My wife has had her '03 Civic for ten years. Since we have two kids now and she's going to start working as a nurse practitioner in June, we've decided to start the process of getting something bigger that can potentially haul all our stuff (baby stuff and things for a five year old).

We're going back and forth on whether or not we'd need a 3rd row, but I'm going to say that we do, because we don't want to take two cars every time my parents or someone comes to visit us and we went to go somewhere.

I'm looking hard at a 2009-2010 Pilot Touring. Just wanted to get other thoughts on vehicles that you guys might recommend, with the following requirements:

-Bluetooth
-V6 (or turbo I-4)
-Third row
-Memory seats
-Backup camera
-Center speaker (I love this in my Acura and soundstage seems more natural)
-Price: Less than $26K
-2WD (we live in Florida)
-Sunroof/Moonroof

-Possible navi, but not critical
-Certified Preowned (CPO) if possible, but would more prefer a better price and have my mechanic check out the car.

Not to sound difficult, but I refuse to get any German-branded cars like Audi, BMW, VW, etc. because of reliability concerns.

Thoughts?

 

A Pilot would be high on my list given your requirements.

If you're not anti-GM, the new Traverse looks decent & they don't drive badly either. Though I don't think a new one would fit your price requirement.

Toyota Highlander?

 

Both are options. I like the grill on the Traverse. Does the LTZ version in 2010 have memory seats (Edit: It does)? I like how it has 288 HP and gets better mileage than the 2010 Pilot AND it has cooled seats.

Damn, we may have found our next car!

 

I really think that one would fit the bill perfectly.

 

The Traverse is surprisingly roomy & the later models have the timing chain issues worked out. They're pretty quick as well.

 

Toyota Venza? I really like the way they look.

My brother has a Mazda CX-9 and loves it. His dog found the seat belts to be delicious.

 

Ford Flex Our friends have an 09 limited and I think it fits all/most of your requirements and still gets pretty good gas mileage. I have always liked the looks of them since they came out. Good luck with your search and keep us posted.

 

Ford Flex

 

Congrats to your wife on starting as a NP. She'll certainly like the bump in income that goes along with it.

That said, the Pilot should do it for you and you know you'll be able to keep it for ten years like the Civic. Our Pilot is going to hit 70k miles and is going strong.

The Traverse has more luxo features than the Pilot for sure and it looks

I agree that the Venza should be on your radar. I am not typically a Toyota person, but the Venza looks good and meets many of your requirements.

 

Venzas don't have third rows.

 

Did the 2010 Traverses have the timing chain problems?

 

No. The stretched timing chain issue on GM 3.6 DI engines was mostly a 2009 problem and directly referable to infrequent oil changes. The oil life monitor was reprogrammed in the 2010s to require earlier oil changes. This was a problem with 3.6 DI CTSs as well and had the same fix. Some say that the timing chains themselves were ultimately changed on the DI engines, but that was not proven.

 

Traverse is nice. Gets my vote.

 

If you are going to make extensive use of the third row, my vote is minivan. You'll always get a lot more utility out of a minivan than you ever will with an SUV. Unless you plan on towing stuff regularly, which is the only thing that will beat out a minivan IMO.

Ok with that out of the way, if you absolutely don't want a minivan, I'd look at the Pilot, or Flex. Personally, I've always liked the look of the Flex, inside and out, but I know a lot of people that don't and say it looks too boxy. And that rear sunroof.

 

Toyota Highlander
Ford Explorer
Lincoln MKT
Dodge Journey
Infiniti JX
Lincoln Navigator
Toyota Land Cruiser
GMC Acadia
Dodge Durango

I apologize if some of these vehicles don't match all of your criteria but it's just some possibilities to consider. I hope this list helps you narrow down what you may want to as your next vehicle.

 

I'll mail you my Man Card if I ever get a minivan.

 

Test drove a Mazda cx-9 last weekend. Great crossover, it really drives like a car and smaller than it is. There is a Certified 2012 Touring 2wd model in my area for $22,999.

 

CX-9 looks great, but compared to the Traverse LTZ, it doesn't have the cooled seats.

 

Sorry.

 

Thanks for the suggestions!

Ford Explorer - Definitely an option. The 365HP engine is worthy. Finding one with the options I want will be a challenge for the price I need.
Lincoln MKT - Same as above but even more so finding one under the price I need.
Dodge Journey - The optional 281HP engine is nice, but the safety of these cars concern me.
Infiniti JX - Too new to find one under $25K.
Lincoln Navigator - Thirsty V8. Not an option.
Toyota Land Cruiser - Too expensive and V8.
GMC Acadia - Same basic structure as the Traverse. Definitely an option.
Dodge Durango - Don't really like the look of it.

 

No problem. We get people like you to pay our taxes for us.

 

An Odyssey is so much more comfortable than a Pilot.
I keep an S2000 for the track and to "redeem" myself for when I drive the wifey's Ody.

Overall it is a great vehicle for the flexibilty and the mileage is better than the SUVs in general.

 

Just my opinion on this list.

The MKT =
Journey: unless it's changed a lot since I drove a used one, it was a huge step down from a Traverse or Highlander.

Didn't think about the Explorer or Edge before. I have a cousin that had an Edge & really liked it.
I've got Chevrolet connections, so personally in that situation I'd lean more to the Traverse (and I think the Trav looks better than the Acadia).

 

Real men do what they need to for their family.

In all seriousness, I don't like it when I hear statements like this. My family's needs will come ahead of my wants and I won't feel my masculinity will be jeopardized in any way. So if I have to buy a minivan, so be it. It's the logical, practical solution that provides the greatest benefit in utility and comfort. Minivans have come a long way from the stigma they still hold. They are super comfortable for long trips, and with the lower stance, easier to get stuff in and out.

I'm sure you will enjoy whichever vehicle you get, just trying to help you get the most for your money.

 

Seriously. We had an '87 Voyager and that replaced an '83 Malibu wagon. Everyone in the family enjoyed that minivan more than the wagon. The three rows gave someone a seat in the back to themselves, getting in and out of the car was easier for everyone, and monkeying around with a car seat for my little sister was a breeze by comparison with the slider. And that car only had one sliding door ... and it wasn't powered!

If I only had one kid, I'd get a wagon. If I had two, I'd a minivan with two sliding doors, LCD screens in the back, and a third row seat that folds flat into the floor.

 

Does the MDX have a third row?

 

It does, but just like other SUV's it's cramped for adults. So if child seats are in the second row, good luck with the third.

 

Used Pilot

 

Agreed, just a personal choice by me. I'm busting my own balls for my wife. And besides, I'll never hear the end of it from my parents whom I've told that I would never get a minivan.

 

I desperately want an MDX, but the wife will balk at the high price, 'luxury' features, and premium-only gas option.

 

Honestly, I haven't heard any good about the GM lambda triplets (Traverse, Acadia, Enclave) from owners. Had two friends that bought new Acadia's back in 08, 09. Both of them very terribly unreliable where the cars left them stranded miles away from home on multiple occasions. I think it was bad water pumps, radiators, and faulty brakes. They both traded them in the second year and these are people that keep cars for 10 years, 100k+ miles.

Not sure how the newer ones are, but just letting you know.

I'd choose from the Pilot, Highlander, CX-9

 

Unless you have 3 kids, (which I don't) you will rarely ever use the third row.

Trust me on this. I bought the Oddy thinking I needed the third row for grandparents...etc.
Rarely ever used it....even though I swore I would use it often.

...and a 3rd row in a SUV is laughable. Nobody wants to sit in a cramped space with their knees in their chest.....let alone the grandparents.

 

When did the Pilot get a HDD for audio storage?

 

Man, you're tough! I would make my kids sit in the third row, not my parents.

 

Back in the day with the car seats....NO way I'm moving those things.

 

Used Pilot
Used Ford Edge
New Kia Sorento

Or say fuck it and get another TLs.

 

That's where you put in-laws that you don't like.

 

i would say an 08+ Highlander would be an awesome pick or an Toyota Venza but i don't think they have a 3rd road.

 

i didn't particularly like the cheaper looking interior of the venza.

 

There's in-laws that are likable?!?!?!