Help me pick a new car (SUV) update on our situation

steenbean18 · November 2013

**UPDATE** Ok, so it's completely gone now. Looks like the original issue caused permanent damage to the transmission. Goodbye $5k.

This shouldn't be happening to a 3 year old car, so we are dumping it as soon as repairs are done. DH and I are now choosing between: 2011 Infiniti QX56 (we think we got a lemon with ours), 2010 Toyota Sequoia (Limited or Platinum), and 2008/9 Lexus LX460. Has anyone owned one of those 3 options that can give input?

The transmission on my car crapped out

It's repairable without replacement, but I feel like it's a ticking time-bomb that I don't want to be driving alone with 2 babies. Sooo...WWS12D?

Current car is a 2009 Infiniti QX56.

What we love: luxury vehicle, big/safe, backup camera (absolute must), heated seats (yes, I live in AZ - please don't laugh), large cargo area, 3rd row

What we don't love: small cargo area when 3rd row is in use, impossible to use 3rd row when 2 car seats are in center row (console between the buckets), 15.2mpg average (premium fuel too, gag!)

I'm debating just buying another of the same vehicle since it was a hose that caused the damage and not the actual transmission. Definitely interested in hearing about your SUVs! Open to anything. We want it to seat at least 5 because it's likely that we will TTC again at some point and I like to keep vehicles. Also needs to carry our monster double stroller and have enough cargo room for 2 large dogs.

hmp1 · November 2013

I have an Acadia with captain seats in the middle. No console between the seats. With 2 rf seats it is a little tricky to use the 3rd row but we have managed just fine. Even my 66 year old mother climbs in from the back to sit in the 3rd row without a problem. I have to put part of the 3rd row down to get my big double jogging stroller in the back. But my Maclaren double fits with plenty of room from groceries/shopping bags when the 3rd row is up.

I also really like the Infiniti JX but that would be a step down in size for you and it doesn't have captain chairs in the second row.

ktnicole · November 2013

We have a Honda Pilot loaded. Its kinda small when the 3rd row is up but very tall. I can fit my citymini plus other things

mrsbhk22 · November 2013

I have a Honda pilot. Love it.

If my DH wasn't so cheap and would shell out for premium fuel , I'd have a new Acura MDX. LOVE them.

danabsd · November 2013

I don't have a car rec that would fit what you are looking for but I'll throw it out there that I live in San Diego and use my heated seats all the time. Definitely on my must list as well. :P

mrsbhk22 · November 2013

Ps there are VERY few that have captains chairs in the 2nd row. I'm thinking the Acadia, enclave, and some special order explorers.

danabsd · November 2013

mrsbhk22 said:

Ps there are VERY few that have captains chairs in the 2nd row. I'm thinking the Acadia, enclave, and some special order explorers.

3rd row SUV's that have 2nd row captains chairs?
Off the top of my head, many Tahoes and Suburbans do.
Here's list I found online:

2013 Buick Enclave

2013 Cadillac Escalade

2013 Chevrolet Suburban

2013 Chevrolet Tahoe

2013 Chevrolet Traverse

2013 Dodge Durango

2013 Ford Explorer

2013 Ford Flex

2013 GMC Acadia

2013 GMC Yukon/Yukon XL

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe

2013 Infiniti QX56

2013 Lincoln MKT

2013 Nissan Armada

2013 Toyota Highlander

2013 Toyota Sequoia

LyndseylovesHugh · November 2013

danabsd said:

I don't have a car rec that would fit what you are looking for but I'll throw it out there that I live in San Diego and use my heated seats all the time. Definitely on my must list as well. :P

I used mine when we lived in Phoenix and in Vegas! Now that we live in Washington (which really isnt even that cold) I do not know how I would live with out them :-)

OP- I have no additional recommendations, I drive a VW Tiguan, which I LOVE but it is a very small SUV. Even the larger version, the Touareg, is smaller than what you are looking for.

mrsbhk22 · November 2013

Hum. We seriously considered a highlander a year ago and never saw one with captains chairs in the 2nd row.

I stand corrected. I will readily admit I'm not a fan if Chevy/ford (bad past experience, so just a personal preference) so we didn't even consider one.

You've peaked my interest with the Infiniti.....

jenmbott · November 2013

DH and I are still researching for a new car. He has been driving our little Civic Coupe which is a pita with a car seat. I was on board with a Chevy Traverse but now he is really harping for an Acura MDX. I just want a car that will enable DD to climb in the car herself and hop into the carseat. I think the MDX might be too tall for DD to be able to do that. I'm thinking about DD doing this when LO#2 arrives so it won't be until she is around 20 months old. However we are going to test drive one this weekend so I will let you know how that goes.

AlinnJo · November 2013

We have a 2013 Acadia with 2nd row captains. My previous car was a 2011 Traver with the same. 2nd row captains is a must for us.

I honestly don't like the new styling of the Q56. I REALLY want the Audi Q7 but there is no option for 2nd row captains. Bummer. The Acura MDX is really small compared to the Q56, but if you want to downsize, that might be good.

I would recommend looking at the Toyota Sequoia. It's bigger than the Highlander and is pretty comparable to the size of the Q56.

Also, they redesigned the 2015 Yukon/XL and Tahoe/ Suburban. They are early releasing them in late winter/ early spring. Take a look. If you don't care about style, you can get a SUPER good deal on the 2013 or 2014 model. Have fun! I LOVE car shopping! And let us know what you get!

Holly_1007 · November 2013

My lincoln aviator was exactly what you described. They don't make it anymore though, but I think the MKT is similar.
I downsized to a Volvo XC90 and it works great for me but might be too small for what you are looking for.

miss50 · November 2013

Check out the Ford Flex. Tons of room. Too much for me and huge, but I was really impressed.

BPer · November 2013

I love Honda Pilots, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Acura MDX

JulesDiane · November 2013

Holly_1007 said:
My lincoln aviator was exactly what you described. They don't make it anymore though, but I think the MKT is similar.
I downsized to a Volvo XC90 and it works great for me but might be too small for what you are looking for.

That Volvo is impressive! When I went to visit my friend in CO, she fit the 2 of us, our 4 kids in car seats and boosters, and the luggage of me and my kids! It's not a giant SUV, but there is a ton of room. Not what the OP is looking for though.

I have a diesel Audi Q7 and love it. It is large and has great gas mileage, but probably still not as large as OP needs. That makes me sad that your Infiniti crapped out. I love Infinitis. Our FX50 is the 3rd one I have owned and I have never had a major issue with my Infinitis. Good luck on the car hunt. I find car shopping stressful.

melody921 · November 2013

I seriously LOVE my Mazda CX-9. It has a lot of luxury components, such as heated seats, without a luxury price tag. It has a third row, but mine is always folded down for more cargo space since there are only 4 of us. It drives like a much faster, snappier car for its size. Gas mileage is the only downside at about 16 mpg.

Pokedot · November 2013

We have a Ford Edge which won't work for what you want but when we purchase a new vehicle I think we're going with the Acadia. It has plenty of room, comfortable ride and I love the style! Car shopping is stressful! GL!

1fish2fish · November 2013

Honda pilot here.

danabsd · November 2013

melody921 said:

I seriously LOVE my Mazda CX-9. It has a lot of luxury components, such as heated seats, without a luxury price tag. It has a third row, but mine is always folded down for more cargo space since there are only 4 of us. It drives like a much faster, snappier car for its size. Gas mileage is the only downside at about 16 mpg.

That's how I feel about mine. Zoom zoom.

steenbean18 · November 2013

Thanks for all the suggestions! We got SO lucky yesterday. Turns out the transmission issue was only a busted hose. Cost us $650 for towing, transmission flush, and hose replacement vs. $5k for a new transmission. We are still considering trading in though. We love the QX but there's a risk that the hose busying caused permanent damage to the trans and I'd rather trade before that becomes an issue.

Bad luck. I'll let you know what we decide!

MommaP12 · November 2013

I used to be a luxury car gal but the upkeep is always so high. We did a 180 from owning Mercedes ML350s to being Hyundai loyal. My next car will be the three row Santa Fe.

steenbean18 · November 2013

MommaP12 said:

I used to be a luxury car gal but the upkeep is always so high. We did a 180 from owning Mercedes ML350s to being Hyundai loyal. My next car will be the three row Santa Fe.

Yeah, DH was a subaru guy when I met him, but I'm a car person and go through them pretty regularly. I got him hooked on luxury cars and now he's "too good". Lol! It was my mistake.

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