Need Advice on car that seats 7.

[SoulOnIce]

My Honda CRV was stolen so I have to buy a new car. With a growing family I want a crossover or mini-van with seating for 7. I know nothing about cars and would appreciate some advice. Thanks!

[B0000rt]

Rav4 has available 3rd row, but will realistically only fit children.

[onecoolloser]

Mazda5?

[Rehan]

How many kids do you have? how old? how many in car seats?

I think most of the non-minivans that have 6 or 7 seats have middle row seats that fold forward to allow access to the third row. This can be a problem if you have car seats in the middle row.

[baboo]

How many kids do you have? how old? how many in car seats?

I think most of the non-minivans that have 6 or 7 seats have middle row seats that fold forward to allow access to the third row. This can be a problem if you have car seats in the middle row.

Yeah, how old are your kids? Most of the 3rd row seat on the 7 seater SUV are meant for kids under 5 ft tall, not very comfortable.

if 7 seater is a must for you, I will suggest you get a mini-van....

Good luck on the car shopping.....I lost my SUV a few years ago, I know how inconvenient it can be....

[Dealz-4-U]

I dont know if its any help but my father had a chevy uplander with the extended wheelbase and the third row is pretty comfortable for me at a little under 6 feet tall

[Azxster]

MB R500, simple

[blibbertibs]

that new grand caravan's pretty pimped

[HeartbreakerP]

Mazda5?

I think it only seats 6, and if you're using all 6 seats, there is practically no trunk space.

[errorinexcellence]

MB R500, simple

pimp ride
a escalade however the middle row is like a minivan if i remember correctly, youll have the seats at both sides and in the middle not a seat so you can walk to the back so you can seat 5 easily with room to roam in and out

[Engi-Nir]

yeah the 08 grand caravan seems descent for your 7 person seating requirements, plus soo cheap compared to all the other cars, and plus it comes with the 3yr warranty, so just get it on lease and no worries. Or you can get a Sienna and pay double the price.

[SoulOnIce]

Thanks for the advice. I have 2 kids, 3 years and 8 months. I am leaning towards the Caravan as I like the swivel seat option. I just find it really boring looking. A used car dealership near my house had an '07 Durango for 26,000 and I loved how it looked although it's very environmentally unfriendly.

[Capt.]

I like the look of that new Mazda CX-9. Don't know much about it but I know it seats 7.

[johnsa]

I here the new mini is going to have room for 7!

lol....seriously...pick your Brand and they likely have a min van and SUV with seating for seven.....Caravan is not my first choice, though...had one...won't again

[blibbertibs]

Go with a grand caravan! it's all about the table and halo lighting in the interior

[AcidBomber]

Did you consider the new '08 Toyota Highlander?
Is a bit pricy, but it's an awesome vehicle with 3rd row seating (Regular sized seats (like a mini-van) unlike those baby seats you find in other cross-overs).

Go take a look if you can :razz:

[Rehan]

Thanks for the advice. I have 2 kids, 3 years and 8 months. Then I think a minivan is your only option, if you want easy access to the third row.

...unless anyone knows of a different vehicle that allows access to the third row when there are child car seats strapped in both of the middle row seats....?

[SkylineR34X]

Could you please explain abit more on what is your requirement?

1. New or Used
2. Price Range
3. Purchase Method (Cash/Finance/Lease)
3. Brand Preference (consider you are driving a Honda)
4. Engine Size ie. which is more important, power or fuel economy?
5. Type/Size of Vehicle
6. How Long Will You Drive the Vehicle For
7. Is Reliability Very Important

Also consider monthly insurance prices...

[blizzah]

Get a Caravan so you can play Jenga while the car is moving!

There is always the Japanese minivans, Sienna, Odyssee or a GM SUV like a Tahoe or Yukon

[sixer]

Get the new Grand Caravan, way better bang for your buck then super priced Honda/Toyota minivans and very cool features others don't have as well.

Minivan all the way!

[SkylineR34X]

Get the new Grand Caravan, way better bang for your buck then super priced Honda/Toyota minivans and very cool features others don't have as well.

Minivan all the way!

Not exactly so, like I said, it depends on if it's a purchase or a lease, and how long OP is planning on driving.

Caravan may be cheap to get when you buy, but if you factor in depreciation over the year and amount of money OP may spend after warranty expires, the equation will be different.

[MacGyver]

What about a Ford Freestyle (Now called the Taurus X as of 2008 model year)?

[Takada]

yeah the 08 grand caravan seems descent for your 7 person seating requirements, plus soo cheap compared to all the other cars, and plus it comes with the 3yr warranty, so just get it on lease and no worries. Or you can get a Sienna and pay double the price.

I'm helping the parents shop for a minivan too. Is it actually a lot cheaper? Honda Odyssey LX 2007 w/ the special offer of 0.9% financing for 48 months is 41k all in, Sedona EX 2007 is 35k w/ 0% financing and no GST special offer (tons of features), while the Grand Caravan is 33k if you use 48month 3.99% financing and $1000 delivery allowance.

When you take into account depreciation and that fact that Kia has 60 mos/100k bumper to bumper warranty (vs 36mos/60k for GC) the Grand Caravan doesn't seem like such a great deal. Also, the Grand Caravan "value package" that I listed the price for doesn't have cruise control, dual zone AC, heated side mirrors, fog lights, 8 way power driver's seat, etc like the Kia. Plus, it only has 174 horse power vs Kia 244. Nor does it have the resale value, interior design/quality, and possibly the reliability of the Honda Odyssey.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I'm clueless about cars, except when using the GM car feature compare tool and the JDPower reliability ratings :)

[gerbil]

ok .. here's where I am now .. I drive a Honda Odyssey 2000 where I bought it 3 months ago used .....

Mid-summer this year, I used to drive a Suzuki Aerio SX Hatchback, where my wife and I loved. Nice and small for a small family with 1 toddler - he just turned 2. We already know that it's small for us with the carseat and stroller @ the trunk. We've already consider buying a bigger vehicle but the financing is just too much and the depreciation as well as the auto-insurance is too much.

I'd always pushed my wife with a dodge caravan since it's the most I see and my other relatives do drive one. I believe it Dodge had a promotion with $16K -Brand new 2007 Dodge Caravan. Then, my friend's brother was driving a Honda Odyssey 2004. He basically showed me something that struck me cold! The Trunk was Huge!!! He was a mid-level Odyssey and the options that came with it was awesome. I was sold but the price was just too much. To make the long story short, I sold my suzuki privately and negotiate into getting our bigger Van.

Now, we have 2 kids now - 2.5 years and 3 months; we have pretty much a few more seats that we can use for passengers or just daily shopping.

BTW, We purchase a base model Odyssey '00
- that seats 7 but the 2004 and up seats 8.
- Cruise Control
- Heated Mirrors
- Power Steering, Locks and Windows
- 3 row seats hides in the trunk
- movable 2nd row seats
- dual sliding doors
- Dual AC/Heater in the Front, Middle and Back Row

If we have gotten, the caravan - we would probably get squat on this options.

:)