BamaTanya Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 I'm sure this has been answered here before, but I wasn't paying attention! No, we're not expecting anyone new, but the 12 yo minivan is a-creakin' and I'm dreamin' about what'll replace her! :) It would be nice to have room to invite Dad to come along with us sometimes without having to drive his own car (now that Mom is gone) or for the kids to have a guest once in a while . . . I've been thinking of a Toyota Sienna, but aren't there some other vehicles that seat 8? Besides Suburbans. I don't have anything against them (besides $). I'm just not sure one would fit on my driveway next to our other minivan! Decent gas mileage would be a plus! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn. Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 I don't know about cheapest, but I love my Toyota Sienna! Just thought I'd put in a plug for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Ford has a new and rather interesting vehicle coming out called a "Flex" with reasonable milage (way better than an SUV) but I'm afraid it will only hold 7 so this may not help you. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlsdMama Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 But mama, if you went for a 12pass. you'd have room for visitors, camping equipment and more. :P I know it sounds crazy, but we only have our kids and we got a 15 for the extra grocery space and we're so glad we did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3littlekeets Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 I have a Pontiac Montana. Got it used as a fleet vehicle (6 mos. and 12,000 miles) for 12,000.00. 1/2 off a Sienna. I would have loved the Sienna, but I liked the price, and 2 years later, we still love the Montana! And, b/c the price was so right, we paid it off in year and 1/2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1bassoon Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 I'm sure this has been answered here before, but I wasn't paying attention! No, we're not expecting anyone new, but the 12 yo minivan is a-creakin' and I'm dreamin' about what'll replace her! :) It would be nice to have room to invite Dad to come along with us sometimes without having to drive his own car (now that Mom is gone) or for the kids to have a guest once in a while . . . I've been thinking of a Toyota Sienna, but aren't there some other vehicles that seat 8? Besides Suburbans. I don't have anything against them (besides $). I'm just not sure one would fit on my driveway next to our other minivan! Decent gas mileage would be a plus! We're exactly in your boat - replacing our Dodge Grand Caravan. Unfortunately, we just decided to get another GC. Looking at gas prices made us wary of a Suburban - which was what we were previously expecting to purchase. My friend spends $97 each time she fills her 12-pass Ford. Just can't do it. Feeling your pain - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frontier Mom Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 Yep, my van is on its last leg, or should I say mile. I'm looking around at suggestions too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1bassoon Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 Anybody drive a Chevy Uplander? That's one we've thought about - does it seat 8 or 7??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milovany Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 We would seriously look at an airporter type shuttle bus purchased off Craigslist or ebay! Right now we're in a 9-passenger Suburban and we fill it. I've seen some great airporters for sale -- tons of room, tons of seats. And the thing is, most of these were built to last lots and lots of miles, but are sold off before reaching those miles. We saw one I wish we would have bought -- but I found it on ebay something like one day before it expired and we just couldn't move on it that fast (it was 3 hours from here and we couldn't dash off to see it that day). Wait, I think that one was a shorty school bus???? Anyway, do searches at CL and ebay for "airporter" or "shuttle" or just "bus." HTH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
summer Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 The Honda Odyssey is not least expensive, but the lack of repairs more than makes up for any cost. Mine is at 110,000 miles and going great (knock on wood). It is less expensive than the Toyota Sienna and you can often get 1%-3% financing. Also, the Odyssey ranks higher than the Sienna by Consumer Reports. They are close, but the Odyssey is a little higher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraceyS/FL Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 We're exactly in your boat - replacing our Dodge Grand Caravan. Unfortunately, we just decided to get another GC. Looking at gas prices made us wary of a Suburban - which was what we were previously expecting to purchase. My friend spends $97 each time she fills her 12-pass Ford. Just can't do it. Feeling your pain - My 05 Odyssey cost $80+ to fill! It has a 21 gallon tank.... and gets about 20mpg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jami Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 Anybody drive a Chevy Uplander? That's one we've thought about - does it seat 8 or 7??? Not an Uplander, but my sister drives a Chevy Venture that seats 8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mamagistra Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 I'm beginning to think it's this: Or maybe a bike? :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BamaTanya Posted July 13, 2008 Author Share Posted July 13, 2008 I'm beginning to think it's this: Or maybe a bike? :D Either would help with our pain at the pump! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkwynn Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 I love my Odyssey, too! We got a great deal on it as a lease-return. If I couldn't have the Honda, I'd choose the Toyota, though. Either one. Good luck in your search. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommylawyer Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 I'm dreaming of an Odyssey or Sienna - but only if we have another child (*fingers crossed*). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LMA Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 We have an Odyssey and a Suburban. The Odyssey is more comfortable. However, the gas mileage on both vehicles is about the same. We get about 24 mpg on straight highway driving. Around the city, it's about 20 for both. So please don't think that the Suburban uses more gas. We were rather surpised about the Odyssey's mileage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraceyS/FL Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 Yup, that is my feeling. The mileage stinks in my Ody i think. Granted it's only 700 pounds lighter than a suburban too. In straight town driving i get 17-18, throw in a trip I get up to 20. If it's all highway i get 24 if i'm lucky. Haven driving a suburban & trucks at work for years, it's just not that much different..... :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paula j Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 I really like our Ford Expedition we bought in March.:) It will easily hold 8, 9 if you squeeze a bit. The downside is that it only gets around 18 miles to the gallon. I feel like we got a good deal on it, $22,000. We looked at Ford Sync which was a tiny 5 seater that had all wheel drive and great gas mileage but it was a tight squeeze with 3 adults and 2 teens, now way would we be able to take a friend along, also the tiny car was $36,000! I figured for $12,000 dollar difference I could afford quite a bit of gas.;) Oh, one more cool thing, all those seats fold down completely flat, like in the new mini vans, making for lots of space to haul things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb_ Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 The Honda Pilot is the best priced crossover to come with 8 seats. Surprisingly, even better priced than the comparable Saturn. It also comes with cylinder deactivation, which basically shuts down the extra cylinders by computer while driving on the highway and not switching gears, giving you better overall gas mileage: http://automobiles.honda.com/pilot/ http://ezinearticles.com/?Cylinder-Deactivation:-A-Good-Thing?&id=226193 If you aren't really sure what a crossover is (and I wasn't until beginning to research for the exact same reasons you mentioned at the top of the thread), it's basically a minivan with an SUV-looking shell on top. It drives like a minivan, has gas mileage like a minivan, and has the same sorts of bells and whistles as a minivan with the look of an SUV. So far, my favorite full size SUV is the Nissan Armada. I like it better than the Expedition (which we used to own about 7 years ago) and the Suburban (too much a big truck feel to drive, and I'm on the petite side). Here are all the vehicles I've found with 8 seats: Minivans * Toyota Sienna * Honda Odyssey Crossover SUVs * Honda Pilot * GMC Acadia * Buick Enclave * Saturn Outlook * Toyota Highlander Full-size SUVs * Chevrolet Suburban * Ford Expedition * Lexus LX 560 * GMC Tahoe * Nissan Armada * Toyota Sequoia * Toyota Land Cruiser * Infiniti QX56 * Chrysler Aspen ***ETA I've noticed that there are very good deals to be had on gently used SUV's sitting at car dealerships. I saw a 2007 Nissan Armada with only 11K miles on it...all the upgrades including sunroof and DVD player for only $22K!! We aren't ready to buy, but I was sorely tempted. Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mamagistra Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 ***ETA I've noticed that there are very good deals to be had on gently used SUV's sitting at car dealerships. Yes! Check Carmax if there's one in your area. Both our Excursion and truck were purchased there at great prices. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracey in TX Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 We currently own an 8 passenger Suburban and would like to fit 1-2 additional people. How does the 'burb seat 9? Is the front seat a bench? If so, does it still have all the bells and whistles (ie seat warmer, driver seat mobility)? Our vehicle will probably last another 5 years, so it may not even be an issue, but would like to get info. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LMA Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 Yup, that is my feeling. The mileage stinks in my Ody i think. Granted it's only 700 pounds lighter than a suburban too. In straight town driving i get 17-18, throw in a trip I get up to 20. If it's all highway i get 24 if i'm lucky. Haven driving a suburban & trucks at work for years, it's just not that much different..... :( Yes, the tank is much larger on the Suburban so I don't have to fill as often. So the amount of money needed to fill a tank is misleading because you need to know how many gallons are in the tank. People always assume that the Ody is much, much better. But since Suburban has 8 cylinders and 4 wheel drive, I am getting good gas mileage. My MIL's Chevy Equinox crossover vehicle gets about 14 mpg in the city, so I think my mileage is pretty good for what I drive. You can't compare a Honda Civic and a Suburban until you compare their weights, cylinders, amount of steel. The other ironic thing is that I used my Camry until we had child number 4. People used to make fun of me for putting three car seats in the back and for trying to save gas. Now all my neighbors are downsizing and asking me when am I going to downsize. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom to Aly Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 Have you looked into the Kia Sedona? I believe it is the least expensive, comes with a 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty, gets good mileage, really good safety record, and, I believe, is about the cheapest out there. It is what I am planning to get when I sell my house and can afford a car :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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