Okay, so I know a minivan would be the best choice. I just turned in my Odyssey after 3 yrs. It was very nice. BUT...I hate being a minivan mom. Before the Ody I had a couple different Pilots and really liked them, except when I had to sit in the second or third row. Not very comfortable at all. Plus we had the Pilots when we only had 2 kids. We now have 3 kids, ages 3, 9, and 12. I want the kids to be comfortable, but I don't want a minivan. I was very excited after seeing the inside of the GMC Acadia with 2nd row captain chairs. But then I started researching and there have been TONS of problems with them. They do not seem reliable. We are no longer going to lease. We are going to be buying maybe an 08 - 09. We want to keep it under $25k. I just don't know what vehicle to get. I almost feel like a sedan (Accord) would be more comfortable seating than some of these SUV's. But I hate to put 3 growing kids in one row. Thoughts? Ideas? Thank you!!!!!!
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What vehicle for Family of 5?
- Thread starter cfrith5
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Mirandagrate
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We have an 09 Outlook, which is the Saturn version of the Acadia and we LOVE it!! We have two benches instead of captains chairs.. It's been super reliable and fun and comfortable.. Plus, I have all 3 kids rear facing in the middle row! I have two Radians outboard and a Recaro Signo in the middle! 
We LOVE IT! In fact, when we go to get another car we want to trade it in on a newer Acadia!
We LOVE IT! In fact, when we go to get another car we want to trade it in on a newer Acadia! We have an 09 Outlook, which is the Saturn version of the Acadia and we LOVE it!! We have two benches instead of captains chairs.. It's been super reliable and fun and comfortable.. Plus, I have all 3 kids rear facing in the middle row! I have two Radians outboard and a Recaro Signo in the middle!
Having bigger kids I like the idea (I think) of the captain chairs in the 2nd row as some of the Acadia's have. I'm just so worried to get a used one with all the bad reviews I've found when I google "Acadia problems". There are tons of people on the Edmunds forums with problems from 2007 to present.
We traded in at a loss our 09 Saturn Outlook because of all the issues it started to have at 30k miles. We had major engine work done(recall and warranty covered), gas mileage dropped to 12 mpg. 3 visits to the dealership and they couldn't figured it out. Broken arm rest welds as well. There is a facebook page about Saturn-GM Outlook & Acadia lemons.
If you don't mind the boxy style, Ford Flex is a good option. Second and third rows have lots of room. My 6'3" hubby even fits in the third row. The cargo area has a well like a minivan so there's a decent amount of cargo space with the third row up. It's 6 passenger with captain's chairs in the 2nd row and 7 passenger with bench second row. Even the base model has lots of bells and whistles.
A brand new Kia Sorento LX 4-cylinder, 2WD with the third row seat and convenience packages should be well under 25k street price. Plus, you get better than average fuel economy for a 3-row vehicle. It isn't going to be as big as an Acadia and I can't comment on reliability, but the safety ratings are reasonably good at least!
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