Automobiles

[Too Tall]

I've got to throw this out there. Toyota 4Runner. It is going to make you happy. They are curious animals, designed for the offroad crowd but has extremely good road manners. They ride and handle twisty back roads so well and do everything you are asking. Unfortunately they are like Volvos, it will last longer than you care to own it.

We are very very happy with our 2014.

[Brandon White]

Wow, $55k is amazingly cheap for Q7, X5 etc. we pay double that down here.

Down where? Anything imported central or south america will probably double due to import taxes and everyone getting a cut.

[Saab2000]

I've got to throw this out there. Toyota 4Runner. It is going to make you happy. They are curious animals, designed for the offroad crowd but has extremely good road manners. They ride and handle twisty back roads so well and do everything you are asking. Unfortunately they are like Volvos, it will last longer than you care to own it.

We are very very happy with our 2014.

You're not kidding. That's a nice looking vehicle. Looks like 90% of the Land Cruiser for 40% of the price.

[Brandon White]

I've got to throw this out there. Toyota 4Runner. It is going to make you happy. They are curious animals, designed for the offroad crowd but has extremely good road manners. They ride and handle twisty back roads so well and do everything you are asking. Unfortunately they are like Volvos, it will last longer than you care to own it.

We are very very happy with our 2014.

The reviews always say "they drive like a truck", "... still a 4spd transmission, how's that for old school?". I'm sure they are tried and true. I tried to convince my wife to get one, but no go. Maybe if my wagon ever gives out, I'll consider one.

[Matthew Strongin]

I've got to throw this out there. Toyota 4Runner. It is going to make you happy. They are curious animals, designed for the offroad crowd but has extremely good road manners. They ride and handle twisty back roads so well and do everything you are asking. Unfortunately they are like Volvos, it will last longer than you care to own it.

We are very very happy with our 2014.

I'm a fan. The only reason I didn't get one is because I found an FJ with a manual. I was pretty much just a signature away. If we wanted/needed a second SUV, it would be a 4Runner.

[rydesteel]

Deb and I leased a 4runner when the girls were younger, way before I got into the car biz. Of course it all took longer than it should have and Deb has to hurry to get the girls from School...car still has the welcome to booklet attached the shifter...she gets pulled over for way to fast in a 55. Officer asks if she knows how fast she was going...(teary voice) No..it's a brand new car...and how long have you owned it Ma'm...An Hour..Please use your cruise control Ma'm and have a nice Day :>). Nice car we enjoyed ours, for the room and versatility.

[cs124]

Down where? Anything imported central or south america will probably double due to import taxes and everyone getting a cut.

Australia.
Cars in general are overpriced here, but we have a "luxury car tax" which means that cars get more expensive the more expensive they get. (Does that make sense?)
Examples... M3 ~ $160k, Q7~$110k, 911Carrera S ~ $250k

[robin3mj]

I've got to throw this out there. Toyota 4Runner. It is going to make you happy. They are curious animals, designed for the offroad crowd but has extremely good road manners. They ride and handle twisty back roads so well and do everything you are asking. Unfortunately they are like Volvos, it will last longer than you care to own it.

We are very very happy with our 2014.

My brother has an 05/06 era 4 Runner, and prior to that had a Tacoma, which I drove extensively one summer, and I really like both. I'd put Toyota at the top of my Japanese car list (Ford at top of USA), but the optional 3rd row seats are less than ideal, and my wife is die-hard euro-centric. I might convince her to take a look, and I wouldn't mind sitting in a Venza.

[sbornia]

We have older XC90 and the third row gets used much more than we expected.

Brandon, can you describe the scenarios in which the third row was useful? Thx.

[Saab2000]

Brandon, can you describe the scenarios in which the third row was useful? Thx.

When we did the France trip 3 years ago (I wish we could do it again!) my car dealer ex-wife hooked me up with a Euro-only version of the Chevrolet Captiva. It had a third row and while it was cramped, we piled a number people into the vehicle and used the third seat for a short trip to the grocery store for supplies (wine and cheese if I recall correctly!). We had either 5 or 6 regular adult men in the car. It was tight, but legal and OK for a short trip.

Third seats suck, except when they don't. Then they're priceless.

[deadbeef]

I think the venza has been discontinued. Maybe there'll be deals on them.

[seanile]

my dad has one, terrrrrible blind spots and he says it's absolutely crap in the snow.

[rmplum]

my dad has one, terrrrrible blind spots and he says it's absolutely crap in the snow.

95% of that is tires (the snow part). For the most part cars can't be particularly good or bad in snow.

[seanile]

yea, though my family has never used snow tires, so that statement is measuring current stock tires/handling against previous cars' stock tires/handling in snow.

[Jason Musgrave]

I'm a fan. The only reason I didn't get one is because I found an FJ with a manual. I was pretty much just a signature away. If we wanted/needed a second SUV, it would be a 4Runner.

nice find - not a lot of those with manuals.

**I hate autos!

[dhoff]

Our Oldsmobile had a third row when I was growing up.

Looking this up on Google I am again reminded of how truly ugly this car was. My friends with kids now have Honda Odyssey minivans and they are so vastly superior it's hard to fathom that nobody thought of them sooner. The rear seat of the Custom Cruiser was truly terrible.

I loved these old station wagons, still do. At one point, I built a hot rod Buick Century Wagon, but I would have preferred these larger vehicles for that. Plenty of room for "sleeping" in the back and a great vehicle for a high school kid who had the need to transport kegs of beer to Butler Woods every Wednesday.

[Matthew Strongin]

nice find - not a lot of those with manuals.

**I hate autos!

I checked inventory all along the East Coast. It was the only one at the time. Even better, it had all the features I wanted, none that I didn't, and it was already in Miami. The sales guy tried to sell me on the fact that it was the only manual in the east. I countered by reminding him that I am the only person in Miami who had interest in a manual SUV. I got a great deal when he realized it was his only chance to unload it.

[robin3mj]

Brandon, can you describe the scenarios in which the third row was useful? Thx.

3 kids under 25 months plus a 60 pound lab/mutt?

[Brandon White]

Brandon, can you describe the scenarios in which the third row was useful? Thx.

I have 2 kids and a mother-in-law that lives in town 1/2 the year. That right there is a minimum of 5 people in the car for family events. If they are feeling cramped in the back - the 6 year old goes in the back row. If we have a friend in tow - the older kids go in the back row. If my parents are in town (few times a year) and we all want to travel together - wife and oldest kid goes in the back row. We just had 2 friends in town - oldest kid and wife in the back row for going to the beach, restaurants, etc. We even picked them up from the airport and fit a large equipment box, stroller, and 2 suitcases + all 7 seats used.

[nrs5000]

Brandon, can you describe the scenarios in which the third row was useful? Thx.

Carpooling once your kid gets bigger. Square or cube the equation if you have more kids.