[fa1civic]

Hey, guys what do u think best suits my family.... we need a AWD that can, if possible hold more than 5 ppl and have the seats fold down FLAT to store things in TIA!

[Razr]

whats your budget?

[fa1civic]

ohhh i forgot to put it... its under 40k

[oldsnail]

you can get alot for under 40k..
alot of new cars can already fold flat and seat 5 as well.

You can get top of the line entry SUV's.. IE:
Forester 2.5 XT Limited, Rav 4 Limited 4WD V6 both starts at 34. will be just under 40k when tax and crap are added.

or next level up.. can probably fit larger mid range 4runner/ pathfinder for under 40k as well.

[lilaznviper]

RAV4 with optional 3rd row seat

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

RX330/RX350

used MDX first gen or 2nd gen


RDX


go euro if u dont mind the high maintenance after the warranty expires

[Rich Sandor]

You can get a Flex SEL AWD 6 or 7 seater starting at around $32,000. (Normally $39,000)

If you Demo one, and then buy something else comparable within 2-14 days, Ford will give you $100 dollars.

[Razr]

get a toyota venza -- reliable, good looks, practical, economical

http://image.motortrend.com/f/new-cars/2009-toyota-venza-its-a-buick/8144142+w700+cr1+re0+ar1/2009-toyota-venza-front-three-quarter.jpg

then make it look like this

http://image.motortrend.com/f/auto_shows/coverage/sema/11007323+w+soriginal/112_0810_03z+2009_Toyota_Venza_SportLux+front_thre e_quarters_view.jpg

or

http://image.trucktrend.com/f/10784275/163_0811_2008_SEMA_Show_14z+2009_Toyota_Venza_AS_V +front_three_quarters_view.jpg

[Soundy]

We got a Jeep Patriot last spring, it's been fantastic. Listed at $27k, I think we ended up at about $34k once all the extra charges, 5-year bumper-to-bumper warranty, and financing was all factored in. For under $40k you can get the fully-loaded version too (we had to pass on the heated seats, sunroof, satellite radio, full EVIC, etc. for budgetary reasons). Even with the stock Wrangler SR-A all-season tires, it performed beautifully in last winter's snow. Took it to Kelowna last summer and came back home via the Hope-Princeton and it was AMAZING through those curves!

[!Aznboi128]

^ i have to agree

getting a chrysler/dodge/jeep or anything from GM as well will give you the best bang for your buck right now

I walked in to Dodge in Richmond and was immediately offered 12k off a charger

[some_punk]

if gas is not a concern, a grand cherokee SRT-8, if it is get the diesel one.

[Soundy]

Yeah, the Grand Cherokees are sweet - I rented one when I was in Edmonchuck for a week for work. The diesel CRD 3.0 version is pretty good on fuel for such a large vehicle, too.

If gas IS a concern, the Patriot is fantastic - ours with a 176hp 2.4l four gets better mileage than I did in my old '87 Accord (80-something-hp 2.0). The CVT tranny they offer is an interesting driving experience too.

[Pochacho]

mitsubishi outlander
best bang for the buck

[jlenko]

My wife bought a Chevy Equinox, has the fold-flat front seat... really nice. Plus the rear seat moves back and forth, as well as reclines. As an occasional rear-seat passenger, it's a nice feature.

Seats 5 easily, plus the dog in the back. But the wheelbase is the same size as her old Neon, and it's only a couple of inches longer. Good size for an SUV...

You can get them in AWD too..

[ilvtofu]

The venza even though it doesn't have the 3rd row is my best bet, less worrying about residual and reliability, Excellent fuel economy with either engine, and Comes with everything for 40k!

[thumper]

i know it's almost nonexistent but... subaru tribeca (current model).

[ilvtofu]

^why?

[shenmecar]

a used FX35 with navi goes for around 30k. thats a pretty decent one already!

[orange7]

The venza even though it doesn't have the 3rd row is my best bet, less worrying about residual and reliability, Excellent fuel economy with either engine, and Comes with everything for 40k!

+1

I actually like the venza, but this is just me.

Plus it's pretty fresh, so you know you won't see one every block.

[ilvtofu]

lol it's like the new RX but rare! :)

[thumper]

^why?

seats fold flat in the back, and there is a jumpseat option to seat more than 5, and has awd, which is everything the OP wants. current model has the updated flat-6 which runs on regular, not premium which the previous one did. the forester is nice, but it's a bit tight for 5 people (i know this because my dad owns one).

[ilvtofu]

But the tribeca is so $$ and the nose!
Well new ones don't have the nose nemore...
But... The engine isn't so great, the interior:exterior size ratio doesn't work for me.
I like the interior though, but a little bit plasticky

Hmm from subaru maybe the new outback?

[brute_4s]

hyundai santa fe...just throwing it out...theyre pretty good nowadays

[tgill]

escape v6 (only 5 people though) the seats fold flat real easy
the 2003 limited my family owns has been super reliable.
the second gen has 40 more hp and looks great.

[Rich Sandor]

new escapes are crasy cheap right now, but yeah only 5 seater...

[thumper]

hyundai santa fe...just throwing it out...theyre pretty good nowadays

maybe veracruz... again, tight back seat for 3.

[thumper]

new escapes are crasy cheap right now, but yeah only 5 seater...

does the ford explorer still exist?

or how about the ford flex?

[alex.w *//]

http://www1.pictures.fp.zimbio.com/Danny+Cipriani+Going+Train+Rugby+4hj-uAmm_c8l.jpg

[thumper]

someone at the office here offered up 2 other possibilities that i didn't think of... chevrolet traverse or the new-model equinox? but i don't know much about them :confused:

http://www.motorauthority.com/content/images/2/0/2010_chevrolet_equinox_main_630-1219.jpg
http://blog.niot.net/blog-images/30_jun/first-drive-2009-chevrolet-traverse-w-video.jpg

[asian_XL]

RS is awesome, everytime somebody asks to buy a car.

all the models availabe in the market will be listed out.

[jlenko]

someone at the office here offered up 2 other possibilities that i didn't think of... chevrolet traverse or the new-model equinox? but i don't know much about them :confused:

http://photos.leftlanenews.com/photos/cars/imageresizeronfly/phpThumb.php?src=/photos/cars/chevrolet/2010-chevrolet-equinox-1.jpg&w=900
http://blog.niot.net/blog-images/30_jun/first-drive-2009-chevrolet-traverse-w-video.jpg

Apparently the new Equinox is better than the existing one... and everyone who's ever been in my wife's 'Nox is impressed... so...

But it's a waiting game right now!

[mono666]

you can get alot for under 40k..
alot of new cars can already fold flat and seat 5 as well.

You can get top of the line entry SUV's.. IE:
Forester 2.5 XT Limited, Rav 4 Limited 4WD V6 both starts at 34. will be just under 40k when tax and crap are added.

or next level up.. can probably fit larger mid range 4runner/ pathfinder for under 40k as well.

I second on the Forester 2.5 except don't get the Turbo'd one uses too much gas.

[fa1civic]

thanks for your ideas guys :D

[roastpuff]

Hm, if you're ok with a minivan (more space than an SUV, for sure) the Toyota Sienna AWD models (CE and LE) come in under 40k. CE for sure after taxes, the LE maybe a bit more after.

You can probably find a few used ones for quite a bit cheaper, and it's a Toyota - no reliability worries!

[fa1civic]

i think the highlander would be best for my situation of going a lil off roading to get berries with a higher clearance than a minivan... however i am not certain if the seats are cramped or not in the 4wd V6 model

[ilvtofu]

Highlander can be pricy if u get a decent optioned one with leather and AWD V6 etc.
Although they do look awesome and size is great, middle room moves back and forth, its one of the best 7 seaters out there, especially for that range, but they are huge! good thing is standard back up cam :)

Traverse seems like it'd be good, more vanny not as aggressive styling as the highlander, but probably decent discounts and i hear the engine is great (same as CTS?)

[roastpuff]

xchange;6519881']i think the highlander would be best for my situation of going a lil off roading to get berries with a higher clearance than a minivan... however i am not certain if the seats are cramped or not in the 4wd V6 model
Yeah, give those back seats a whirl. I find most SUV 3rd rows to be a bit cramped, unless they're Landcruiser/Suburban-sized.

[Ikkaku]

worst nausea after sitting in the back of an ML :lol

[GordonTse]

worst nausea after sitting in the back of an ML :lol

agreed. SUV's like the ML/X5 not meant for 3rd row seating IMO.. :thumbsup:

[van_driver]

can't you get a used range rover for about that much these days?

[fa1civic]

yeah but the thing is that i dont want to take care of the maintence which would be pricier in the long run and traverse doesnt fold down flat unfortunately