re: In the market for a 3rd row vehicle.

Get a Kia Carnival. It's marketed as a MPV (multi-purpose vehicle), looks like an SUV, but is contrasted in the minivan class with a minivan like price. I had the same issue with my wife when we had baby number 3 coming...her not wanting a minivan and wanting an SUV instead. This was definitely a compromise winner for us. As a bonus, it has the highest consumer reports safety ratings in this class as well.

LINK

SUVs are horribly overpriced, Best of luck to you my friend...

quote:

---

We looked hard at the Kia Carnival, then my wife read about problems catching fire. I told her that would never happen…well, what do you know, our best friend’s Carnival spontaneously combusted in his driveway 2 months ago. I’m talking huge flames. Whole thing went ablaze in about 30 seconds.

---

Only positive...at least it wasn't in his garage!

According to car edge, Lexus TX fair price is -5.5% off MSRP.

quote:

---

So, your argument is to pay multiple years worth of interest on a closed term loan after two to three months? Do you understand how financing works with cars?

---

Don’t be a puss, get the Toyota Sienna and don’t look back. Wife will have phd in carpool with sliding doors

I have been issued a Chrysler Pacifica a few times when renting. Really enjoyed it. The last one was a plug in hybrid. CDJR is struggling currently. Might be able to swing a good deal.

A full size is only really meant for people who are towing, otherwise you're wasting the main reason of those vehicles and paying a crap ton more in gas than car based SUVs or minivans. If you have no reason to tow the next logical thing is a minivan by far, but yes a ton of people are totally against them. With 3 kids especially this would be HUGE, but if you want to deal with the pains of having 3 little ones and a SUV instead, it'll work just be more painful every time you get in and out basically, thats what minivans are great for, and ones like the Sienna get ridiculously good gas mileage as hybrids.

If you're looking for larger 3 row car based SUVs, the new Traverse/Acadia are pretty massive and pretty much the leaders in the segment there now. Good 3rd row legroom (plenty for kids) and actually usable room behind the 3rd rows which most car based SUVs lack a bit compared to minivans/tahoes/suburbans etc...The VW Atlas and Grand Highlander are also sneaky good on 3rd rows and behind 3rd row space.

The Pilot will be a great car and my parents just got one new last year. It is a TAD smaller than the others I mentioned though for 3rd row/behind 3rd row overall. Not by some huge margin, but if you're really looking to maximize the 3rd row and space behind it those others will have a small leg up on the PIlot.

At 6'2 I was able to use my parent's 3rd row in their Pilot fairly comfortably for less than 45 min or so get around town type drives we do with them.

Update: went to a dealership and found a 2025 Honda Pilot Elite my wife really liked so we went just to see what they’d give us for our trade in.

Negotiated for hours using Will Cover method. Got $5,000 off MSRP and right at invoice price, $3,000 more for our trade than they originally offered, and manager completely wiped off the $2700 in extra fees and junk they like to throw in (nitrogen in tires, floor mats, ceramic protection, etc.) that they swear can’t be taken off. All this after I packed up our daughters diaper bag and we started walking out. That was the key.

Someone questioned the numbers earlier …4.9% for 72 months, $580 a month after all said and done. Wasn’t expecting to buy today but all in all I feel like we got a great deal on the Elite and couldn’t pass it up. My truck is paid off so I’m okay with the note especially on a brand new, 3rd row vehicle.

Posting all this to say that everybody should read the Will Cover method, do research before you buy, and most of all be willing to walk.

(no message)

quote:

---

Not buy a $50,000 vehicle. That’s not a good option. Find something way, way, way cheaper. Really consider what you ‘need.’ My wife and I have three kids as well and own a 9 year old 4Runner and a 21 year old truck. We make do just fine with those paid-for vehicles.

---

These posts just show the extremes of the MTB. Most people have no interest in driving a 20 year old vehicle. Safety standards and basic vehicle amenities have made leaps during that time period. Good for you for being proud of your paid off, old vehicles but shaming someone for buying a new car is dumb.