Sorry about the 2 threads, I didn't realise this forum existed when I posted my other thread in the Canadian/International section.
Just over a year ago, we bought an '01 Pontiac Montana 8 passenger. It seemed pretty good until a couple weeks ago when the steering control arm broke while I was driving with 2 of our kids.
Turns out, BOTH sides were rusted nearly through, it never should have passed the inspection and it should have been very obvious when Canadian Tire changed our tires a mere 2 weeks before it happened.
Fortunately, we were going very slowly in a parking lot when it went and my kids barely noticed.
Anyway, with only 3rd party liability insurance and the cost to repair both sides nearly the cost of the vehicle, assuming no other problems were found, we've decided to junk the van and get something else.
We have 4 kids ranging in age from 1-12. There is a very slight possibility of more kids, no more than 2 and that only if it's twins. :jive: My husband is very tall (6'8"), I am very short (5'). Our 12 year old hasn't started growing for puberty yet and is already taller than me, so he's likely to be over 6'.
Our set-up in the Montana was 2nd row passenger side removed, youngest rear facing in the middle (lap belt) 2nd row, 4 year old forward facing in the driver's side, 2nd row. 8 yr old boostered in the driver's side 3rd row, 12 year old seat belted in the passenger side 3rd row (middle only had a lap belt)
Our budget is likely under $5000. I'd like head rests/shoulder belts in all positions if possible, decent cargo space (the Montana's sucked, really). I'm open to an SUV, although they all seem difficult to get people into the 3rd row, but would prefer a mini-van. My husband keeps suggesting we get a 15 passenger so we can remove the back row and have lots of cargo space, but I think that's excessive.
The postings about the Nissan NV were very tempting, but waaay out of the current budget, sadly. We've mostly been looking at Siennas & Odysseys. My husband is, understandably, opposed to another Montana.
Sorry for the novel; thanks to anyone who got through it all!
Just over a year ago, we bought an '01 Pontiac Montana 8 passenger. It seemed pretty good until a couple weeks ago when the steering control arm broke while I was driving with 2 of our kids.
Turns out, BOTH sides were rusted nearly through, it never should have passed the inspection and it should have been very obvious when Canadian Tire changed our tires a mere 2 weeks before it happened.
Fortunately, we were going very slowly in a parking lot when it went and my kids barely noticed.
Anyway, with only 3rd party liability insurance and the cost to repair both sides nearly the cost of the vehicle, assuming no other problems were found, we've decided to junk the van and get something else.
We have 4 kids ranging in age from 1-12. There is a very slight possibility of more kids, no more than 2 and that only if it's twins. :jive: My husband is very tall (6'8"), I am very short (5'). Our 12 year old hasn't started growing for puberty yet and is already taller than me, so he's likely to be over 6'.
Our set-up in the Montana was 2nd row passenger side removed, youngest rear facing in the middle (lap belt) 2nd row, 4 year old forward facing in the driver's side, 2nd row. 8 yr old boostered in the driver's side 3rd row, 12 year old seat belted in the passenger side 3rd row (middle only had a lap belt)
Our budget is likely under $5000. I'd like head rests/shoulder belts in all positions if possible, decent cargo space (the Montana's sucked, really). I'm open to an SUV, although they all seem difficult to get people into the 3rd row, but would prefer a mini-van. My husband keeps suggesting we get a 15 passenger so we can remove the back row and have lots of cargo space, but I think that's excessive.
The postings about the Nissan NV were very tempting, but waaay out of the current budget, sadly. We've mostly been looking at Siennas & Odysseys. My husband is, understandably, opposed to another Montana.
Sorry for the novel; thanks to anyone who got through it all!