I stumbled across this today. Looks really nice with a little bit of work.

 

Since you need a commuter vehicle now, you might as well get a vehicle that would serve your future needs as well. So for a 70-lb dog and junior Brady, rule out a compact or even a small wagon. Believe me - when junior arrives, the top 4 requirements would be: safety, safety, safety and reliability. In the past year, I have had one neighbor and two friends in the same boat (only one with dog) - they went with Subaru Forester, Subaru Outback and Hyundai Santa Fe.

I vote Subaru.

 

 

If you go the way of the Element, get it with rubber floors (no carpeting) and vinyl seats. Just hose it out......

 

That Jetta still looks like a chic car...How about a Mazda CX-7...turbo + AWD FTW...bad fuel economy FTL

 

Thanks pokin - you make very valid points. The Forrester sport looks nice, but the regular one is too blah for me.

I test drove the Subaru WRX (awesome), Legacy GT (awesome and comfy) and Outback. The Outback is a great option if i go with that type of car.

Honda Element is not a chance for me. I don't like how it looks at all. Sorry to those that like it.

I also test drove the BMW 328 with AWD. Love it, but I don't know if i want to spend that, though they have attractive lease deals right now. I don't need to keep the TSX a year from now if/when junior brady arrives, so that's my thinking here.

Also, I stopped by my Acura dealership and they have a Mercedes e350, 2007, with 50,000 miles on it for $28k. Was in nice shape too. Also had a 2007 TL Type S with 45,000 miles for $26k.

I want to check out a few Lincoln models, namely their crossover (whatever it's called - basically the Ford Edge).

I also stopped at Cadillac to look at the CTS and CTS Wagon - looks nice but the place was too busy to test drive. I think for the price, I like the SRX better than the CTS Wagon.

Also test drove the Grand Cherokee, not the Hemi model. Loved it except there is a slight delay (1-2 seconds) when you press the gas in a merging situation or something of the sort. not from a dead stop though. Now, I haven't driven an SUV in ages, so I don't know if that's just something thats part of having an SUV...

I'm still very much undecided.

The biggest wild card for me is, if i get a car that's just not going to be the kid car, the 2011 mustang is calling my name too with an extra 90 hp and a 5.0 plus improved mpg...

i'm all over the place

 

Element really isn't as versatile as a wagon. We have one in the extended family, crosswinds on the highway will toss the thing around as if it was a sailboat. Gas mileage really isn't great considering it's a Honda (but then again their MPG ratings lately haven't been class leading), but my biggest gripe about it is that it seats only 4. And you kinda want the babyseat right smack in the middle seat, which the Element doesnt have.

 

we test drove the Grand Cherokee today and love it. the 2011 looks even nicer. I don't know how I can swallow gas mileage like that though...

 

How about an obvious one, since you like the TSX....an RDX? I sold my TSX a few years ago for an S2000, and now I'm in the market for an RDX to act as a family/winter/rain car to drive when not in the S2000.

 

I stumbled upon my old thread when looking for something else. I realized I never came back and said i got the 2010 Legacy GT. Loved it. Now, just over 3 yrs later, we may be growing out of the TSX. we have 2 car seats, and believe it or not, the 75 lb dog sits on the rear floor behind the passenger, with my 5' tall wife pushed all the way forward (which is basically how she sits normally anyways). 107,000 on the TSX, and 57,000 on the Subaru.

Looking at the GMC Acadia now, but trying to figure out how to stretch this out longer!