Recommend your 6+ seater car/crossover/suv/van

nndidiamaka · April 2011

Our used car, that we just bought in December, died. The transmission has to be replaced and it's going to cost more than the car is worth. We're looking for something brand new that will last us a long, long time.

We are hoping for something that will seat at least 6 (DH's family is coming from Nigeria this summer), gets good gas mileage, and is priced around $20,000. What can you recommend?

Jumperoo · April 2011

We just bought a 2007 Honda Pilot for $23,000 and I LOVE it so far.

ETA: Oops sorry just realized you said brand new.

Rebekah1021 · April 2011

We just bought the Dodge Journey with 3rd row seating.

abba916 · April 2011

I have a Honda Pilot and I love it

nsees · April 2011

Love our Honda Pilot (2010)!

JOEBunny · April 2011

I bought a brand new 2010 Mazda 5 fully loaded except for DVD for less than $20K in January. It has seating for 6. It is great if you have two kids and only occasionally want to carry more or if you have another car for road trips with more kids. I love it. It doesn't drive as nicely as my volvo did, but I don't drive a ton, so I don't care. It is super flexible, gets decent gas mileage, and is city parkable, unlike the larger cars.

lucylea · April 2011

ETA: Just saw you wanted something brand new and now TB won't let me delete my response....ignore this! :-)

webMistress0609 · April 2011

I second the Mazda5. Gas prices are only going up, so that's the biggest seller for me. I'm about to replace my older BMW with one. I had a Mazda 626 for 10 years before the Bimmer & it was a great, reliable vehicle.

Sweets2005 · April 2011

I love my Swagger Wagon (Toyota Sienna)! I bought it used though. I don't think you HAVE to buy new to have a car for a very long time. I would also look into a slightly used Toyota or Honda. GL!

Meggybear · April 2011

nsees:
Love our Honda Pilot (2010)!

I have a 2009 Pilot and love it as well, but a new Pilot starts at well over $28k. OP you might be able to find a preowned Pilot in you range, and Hondas are very reliable and hold value pretty well if you can't find something you love brand new.

msnehz · April 2011

Meggybear:
nsees:
Love our Honda Pilot (2010)!
I have a 2009 Pilot and love it as well, but a new Pilot starts at well over $28k. OP you might be able to find a preowned Pilot in you range, and Hondas are very reliable and hold value pretty well if you can't find something you love brand new.

I love the body type of the new Honda Pilot 2011. I love the rugged look and it was redesigned to fit adults comfortable on the 3rd row seat BUT it does break the bank. After taxes and fees, we didnt want to shell out $35K-$40K. I did my research and found that the new body type was introduced in the 2009 Honda Pilot. I have been stalking Carmax for almost a month now. We finally found one for about $25K!

nndidiamaka · April 2011

JOEBunny:
I bought a brand new 2010 Mazda 5 fully loaded except for DVD for less than $20K in January. It has seating for 6. It is great if you have two kids and only occasionally want to carry more or if you have another car for road trips with more kids. I love it. It doesn't drive as nicely as my volvo did, but I don't drive a ton, so I don't care. It is super flexible, gets decent gas mileage, and is city parkable, unlike the larger cars.

How much luggage space does the Mazda 5 have? We would need to fit 5 adults, 1 toddler, and all our luggage. Would that work??

webMistress0609 · April 2011

nndidiamaka:
JOEBunny:
I bought a brand new 2010 Mazda 5 fully loaded except for DVD for less than $20K in January. It has seating for 6. It is great if you have two kids and only occasionally want to carry more or if you have another car for road trips with more kids. I love it. It doesn't drive as nicely as my volvo did, but I don't drive a ton, so I don't care. It is super flexible, gets decent gas mileage, and is city parkable, unlike the larger cars.
How much luggage space does the Mazda 5 have? We would need to fit 5 adults, 1 toddler, and all our luggage. Would that work??

It's basically a van-lette, as DH likes to call it. Think early 90's Honda Odyssey/Toyota Previa size. You should be able to fit luggage fine.

JOEBunny · April 2011

nndidiamaka:
JOEBunny:
I bought a brand new 2010 Mazda 5 fully loaded except for DVD for less than $20K in January. It has seating for 6. It is great if you have two kids and only occasionally want to carry more or if you have another car for road trips with more kids. I love it. It doesn't drive as nicely as my volvo did, but I don't drive a ton, so I don't care. It is super flexible, gets decent gas mileage, and is city parkable, unlike the larger cars.
How much luggage space does the Mazda 5 have? We would need to fit 5 adults, 1 toddler, and all our luggage. Would that work??

You would only be able to fit large amounts of luggage with a roof rack, which is totally doable and would cost less than $1000, still much cheaper than a honda. It is comfortable with 5 adults, if they are not super large. My cousin and I are both over 5'9" and were comfortable. I was surprised at how comfortable the rear seat was with 2 adults. I think this is especially true if your relatives are from a country where they are not used to riding in giant cars, my former boss was from Nigeria, and I know that his family was not used to riding in the giant Escalade :-)

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