Need new kiddie hauler

Need some recommendations on a new kiddie hauler.

Requirements:

Must haul more than 5 people. (Rules out most cars)
Good highway comfort
Good gas mileage
Cheaper the better ($20k-ish?)

I'd like a minivan. Say what you want but they are the best at hauling people. Most comfort, good mileage, car-like handling etc...

However, since the wifey will be driving it, I'm having a tough time selling the idea.

She wants an SUV :ncool: or a four-door pickup. She also is open to a wagon but I don't think they hold more than 5. (Mazda 6, Volvo, etc...)

I hate minivans but the Mazda 5 does'nt look too bad...
http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_sh...4/0411_mazda5/
http://www.automobilemag.com/2006_new_cars/0411_mazda5/

PM sent regarding the 2000 MPV sitting in my driveway.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Titus

PM sent regarding the 2000 MPV sitting in my driveway.

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I like the MPV's. We almost bought on a few years ago before we bought a FULL SIZE :razz: hightop conversion van.

I say Mazda Protege 5. :smile: Cheap, good gas mileage, good handling, and good looks.

Maybe a 6 sport wagon, but they're probably a little expensive.

The new Ford Freestyle looks nice, but is out of your price range (although with discounts...).

I agree on the Mazda 5. It's gotten favorable reviews thus far.

If you go used, there are always Volvo V70s with the jumper seat.

Most 7 passenger SUVs are dreadful beasts. 4-door trucks could hold 6 if you get a bench in front, but this would be a tough configuration to find.

I say look at the Freestyle. They start at $25,700 and Ford is currently offering $1,000 customer cash and 0% financing. With some hard bargaining, you might get a great deal. Gas mileage is 20/27, which is great for a big vehicle.

S.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by srivendel

The new Ford Freestyle looks nice, but is out of your price range (although with discounts...).

I agree on the Mazda 5. It's gotten favorable reviews thus far.

If you go used, there are always Volvo V70s with the jumper seat.

Most 7 passenger SUVs are dreadful beasts. 4-door trucks could hold 6 if you get a bench in front, but this would be a tough configuration to find.

I say look at the Freestyle. They start at $25,700 and Ford is currently offering $1,000 customer cash and 0% financing. With some hard bargaining, you might get a great deal. Gas mileage is 20/27, which is great for a big vehicle.

S.

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There's a Freestyle parked next to me at the office... Nice looking vehicle for a dang minivan. Owner is thrilled (moved up from a Sable when she got more dogs) with ride and handling and size and mileage.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Titus

PM sent regarding the 2000 MPV sitting in my driveway.

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Yea Titus's MPV is nice! :cool:

grassroots motorsports has purchased a honda oddesy, and they plan on autocrossing it against a plymoth superbird. They seem to like it pretty good, and if I read the article correctly, they had one a few years ago that put up numbers on the auto-x course than some classic sports cars.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by blackzx3_13

grassroots motorsports has purchased a honda oddesy, and they plan on autocrossing it against a plymoth superbird. They seem to like it pretty good, and if I read the article correctly, they had one a few years ago that put up numbers on the auto-x course than some classic sports cars.

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That is not surprising. I hear that Mazdaspeed offers MPV parts in Japan including springs, sways, and exhaust.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Titus

That is not surprising. I hear that Mazdaspeed offers MPV parts in Japan including springs, sways, and exhaust.

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I can just see it...in 5 years all the ricers will be streetracing their parents minivans, civics & integras will be regarded as supercars...

http://www.mazda.co.jp/mazdaspeed/

Select MPV A Spec from the 3rd dropdown...

The shocks and springs are actually made by TEIN. :shock:

http://www.artex.co.jp/Pages/CarLife...ed_02_04_F.jpg

http://www.artex.co.jp/Pages/CarLife...ed_02_04_R.jpg

OTHER MPV BODY KITS HERE.

Personally, I prefer wagons,(Subaru Legacy's aren't too expensive) but if I had to get a minivan, it'd be the Honda Odyssey. I wish Honda would bring back the Accord Wagon.

My parents have had Caravans since the late 80's, and only had trouble with the 94', (A/C and transmission)

Maybe a Forester? The Turbo ones will be above $20k, but the lower models should be available brand new close to or under $20k. Good mileage, more entertaining than a minivan, more space than most small SUVs. It's also built on the Impreza platform, so if you're inclined to tweak it a bit, many WRX/STi parts are a direct fit (including the STi's drivetrain, brakes, and suspension :twisted: )...

Might also check out the Mazda6 wagon. They haven't sold well, so most dealers will practically give them away if you can find one. Last year they were offering close to $8k off of leftover '04s.

Is the Mazda5 even out yet? I didn't think it was going to be available until next year. :scratch:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by altiain

Is the Mazda5 even out yet? I didn't think it was going to be available until next year. :scratch:

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I haven't seen the release date, but the pricing is already on Mazdausa.com which can't be said about the NC.

I'm pretty sure he said he needs room for more than 5 people, which rules out Forester, 6, et al. That's what makes this such a tricky question.

S.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by srivendel

I'm pretty sure he said he needs room for more than 5 people, which rules out Forester, 6, et al. That's what makes this such a tricky question.

S.

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Yep... not a lot of cars that seat more then 5 and come in around 20k. The Mazda5 will, and some of the cheaper Mini-vans like the Kia, but new Honda and Toyota offerings will be much higher priced. If you go out and drive all of the MV offerings, you will find that the Toyota, Honda, and Mazda offerings ride like cars while everything else rides like a truck. (Unless things have changed since we did it 3 years ago)

If you could pick up a Honda Pilot, even used with high mileage, it would be a great car. My wife thinks this is the best vehicle she has EVER had, and she's had a bunch of them during our 25 years of marriage. Everything from mini vans, Jeep GCs, and luxury sedans. It hauls 7 adults with ease, goes anywhere in any kind of weather, and is an absolute pleasure to drive... pulls in over 20mpg city, 24 highway... :thumrigh:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OzCop

If you could pick up a Honda Pilot, even used with high mileage, it would be a great car. My wife thinks this is the best vehicle she has EVER had, and she's had a bunch of them during our 25 years of marriage. Everything from mini vans, Jeep GCs, and luxury sedans. It hauls 7 adults with ease, goes anywhere in any kind of weather, and is an absolute pleasure to drive... pulls in over 20mpg city, 24 highway... :thumrigh:

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:thumleft: What he said. I'd still look at the Freestyle, though.

S.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OzCop

If you could pick up a Honda Pilot, even used with high mileage, it would be a great car. My wife thinks this is the best vehicle she has EVER had, and she's had a bunch of them during our 25 years of marriage. Everything from mini vans, Jeep GCs, and luxury sedans. It hauls 7 adults with ease, goes anywhere in any kind of weather, and is an absolute pleasure to drive... pulls in over 20mpg city, 24 highway... :thumrigh:

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Another vote for the Pilot, I'll be replacing my Expedition with a Pilot this Fall. My dad got one this spring with Navigation it is nice! :cool:

The four door Fords trucks get similar mileage to my Expedition; so don't forget to add gas into the cost of Ownership! Costs me around $50.00 every time I need to fill it up, which is about every 350 miles. :sad:

Thanks for the advice everyone. Were going to start looking next week hopefully.

Any makes or models to definitely avoid? I'm trying to keep an open mind and look at all different makes.

My wife just brought a 05 Tribute by the house for me to look over. We looked at the Freestyle, but I am too damn old for a minivan type vehicle! I do like some of the Fstyles features, but with the Splan for registered Mazda racers I have been steeriing her in that direction. The Tribute drove nice (it is loaded out with everything) being new it felt much like my sisters Lexus small SUV. I don't know any Tribute owners so I don't have any feedback. The new body style is better looking then the one a couple of years ago. The V6 seemed pretty good coming froma Honda 4 banger in a 99 CRV (not a bad car). I think the car lists at $27K, but s plan brings it in under $22K.
Any opinions?

Until last September, my wife was the proud owner of one, the ES model with leather, power everything and sunroof. Nice car. I hated the color of hers, but in 27K miles, never a problem, other than two of the crapy OE Continental tires blowing out, about a year apart. This car was very quick 0 to 60, and would pull consistant 20 plus mpg local driving, and 24 highway. There is a lot of space back there with the seats folded, and I liked the two piece rear hatch. Overall a pretty damn good car. Reason for trading, it only seated 5 and when the grandkids came to visit, we had to take two cars. Thus the Honda Pilot with third seat... :thumrigh:

Yep. My mum drives a Tribute and loves it. 40,000 miles and no problems (knock on wood).

S.