Suv's

[DeniseinNS]

I was wondering if anyone owns any of the following SUV's and what their opinion on it is-
2010 Toyota Rav 4
2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
2010 Honda CRV

We are a family of 4 and are still deciding on whether we want a 3rd child. We drive a van now but would like something a bit smaller that will comfortably seat 3 in the backseat and have good trunk room.

Thanks

 

[matt and beth]

Well in my opinion since you asked for an open discusion is.....

Buy American

We live in Michigan and see a lot of hurting families here. Since the big three are headquartered here it really affects our state from the engineer at Gm to the guy who landscapes their yard. Companies headquarter in the USA have much more profound impact on our economy than the company that just snaps the product together in a factory. Hyundia has a plant that makes cars by Dundee, MI. Or Ford, GM, And Chrysler all have many factories, design studios, engineering, executives, and suppliers who directly effect your state's and country's economoy. Just consider the state of the US economy when you purchase your new vehicle.

Not meant to offend, just wanted to give a shout out for the hurting families here in Michigan.

 

[DeniseinNS]

I am actually not in the USA, I am in Canada. We have had a few vehicles from GM and Dodge (looking at SUV to replace the awful Dodge now) and honestly we have not been happy at all with the vehicles that we have purchased from them and have encountered many problems. There are no Ford's that we like out there right now so they are out. We own a Toyota now and have had a Honda and they have been great cars with no problems plus they hold their value really well so while I think it would be great to buy a vehicle that is made here in Canada, we have decided to go with one of the 3 company's listed.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Well in my opinion since you asked for an open discusion is.....

Buy American

Have you looked at Envoys? They're big and nice. Have 3 rows and decent gas mileage. They are really nice. Some friends of ours have one and we take it all the time. It holds all 4 adults and all 4 kids.

I just got a used Blazer and I'm in love.

The Toyotas and Hondas are small on the inside. Plus, you couldn't pay me to buy a Toyota after all of their recent recalls. They have MAJOR electrical problems and won't fess up. Same with Honda. They may not cost as much now, but they can in the long run with repairs or medical bills.

If you really want one of those, I'd wait until the whole recall mess is under control and re-evaluate the vehicles. There are rumors that it could take up to a year to fix the messed up cars. Can you wait that long with your family if you purchase one and you have problems with it?

P.S. - Flame suit on.

 

[Shootme]

I have a 2009 Honda CRV and I LOVE it. A fun car to drive that handles great in bad weather, I live in Minnesota. I have not enjoyed a car so much since I got my first VW bug back in 1966.

 

[santa's surpriz]

I have been doing some car shopping of my own. I fell in love with the Nissan Rogue. Took one for a test drive last week, I love it! There are some good specials out there for it...As soon as that tax returns comes I am leaning towards leassig one.

 

[ashleyd725@hotmail.c]

We have a 2008 Sante Fe and love it! But I do not think it would fit 3 in the back seat. We have two in the backseat now, one in a carseat and one in a booster, There is probably 8 inches between them, so a third would fit especially if the older two are not in carseats, didnt cheack to see if ages were listed, I just dont think it would be too comfortable.
We love the trunk space, although our previous car was an Aveo that had no trunk space so maybe our opinion is tainted lol.
We love the car and it gets great gas mileage for an SUV!
Happy shopping!

 

[micheleq]

I have a GMC Acadia (love it) that would fit three in the second row, or two in captain's chairs in the second row, and then there is a third row of seating. Great gas mileage for a cossover, and great all-wheel drive as well if that is a concern for you. I have my two DDs in their seats in captain's chairs (like you'd have in a minivan) and we can fit 2-3 adults in the third row when needed, and there are latch components for car seats back there as well.

My friends with cars that you listed (CRV, Santa Fe) cannot fit three across in the back seat. Those are compact suvs. Our cousin with a Santa Fe & a Toyota 4Runner turned those in for a minivan & an Acadia.

I'd look for a crossover type vehicle if I was you or a minivan. I have friends with Audi Q5s & Acuras that have their oldest child in a tiny third row and they are not comfortable with it.

Good luck car hunting!

PS- Just re-read that you only want a Honda, Hyundai or Toyota. Ok, so that leaves you with the Honda Pilot, Odssesy (minivan), Toyota Siena (minivan) or Toyota Sequoia. Don't know much about the Hyundais, sorry! With the massive recalls now, I'd stay away from Toyotas IMO.

 

[Perditamarie]

Another plus about the minivan that you may not appreciate until you drive something else....the seats can be configured so each child has their own space, and more importantly, they cannot easily touch each other. I find this especially important with 3 kids!!!

 

[DeniseinNS]

We have had a minivan (Caravan) for the past 4 years and we are looking at those as well but I am thinking of downsizing since I always complain that the van is so big, I do like the Odyssey though. We took the Santa Fe out for a testdrive this weekend and were able to fit both kids in their booster seats plus an adult in the backseat comfortably.

If we do decide to have a 3rd child we will only have 1 carseat and 1 booster in the back, my daughter will be out of her booster in less then a year.

I really dislike car shopping, it's soooo confusing LOL.

 

[jodifla]

I was wondering if anyone owns any of the following SUV's and what their opinion on it is-
2010 Toyota Rav 4
2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
2010 Honda CRV

We are a family of 4 and are still deciding on whether we want a 3rd child. We drive a van now but would like something a bit smaller that will comfortably seat 3 in the backseat and have good trunk room.

Thanks

The Honda and the Toyota are very small SUVs. You'll be out of room in them the instant you have three children.

We're looking at the Ford Edge, the Ford Flex, the Chevy Equinox and Traverse or GMC Terrain as our upcoming utility vehicles.

Wouldn't buy a Toyota anymore now that I know how they run their business. But Hondas are great...but you'll need to move to the Odyssey or Pilot to get the room you need.

 

[Perditamarie]

We have had a minivan (Caravan) for the past 4 years and we are looking at those as well but I am thinking of downsizing since I always complain that the van is so big, I do like the Odyssey though. We took the Santa Fe out for a testdrive this weekend and were able to fit both kids in their booster seats plus an adult in the backseat comfortably.

If we do decide to have a 3rd child we will only have 1 carseat and 1 booster in the back, my daughter will be out of her booster in less then a year.

I really dislike car shopping, it's soooo confusing LOL.

I guess the point was, just because they fit, doesn't mean they have enough room, in terms of personal space. Also, they aren't going to do anything but grow bigger....especially legs!! If you have a 3rd, the kids go from having 50% of the backseat to 33% or less as a carseat takes up so much room.

Did I mention that you don't want them to be able to touch eachother???!!!.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Well in my opinion since you asked for an open discusion is.....

Buy American

We live in Michigan and see a lot of hurting families here. Since the big three are headquartered here it really affects our state from the engineer at Gm to the guy who landscapes their yard. Companies headquarter in the USA have much more profound impact on our economy than the company that just snaps the product together in a factory. Hyundia has a plant that makes cars by Dundee, MI. Or Ford, GM, And Chrysler all have many factories, design studios, engineering, executives, and suppliers who directly effect your state's and country's economoy. Just consider the state of the US economy when you purchase your new vehicle.

Not meant to offend, just wanted to give a shout out for the hurting families here in Michigan.

Those Toyota, Honda and Hyundais are all built right here in Alabama, U.S.A. The Hyundai plant is about 20 miles from my house.

 

[amylevan]

I don't think you're going to fit 3 in the Rav4...especially with an infant carseat.

 

[DawnM]

Just a consideration.....

When I had two kids and we were thinking of a third, I got a Saturn VUE.

I LOVE the VUE, but let me tell ya', those kids grow up pretty darn fast and they really don't fit back there with any degree of comfort together. The cars you are mentioning aren't much bigger and I would be more inclined to have you, DH, and another adult (maybe the car dealer) sit back there together and see how much room you really have before buying.

Anything more than 2 kids and I would stick to a 3rd row seating in a larger SUV or a mini-van.

We got a Toyota Sequioa and LOVE it. It was our compromise since DH wanted a truck and I wanted a van. He wanted the towing capacity and the larger SUVs have that. I wanted the seating capacity.

Dawn

I was wondering if anyone owns any of the following SUV's and what their opinion on it is-
2010 Toyota Rav 4
2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
2010 Honda CRV

We are a family of 4 and are still deciding on whether we want a 3rd child. We drive a van now but would like something a bit smaller that will comfortably seat 3 in the backseat and have good trunk room.

Thanks

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Those Toyota, Honda and Hyundais are all built right here in Alabama, U.S.A. The Hyundai plant is about 20 miles from my house.

Not trying to throw stones here, but even though they are built here, the money from the car sales and parts leaves our economy and goes overseas. That's why it's really important to the American carmakers to sell them here. It keeps the money here at home. Sure, they pay the workers, but let's face it - all that money goes to paying bills anymore and not into consumer society where we all need it to succeed. They don't have to pay very many taxes either.

 

[Ms Rox]

Be careful: 2009-2010 RAV4 & 2008-2010 Sequoia are on the recall list (direct from Toyota website).

The US auto companies INSIST that they get the best prices from their suppliers. (Of course.) That means the parts MUST (as far as the US companies are concerned) come from outside the US. A particular situation that my husband was involved in: the supplier he was working for was bidding for a parts contract with a US auto company. The supplier submitted their paperwork with their parts built in the US. The auto company insisted that the supplier MUST manufacture their parts in China because it's cheaper. Well, that supplier showed them they could produce them for less here in the US. (Less than all the other suppliers bidding for the work.) It DID NOT satisfy the auto company. If the supplier wouldn't produce them in China, the auto company wouldn't give the contract to the supplier. If the supplier could do it for less in the US, then they could do it for even less in China. There is absolutely no patriotic loyalty. It's all about money and Wallstreet. How sad.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Be careful: 2009-2010 RAV4 & 2008-2010 Sequoia are on the recall list (direct from Toyota website).

The US auto companies INSIST that they get the best prices from their suppliers. (Of course.) That means the parts MUST (as far as the US companies are concerned) come from outside the US. A particular situation that my husband was involved in: the supplier he was working for was bidding for a parts contract with a US auto company. The supplier submitted their paperwork with their parts built in the US. The auto company insisted that the supplier MUST manufacture their parts in China because it's cheaper. Well, that supplier showed them they could produce them for less here in the US. (Less than all the other suppliers bidding for the work.) It DID NOT satisfy the auto company. If the supplier wouldn't produce them in China, the auto company wouldn't give the contract to the supplier. If the supplier could do it for less in the US, then they could do it for even less in China. There is absolutely no patriotic loyalty. It's all about money and Wallstreet. How sad.

I'm sure to some degree that is true, but I know for a fact that the auto manufacturers here in Alabama use a lot of local parts suppliers. There are at least 40 secondary auto parts and supplies factories here in Alabama and they supply to our local auto factories.

 

[design_mom]

We have a Honda CR-V (2008, but I don't think they've changed it drastically). I really like the car. It goes great in the snow and has enough room for the four us and our stuff (including hockey gear and a dog).

I have one child in a 5-point car seat and one in a booster. There's enough room to squeeze an average-size adult (me) between them, but it's pretty tight. It's definitely do-able for the amount that we do it. However, if I were consistently putting three in the back, I might want something a little larger.

 

[princessmom29]

We are family of 3 , me DH, and DD6 (we are done!). We are looking for an SUV right now as well. We are looking at Ford Edge, Toyota Highlander, Hyundai Santa Fe, Honda element, and Kia Sorento. The thing that bothers me about the Ford and Toyota is that their warranty is not what the others are. If it is such a superior porduct, why not warranty it the same way other companies are?? To be honest My favorite as far as features is the edge, but I am leaning toward the hyundai or Kia because they offer a much better warranty. I have owned 2 Kia sedans now over the past 10 years, and have had only one problem that needed fixing. I dropped an overdrive gear in my first Kia, and they fixed it for free in one day! Plus the Kia nad Huyndai are on average about $3000 cheaper than the others comparably equipped. The only thing that may sway me towards the Ford is the 0% financing they are offering right now. It makes the cost work out close to the same over
the life of the loan. Can you tell I am conflicted??