Large SUV or Minivan

[LivingAlmostLarge]

So I don't need a new car. But I want one. But more likely this will just be an exercise in thinking. Researching and contemplating new versus used and type. I'm not sure if I'm a minivan person or a big suv. I want something with 3 rows and carries more than 5 people.

Let me have it. Tell me all the pros and cons of each. What am I looking at? All minivans. I'm not sure if I should do used or new. It'll be a car we keep a long time. I haven't kept my car as long as I should. I already feel guilty contemplating getting rid of a 7 year old car. It's barely broken in.

I'm also thinking any SUV with three rows and the ones that come to mind are highlander, acura mdx, honda pilot and not sure whatever else.

This is not a new fetish but it is finally getting more serious contemplation.Tell me what you think and why certain suv or minivans are better than others. Did anything weigh into your decision? If you went used did you get a certain brand or model or just used suv or used minivan?

How long did you use it? What made you pick what you did?

[Jluke]

I bought a new 2014 Honda Pilot (in 2014 obviously ). At the time we had an accord, corolla and grand prix. we got rid of the grand prix. Now we have an accord, RAV4 and Pilot.

I wanted something that the 3 of us could fit in but definitely wanted room to haul bigger items in the back (landscaping supplies, big boxes, etc) and to be able to get everything we needed for vacation.

I just ran the numbers and put down what I needed to so I could get the monthly payment to a reasonable amount.

Buy a new one.

Test drive a minivan and an SUV.

Growing up we always had minivans b/c they could fit people and a lot of stuff (2 adults and 3 kids during the mid-80's to late 90's).

If you're going to get an SUV and use the back row frequently make sure it is easy to get in and out of.

enjoy!

[disneysteve]

We have owned a minivan since 1996. The first one was a Grand Caravan. That was destroyed by a fire caused by a manufacturing defect in 2000. We swore off Chryslers after that. It's been Toyota Siennas ever since. We had a 2000. When that got wrecked in 2002, we replaced it with another 2000. Then we replaced that in 2013 with a 2011 that we have currently. We've been very happy with the Toyotas. If I had to do it again, I'd get another one.

[Thrif-t]

We've had a Honda Odyssey since '09. Before that we had a hand me down conversion van (THOSE WHERE THE BEST!) Looked at the SUV's but wow that back bench is small and no leg room at all for the person sitting back there. AND hardly any storage space in the hatch.

Our Odyssey isn't all that big compared to our conversion van but it had the most room we could find. I didn't look at the Sienna's but I'd imagine they'd be the same.

We have 3 kids and our youngest is a boy who is now at 17, 6'2" and 190# he barely fits in the back bench but that is where he is regulated to go being the baby of the family. As long as he sits in the middle of the bench he can stretch his legs out. Our 2nd row are captain chairs and I wouldn't have anything but those.

If I only had 2 kids an SUV would be fine but with having someone sitting regularly in the 3rd row, the mini van was just the better choice for us. I'm hoping to keep the van another 5 or 6 years and then I'll move down to a small SUV myself.

[Nutria]

Amongst women, SUVs are for vain suburbanites who delude themselves that they are too young/hip to drive alleged Mom-mobiles.

[TexasHusker]

We went through this exercise a number of years ago. My wife said "I will NEVER drive a van."

So we have always stuck with SUVs.

A van is likely the more practical vehicle without a doubt. But Wrangler jeans are likely more practical than Ralph Lauren. Cheerios are likely more practical than Honey Nut. A 5 pound pumpkin for your front porch is likely more practical than a 100 pound pumpkin.

I don't think there is any way to cost justify an SUV. It's just something that you prefer and are willing to pay for it. However, generally speaking, a Toyota or Lexus SUV, as well as Chevy and GMC large SUVs, will hold their value substantially better than almost any other vehicle on the road. That rule will NOT hold true for Mitsu, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Chrysler products, Ford, or Subaru.

Don't ask me why, but that's just the facts.

If you ever want to know what dealers are paying for a later model vehicle of any kind, PM me: I had a car dealership once and still subscribe to the Manheim Auctions site. I can look up what cars of various makes/models are bringing at auction throughout the country, including quite possibly the very one you are looking to buy!

[msomnipotent]

I'm going through this exercise as well. My Subaru is only a 2015, but it just doesn't fit our lifestyle. You would think with only a family of 3, we would have room to spare, but no. It couldn't handle 3 kayaks on the roof without feeling like we were really fighting the wind, so we had to build a custom trailer. Suddenly, towing capacity became an issue. We couldn't fit all that we needed for our camping trips, we got another kayak for the exchange students, then there is the bikes to deal with, etc. Forget about towing our pontoon boat. Another problem that popped up is that my elderly relatives are starting to really depend on me to get them to their appointments and the dog has spinal issues. It is really hard for them to get in and out of a car as small as an Outback. The door openings just seem really small.

I think I'm going with a minivan. As much as I really like the tire clearance and 4 wheel drive handling in the snow (which is the only things I like about the Outback), it seems that getting in and out of the back of a minivan is a lot easier than a car or SUV. We had a Dodge minivan with fold down seats and it was like having a bus and a pick up truck all in one. You also get more towing bang for your buck with a minivan vs an SUV when I priced them out. We drive long distances on vacations and like the "living room on wheels" feel of minivans. From what I haven checked, they seem to get better gas mileage compared to SUV's, too.

My sister and her husband have a Kia Sorrento and a Dodge Durango. Both are very uncomfortable for adults in the 3rd row and two car seats take up 90% of the 2nd row. Not to mention that SUV's are getting uglier every year, at least to me. They look a lot like minivans now.

[Nutria]

We had a Dodge minivan with fold down seats and it was like having a bus and a pick up truck all in one. You also get more towing bang for your buck with a minivan vs an SUV when I priced them out. We drive long distances on vacations and like the "living room on wheels" feel of minivans.

This, in spades.

There were 4 of us evacuating before Katrina, and with the rear bench folded flat, plus the compartments where the middle seats go when they're folded flat, we could fit a ton of food, water, fuel cans, clothing, memorabilia, computers, etc in the van.

[TexasHusker]

Not to mention that SUV's are getting uglier every year, at least to me. They look a lot like minivans now.

[Nutria]

That doesn't look like a minivan...

[msomnipotent]

I think that was his point. I love the color, the towing capacity, and the fuel economy. I can pass on the $87,000 base price, though.

[Nutria]

I think that was his point. I love the color, the towing capacity, and the fuel economy. I can pass on the $87,000 base price, though.

I think there are ones cheaper than Range Rover...

[TexasHusker]

I think that was his point. I love the color, the towing capacity, and the fuel economy. I can pass on the $87,000 base price, though.

best looking mini van I ever saw!

[Nutria]

best looking mini van I ever saw!

Most horrible minivan ever. No side sliding doors, and not much cargo space when seating 7.

[TexasHusker]

Most horrible minivan ever. No side sliding doors, and not much cargo space when seating 7.

I didn't claim it was practical!