PIZ Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 We have a Blazer right now. We just found out we are having our 3rd baby and the baby is due in April. All 3 kids will be under 6 years old, so we will need 3 carseats. One booster, a toddler car seat, and a baby car seat. The blazer's back seat is definitely too small for 3 seats. My wife loves having a 4 x 4 because she feels safer and more comfortable in the winter. I'm thinking either a Trailblazer or Durango with a 3rd seat, or a Dodge Caravan (AWD or front wheel drive). Anybody have any advice, besides using protection next time. Advice on a vehicle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VABills Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 We just bought a Honda Pilot. It has the third row. The big reason was the amount of space you really have in the third row. Other then something like a Sequoia, this is the only one that can fit smaller adults if needed back there. Personally I wanted the Murano, but the wife convinced me to get the Pilot. The only knock on the Pilot is subpar speakers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dib Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 I know people that have had Durangos and couldnt wait to get rid of them. I own a Jeep Cherokee Grand Laredo and when this one goes I'll buy another. I dont know if it will fit your seating requirements but if it's safety you're interested in, the thing is built like a tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guffalo Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 Look into the Mazda MPV, 4 wheel drive/All wheel drive and has the 3rd seat and can fold down or take out to be a cargo type vehicle. My neighbor swears by that car. My kids a re too big to need it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMCBillsFan Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 My wife has a Tahoe. We looked at some with the 3rd row and they looked pretty roomy. She loves the Tahoe. The GMC Yukon is pretty roomy as well but they are about 6 or 7 thousand more than the Tahoes.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARGB52 Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 Ford Explorer has the most room in the back with the seats up in the back. It is mid size SUV and you will be very happy over all. I have one and I would like the quality to be better but the size is excelent. I am a single Male parent with two children and as they grew through the years and the back went from strollers to Football pads and lacross sticks I never worried about fitting whatever into the back area with the back seat up. Also the split seat comes in handy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snorom Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 I would like to suggest you look for something with great gas mileage, but its hard to find something big enough for your family that can get that kind of gas mileage. I could suggest some of the smaller AWD station wagons, but even those barely get over 20 MPG, and if you can't get 3 baby seats in the back of a blazer then obviously your not going to do it with a wagon. Do a little research on consumer reports. I believe its only $30.00 for a year subscritption and it will help you considerably in your search. Not to mention they have relatively good info on most major products. Best to ya and your family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ganesh Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 We have a Blazer right now. We just found out we are having our 3rd baby and the baby is due in April. All 3 kids will be under 6 years old, so we will need 3 carseats. One booster, a toddler car seat, and a baby car seat. The blazer's back seat is definitely too small for 3 seats. My wife loves having a 4 x 4 because she feels safer and more comfortable in the winter. I'm thinking either a Trailblazer or Durango with a 3rd seat, or a Dodge Caravan (AWD or front wheel drive). Anybody have any advice, besides using protection next time. Advice on a vehicle. 34737[/snapback] We have had the Honda Odessey for the last 4 years and absolutely love it. The ease with which the side doors allow you to load and unload children is worth every cent... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARGB52 Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 By the way the Explorer fits three car seats in the back seat no problem and I think now they might have a third seat availible but you have to check that out for sure. If you are not sure bring them with you and fit them in right in front of the sales person. That stuff drives them nuts and its fun to see the salesperson sweat as you do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gantrules Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 Stay away from the new Durango's!!!! When they manufactured them the swing arm for the front steering column was designed upside down and it has been causing too much stress on the joints. Every 30K people are having to take thier vehicles in b/c the wheels are popping out of joint. There have been a lot of deaths related to this as well. http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/..._dur_steer.html http://www.wfmynews2.com/2wk/2wk.asp?ID=1160 I own a 2000 Dodge Dakota and I've already had the ball joints replaced twice. And I had this done on my own the second time. The first time I was pulling out of a parking lot and the driver side wheel damn near snapped off on me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gantrules Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 ...I owned a 2000 Explorer. I had it for 2 months and traded it in b/c it was the biggest piece of crap I've ever owned. It was a 6 cylinder and the milage was atroucious, I had it in the 3 TIMES in the 2 months I owned. I'll never buy another Ford. But, hey that's just my experience. It was my wife's vehicle. We ended up getting a Maxima... I've heard a ton of good things about the Trailblazer. And they have the third row seating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PastaJoe Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 I have a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan and the easy access and ability to add/remove seats makes it very versitile. You can go from carrying up to 7 adults to removing the seats and carrying sheets of plywood. The new models are even better in that the seats fold down into the floor, and you have the option of bucket or bench seats. Prior to that I had a Ford Windstar which had a nice interior but the engine was horrible. The head gasket had to be replaced twice within two years, and I had to fight with the regional reps to get them payed for. A coworker had the same thing happen to his Windstar while on vacation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gantrules Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 Just a question.... do you feel less manly when you are driving a Minivan? I wouldn't mind the utility, but they too "soccer mom" for me. That's why I have my Quad Cab. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VABills Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 Check out the history on Explorers. It hasn't been good of late. Lots of safety recalls. Specially for seat belt and rear hatch latch. Do some research. Edmunds.com auto.msn.com jdpowers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soljc Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 Anybody have any advice, besides using protection next time. Advice on a vehicle. 34737[/snapback] LMAO!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoachChuckDickerson Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 Stay away from the new Durango's!!!! When they manufactured them the swing arm for the front steering column was designed upside down and it has been causing too much stress on the joints. Every 30K people are having to take thier vehicles in b/c the wheels are popping out of joint. There have been a lot of deaths related to this as well. http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/..._dur_steer.html http://www.wfmynews2.com/2wk/2wk.asp?ID=1160 I own a 2000 Dodge Dakota and I've already had the ball joints replaced twice. And I had this done on my own the second time. The first time I was pulling out of a parking lot and the driver side wheel damn near snapped off on me. 34765[/snapback] If the problem only effects 2000-2003 Durangos, shouldn't the statement read, Stay away from old DURANGOS!! I have a 2004 and it is mint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExWNYer Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 My wife has a 2001 Chrysler Town & Country. We've had no problems with it and really like it...very roomy and the seats are comfy (the two in the middle are removable). As far as looks, I think it is stylish (as minivans go) and seems less "castrating" than most of the others. Happy shopping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kent14_* Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 Minivans are the only way to go. Tons of storage room and seating configurations. As far as feeling less "manly", I drove a '94 Dodge Grand Caravan at college. I was in a fraternity so you can guess how that went. I took quite a lot of grief until I started being the DD. Suddenly I'm not the soccer mom but the bus driver. Everyone talks about how much they hate the stigma of driving a minivan but once you've had one you don't want anything else. For the most part they drive great, get good gas mileage, and handle well in the snow(even without the AWD) I got rid of mine 3 months ago after 230,000 miles and I can't wait til I can get another one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gantrules Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 If the problem only effects 2000-2003 Durangos, shouldn't the statement read, Stay away from old DURANGOS!! I have a 2004 and it is mint. ------------------------------------------------ I hate to tell you this, but it's the same suspension as the 2003. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaleighBillsFan Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 Not sure on your price point, but we bought an Acura MDX last year and it is great. It has a folding 3rd row, about the most cargo space of any mid-size SUV, good gas mileage (17/22 is what we have been getting) and the reliability of an Acura which is tremendous...the Honda Pilot is a cousin and a great vehicle too...hope this helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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