Good point. Although, you can use the center seat belt instead of the latch or together with the latch and be OK.

I think from a safety side, there is just not enough of a buffer with 3 seats in the back of a sedan. On a side inpact, the seats are not really going to have any give.

 

Shhh- don't tell my wife, dammit!

The Ody also had more road feel and better response than the Sienna, Caravan, etc. when we were looking. The Mazda MPV was nice (smaller) and handled pretty well IIRC, but the Ody was the acceleration champ of the minivan set.

 

Not since the Sienna started packing the 266HP 3.5L.

 

 

I still remember a long time ago... I had a Dodge Ram p/u truck... and got owned by an ody (1st gen.) off the light

 

I agree. However the Sienna is on the heavier side and while it did ride smoother, the Odyssey was the best pick of the bunch. Handles much better. The steering feel is very comparable to the E39's in my humble opinion. It also feels somewhat composed, almost german-like. Those who own them know what I mean, it feels safe and rides like a lux car. Overall, I also think it looked the best compared to the other offerings in the category. The first time I merged on the highway with it, I went and smiled thinking how peppy it was. the all the Ody owners.

Done my fanboi speech now.

 

and the Ody also packed on a couple more hundred pounds since my 2004.

Oh, sorry about the

Back to OP's "I hate minivans but need more room than a Suburban" thread...

 

I agree with pretty much everything you've said. I own a Ody remember.

But the Sienna is quicker. Sienna weighs 4310 while the Ody weighs 4500 to 4600 depending on trim. In the last head to head I remember seeing the Sienna was quicker. But not by much.

 

Siennas are for suckers. :wink:

 

Exactly! I have no issue with being called vain- but I have never seen a car as just "getting from Point A to Point B". I drive 18-20K miles/year. I want to enjoy it. I highly doubt that a Toyota Sienna is going to provide that- not even the Peyton Manning/Turbo/AWD/Flames down the side Minivan!

I do like the comment that w/3 kids it is no longer about me. Very solid point...but I'm still going to look for something besides the minivan


PS- I love the which minivan is faster part of this thread. I can just see me bragging about the 1/4 mile times of my Sienna/Oddy

 

Exactly why you should get a Minivan over an SUV. I can't speak for the Sienna, but the Ody will more enjoyable to drive than most SUV's.

Looks and stigma are your issue, not driving enjoyment.

Not trying to convince you into a Minivan. You've made that clear. Just providing perspective.

The CX-9 and Vercruz are nice choices. Have a look at those.

 

Yeah, three rows, three car seats, and NO sliding doors... can't see how that would provide easy, convenient access to whoever is stuck in the back, and certainly isn't so easy for them to get in/out either.

 

And the thing is. That SUV that you plan to put baby seats into better have buckets in the middle row to get to the rear. Once you put baby seats in, the seats will no longer fold to provide access to the rear since their acnhored to the rear of the seat.

 

Well one has to be able to merge on the highway with all the weight...

What about the R63 AMG?

 

Lots of things to consider, which myself and pretty much everyone else has mentioned in previous posts. I guess there's a reason why minivans "work" for families with more than 2 young children.

oh, and

:ibhesaysThatsNotabigDealandfoldshisChildinhalftoA llowaccesstoBackanyway:

 

The 3.5L from Toyota is no joke. My sister bought a new Highlander and I can feel the engine pulling the now fat ass Highlander as much as it can. And it did quite well. It had more thrust than my other sister's 05 Odyssey (which i always felt was the torquiest version of Honda's V6), before it got fatter and slower.

 

Fixed.

 

My wife and I have a CX-9 that we purchased new in April of 2007. She drives the vehicle, and has 27,000 trouble free miles so far. We purchased the AWD Grand Touring model with all the bells and whistles. It has been a fantastic vehicle, and is perfect for a family. The second row is big, and we currently have a child seat and a booster seat in that row, with plenty of room left between the kids. There is tons of room in the third row. The third row has very easy access, and my 6 year old loves to ride back there. Two adults will fit comfortably back there.

Although the vehicle is large, it drives like a sports sedan. It is very nimble, and it has great pickup. My wife averages about 18 mpg combined driving on regular fuel. When we use it for trips, we routinely get 22 mpg on the HWY.

Give one a test drive. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. There is a reason that it has won so many awards.

Zoom Zoom

 

why not use the QX56?

i would recommend a pathfinder or a FX

 

Cool...thanks for the first hand feedback. I will definitely be looking at it. It seems like the MDX and the CX-9 are often cross-shopped.

As for why not use the QX...that is the wife's and I really would not be interested in driving that on a daily basis.