My wife and I had an '04 TSX and an '04 V8 4Runner. We used the TSX as primary transportation and the 4Runner as my 50 mile a week commuter and when we needed to tow. We have our first child on the way this fall and I found I didn't fit in the TSX with the car seat in the back. So we sold the TSX and bought an '08 Highlander. (more detail here https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43833)

So now we have two very similar looking SUV's and we really don't need both. I'm tempted to sell the 4Runner (I got an offer of 20K from a friend of my sisters), but I don't know what to get in place of it. It's paid off so I could buy something as much as 20K and still be without a payment. On the other hand, it's only got 36K miles on it so keeping it wouldn't be the worst option. Back on the first hand, I feel so cramped in there after driving the Highlander.

I had a thought today of checking out an '03 Maxima SE w/ 87K miles and offering $6500 for it if I liked it, but it's cloth and an auto. If I went that route, I'd rather have leather and a 6 speed. I need something bigger (I'm 6'3) and would need to fit an infant seat in the back.

I wouldn't mind a TL, but the back seat room seemed about the same as the TSX. (I was originally going to get a new TL-S in place of the TSX).

I haven't ruled out a newer Camry SE or Avalon Touring either.

If I bought something cheaper, I'd stick the extra cash on the Highlander loan. $13K would take the loan amount down to $10K and I'd have it paid off in less than 2 years.

I'm trying to do the reasonable and responsible thing here. But I am self spoiled with car features because of the TSX and Highlander. And I would hate to go back to two car payments especially with a baby on the way. But I also don't want to get older car problems (one of the reasons I sold the TSX)

Any advice?

Typing this out and reading it over makes me think I should just keep the 4Runner and get over it.

 

really? imo, the TL is tons bigger, seems that way when driving it as well...

back seat leg room especially is huge difference although i can understand the roof being low (im 6'1'')

if you need the room, save money, get late model maxima or i35 or something similar

 

New accord? Its the size of the RL.... But the 2004-2008 TSX has smaller back seats than the TL, I'm 6ft, my bro is 6,2, and my dad is 6'3. I drove, brother in the front, dad behind me and mom behind bro. We took a trip to tampa (3 hrs.) very comfortably in my TL.

 

My test is put the front seat all the way back, then get in the back seat. If my legs fit, the the seat should fit. I couldn't even get in the TL without putting the seat forward.

 

I drove an Accord and was not impressed. Maybe it was because it only had 12 miles on it and the rotors were warped big time. I made them take it to their service dept when I got back.

It's not completly ruled out though.

And was your seat all the way back in the TL with your dad behind you?

I know my legs are really long between my hips and my knees.

 

Keep the 4Runner.

Look at the new CRV. My friend drives his girlfriend's all the time and likes it a lot. He is 6'4"

 

A used previous gen Accord
A used Camry
A used Altima
A used wagon (Subaru?...wagons are harder to come by).
A used Sonata (you could afford a new one, but they depreciate so quickly, it makes more financial sense to get a slightly used one).

All of those options should still be big enough to fit a car seat and some baby items, should you need to take the baby in that car instead of the Highlander. A slightly used model could fit into your budget (plus, I hate the new Accords). If you don't need to worry as much about transporting the baby in both cars, perhaps a Mazda 3, or a Honda Fit (bigger than you think).

 

For what it's worth, my husband is 6'5" and even though the 3 and Fit are compact cars, he actually fits comfortably in both.

 

I've also heard the Scion xB was pretty roomy inside, but when I checked it out, I just couldn't shake the econobox feeling. I guess I'm spoiled.

I've never been in a Fit before. Isn't there a new one coming out soon?

 

Yeah, not sure when. I really like the Fit a lot. The rear magic seats are awesome, tons of room in that thing hidden by a tiny size.

 

^ I think part of what makes the Fit so roomy up front is the lack of a deep, protruding dash that interferes with cabin space. I don't know about dimensions, but the front of the Fit felt much roomier, open, and airy than even the '09 Accord. Again, my husband seems more comfortable in the Fit (legroom, good seating position) than even my '99 TL, a mid-size.

 

If it can fit Dan Martin, that's all you need to know....

 

My seat was not all the way back, it was about 2 inches from being fully all the way back, and it was reclined so the headrest stood up straight.

 

insert dan martin picture here.

 

Actually, that's incorrect. In reality, the rear leg room in both the TL and TSX are VERY close.

TSX rear leg room (inches): 34.2

TL rear leg room (inches): 34.9

 

My old ride was an 02 Max SE w/similar equip (cloth, 4AT). While they are out there 6MTs are a bit few and far between but, a blast to drive. As my old ride is now owned by my wife's cousin -- who takes our 15 month old with her on occassion -- I can state with confidence that the A33 (00-03 Maxima) has A) plenty of rear seat room to accomodate an infant car seat, B) plenty of front seat room to fit a driver w/ 6'+ frame and C) great trunk space.

Even as an older car, the 5.5G is fairly reliable but there are a couple trouble spots to be aware of (from my experience): MAF sensor, HU CD player issues (Bose and nonBose) and Bridgestone Potenza RE92s (being dangerous tires in the wet stuff). That said, it is a great all around car. (I am considering going this route once the lease on my 07 AV6 expires, this time getting a loaded model.)

 

i simply CANT believe this. we have a 04 and 2 up front and 3 in the back (2 of them being 6 feet) are decently confortable. when we got a tsx loner, i couldnt even fit the back being 6'1''.

maybe its just me...

 

I say make the offer for the Maxima sounds like a good deal to me, or just keep the 4Runner.

 

Sell the 4runner for $20K
buy the maxima for $7k
apply the $13k to the highlander
pay the highlander off ASAP
Start a college fund :o)

 

Fix0red.

 

Is the new accord really the size of the RL?

 

Good call on the college fund... it will be right next to her wedding fund (yeah, we know we are having a girl) Although both my wife and I paid for our college and wedding 100% on our own.

 

Aggressive mortgage payoff might not be viewed as financially wise by some (me included). I have about 40% equity in my house and I do pay a couple hundred extra per paycheck, but I prefer to dump my money into investments. I get a higher rate of return than my interest rate (plus my house interest is deductible) and I can pull it easier if I need it.

 

You could also look at a used Volvo V70. I had mine and 3 kids, 2 car seats. It drives well, good on gas, and about as safe as it gets. That would be in the best interest of the family. And a used 2002 should be under $10 K.

 

Sure its deductible, but what if you had no mortgage? Then all of that cash could go towards investments.

 

No put its pretty close.

 

Damn, for about 30K it comes fully loaded and I like the look of it...

 

Whiskers posting in car talk. What's the world coming to these days?

 

FWIW, I have an 04 TL and my son and his car seat fit fine and I'm 6'2".

 

and

 

yeah, but from an NPV standpoint (Depending on his mortage rate) It's better to have $13k now, than $13k years later.

 

I need to buy two cars 3 weeks from now....I'm freaking out...

 

sell the Highlander and get a Cert. pre-owned RL.