unexpected car shopping for 7 passenger - Help!

[iteach7th]

In addition to negotiating a fair replacement value, ask them to cover your tax and title/transfer fees as well.

I love the DIS boards - you guys help me think of all these things that I wouldn't be able to come up with on my own.

Update - damage to the van is boarderline. Waiting on the actual estimate from the body shop and adjuster to take a look. My agent said that I could probably push a little and get it declared totaled if the estimate didn't do it. The boy was driving his sister's car and has come up with the name of an insurance company that supposedly she has the car insured with. He has until 3 pm this afternoon to produce proof otherwise a warrant will be issued for his arrest (that wasn't my call - - it was the sergeant at the police station that made that call). I couldn't do that - - he was one of my 7th graders from 6 years ago!

I keep thinking about all the hidden problems that this might cause further down the line if I push to just get it fixed. I was going less than 5 miles an hour (had just taken my foot off the brake from being stopped) and he was going around 40 - 45. Even though the engine wasn't part of the impact - what kind of damage could surface later that would have never been a problem if the wreck didn't happen?

Been looking at cars online While I would love to have a new car, I am just about sick with the thought of adding a car payment!!

 

[iteach7th]

We love our Acadia (we've had it 5.5 years) but it does not have the sliding doors of a van, nor quite as much space behind the third row. Just FYI.

Was behind an Acadia at a traffic light about an hour ago and was admiring it. Very nice looking vehicle. Glad to get the info about the lack of space - I wonder what they will think at the dealership when I make the test drives by the house to see how my suitcases will fit in the back??

 

[wekhogan]

No car moves people around like a minivan. If you like the size of that, you probably won't be happy with the Enclave/Traverse/Highlander SUVs. I have an extra large Escalade right now (Suburban size) and it still isn't as good at people moving than my old Honda Odyssey. If you do get an SUV, get captain's chairs for the second row - that way people can walk back to the back row like a minivan. I think the main difference is that the third row of minivans is just as comfortable as any other seat. Even in my car, which is built for comfort, the third row is different and less spacious than the second row. If you liked your minivan, get another.

 

[Mouse7116]

I have a Buick Enclave. You can get them with either the bench or captains chair second row. Before buying we test drove the Acadia and the Traverse as well. All 3 are basically the same body type just slightly different on the inside.

There is not a lot of room behind the 3rd row. We had 4 adults and 1 car seat and split the back row to get all our luggage in. Now we have 2 car seats and there would not be room for 4 adults 2 kids and luggage.

Also there is no sliding door and while the second row folds up to access the back row, you do have to climb a little. That being said, I do love my Enclave. The other two adults are my mom and aunt who travel with us to Disney do for our regular running around it works great.

I've heard good things about the Honda Pilot too. A friend has one and she has 3 car seats/booster seats in the middle row. She has really enjoyed it.

Good luck!

 

[burnurcomputer]

I love my Kia Sedona. Its a minivan, but I have the full chassis, so a full trunk and my seats can fold flat in the back and the captains chairs can be removed.

I also like the Kia Sorento. It has nice looks, good price, the seating options that you want.

Another thing to consider, my friend (when she had 3 kids) would take out a captains chair out of her van (not a Kia) and use the back for 2 kids and one in the captains chair It gave her tons of room and extra space besides her trunk. Now that they have 2 more to foster to adopt the van is full to the gills, so that doesn't work anymore, but I can't think of a better reason!

 

[pryncess527]

I like the looks of the Hyundai Santa Fe but how roomy is it? Can we get 2 adults, 3 kids and luggage in it for a week long trip? I definitely need the 3rd row seat and want one where the 3rd row seat will "split" and part of it fold down.
I don't even know what is out there to pick from.........

We have a Santa Fe (though the smaller model without a 3rd row) and I love it. It came with a lot of great features for the price (the ipod adaptor has been a lifesaver for reducing my stress while driving!) and the 100,000 mile warranty was a huge plus for us.

We've had ours for 3 years with no problems. It's a great car. My only complaint is that it could get better gas mileage, but I think I'd have that complaint about any large car (my other car is a VW Beetle so hard to beat in MPG by comparison)

 

[Mickey & Minnie Mom]

Love my Mazda CX-9. Going on 6 years and it has performed great.

Seats 7. Third row is a split, as is the 2nd row. Fair amount of room in third row seating and behind when in use. We get all our stuff in the back with third row down when we travel to Disney & gone for 2 weeks -- and I pack a lot as I don't want to do laundry on vacation and we go in summer so going through multiple shirts/outfits each day.

Sorry about the unfortunate incident but glad to hear things are looking up as far as insurance from the driver goes.

 

[CyndiLooWho]

I haven't read all the responses...

I bought a Chevy Traverse in late 2010. It was brand-new, and I have put almost 51K miles on it in about 2.75 yrs. We have done only routine oil changes and tire rotations, plus I just changed out the air filter.

It is fantastic. Mine has the captain's chairs, so it is easy to get to the third row. Third row folds flat (so do the captain's chairs!), and when the seat(s) are down, it holds a tremendous amount of stuff. I was even able to put 3 sheets of plywood in the back and still close the tailgate.

The third row is very comfortable even for adults. It is routinely filled with boy scouts, and I've had no complaints on the comfort level from any of them. There is not a lot of stowage with all the seats in use, but we got a trailer hitch and a hitch basket which we use for long trips with a lot of luggage.

Mine does not have all the bells and whistles, but even at the mid-trim level, it's a very comfortable car with all the amenities I wanted (heated side mirrors, bluetooth, backing camera, self-adjusting rearview mirror, power driver seat, satellite radio, captain's chairs). Other than the trailer hitch, the only other thing we added were heavy duty floor mats (see "boy scouts").

Overall, I highly recommend that you test drive one of these.

 

[scrapbooksellman]

I also recommend checking out the Kia Sorrento. I love mine!
Great price, gas mileage and all the extras. Third row seat, heated front seats, xm radio if you want, jacks for ipods and usb, rear view camera etc...
Looks cooler than an minivan too!

 

[ErinInCT]

My husband works for General Motors (East Coast Marketing for GMC trucks) and can get the GM Friends and Family discount for anyone interested. I can't give you exact price details as everything depends on model and options etc, but there is no haggling, the dealer has to give you the special pricing. GM brands include GMC (Acadia), Chevy (Traverse), Buick (Enclave) or Cadillac. There are TONS of other SUV choices (no mini vans anymore). All I need (pm me) is the name of the person registering the vehicle, date of birth and zip code. My husband will get you a certificate number that you present to the dealer who will tell you the price of the vehicle you are interested in. I think the certificate is good for 6 months so no rush to buy. And if you don't use it, just toss it in the garbage. No hurt feelings on my end!
Love to help my DIS family!
Erin

 

[CyndiLooWho]

My husband works for General Motors (East Coast Marketing for GMC trucks) and can get the GM Friends and Family discount for anyone interested. I can't give you exact price details as everything depends on model and options etc, but there is no haggling, the dealer has to give you the special pricing. GM brands include GMC (Acadia), Chevy (Traverse), Buick (Enclave) or Cadillac. There are TONS of other SUV choices (no mini vans anymore). All I need (pm me) is the name of the person registering the vehicle, date of birth and zip code. My husband will get you a certificate number that you present to the dealer who will tell you the price of the vehicle you are interested in. I think the certificate is good for 6 months so no rush to buy. And if you don't use it, just toss it in the garbage. No hurt feelings on my end!
Love to help my DIS family!
Erin

Awesome! We used dh's supplier discount to buy our Traverse - that's why we bought brand new. It was only $1000 more to buy the new one on the plan than to buy used (without the bells I got) with 20K miles on it. All we had to do was present his PIN and they gave us the price, no haggling.

 

[shell8558]

I have a Honda Pilot and absolutely love it ! Actually I am on my second one. Had the first one for 6 years and traded last year for a new one . Seats 8 and drives incredibly well . We always drive it to disney - 12 hours and are very comfortable . Good luck !

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I loved my Santa Fe. I had it for 6 years and sold it last year I downsized to an Optima. I don't think it will be comfy for 7 though.
I had a Dodge Durango when the kids were younger, preteen and teen and loved it! It had enough room for them and my son's baseball equipment! He was 17 when we got rid of it

 

[Disney Princess]

My husband works for General Motors (East Coast Marketing for GMC trucks) and can get the GM Friends and Family discount for anyone interested. I can't give you exact price details as everything depends on model and options etc, but there is no haggling, the dealer has to give you the special pricing. GM brands include GMC (Acadia), Chevy (Traverse), Buick (Enclave) or Cadillac. There are TONS of other SUV choices (no mini vans anymore). All I need (pm me) is the name of the person registering the vehicle, date of birth and zip code. My husband will get you a certificate number that you present to the dealer who will tell you the price of the vehicle you are interested in. I think the certificate is good for 6 months so no rush to buy. And if you don't use it, just toss it in the garbage. No hurt feelings on my end!
Love to help my DIS family!
Erin

I don't need a new car, but this is so sweet. I love the DIS!!

 

[sweetdana]

Sorry to hear about your accident, dealing with all this really stinks. Do some of your own research on the value of your van and what it will cost to replace. You do not have to accept what the insurance offers you, you can negotiate it. Good luck!!

I agree. 1 st quote is often low ball. If unacceptable tell them x $$ or fix my van. I cannot buy a 2006 van for that.

 

[mamahas5]

I love my 2005 Ford Expedition! Mine actually seats 9 (3 seats/row) but they all fold down and all the seats on the 2nd row are removable. The back row is a 60/40 (i think that's the right term?) split. I have 5 kids and we have used every carseat configuration and moved from UT to NH last summer with plenty of room for all of us plus coolers, bags, etc.

 

[CluelessDisFan]

Love my 2012 Odyssey! Yes, it's a minivan, but it drives way better than any mini van ever has! It looks better than other mini vans as well. I could not find a cross over that compared to the size, price, features, or mileage that my Odyssey gets.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I have a Honda Pilot and absolutely love it ! Actually I am on my second one. Had the first one for 6 years and traded last year for a new one . Seats 8 and drives incredibly well . We always drive it to disney - 12 hours and are very comfortable . Good luck !

I am looking to move up from my odyssey to a pilot later this year. Do u have car seats? If so is it convenient? My boys are in boosters so I thought they could sit in the 3rd row. 5 yr old can self buckle. 3 yr old I'd have to reach and help.

 

[shell8558]

I am looking to move up from my odyssey to a pilot later this year. Do u have car seats? If so is it convenient? My boys are in boosters so I thought they could sit in the 3rd row. 5 yr old can self buckle. 3 yr old I'd have to reach and help.

I do have a carseat for my nephew that I leave in all the time . It is not in the 3rd row though , it is in the second - but it's not a problem. I don't have any trouble getting him in and out . And I pick him up from daycare several times a week . (He is 2) My daughter who is 11 actually loves to ride in the third seat and she has no problem getting in and out either .

 

[cmusschoot]

I just bought a (used) GMC Acadia.
Seats 7, captians charis in the 2nd row and room in the back...
I LOVE it!!