Best vehicle for a 3-kid family?

My dear wife is currently pregnant with baby #3, and our current car is not going to fit a 5-person family. What is the best vehicle for 2 grown-ups and 3 kids (currently 4/2/0 but I would hope it would last, say, 5 years until the kids are 9/7/5 years old)? Are we stuck going the Sienna/Odyssey minivan route, or is something a little smaller and sportier like the Acura MDX a reasonable choice?

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asked on May 5, 2008

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comments and reviews

Haynes 42035 Honda Odyssey Haynes Repair Manual covering all models from 1999 thru 2004

See it at

Until Roy adds cars to the database, we will just read about it

accept your destiny Roland. Relax, and forget about your manhood. This mom-mobile is ridiculously more convenient than any smaller car. With all the amenities and various configurations, you wont be sorry. Just don't try to go around corners too fast

reviewed by: the poster above

I think you have two important questions to face that will forever determine your fate. Sliding doors necessary? Four wheel drive helpful?

If your answers are No and Yes as ours were, consider one of the crossovers or SUVs. We got a Honda Pilot (basically the MDX with cheaper trim and one extra seat belt) and love it. There are many others in the category that look even less "truck-like" and have plenty of seats. Consider everything from the Mazda CX-9 to Volvo XC90 to Saturn Outlook. I'm particularly fond of the idea of a used XC90 V8 to replace the Pilot when it dies (could be a while!) as the Volvos depreciate quickly despite being great cars. That particular engine is a modified boat engine made by Yamaha!

For what it's worth, the Sienna is also available with all wheel drive. Most minivans are not.

#1 - posted on Jun 21, 2008 (9:07 am)

Toyota Highlander "Sport". Has a third row, V6, 4WD. Put a Thule/Yakima box on top for road trips. Low to mid-$30's. Nice looking SUV/"High Wagon", IMO.

#2 - posted on Jul 7, 2008 (10:57 am)