to accommodate growing family, we got to get an eight seat SUV. don't really want a minivan. the selection is quite limited if exclude domestic brand junks.

what's available? what do you suggest?

following are the ones i can think of:

Toyota Sequoia (probably the best choice)
Toyota Land Cruiser (too much $$)
Lexus LX570 (can't afford)
QX56 (design is getting old)
there is also the Nissan version of QX56. forgot the name. too ugly to consider [MOD EDIT] Nissan Armada
Honda Pilot (nice package but sissy power)

can't think of any German with 8 seats. What else is available?

 

I'm sorry but I gotta ask, do you really have 6 kids?

Other than towing capacity, I have yet to hear any compelling reason why anyone needs a large SUV when so many minivans actually work out better in many situations.

For example, the Honda Oddysey seats 7, has foldable seats, and if I might add, VERY comfortable seats, it's safe, drives like a car, has plenty of power, and has plenty of features to keep the driver and kids entertained. And for a van, gets decent fuel economy, better than any normal SUV on the market IMHO and you get Honda's track record of reliability.

 

Just say no to SUV.

Get an Oddy.

 

Oh and the Oddy has plenty of storage space and configurations that you can arrange the seats for storage and plenty of roof space just like am SUV to store more stuff.

 

I think Oddy sits 7 but Sienna sits 8, provided that you would give the van a chance ... those sliding doors are very handy compare to SUV's swing-open style .... but my buddy's AWD Sienna gets about 18 MPG combined ....

 

get the oddy.....

 

Wow, I didn't know the Sienna seats 8 and comes with AWD! +1 for Toyota.

Adding SH-AWD to the Oddy would be an awesome move by Honda to tout it's safety and performance in a minivan, but would probably increase production costs since all oddy models come with the same engine/drivetrain combo.

 

That's not your problem. If you can't answer the question, then move on.

http://www.8passengervehicles.com/page1.html

 

Damn, who's the guy that wet his pants and sat on your lap today?

I'm so sorry for bringing up a debate for vehicles that could fit his needs. If you didn't notice I'm not the only one recommending the Odyssey or an alternative..

 

Suburban because its such a pos

 

Wow, who pissed in your mouth today?

 

Get an Oddy.

 

traverse, heard they are great

 

I'm simply tired of the Earth morality police that think they know what people need to drive.

If the Oddessy doesn't seat eight, then you aren't meeting his need. And he already said he doesn't want a minivan.

 

german? MB GL series? but thats 7...

get the toyota... huge vehicle, crazy 5.7 liter (0-60 in 6.7) and long options list...

 

My bad ... just being told that AWD option only comes at the price of seating 7, not 8 for Sienna ... back to the OP's preference, Honda Pilot would be a good fit ... or the Toyota's SUVs ....

 

Not to argue, but it does seat 8. Says so right in that link you posted.

I don't think the leather models, EX-L or Touring seat 8.

 

And that's fine. It was the 'you don't need a SUV' vibe that rung loudest.

 

Doesn't know anything about OP, so can't really say ... but for me, after seeing many friends getting minivans, I vow to get a SUV instead & i did .... but the hasstle of getting in & out of a SUV inside the garage just furstrated the heck out of me (how about some sliding doors on SUV then ? LOL) ... so I hope the OP would keep an open mind and really give both SUV & minivan a closer look ...

 

I'm sorry to disappoint, but I offered no discussion regarding morality. I did not question his values in regards to the environment or his viewpoints of wasting resources.

I simply offered a vehicle that met or came/could come very close to his needs while also offering a solution that may be cheaper to buy and own in terms of maintainence, fuel costs, insurance and offer comparable features to an SUV. I simply questioned his need to using a vehicle that's determining characteristic being towing capacity, being compared against minivans. If I'm not allowed to ask or offer that up for discussion, that is his choice, not yours.

So the next time you bash someone, get your facts and viewpoints straight first.

 

Again, the "you don't need an SUV" point is possibly valid in this case unless he does offer up an exact need that justifies an SUV, namely towing capacity. Other than that, minivans offer up the same, if not more characteristics that are conducive to families needing great forms of transportation.

In the end, it's his choice to shut our viewpoints down, not yours.

 

Its not your problem either.

Word to the wise, cut the dick head routine.

 

Too many times people automatically write off minivans without doing a detailed comparison of the between them and SUV's regarding costs to purchase and own. And if you have a family, it's even more critical that analysis of that nature be done. And I'm sorry to say this, but for the most part, as a hopeful father to be one day myself, one has to put aside their own desires/wants in favor of making decisions that meet their families needs. Even if that means choosing an SUV over a minivan or vice versa. I absolutely hate the argument that most men make that minivans are out of the question simply because it's a minivan and don't want to be seen driving a minivan because they think it will emasculate them. Not that the OP has that feeling because we don't know that, just making a statement of something I've seen of most men that don't want minivans.

/endmyrants.



... awaiting OP's replies.

 

Who's tossing around the insults, chief?

But, whatever.

 

Calling it like I see it is not tossing around an insult. You're acting like a whiny piece of shit, and if you want me to start throwing out some insults I'd more than happy to oblige.

But hopefully you're smarter than that and you'll slink back off to whatever TL/TSX forum you wandered out of and stay there.

 

You suggested not wanting domestic, but Chevy and Cadillac make at least a few options that seem to be more popular with families than the rest (in terms of large SUVs)...I work with a couple hundred families a day. Otherwise, it's pretty much vans all the way for large families.

 

Im sure I'll have nightmares about it.

In the meantime, I'll continue to answer threads in the guidelines the OP asks for.

 

I don't remember seeing "act like a cunt rag" in the OP's guidelines.

 

Guys, keep the insults to a minimum and stick to the car talk in this thread.

OP: This subject is a never ending debate and is brought up at least every few months when someone creates a thread about their growing family and the desire/need for a larger vehicle to transport the kids. Expect a lot of people to lean towards a van even if you wrote that you aren't interested. It's just what most people will suggest is the most practical choice.

 

 

Ground clearance could also be an issue.

There's not too many replies meeting the needs he has set forth, and I know that would irritate me if I had asked.

While my response was harsh, I think the overall meaning is still valid.

 

I thought of that too after we made our posts, good catch.

It may irritate you, but you're not the OP. Again, let's wait for the OP to reply and see what he thinks about the minivan vs SUV debate as well what some of the posters have offered up as possible SUV solutions for him.

 

Fair enough.

It also stems a bit from personal experience from people questioning what I drive. As if a CR-V is the same as a Suburban. I have to point out the three car seats and politely tell them to fuck off. But, I digress. So, sorry I was a bit terse.

 

Wrong and Wrong.

The Odyssey LX (Base model) seats 7. The EX, EXL and Touring all seat 8. EXL and Touring have Leather among other options.

The Sienna CE and LE (Base models) have 8 passenger options. The XLE and XLE Limited, which you need to get leather, ONLY comes as a 7 passenger.

Not quite sure if leather is a must have for the OP, but if he was considering a European car but isn't going for it because it's not an 8 passenger makes me think he wants options, not to mention most of the SUV's he mentioned are fairly loaded SUV's...am I right?

 

My parents 2005 only seated 7, glad to see they upped it to 8 for the newer models. I didn't know they made that change which is why I stated 7 earlier.

 

I think back then only the EX and EXL had 8 passenger seating, and the Touring had a console in place of the middle seat, so it was strictly a 7 passenger. I don't remember about the EX model, but I know the EXL definately had 8 passenger seating in 2005. Which model do your parents have?

 

Settle down, Francis.

 

My parents have the touring which did come with the center console in the middle row of seating that you mentioned.

 

no kid here. family members and close friends are moving to the same area in the next few months. I know we will hang out quite often, and it's much easier to move around with 1 large vehicle.

Agree, a minivan should be the best choice. It's much easier to get in and out. However SUVs get extra cool points on my list. I'm already old. A minivan will make me feel even older.

 

If you feel old, you should give the seats in the Odyssey a try. They feel good and are super comfortable. When I carpool with friends, that the first thing they always say.

We use my parents minivan for hauling around people whenever they are in town and the sliding doors make it much easier for getting in and out of the vehicle. Calculating cool points is something only you can measure based on what you really want, just remember, there are young families just starting out that buy minivans. So buying one shouldn't make you feel old.