OT- Affordable vehicle that seats 7 & is NOT a minivan???

[loveysbydesign]

Hi, I'm posting this for a good friend of mine!
She's looking to buy a newer used vehicle...I guess a smaller suv or crossover type vehicle that has the 3rd row seat so she can seat 7 when needed.
She does NOT want to get a minivan...I guess she's one of those "I hate minivans" people-LOL! I love mine though! Can anyone recommend a vehicle that gets good milage and is on the lower end of the pricing for a 7 seater? TIA!

 

[jennifer293]

Not very small, but I have a 2003 Yukon XL and it seats 7...I LOVE IT!!! I got it used with 46K miles for 18K. I think a new one is around 46K..

I am one who refuses to drive a mini van as well....NOT GONNA HAPPEN!!!

 

[Bren's Mom]

Mazda 5 would be a good choice...but they're only been making them 2 years so I don't know how many used ones would be around. They're less than 20k NEW fully loaded, at least they were last year!

 

[TupperMom7]

Hyundai (sp?) makes one. I think it's a Fiesta or something like that. The new ones have a fold down seat in the back, so that would make it seating for 7. What's wrong with a mini-van anyway? I used to think I would hate having a van, but once we got one I loved it!

 

[MrsPMC00]

Buick Rendezvous has a 3rd row as well, we have one! The back row is not huge, but it is perfect for kids!

 

[leight]

I second the Rendevous- loved the size of it and there can be some really good rebates/sales so I imagine resales can be lower cost. Dh won't consider it because it's a Buick, tho

 

[MrsPMC00]

I second the Rendevous- loved the size of it and there can be some really good rebates/sales so I imagine resales can be lower cost. Dh won't consider it because it's a Buick, tho

I had to convince my DH to look at it! Once we drove it, he was convinced. I agree with the rebates, etc. You can get very good deals on them...I would suspect even better deals if you buy it used. It rides and handles very well! Also is very quiet as far as road noise goes.

 

[loveysbydesign]

She was thinking of a Pacifica but I see from another thread they only seat 6... I wonder if there are others that seat 6 instead of 5 or 7? She has no idea how to research vehicles online...so that's why she asked me-

 

[tessie28]

Chevy Trailblazer or the chevy Tahoe...

 

[MrsPMC00]

She was thinking of a Pacifica but I see from another thread they only seat 6... I wonder if there are others that seat 6 instead of 5 or 7? She has no idea how to research vehicles online...so that's why she asked me-

I have been in 3 Pacificas...2 rentals and one of a friend...the layout in all of them has been 2 in front, 2 buckets in middle and a small bench (to seat 2) in the 3rd row. I would assume that is the only option, but I don't know that to be a fact.

 

[Iri920]

Saturn has a new 8-passenger SUV called the Outlook. http://www.saturn.com/saturn/vehicles/outlook/overview.jsp If this car was out last year when we were shopping for a new car I would've difinately gotten this one. I absolutely love my car, a Chevy Equinox, but there's been plenty of times that an extra row would've been really useful.

Iri

 

[tikilyn]

I have a Ford Freestyle. I love it so much. Mine sits 6 but it has 2nd and 3rd row bucket seats. The cheaper models comes with bench seats in the 2nd and 3rd row. Also the seating is theater style. The very back seats are raised higher.

I get great gas mileage 20.5 miles in town and between 26 and 28 miles on the highway. I bought mine used (2006) at the end of nov. It only had 15000 miles on it and its totally deck out. All leather seats, sun roof. My would've cost me over 30,000.00 if I bought it new. I paid 19500.00

Hope your friend finds the car she wants

 

[lmack6654]

We just bought a new Saturn Outlook. It seats 8. You can also get the middle row as captains chairs and then it would seat 7. We just got ours a little over a week ago, but so far I love it. I have to pick my oldest up from college on Wednesday, so that will be the farthest I've driven it so far. It's a very sharp looking vehicle.

 

[mrsltg]

I'll be in the market for a larger vehicle soon, as well. And, while I think mini-vans are nice, DH flat out refuses to drive one so I am in the same position as the OPs friend. I currently have a Taurus sedan and while it's fine for five people, it's not fine if three of those people are in carseats!

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

 

[loveysbydesign]

You guys have some great suggestions... I do know that she's trying to keep it under $20,000 so that's why she's looking at used vs. new. That new Saturn does sound awesome though!!!

 

[tiggeraholic]

I bought a Hyundai Santa Fe in February and I absolutely love it! I have the optional third seat and the only time I use it is when I drive 6 girls to ballet in another town. I love having the option to use the seat or fold it down.

 

[tiff211]

Wow! I was just coming on to post this exact question. We have a expedition and I want to get something smaller with better gas mileage. Cost me almost $80 to fill up this weekend!! We had a mini-van but I hated it, I am just not the mini-van type!!! I will be looking into all the vehicles you all are listing! Thanks OP!!

 

[loveysbydesign]

Has anyone had any luck with any of the online car websites when searching for a used vehicle? If so which ones are the best???

 

[crjack]

My DH has a Toyota Highlander and they have the option of a 3rd row seat. We didn't get it because I drive an Odyssey minivan so he opted for the trunk space but it's another model that's not too big and has extra seating when needed. The Honda Pilot also has that option. They arent the cheapest vehicles but they do hold their value and always rate high with reliability and service costs. You should be able to get one that's used.

 

[drivencrazy]

WE just bought our 2007 Ford Explorer, while not cheap, I bet you could get a used one cheaper (we did look, but decided to go w/new). It has the 3rd row seats and fits 7. We are a family of 6 and this is what we decided for our family car. I also watch a baby....... so most of the time we have 3 carseats and 2 bigger kids all in the back and everybody has enough room!

We also thought about a Ford Freestyle. You can pick a used one up pretty cheap... but some of them do only have the 6 seats. They aren't going to make them for '07...... they changed it to the "Taurus X" which if we were going to get one, I would have held out for that.... they are putting it on a car frame (not sure if it's the same frame as it was or not...) but they are also giving it more power!