too expensive to buy or insure. How is it on mountain roads, we will be in western north carolina, but driving around Asheville city day to day. Thanks

HDWill

They named a car "Pajero" in Europe? That means "wanker" in Spanish.

hobbes79

If you need all 6 seats all the time, then it basically has no room in the trunk for a push chair and/or dog. You may be able to get creative to get the push chair in, but the dog probably won't happen. The slight problem is, the third row of seats that pops up basically consumes the entire trunk.

We have 2 kids, so rarely use the third row. So we have a massive trunk most of the time but have the extra seating if needed. But not at the same time...

When I read reviews, they said it's the perfect car 99% of the time... and I'd say that sums it up! For me it's great, but say 5 people want to jump in, I've lost half the trunk.

Pics below illustrate my point:





So long story short, if you need all 6 seats a lot, it may not be the ideal car for you.

The engine is 2.4L and has some reasonable get up and go. It's pretty sporty and has good handling - it's basically a Mazda 3 with a big back end. It's quite a fun car to drive.

The latest has a 5-speed auto, which helps on hills too.

S Folinsky

My understanding was that it was named after a feline native to South America.

In the early 90's I traveled to Korea several times and was amused by a Daewoo model called the "Espero." There is the apocryphal tale of when the "Chevy II" was renamed the "Nova" that sales tanked in Latin America. [I understand that Chevy II would be pronounced in English in Spanish speaking countries so it became a very friendly "ChevyTu."] When I started driving, gringos were advised never to put Pemex gasoline from the "Nova" pump into any vehicle sold in the US.

jukes

We need 5 seats most of the time and 6 seats sometimes. 'We' are myself, husband, 8 year old, 5 year old and soon a baby. No.6 is my mom who doesn't drive and sometimes comes out with us!
thanks

hobbes79

So most of the time you'd have half the trunk, which is still quite a lot. Probably worth a test drive - bring the push chair along

Good luck

GeoffM

I've narrowed it down to a few models that are available on the Autosource program (there are benefits there which I like; a new car is an additional bonus!) - and which we can afford. Some have already been mentioned here:
- Dodge Grand Caravan
- Ford Escape
- Ford Edge (pushing our 30k budget)
Also possible a Nissan Xterra but there is a >3 month waiting period. Town And Country look nice but slightly over budget. Jeep are reasonably priced but ugly AFAIC. Basic finance deal is 20% down and 3 or 5 year options. The price seems to work out slightly cheaper than if going to the manufacturer's own websites and using "build my car". In most cases Autosource can get what you want built but sometimes they only have what they have in stock - like just one Ford Escape left - end of year, winding down that particular model apparently.

Oh, and original requirement for a 6+ seater was actually just a "big car", in particular wife wants to sit up high and look over the top of cars in front (well, a bit higher anyway).

lansbury

I guess if you don't like the design of the Jeeps that rules them out. Will say I got a Grand Cherokee from Autosource December 2006 and it is still in my garage. Best vehicle I've ever owned.