danceintherain
New member
I know I posted about minivans less than 2 weeks ago, but I'm starting to reevaluate our wants and needs.
Mostly, my husband really wants a boat (his favorite hobby is fishing) but we don't currently have anything that could tow and launch a boat. It wouldn't be a super heavy one, but I think we'll need something that can handle around 3000 lbs at minimum and has 4 wheel drive.
I was thinking about getting a minivan, but now I'm thinking that we can probably make a 5 passenger work for at least 2 more years. My thought is that he can drive the better gas mileage car predominantly, since I hardly drive anywhere.
This means that I need something that would be more car seat compatible than a car that the kids rarely ride in. Our budget is only $7000 (I still want a minivan eventually) which limits us to older vehicles.
Currently, we have two kids, a RFing 2 year old, and a booster training 6 year old (he's harnessed in our primary car). We plan on trying for another child shortly. I figure we'll have at least a year after the baby is born where a 5 passenger vehicle won't be too cumbersome, especially with the eldest in a booster. I can either have him climb to the middle seat around the infant seat base, or put him outboard and only put his booster in when he's in the car.
So, I'm looking for a sweet spot of car seat compatibility with high towing capacity.
For example, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has excellent towing capacity, but the models prior to 2005 only have a lap belt and no top tether in the center position, so it probably wouldn't be our best choice.
Safety is important too, so if there's a midsize SUV that rates best prior to 2005, that would be good information to have.
So...my checklist...
- 4WD
- Can accommodate 3 car seats with reasonable effort
- can accommodate 2 RF seats without affecting the front seats much (I'm 5'9 and my husband is 6 feet - leg room in our Caliber is currently at a premium)
- Good safety ratings for an older vehicle
- Less than $7000
- decent gas mileage (over 20 on the HWY would be great)
- less than 150,000 miles on it
Right now, some options that pop up are (all 2000-2005):
Ford Explorer
Suzuki XL7
Ford Escape
GMC Envoy
Nissan Pathfinder
Chevy Trailblazer
There are also a few trucks, but the gas mileage is terrible.
What is my best option of the above? Or is there another option I should be keeping my eyes open for?
We're not in a hurry, but I want to make sure I'm not overlooking something.
I didn't put enough thought into our last car purchase (2010 Dodge Caliber) so it's not going to stay with us as long as I had originally hoped.
Our other vehicle (1998 Buick Lesabre) challenges us in completely different ways.
Mostly, my husband really wants a boat (his favorite hobby is fishing) but we don't currently have anything that could tow and launch a boat. It wouldn't be a super heavy one, but I think we'll need something that can handle around 3000 lbs at minimum and has 4 wheel drive.
I was thinking about getting a minivan, but now I'm thinking that we can probably make a 5 passenger work for at least 2 more years. My thought is that he can drive the better gas mileage car predominantly, since I hardly drive anywhere.
This means that I need something that would be more car seat compatible than a car that the kids rarely ride in. Our budget is only $7000 (I still want a minivan eventually) which limits us to older vehicles.
Currently, we have two kids, a RFing 2 year old, and a booster training 6 year old (he's harnessed in our primary car). We plan on trying for another child shortly. I figure we'll have at least a year after the baby is born where a 5 passenger vehicle won't be too cumbersome, especially with the eldest in a booster. I can either have him climb to the middle seat around the infant seat base, or put him outboard and only put his booster in when he's in the car.
So, I'm looking for a sweet spot of car seat compatibility with high towing capacity.
For example, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has excellent towing capacity, but the models prior to 2005 only have a lap belt and no top tether in the center position, so it probably wouldn't be our best choice.
Safety is important too, so if there's a midsize SUV that rates best prior to 2005, that would be good information to have.
So...my checklist...
- 4WD
- Can accommodate 3 car seats with reasonable effort
- can accommodate 2 RF seats without affecting the front seats much (I'm 5'9 and my husband is 6 feet - leg room in our Caliber is currently at a premium)
- Good safety ratings for an older vehicle
- Less than $7000
- decent gas mileage (over 20 on the HWY would be great)
- less than 150,000 miles on it
Right now, some options that pop up are (all 2000-2005):
Ford Explorer
Suzuki XL7
Ford Escape
GMC Envoy
Nissan Pathfinder
Chevy Trailblazer
There are also a few trucks, but the gas mileage is terrible.
What is my best option of the above? Or is there another option I should be keeping my eyes open for?
We're not in a hurry, but I want to make sure I'm not overlooking something.
I didn't put enough thought into our last car purchase (2010 Dodge Caliber) so it's not going to stay with us as long as I had originally hoped.
Our other vehicle (1998 Buick Lesabre) challenges us in completely different ways.