Jerseygirl

Had to watch height restrictions in garages/multi story car parks with the Expedition. Parking in many NYC car parks cost an extra $30 (???) for oversized vehicles.

vikingsail

Ford Expedition every time has my vote. I drove the same one for 8 years - no problems, only regular maintenance. Drove it across the US 3 times and from Midwest to West coast multiple times - no problems - road tripped with 4 adults 2 kids plenty of room for luggage ski's etc.

Pulaski

It's a pity Ford no longer makes the Excursion - it was only made for two years and was an SUV body on an F250 chassis. A neighbour still has one, and recently had a new motor put in it.

Jerseygirl

I remember people had problems getting it in their garage...it was too high. It was a little ugly...especially those huge side mirrors. Ford compromised and built the extended Exepedition.

vikingsail

Yes, the Excursion was a nice vehicle but you really had to have a true purpose for it. I think the Expedition does most of what it accomplished but with a degree of comfort. Excursion was truly like driving the oold Tranny's - but you knew you had power and mass on your side

Pulaski

My neighbour uses it for hauling a deep sea fishing boat.

I don't know why he doesn't have a crewcab truck and a gooseneck.
It's the same height and has the same mirrors as my truck, are you calling my truck "ugly"?

ottotheboar

We do run BF Goodrich Mud Terrains on a Rover more your cup of tea ?

Jerseygirl

The pattern of the tread is almost as important as the colour of the car IMO.

S Folinsky

I see the 7 or 8 passenger being a problem. Some friends who had that requirement [3 small children and two domestic workers] and they bought a Honda Oddessy which they drove until [American idiom] the wheels feel off. With kids now grown and a couple of grandchildren, they bought a Honda CR-V -- and hate it due to blind spot.

Subarus are quite good. However, I don't think the Outback can hold as many passengers.

[We were recently in the market for a cross-over with an occasional requirement for visit by our daughter, son-in-law and grandson. We narrowed choice down to Toyota Rav4 and Subaru Forrester. Went with the Toyota but really really liked the Subaru. Price made the difference].

[BTW, we had had a VW SportWagen with the diesel engine. The class-action suit buyback went towards the replacement vehicle].

petitefrancaise

[QUOTE=S Folinsky;12198561]I see the 7 or 8 passenger being a problem. Some friends who had that requirement [3 small children and two domestic workers] and they bought a Honda Oddessy which they drove until [American idiom] the wheels feel off. With kids now grown and a couple of grandchildren, they bought a Honda CR-V -- and hate it due to blind spot.

Yep, that's why I said the odyssey back in post 11.

When we were looking for a car that would seat 3 people comfortably in the first back seat, we came up almost blank. Most US cars have 2 real seats in the back and a small/tiny bit in the middle which is not big enough for an adult sized person.
The SUVs had a configuration of 2/2/2.
The bigger toyota SUVs - think Seqouia have the option for seating 7 and maybe 8. But those things are HUGE!!
Our Toyota 4Runner had a 7 seat option and the middle seat in the middle was a decent size.

Pulaski

Yeah, Sequoias are absolutely MONSTROUS!!! - the Sequoia is a whole 1.7 inches longer than the newly unveiled 2018 Honda Odyssey and a whopping 2.2 inches longer than the outgoing Odyssey.

S Folinsky

[QUOTE=petitefrancaise;12198604] Out running errands today and parked next to a Nissan Armada which had three seats. V8 and probably hungry.

BTW, I would NOT buy a huge vehicle due to relatives visiting from time to time. Car rental is not all that expensive. Also, when we have had large family groups meeting elsewhere, we found it was cheaper and more convenient to rent two sedans rather than one large SUV or van.

S Folinsky

Also, I would think Korean in models to consider -- e.g. Hyundai or Kia.

kins

I agree with this. A friend came to stay last year with her two kids. She didn't want to rent a car and she didn't want to drive mine. So muggins here drove seven people everywhere for two weeks. Never. Again.

Pulaski

They depreciate like a rock, and may be hard to trade later for another brand, especially the Kia.