Help me choose a new vehicle for my wife

[FJinTegaCay]

Like the title says, I thought I'd have some fun and let this crowd have some input into choosing my wife's new vehicle.


Right now she is driving a '07 Honda Odyssey EXL with navigation and rear entertainment system (think DVD with wireless headphones) which I purchased new in June '07. It only has 70k miles as she drives it mostly around town and we take it on all our vacations.


After nearly seven years, the kids are old enough that we don't need a minivan and she's told me that in the next few years, she'd like to make a switch (preferably to an SUV).


Ideally, I'd love for her to select a used Toyota/Lexus with 4WD that not only meets her list of needs and wants but is something I will be able to drive full time (and on the trails) when I am ready to pass my Honda Accord down to my daughter in six years.


Below is a list of her needs and wants (as far as I understand them at the moment):

• Seating for 6+ (she's constantly carpooling with friends to Girl Scouts and the like)
• Heated seats
• Sits as high as her minivan
• Easy to load groceries in the back
• Power steering, windows, mirrors and driver's seat
• Sunroof (preferable)
• Automatic transmission

We'd love it to have a rear entertainment system for the girls but figure there are some aftermarket options available or we could breakdown and get them each a tablet.


The one vehicle she mentioned when I first asked her what she might want is a Toyota 4Runner. Thinking the 4Runner might not be able to seat six and that it would likely not hold all our stuff for trips to the beach, I showed her pictures of a few 100 series Land Cruisers and even a used '08 200 series I found listed for sale. To no one's surprise, she preferred the '08 Land Cruiser. We watched the MotorWeek that featured the 2014 Toyota Highlander and to my surprise, she likes the older model's look over this new one.


We haven't agreed to limit the search only to Toyota/Lexus so feel free to recommend other manufacturers. I'd like to find something with < 100k miles in hopes it will have < 200k when it gets passed on to me so I suspect this will narrow our search to model years '07 and newer.


Price... I'm not sure what our max is. I think I could sell her Odyssey for $13k-$15k today. I guess for the right vehicle, I might be willing to spend another $15k if it made a lot of sense. Time frame... She's not dying to move on from the Odyssey but I figure within the next 12 months.


I'm sure I've left something out. Feel free to ask if additional input would help narrow your list of recommendations/suggestions. Thanks in advance for your input!

 

[JohnVee]

...I thought I'd have some fun and let this crowd have some input...

Never make that mistake. Unimog.

--john

 

[lt1fire]

Dave this is really going to come down to two things what your price range is and your compromise with Laura.

Its hard to suggest things with out price because just basing it on your needs and wants it would include anything from an 80s model suburban to a brand new LX570.

I'll throw this in. Unless you are wanting to actually wheel it and you want to stay toyota, look at Sequoias. They are larger, will drive anywhere you want it to as far as around town and camping spots and are a ton cheaper than an actual LC.

If you think a new 4 runner is too small for 6 people and what you normally haul also rules out a bunch. Basically you would be looking at a Suburban, Excursion, Expedition, Land Cruiser/Lexus or Sequoia.

Realistically any of those would be decent choices, fords and chevies will both easily last to 200k and more in truck/SUV form.

I'd look long and hard at a diesel excursion if I were you.

 

[pawwright]

I'd look long and hard at a diesel excursion if I were you.

My brother-in-law has a diesel excursion and bought it after having an expedition for years - he did it for the reasons listed - wanted to be able to haul a ton of people - he has a bunch of kids and is always driving them and their friends around. Has had it for a couple of years and hasn't had many issues afaik. He's in Conover and would surely talk/meet with you if I had to guess....

 

[mtweller]

GX470 - We love ours!

 

[jfz80]

Al why would say a sequoia precludes wheeling. ?

I think it would do fine. Granted its ifs but so is any LC in his consideration. Basically a tundra chassis and drivetrain. A 2.5" lift makes it look so good too They are a nice choice for size,power, reliability.

Another would be the gx 470. Not much different than the 4runner but some creature comforts and better view of the road.

That said the diesel excursion is a good option to research as well.

But the lady wants a 200 so ......

 

[uzj100]

Gx470. She will love it. 04 with nav has the rear back up camera. My wife use to have one. 14 mpg around town constantly and driven hard. 20 mpg on the highway. No issues at all ever. Highly recommended. And quick and fun to drive.

If we could figure out a tailgate setup similar to a 100, then I might be driving a Gx.

 

[lt1fire]

Al why would say a sequoia precludes wheeling. ?

I think it would do fine. Granted its ifs but so is any LC in his consideration. Basically a tundra chassis and drivetrain. A 2.5" lift makes it look so good too They are a nice choice for size,power, reliability.

Another would be the gx 470. Not much different than the 4runner but some creature comforts and better view of the road.

That said the diesel excursion is a good option to research as well.

But the lady wants a 200 so ......

Didn't say the sequoia precludes wheeling I said it would take him anywhere he needed to go within his prerequisites.

I said "actually wheel it" meaning I know Dave and know they aren't looking for something that can wheel like Parker or Nick wheel their hundy's. So I was trying to steer him away from the higher priced 100 vs a sequoia as the sequoia will do what he wants.

Sure it can wheel, in the same way a new ifs suburban or trailblazer would given similar modifications, but I doubt Dave will modify this new vehicle in any way.


Laura already said that a 4 runner is too small for what she wants it for so I didn't even bother including a GX (the lexus 4runner of the same year). Its a wonderful SUV though and my sister loves her.

 

[FJinTegaCay]

Never make that mistake. Unimog.

--john

Great suggestion John! That would be the most logical thought if not for two other items I failed to include as needs/wants.

• Laura must be able to climb into/out of it without the need for assistance and/or a ladder.
• It must fit inside a standard sized garage

Unless you are wanting to actually wheel it and you want to stay toyota, look at Sequoias.

If you think a new 4 runner is too small for 6 people and what you normally haul also rules out a bunch. Basically you would be looking at a Suburban, Excursion, Expedition, Land Cruiser/Lexus or Sequoia.

I had not seriously considered a Sequoia and I suspect Laura would think it is bigger than what she wants (as would be likely be the case for a Suburban, Excursion, Expedition).


I should have clarified the seating capacity of 6+. It would need to seat at least 6 and preferably 7-8 which really just means it needs a 3rd row of seating. While I didn't initially think 4Runners had 3rd row seating available, I now know that some models do. Therefore, we have not ruled out 4Runners from consideration.

He's in Conover and would surely talk/meet with you if I had to guess....

Thanks for the offer! If I had realistic dreams of towing my 40, I might consider going that route.

GX470 - We love ours!

"Love" is a strong word. Any shortcomings you or Emily can think of? When you were narrowing your choices, was there a particular year over another you highly sought after?

Another would be the gx 470. Not much different than the 4runner but some creature comforts and better view of the road.

But the lady wants a 200 so ......

Rafael purchased a GX470 for his wife a while back and they are both very happy with it. It and the 4Runner on our short list of cars to test drive.

The 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser I found is just under $37k and has < 100k miles. Probably a good deal but more than I care to spend on a six year old vehicle (but boy does it looks nice in the photos!).

Gx470. She will love it. 04 with nav has the rear back up camera.

If we could figure out a tailgate setup similar to a 100, then I might be driving a Gx.

The rear back up camera on the Odyssey has likely saved me thousands of dollars as it has kept her (and me) from backing into things. I should probably add this to the list of needs/wants above.

I too wish it was a true tailgate vs. the swing-out door. Too bad that wasn't an option to choose from but maybe the wine and cheese Lexus owners that buy them new don't tailgate. I bet the swing-out is better for getting groceries in and out.

I said "actually wheel it" meaning I know Dave and know they aren't looking for something that can wheel like Parker or Nick wheel their hundy's.

... but I doubt Dave will modify this new vehicle in any way.

Laura already said that a 4 runner is too small for what she wants it for ...

Nothing against Parker or Nick, but Al is right on this point. I don't foresee myself choosing the same lines as they do. As far as mods, I really do like the looks of 4Runners and GX470s with lifts, sliders and bigger tires (I've seen some of the latter on Mud and Expedition Portal). I'd like to think that one day I'd have money to put towards those and some armor and then chose some harder lines.

As I mentioned above, the 4Runner hasn't actually been ruled out. If there is anyone knowledgable about 4Runners that wants to share their wisdom with me, I'm all ears.

 

[uzj100]

Gx has 8 seat belts and has a taller greenhouse.

No real short comings for the Gx.

 

[Snowdogyyz]

This would do! I love my trail edition 4runner. Has locker, crawl control, etc.

 

[Rice]

This would do! I love my trail edition 4runner. Has locker, crawl control, etc.

AND, depending on how often she needs room for more than 5 the new 4Runner can have 3rd row seats.

 

[taro]

The odyssey is actually a nice driving vehicle. She may not like a body on frame ride, which might tilt things towards the highlander. Also, 3rd row seats in a suv is much different than in the van in terms of ease of accessibility. Good luck and if it is hers, go with what she wants.

...via IH8MUD app

 

[Burt88]

Never make that mistake. Unimog.

--john

Funny thing, I was in Grand Junction today and checked out a Unimog set up already for camping. Around 35k miles and only $25000. Johnny has a pic. She could definitely rule the road with it.

 

[addicted56]

Just upgrade to a 4x4 sprinter van or the new Nissan Van has a Quigly conversion. I would be hard but you could find a used one somewhere. As to price of either I have no idea.

It is impossible to beat a minvan. When my kids are gone and the stigma with it I will probably just buy one for myself they are so damn useful. We love our excursion but if I could have more than two cars and had more funds we would have purchased a mini-van over the excursion. Wife has never once complained about it though and she loves wheeling that big hog around.

 

[Rice]

Just upgrade to a 4x4 sprinter van or the new Nissan Van has a Quigly conversion. I would be hard but you could find a used one somewhere. As to price of either I have no idea.

It is impossible to beat a minvan. When my kids are gone and the stigma with it I will probably just buy one for myself they are so damn useful. We love our excursion but if I could have more than two cars and had more funds we would have purchased a mini-van over the excursion. Wife has never once complained about it though and she loves wheeling that big hog around.

I have to pitch in that my wife is the same .... she loves the Sienna. It will likely be what we buy again when the time comes. I'm sure there is a way you can buy the AWD version and install some lockers.

 

[alk747triodad]

David,
Lydia has not stopped talking about Ramon/Emily's GX470 since the M&G. I guess when her Exploder explodes, I will be looking at one of these for her next ride. GLWSearch!

 

[elkaholic]

David, I'll be glad to let you take an extended ride in my 200 for a comparison....

 

[Roxx]

We are very happy with the gx470. Only thing is with two child seats there is not room for an adult to be comfortably seated. We don't use the 3rd row seat, in long trips the back is packed with kids stuff. Over all, truck is great. I have never taken it off-road because I don't want Jenn to kill me. Last time I took the car the she was going to drive in the trails I mess it up. So I don't take the risk any more.

GX is all wheel drive it has plenty of power and has the air suspension in the back. I don't know if that is good or bad. But it does the job when it requires. The truck goes down for the kid to get in and goes up for the ride. It also adjusts itself depending on speed and terrain. Again, I don't know what it does off-road, but it suppose to go up about 2.5". Good luck with the search.