I hate minivans ...

[webstrive]

... and need a decent looking 7+ seater vehicle, suggestions?



also, are there any hybrids in this class?





price isn't an issue yet, just want to know whats available

 

[Five Star]

... and need a decent looking 7+ seater vehicle, suggestions?



also, are there any hybrids in this class?





price isn't an issue yet, just want to know whats available

Models Available Now

2006 Ford Escape Hybrid

2006 GMC Truck Sierra 1500 Hybrid Extended Cab

2006 Honda Accord Hybrid

2006 Honda Civic Hybrid

2006 Honda Insight

2006 Lexus RX 400h

2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid

2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

2006 Toyota Prius







Coming Soon

2006 Model Year

Nissan Altima

Lexus GS

Saturn VUE Green Line

Dodge Ram



2007

Chevy Tahoe

Dodge Durango

Gmc Yukon

Toyota Sienna

Lexus ls 600h



2008

Porsche Cayenne

Honda Fit.



Guess the Best Choice is a Toyota Highlander or wait for the Sienna

 

[Sherman8r44]

IDK of any current hybrids that have 7+ seats.



Your best bet for a 7+ seat non-minivan is a Honda Pilot or Acura MDX (basically the same car, the Honda doesn't have some of the bells and whistles though).

 

[Five Star]

IDK of any current hybrids that have 7+ seats.



Your best bet for a 7+ seat non-minivan is a Honda Pilot or Acura MDX (basically the same car, the Honda doesn't have some of the bells and whistles though).

Highlander Hybrid has an optional 3rd row seat, I'm sure it'd be best to wait for the sienna

 

[Accumulator]

I kinda like the way some hybrids are more powerful than their conventional versions, but I question how fast you'd recoup the additional purchase price via gas savings :nixweiss



If our MPV got totaled tomorrow and I decided to *not* buy another minivan, I'd probably get a Suburban/Yukon. With the dogs I might have somewhat different space requirements, but the smaller SUVs I've looked at just didn't have the same interior room that a minivan has (much to my dismay). I really dislike how this sort of vehicle drives, but between the interior volume and the low step-up I just can't find a suitable replacement that I'd like better.

 

[imported_Detailing Technology]

I think you are in agreement with the rest of the world in hating minivans. I dont think anyone has ever drove past a dealership and said, "Oh man, I've got to get one of those minivans!".



Did you think about a Suburban, Tahoe, Land Cruiser, ML, or a Sequoia?



Accumulator - My mother just got an 07 Lexus GS450h Hybrid to replace an 04 GS430. It is a ROCKET SHIP. Cant comment on the economy, just drove it for a hour or so.

 

[Accumulator]

Accumulator - My mother just got an 07 Lexus GS450h Hybrid to replace an 04 GS430. It is a ROCKET SHIP..

Yeah, that extra kick from the electric motor is a cool feature. If I were buying something like that I'd get the hybrid for the performance boost.



Actually, I wish somebody would make a small, high performance minivan...the MPV with AWD, ~300hp, and a real suspension/brake package would be great for me and the dogs.

 

[Scottwax]

The Honda Odyssey is the 'least minivan' of the minivans, drives just like a large Accord and the 3.5 V6 is pretty strong. My brother hated minivans until he bought his Odyssey.



Non-minivan, I'd go with the new Tahoe or Yukon.

 

[Accumulator]

The Honda Odyssey is the 'least minivan' of the minivans, drives just like a large Accord and the 3.5 V6 is pretty strong..

Yeah, if they'd just build a short-wheelbase version I'd be test driving it. The one nice thing about the MPV is that it's small compared to other minivans. We were parked next to an Odyssey the other day and Accumulatorette was all "that thing is one HUGE minivan".



Gotta say that the rent-a-Suburban we had last year really impressed both of us. For a big truck it drove very nicely, my wife was parallel parking it in some mighty tight spots with no trouble at all and we both thought it handled surprisingly well. Weak brakes though...



Funny how an Odyssey seems too huge but we both liked the Suburban :nixweiss

 

[webstrive]

great info .. thanks everyone



for me, being more environmentally friendly and having decent performance is a signficant selling point



i agree, i think on average it'd be quite a while before any savings are incured for gas, perhaps future hybrids will do even better although some are already impressive, and hopefully there will be even more tax savings



i've been checking out vehicles mentioned here ... no winner yet, hopefully i'll post again soon with my choice



Accumulator, I haven't looked at this in detail but at first glance I think it has some of the features you mentioned:



http://www.subaru.com/shop/overview.jsp?model=B9_TRIBECA&trim=LIMITED_7-PASSENGER



this one is a 7-seater, there a 5-seater too

 

[SamIam]

Funny how an Odyssey seems too huge but we both liked the Suburban :nixweiss

Too funny! That Suburban is HUGE. Probably like driving the Odyssey, it seems smaller when behind the wheel. My only issue with the Honda is it doesn't have an adjustable steering wheel. Everything else is dead on.



We had an Acura MDX, and like you said, just not enough room. Great vehicle, no problems, rode good, but with 2 kids and a big dog or two, and needing to haul all thier luggage to the lake, just not big enough. We can stuff it full of dogs and kids and everyone is pretty comfortable. The only thing I've tried to haul and couldn't fit was a big screen TV from Costco, it was too tall for the door opening.



Isn't it funny what we'll do for our dogs? I once traded in my 300ZX for a minivan, so my German Shepherd and Belgian Tervuren would have a comfortable ride. Of course, my wife drove the minivan and I was demoted to the early 90s Hyundai Sonata she had when we got married.

 

[Accumulator]

SamIam- Yeah, I go to some pretty extreme lengths over the dogs, my older one likes the low step-up of the MPV so I'm probably gonna keep it while he's still around. At 25K its probably not even broken in yet. If I ever get my other cars back from the shop(s) I can reserve the MPV for dog-only duty and quit griping.



Good point about the steering wheel, the lack of telescope on the MPV gives me fits.



webstrive- Thanks for the Subie suggestion, but I had *so* many issues with both my Subarus (Outback, WRX) that I don't think I'll ever own another one. Near the top of my "worst ownership experiences" list, which is saying something with all the dozens of cars I've had. Incompetent dealers had something to do with it, and I probably got two lemons, but still...Heh heh, Accumulatorette would probably think I'd lost my mind if I even suggested another Subaru (she *really* hated them). Funny, nobody else has trouble with Subarus and it seems that most other women like them :nixweiss



Let us know if you decide to get something, I'd be interested what you think when you're seriously comparing.

 

[Tasty]

Everyone I know that has an Odyssey has been converted from minivan hater to Odyssey lover. People think SUVs have so much room and utility, but like Accumulator said when you really compare feature for feature the minivan would win hands down. However, like the rest of America (or a lot of America) I don't want to be seen in a minivan.

 

[bshertzer]

great info .. thanks everyone



for me, being more environmentally friendly and having decent performance is a signficant selling point

i can only assume that you wouldnt be interested in an 01 Expedition... fully loaded in very nice shape would you?

 

[SpoiledMan]

Neither of us wanted a mini-van when we bought the Odyssey in 2000. We were both determined to only drive it when we have to. Our other two cars are '95(98,000 miles) and '98(26,700 miles). The van has almost 90,000 miles. I guess you can tell which one we like the most and drive the most eh? When they make a hybrid, we will take a look at getting a new one and decide between the hybrid and the Touring Odyssey.

 

[Z K]

I don't think minivans are necessarily bad. The new ones are extremely comfortable with leather, DVD navigation, in car entertainment systems, active noise cancelling, 2/3 zone temperature control, xenon headlights, power everything, and drives like a car. Definitely the way to go on a long road trip when you have a lot of people onboard! SUVs seem rather useless unless you're planning on going off the road or in places with snow/mud.

 

[AlexRuiz]

I shouldn't be revealing insider stuff, but if you can wait for the new GM "lambda" crossovers they are well worth the wait. Saturn outlook, GMC acadia or buick enclave :up

 

[Accumulator]

This thread is similar to the one about selling a Porsche to buy something that'll accommodate a growing family.



On the SUV/minvan thing, I can't help but think that the same low step-up that my older dog appreciates might be a big deal for people with kids. IMO someone with kid-seats/etc. will probably be happier with a minivan-style ride height and big sliding side doors.

 

[Tasty]

This thread is similar to the one about selling a Porsche to buy something that'll accommodate a growing family.



On the SUV/minvan thing, I can't help but think that the same low step-up that my older dog appreciates might be a big deal for people with kids. IMO someone with kid-seats/etc. will probably be happier with a minivan-style ride height and big sliding side doors.

Accumulator - That is all true, BUT many people (myself included) don't want to admit it or give in to the minivan. If I really wanted to be practical, and actually if they were priced a little more reasonably, I might trade my CR-V in for an Odyssey.

 

[MrSelfDestruct]

The new 2007 Montana SV6 has a larger engine... 3.9L 240hp. Just something to think about.



I personally like the Pontiac Torrent, however it's only a 5 seater..



GMC Envoy XL is nice.. smaller than the Yukon (gas mileage)... and you can fit 7 people.