Looking at buying a new SUV for the wife

[Kompresshun]

So lately we've really been looking a lot at new(used) SUVs, we keep going back and forth with the idea but I think we've finally decided to go ahead and start searching. We have an '02 QX4 4x4 now with 95k miles on it, we like it and it's been a great vehicle but we're constantly having to cram people in it whenever we go somewhere because it's usually the two of us and the baby, so when anybody else wants to ride with us it's a little tight. When we bought it we didn't have a baby and were thinking it would work fine when we did have children. Basically it's not doing the job anymore so it's time to move onto something bigger so here's what we've narrowed it down to:


06+ Ford Explorer 4x4 - Offers 3rd row seating, i've known a lot of people that have owned them and have had good luck with them. We both like the look of them and the options we're finding locally on used ones.


05+ Nissan Pathfinder 4x4 - Again offers 3rd row seating, I don't know much about them but would assume it would be as reliable as the QX4. They're priced pretty similar to the Explorers.

We're open to other options but that's all we've seen that we like so far. We're wanting to spend less than 20,000 and preferably below 18,000 which seems quite doable with the two above. Only requirements are 4x4, reasonable gas mileage(for an SUV of course), 3rd seating, and potential to be able to tow. We're going to look at an '06 Explorer Limited and a '06 Pathfinder SE tomorrow to see which one of the two we like best. but I just wanted to see if any of you guys had any other ideas that I may have missed.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

If you're purely looking for space, you can't really beat the sq. footage of American SUV's. They never lack that.

From a reliability standpoint, I'd would go with the Pathfinder.

[Dattebayo]

From a reliability standpoint, I'd would go with the Pathfinder.

LOL?

If you're gonna use the vehicle alot, the domestic choice is going to be cheaper in the long run.

[Mr1der]

I honestly can't fathom how one child means you need an SUV...whatever though...

might as well and pony up for the expedition in preparation for having two kids...

[Rev_D21]

People with kids should just start buying buses since apparently one baby takes up more space than a grand piano these days.

[Dattebayo]

I think it's all the crap associated with a baby. You know the first kid is always spoiled anyway...

[PoorManQ45]

I honestly can't fathom how one child means you need an SUV...whatever though...

might as well and pony up for the expedition in preparation for having two kids...

No way man, with two kids you need a full size excursion! No regular SUV for you!

Seriously though, OP, why an SUV? What do you plan on towing with it?

[Kompresshun]

You'd be really surprised how much stuff is involved with a child, trust me I had no idea all of the crap I would have to haul around with me during the week. That's not the sole reason for buying something larger, more like preparing for the future and also filling a need that's already there.

We travel a lot with and without family, sometimes we have to carry family members with us as well so the QX4 is cramped and most importantly, lacks extra seating for when we need it. We both hate minivans so that's not an option, plus an SUV fits our needs better since our other vehicle is a sedan. The baby stuff doesn't take up much at all space day to day, but when you go on a trip of any kind it multiplies like crazy because you have to take toys, food, clothes(numerous changes because they ruin stuff quickly sometimes), booster seat or high chair, stroller(the stroller takes up 50-60% of the trunk in my car), something for them to sleep in, the list goes on and on.

I think it's all the crap associated with a baby. You know the first kid is always spoiled anyway...

^True, especially when it's the first Grandchild too. If you would've asked me a year ago, I would've told you you're nuts, I won't spoil my child. Now I can say you don't truly understand until you have a child of your own, I don't spoil my child badly but it's hard not to sometimes. I love being a dad, I think with the next one it'll be different though, seeing as we've already bought a lot of stuff for my daughter than can be re-used with the next one.

[Loki]

Don't get an SUV, get a nice Subaru/Lexus wagon.

[Rev_D21]

I guess babies have changed a lot since the 70's when I was one.

[PoorManQ45]

I guess babies have changed a lot since the 70's when I was one.

Right! Back them you'd just stuff them in a booster seat with a shoulder belt holding them in!

[Dattebayo]

Just because your parents had to rough it doesn't mean everyone has to, lol

Still, you have to wonder if its society telling you to get more space.

[Rev_D21]

I think the wondering is justified, it seems all would-be parents automatically go into 'we need a giant SUV' mode the second the piss test shows a '+'. Marketing is a powerful thing. My parents didn't rough it, they were sensible and realistic. Having a child creates enough debt as it is, why throw another $20-30k on top of that if you can "rough it"? I was pretty spoiled as a baby, I got everything I wanted and more but when it came to going somewhere, it was the Datsun 610 or nothing. I survived and you can too. After all, it's a baby...not Elton Johns entourage.

[Dattebayo]

why throw another $20-30k on top of that if you can "rough it"?

Some people can afford those things no problem. I suppose that's all it really is sometimes.

[MinisterofDOOM]

If you get an explorer, get a V8. Don't go on about gas mileage just yet. The 4.0 V6 in the Exploder doesn't exactly sip fuel. The official MPG ratings for V6 vs V8 Exploders only vary by ONE. So you might as well get smoother operation and more torque out of the package.

Don't forget about the Trailblazer. They have impressive road manners for being real trucks. My dad's had two of them as company vehicles, and both of them have been put through the ringer offroad and on. Both of us have really come to like those trucks a lot. Unfortunately the SWB TB doesn't have 3 rows, but the LWB version does.

I guess babies have changed a lot since the 70's when I was one.

There are a lot of stupid laws with kids in cars these days. If they're under 80lb, they can't ride in the front seat (due to airbag concerns). And if they're under a certain other weight or age, they're supposed to be on a "booster seat" to make their shoulder belts fit more safely. Because obviously no one ever survived sitting in a car seat without a booster as a child. Which explains how none of us are alive right now.

[Kompresshun]

If you get an explorer, get a V8. Don't go on about gas mileage just yet. The 4.0 V6 in the Exploder doesn't exactly sip fuel. The official MPG ratings for V6 vs V8 Exploders only vary by ONE. So you might as well get smoother operation and more torque out of the package.

Don't forget about the Trailblazer. They have impressive road manners for being real trucks. My dad's had two of them as company vehicles, and both of them have been put through the ringer offroad and on. Both of us have really come to like those trucks a lot. Unfortunately the SWB TB doesn't have 3 rows, but the LWB version does.

Just happens the Explorer we're looking at tomorrow has the V8 and it's a Limited

I thought the SWB Trailblazer had a 3rd row too? I guess not, good to know though!

I also have found quite a few 03+ Toyota 4 Runners that fit into the price range as well so I added that to the list.

[Captain Slow]

Volvo XC90



Safe, Reliable, and can be had around $11-$16k for an '03/'04 and ~$20k for an '05-'08 fully loaded. They have 3rd row seating, and the main back seats have a cool feature where they basically turn into a booster seat for kids. And with the seats all folded flat, you can basically carry anything you would ever need. I've ridden in a friends, and it was a decent ride. Gas mileage for the T6 models is on par with domestic SUVs, if not a little better. And to meet your other requirements, 4x4, check. And the towing capacity of the V6 and later V8 is 5000lbs.

Examples:
'03 for $11k
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/ctd/1921928030.html

'07 for $20k
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/ctd/1915145128.html

[Dittoz7]

The new explorer looks like sechs!
Just saying...

[Jesda]

My mom passed on the Infiniti FX a few years ago because it didnt have room for strollers and other baby stuff. She got a Lexus GX470 instead and hates it.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

While I LOVE Volvos, the XC90 really isn't that much bigger than the Pathfinder.

To what Dave said earlier.....It's all depends how long you keep the vehicle and how you maintain it.

[TurboSauce]

well, my dad has a 07 explorer and let me tell you long car rides are a LITTERAL pain in the a$$ the rear seats are so uncomfortable.
and the car feels and drives like a brick.
we have the v6 version.
but i've driven it and like i said, feels and drives like a brick, with power.

[Captain Slow]

While I LOVE Volvos, the XC90 really isn't that much bigger than the Pathfinder.

2006 Volvo XC90
Cargo capacity: rear seat down (cu ft): 84.9 and all seats in place (cu ft): 21.6

2006 Pathfinder
Cargo capacity: rear seat down (cu ft): 79.2 and all seats in place (cu ft): 16.5

Granted it's not cavernous, it's still enough though that it would be more useful if you were carrying say, an extra bag of Werthers Originals.

[f1seb]

I'm going to echo what the other posters have said. That SUV is overkill for just one kid. I would say a Honda Odyssey will be more than capable for this job or any other minivan which are designed for that particular reason to begin with.

[PoorManQ45]

I'm going to echo what the other posters have said. That SUV is overkill for just one kid. I would say a Honda Odyssey will be more than capable for this job or any other minivan which are designed for that particular reason to begin with.

[TurboSauce]

suv's are over kill for a child if you're interested in getting children you should get a van.
because 'vanning' is cool.

[Kompresshun]

Wow, see I consider a minivan to be overkill for even 2 kids because it has one use and that's all. At least an SUV can be used for multiple things, regardless we wanted a larger SUV, not a minivan, and that's what we got.

We looked at Pathfinders, Explorers, and 4 runners today but ended up buying a '06 Jeep Commander 4x4 in mint condition with 50k miles. Out of everything we drove it offered the best features, drove the best, had the most room, and was well within our price range. I'm sure they'll be plenty of Heep hate to follow but it has already been done and i'm not taking it back :-)

*EDIT, here's a picture of it from earlier

[TurboSauce]

Jeeps break easily.

[PoorManQ45]

Jeeps break easily.

You got a problem with AMC?

[Urabus GodofTraction]

Aahaha. Oh man you could not have tried to pick a worse vehicle! Best of luck to you!

[Dattebayo]

You made a huge mistake. Huge.