Foo - 7+ passenger vehicle rec's sought

Have 5 kids between the two of us- ages 17 to 6, with 3 being in their teens. Currently have a 10 year old Suburban that is having some 'issues'.

Just need something that will haul the family, legally. Haven't really done any research on autos since the Doc strongly recommended that I give up driving.

My friend has one of these and it's pretty cool. Even with 7 of us in there comfortably, there is still room for stuff in the back. If it wasn't a van, I'd consider one. Check out the vid. Click on 'start the tour'.

http://automobiles.honda.com/odyssey/

If I were in your position, I'd be looking at Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, Pilot and Mazda CX-9. I'd love to recommend a Mazda 5 (I did test one of these), but they are 6 passenger max.

When I was in your position, I had the following: 1987 Toyota LE (loved it), 1993 Plymouth (Meh), 1998 Windstar (a giant turd).

If I were in your position, I'd be looking at Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, Pilot and Mazda CX-9. I'd love to recommend a Mazda 5 (I did test one of these), but they are 6 passenger max.

When I was in your position, I had the following: 1987 Toyota LE (loved it), 1993 Plymouth (Meh), 1998 Windstar (a giant turd).

The Mazda's are interesting. I've actually looked at the Mazda 5 when it first came out. I found it a bit cramped.

Truth be told, I'm on the fence between one vehicle big enough for everyone, or two smaller vehicles. Though I'm not supposed to drive anymore, I do have a teen with her permit that can drive. When she goes off to college, we'll be down to just 5 total in a car. Unless the one child not living with us now moves in, but he'll have his permit by then...

15 passengers wooooo
http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/1183/1995fordeconol4a40c91c7y.jpg



15 passengers requires a CDL to operate around here. If I were to get something with that much room, I'd opt for a 7 passenger conversion with the bed in back and separate A/V for each row of seats.

No love for the Honda? :(

No love for the Honda? :(From a pure cosmetic point of view, I think that the previous generation looked better.

Of course, anything I say should be taken with a grain of salt. My wife keeps asking to see my Man Card because I think wagons and vans are way cooler than SUV's.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1014/874213242_85b9f4533f.jpg?v=0
Stretch Checker Marathon, or FTW, a Dymaion.

http://blogs.bgsu.edu/artc3110aaronjp/files/2009/09/dymaxion-car.jpg

This:

http://www.fancast.com/blogs/wp-content/post_images/partridge-family.jpg

This:

http://www.fancast.com/blogs/wp-content/post_images/partridge-family.jpg

Not sure what the insurance would run and I shudder to think about the fuel costs...

Truth be told, I'm on the fence between one vehicle big enough for everyone, or two smaller vehicles.
Wonder what the LCF crowd would have to say?:innocent:

Any car strong enough to haul a 5 seat trailer?

Wonder what the LCF crowd would have to say?:innocent:


http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/2392/sevenperson20bike.jpg

..
Yup, that pretty much sums it up.

The Sienna/Odyssey is the most practical. Haul the family around, then take 3 buddies and their bikes to the race. Plus you can just about fit a 4'x8' sheet of plywood flat in the back with the seats down.

We have a Toyota Highlander. 7 passenger, plenty of power, good looks. It doesn't feel any smaller than a minivan though.

You should get a dune buggy! Vroooom!