Looking for 7-8 Passenger vehicle capable in snow/good MPG

[Andrew1972]

Hi,

My 2007 MDX I picked up in 2011 with 84k is now getting a bit worn down at 184k. It broke down last week which was fine with bad alternator ($400).

From my honest mechanic condition issues:
1) worn out ball joints(its clunking)
2) worn but not worn out struts
3) motor mounts are pretty worn(I accelerated hard pulling out in traffic and the motor mad a large thud on shift)
4) The timing belt coming up at 200k

My own issues blocking from investing in it:
* Bad body repair by prior owner haunting me now and avoid doing maintenance of above. I don't think repairable.
* poor MPG and Premium fuel- manage 17MPG most driving and best is 20MPG highway

I am hoping to spend $22k and do a 7 yr cycle. Suggestions?

 

[OVERKILL]

How large are the people that will fit in the rear seats?

 

[Andrew1972]

Originally Posted by OVERKILL
How large are the people that will fit in the rear seats?


3 girls currently 13, 11, 4.

 

[StevieC]

The Dodge Caravans with the bench in the middle row and the captains chairs in the back that fold into the floor will hold 7, you can get them quite cheap and they are quite reliable / durable. I drove one for 4 years through some of the worst winter storms imaginable (Windsor-London corridor for those that know the area) and it was excellent handling with standard winter tires. My brother lives in Boston and I have been there in the winter so I'm familiar with the amounts of snow you receive.

 

[Speak2Mountain]

Toyota LandCruiser.....used of course

 

[Andrew1972]

Originally Posted by StevieC
The Dodge Caravans with the bench in the middle row and the captains chairs in the back that fold into the floor will hold 7, you can get them quite cheap and they are quite reliable / durable. I drove one for 4 years through some of the worst winter storms imaginable (Windsor-London corridor for those that know the area) and it was excellent handling with standard winter tires. My brother lives in Boston and I have been there in the winter so I'm familiar with the amounts of snow you receive.


Curious how minivans perform in steeper hills on highway and (ski) mountain access with winter tires. I notice in tough conditions they appear to struggle before other vehicles do especially loaded with people and gear.

 

[StevieC]

Originally Posted by madRiver
Originally Posted by StevieC
The Dodge Caravans with the bench in the middle row and the captains chairs in the back that fold into the floor will hold 7, you can get them quite cheap and they are quite reliable / durable. I drove one for 4 years through some of the worst winter storms imaginable (Windsor-London corridor for those that know the area) and it was excellent handling with standard winter tires. My brother lives in Boston and I have been there in the winter so I'm familiar with the amounts of snow you receive.


Curious how minivans perform in steeper hills on highway and (ski) mountain access with winter tires. I notice in tough conditions they appear to struggle before other vehicles do especially loaded with people and gear.


Not sure other than I can tell you the van I drove around in which was a 2012 stripped down Caravan was fully loaded with replacement parts for work. Usually up to the ceiling and it did well going up steep hills. The PentaStar V6 is quite the hauler of an engine and it is also found in the some Dodge Rams and some Jeeps. The vans do come with ABS and Traction control by default as well. It's a good system as I have had to rely on it a few times when I hit black ice etc. with the van.

 

[PimTac]

How often will you have 8 passengers? That requirement itself puts you in a large vehicle that might not get the fuel economy you wish. Also, those girls will only get bigger.

A three row crossover could be the ticket but not with 8 passengers.

 

[KrisZ]

When it comes to utility, comfort and general ease of use when it comes to hauling people, nothing beats a minivan. Sienna AWD should be a good choice. But honestly most cars equipped with snow tires should have no problem navigating snow covered roads.

 

[Nick1994]

What about a newish Hyundai Santa Fe? Not the "Sport", those are smaller.

Here's a loaded low mileage 2016:
Santa Fe LINK

But you could probably talk a dealer down on a base model new one.

 

[GR_CoB]

We just got a 2006 Volvo XC90 for $8100 with 85k miles. AWD, 3rd row, 5 cyl turbo. Amazing vehicle, love it. I am sure you can find a newer XC90 with a Yamaha 4.4 V8, or 3.2 N/A Inline-6, or same 2.5 5cyl Turbo, in EXCELLENT condition considering that you are able to spend up to $22k. The 2.5L Turbo currently gives us 22MPG Average. About 24-25MPG highway. FWD could be even better on gas.

Used Tahoe/Suburban/Escalade/Yukon are not bad options either. You can still find a Tahoe/Yukon Hybrid. If I am not mistaking - those give 22mpg across the board, City or Highway. Not bad considering size and capabilities.

Toyota Highlander Hybrid will give you good amount of space with good in-town fuel economy(25mpg). Highway MPG will be the same as non-hybrid offerings (24-25mpg).


Ford Explorer Sport with 3.5L Twin-Turbo comes to mind, may be worth checking it out.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

If you're close enough to Canada, you can get a late-model Chevy Orlando, Kia Rondo, or Mazda 5. They are available with both automatic or manual transmission, and a fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engine. Mazda stopped selling the 5 down here a few years ago; Kia stopped selling the Rondo here a long time ago; and we never got the Orlando (but it does meet US standards).

If you can't get a Canadian car like that, then you might want to look for a 4-cylinder Sienna Toyota offered for a couple years around 2012 or so. They are quite rare, though.

Another option, if you're willing to do a little work, is the C-Max. Offered only as a 5-passenger hybrid in the US, it may be possible to install the third seat from overseas in the US model. Ford was planning on selling the 7-passenger C-max in the US, but they canceled at the last minute because dealers got jealous and wanted to keep selling old Flexes.

Ford also has the Transit Connect, and you can even get a brand new one within your budget. Both the SWB and LWB versions offer 7-passenger seating.

ANY car will be good in snow if you use dedicated winter tires. If you can't do that, at least use a 3-peak all-season like the Nokian WRG4, Toyo Celsius, Vredestein Quatrac 5, etc.

To stop the rust, get Krown done every year! Even if you have to drive a couple hours to the nearest Krown facility, it's worth the trip

 

[Balrog006]

Did you like the MDX otherwise? Ride, capability, etc? Look at a Honda Pilot, they'll fit your requirements and just switching to regular and upgrading to a newer vehicle will significantly increase your mileage/fuel costs.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted by madRiver
Originally Posted by StevieC
The Dodge Caravans with the bench in the middle row and the captains chairs in the back that fold into the floor will hold 7, you can get them quite cheap and they are quite reliable / durable. I drove one for 4 years through some of the worst winter storms imaginable (Windsor-London corridor for those that know the area) and it was excellent handling with standard winter tires. My brother lives in Boston and I have been there in the winter so I'm familiar with the amounts of snow you receive.


Curious how minivans perform in steeper hills on highway and (ski) mountain access with winter tires. I notice in tough conditions they appear to struggle before other vehicles do especially loaded with people and gear.

That would be my concern too. I'd think they'd be fine as long as you stay on asphalt, but in case you plan to actually head out while it's snowing & head into the hills... All the resorts I've been to have decent roads, but my town doesn't always have good roads.

Dumb question: if the MDX is close to the end, could you spring for the Caravan and see how it does? while keeping the MDX for light duty work. Odds are it'll be gone before the oldest gets a license but maybe there is value in overlapping for a year. If the Carvan on killer snows leaves you leery, then you know you need AWD. Run the MDX until it doesn't go (keep it to say 5k/year, just for winter duty and maybe runs to the dump). If not, flip the MDX.

 

[StevieC]

Or rent a Caravan for a couple days and take it through its paces while you still have the MDX. Lots of these are rentals.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted by StevieC
Or rent a Caravan for a couple days and take it through its paces while you still have the MDX. Lots of these are rentals.

That's a good idea but it won't have snow tires.

 

[StevieC]

Originally Posted by supton
Originally Posted by StevieC
Or rent a Caravan for a couple days and take it through its paces while you still have the MDX. Lots of these are rentals.

That's a good idea but it won't have snow tires.


Right and that is an even better test with the all-season.

 

[Andrew1972]

Originally Posted by PimTac
How often will you have 8 passengers? That requirement itself puts you in a large vehicle that might not get the fuel economy you wish. Also, those girls will only get bigger.

A three row crossover could be the ticket but not with 8 passengers.


The real requirement is 3 across back seat and 2-3 way back for friends or keep peace longer trips where they fight like mad.

I really do like the MDX except for poor MPG and also its a bit noisy with wind leaks.(body damage or poor assembly not sure).

 

[brages]

Sienna AWD?

I don't have one...

I have four kids and wouldn't want anything but a minivan for moving them around...


If you want to get good fuel economy, there is the Pacifica hybrid, but no AWD option on that one.

 

[Astro14]

Nothing you buy that has three rows of seats will get good MPG.

That means you can buy what you like, secure in the knowledge that they will ALL get lousy MPG.

The most rust-resistant vehicles are Volvos. Get a well-cared for middle-aged XC-90 and call it a day. The turbo 5 cylinder is a solid engine, and has fewer problems than the V-8. Still thirsty when loaded up.

Make certain that; 1.the timing belt has been done if it's at/near 105,000 miles 2.The PCV system is functioning properly and 3. that the front lower control arm bushings aren't shot.