Not really. Too many dopes don't like minivans because they're minivans. That is, they have an irrational hatred of the vehicle that is perfect for them.
Jack it up, slap on some horrible driving dynamics, neuter any hope of decent fuel economy and people will pay a $10K premium for a vehicle that's worse in every meaningful way for them. With sliding doors, SUVs would be a tiny bit better at least.
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Couple of alternate suggestions that may be right:
VW Routan. You're wife seems to like the German badges, and if you're quiet about it, she may not notice it's actually a Caravan. I see a 2010 with 50k for 17k at Northland...maybe you can get the Pylon hookup! Probably a great car for a couple of kids to destroy.
Mercedes R-Class. A little weirdo looking, but they have a pretty steep depreciation curve, so you can get one in your price range (well under, depending on year). The bad thing about them is that although they are van-like inside, they don't have sliding doors. I guess Mercedes wanted to make a van, but didn't want to go all the way?
I'm kind of in the same boat where we are thinking about upsizing our family car, as the current one (V50) gets a little tight on trips, and the massive baby seats these days mean we have to push the front seat forward quite a bit. My dream is a used E-Class Wagon. However the current gen is still too expensive on the used market, and the previous one I'm a little apprehensive about reliability wise...but they are tempting.
If you want to stick with a car Table 5, check out Passats. They're huge inside. The looks are very subdued (which I like, but I get it when people call them boring - that was my first reaction to the redesign a couple years ago, too). But for a family hauler, they're wicked. Huge trunk, too. I've put 7,000 kms on mine in the two months since I bought it. The 1.8 Turbo gets 49 mpg on the highway (I haven't cracked 42, but I drive it a little more enthusiastically than a lot of people would). I'm 6'4" and somebody also 6'4" can sit comfortable behind me. It has to have the most legroom (front and rear) of any sedan on the market and they're wicked cheap. Mine was only $27K brand new.
Unfortunately, no wagon available anymore, though. Loved my 91 Passat wagon, but the market prefers crossovers and SUVs, I guess.
Couple of alternate suggestions that may be right:
VW Routan. You're wife seems to like the German badges, and if you're quiet about it, she may not notice it's actually a Caravan. I see a 2010 with 50k for 17k at Northland...maybe you can get the Pylon hookup! Probably a great car for a couple of kids to destroy.
If you're going to do that, just buy a brand new Caravan for $20K and slap some VW badges on it. New Caravans are so incredibly inexpensive - they are one of the best values of any car out there in any class IMO.
If you're going to do that, just buy a brand new Caravan for $20K and slap some VW badges on it. New Caravans are so incredibly inexpensive - they are one of the best values of any car out there in any class IMO.
I'd do that myself, but for some people the badge is important enough that they'd prefer the name upgrade. But you are right, the Caravan is a fantastic value. My dad recently bought a Caravan, and I was surprised how nice they are inside. The Pentastar is a great engine and the interior is a huge upgrade from the previous generation. Although the ride is a little harsher than I would hope.
Id definitely consider the Passat if they still offered the wagon, it always seemed like a great-sized family car. Not a lot of straight-up non-CUVized wagon options out there right now.
Are high-end BMW and Mercedes SUV's really good options for family vehicles? I feel like no matter how nice your ride is, your kids are still going to puke all over the back seat.
Also, Dodge Journeys are awesome for a weekend of golfing with the mates. Just saying!
Couple of alternate suggestions that may be right:
VW Routan. You're wife seems to like the German badges, and if you're quiet about it, she may not notice it's actually a Caravan. I see a 2010 with 50k for 17k at Northland...maybe you can get the Pylon hookup! Probably a great car for a couple of kids to destroy.
Mercedes R-Class. A little weirdo looking, but they have a pretty steep depreciation curve, so you can get one in your price range (well under, depending on year). The bad thing about them is that although they are van-like inside, they don't have sliding doors. I guess Mercedes wanted to make a van, but didn't want to go all the way?
I'm kind of in the same boat where we are thinking about upsizing our family car, as the current one (V50) gets a little tight on trips, and the massive baby seats these days mean we have to push the front seat forward quite a bit. My dream is a used E-Class Wagon. However the current gen is still too expensive on the used market, and the previous one I'm a little apprehensive about reliability wise...but they are tempting.
Be very VERY wary of the transmission in those...
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One option that isnt discussed here is carrying less stuff. I wish we went that route. Instead we bought a traverse which is just too big. Same with most of the minivans outside the mazda 5.
Not carrying stuff makes your life so much easier. Get a high end umbrella stroller and a the greyco thing that the car seats attach to. Get rid of the play pen and take one of these instead. http://t.toysrus.ca/skava/static/pro...www.toysrus.ca
You just shaved a trip to the car and 30lbs of crap out of your life.
I am looking at downsizing to a Rondo / mazda 5 type size because even carrying bikes on the back and a full compliment of tent camping gear these vehicles are big enough.
You can carry just a diaper bag and a water bottle but the rear facing car seats are still gigantic no matter how you slice it. Plus you're supposed to try and keep them rearfacing for 2+ years now. So if you have a couple kids that's 4+ years of your passenger riding with their face smushed up against the dash unless you have something a bit bigger.
But I hear you. I long for the days of a sporty sedan. *tear*
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The other thing to keep in mind is when your kids get older there will be friends. We have 2 kids but often 4-6 kids in the van. Birthday parties, pile in. Taking family visitors to the mountains, pile in, etc
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