Majj

Anyone able to provide some input into which family car I could consider buying. Family of 4 just doing average stuff.

At the moment there is so much choice for example, the Lincoln Navigator, Nissan Murano, Chevrolet Trailblazer or could just for a Ford Taurus although these seem to be a bit plasticy on the inside.

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Thanks.

Ray

Depends where you are going!!
Do you really need a SUV ...

What do you drive now ?

Majj

Thanks for the reply. Obviously trying to take into account long journeys and therefore would want something solid. At the moment we have an Nissan Almero Tino and I have just got rid of my Ford Scorpio. My wife prefers the higher platform of the MPV/SUV. I would probably be happy with a Toyota Camry myself, but would like to just compare against an SUV.

Ray

SUV .. are gas guzzling...top heavy... and not particularly safe
Go for the Camry ....

Majj

Many thanks for your input!

Dan725

And Dodge Ram's with 5.7 litre HEMIs are not eh Ray

Ray

AH !!! but I'm not a family of four ....

Dan725

I'd say it depends on how much space you want/need. Your list was very diverse - From Lincoln Navigator to Camry. If you got a smaller or midsize SUV, you might find the gas mileage acceptable. Things like the Nissan Murano/Mazda CX-7/Mitsubishi Endeavor offer a decent car/SUV compromise -they drive like cars, not so lumbering as traditional SUV's and you can get plenty in - maybe one of these would be a good bet for you between what you want and your wife?

As far as econo cars go, we've got a Mazda 3S hatch and love it; good fuel economy but a quick little car and nice interior; reminds me of when I was 19 with my 205Gti.

Dan725

True The only "Kids" you need to carry are all those guns in the back box

AmerLisa

Very true! That's why we drive a minivan. It sits higher than a car and drives well, safer than a SUV and better gas mileage as well.

Maz

I recently got a 2005 Ford Focus SES. Dead nice it is. No reason to get an SUV unless you're going to actually go off-roading. Too many of those things clogging up the regular roads anyway. My gas mileage is great. Wouldn't change a thing about it.

Pony

http://www.consumerreports.org:80/cro/cars/index.htm

If your buying new, then I recommend you pay the $12 to get the full report on the car from Consumer Reports. It lists exactly what the dealer paid, including a full break down of what the dealer paid for the extra's they load them with to confuse the average buyer.

The FIL just bought a Toyota Camry and loves it, he got the report and saved a couple of thousand dollars off the ticket price.

joto

What about a Subaru Forester or Outback. 4 wheel drive and reasonable mileage. Hubby recently got a Ford 500, solid car, 4 wheel drive and got a good safety report.

Duncan Roberts

Agreed, especially in manual. Or the 6 if you want a little more room.

Majj

Yeah, I've had a look at the Ford 500, it's look like our Mondeo, I guess it might be a bit bigger.