Looking for the Perfect Family Hauler

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by funwheeldrive

Any opinions on the GX460s? They seem like they don't hold their value too well compared to the 4Runner and Sequoia.

The GX is basically the Land Cruiser Prado...which is basically the 4Runner with more luxuries and a V8. They don't hold their value as well as the Runner or the Sequoia because it's a luxury brand, and those usually tank in resale value.

[Mr.Impreza]

I've heard that the 4Runner is super reliable an hold there value extremely well so that would be my choice out of the cars you listed.

I'm not interested in V8's so I don't really know what is out there. However, I know the Volvo XC90 also comes in a V8. That is a very reliable SUV. I owned a 2007 XC90 for 5 years without any issues except for the real parking sensor going out.

I love it in Red in the R-Design

[BigFatFlip]

Just gonna chime in since I've been looking around for a similar vehicle w/ kid #2 coming in a couple of months and my daughter being old enough to enjoy the great out doors. Probably won't be towing anything crazy heavy, most likely be a tent trailer or a small camper trailer (like a tear drop or cricket) since we still like sleeping in tents. Still looking for AWD for the 2-3 times a year we head to the foothills/Tahoe to play in the snow since I don't go there nearly enough to warrant snow tires.

I wouldn't saddle yourself with a large V8 SUV. As others have mentioned, you need to look at what you are going to use the car 90% of the time, which in my case would be doing daily duty stuff.

I've started looking at CPO XC90s and Audi Q7s but also considering the Pilot and the new VW Atlas. All are V6s (Volvo has a turbo 5 and the Q7 is a supercharged V6) but all have enough towing capacity and the third row for extra family/friends or dog.

[DAEMANO]

Other alternatives used (no third row, but enough room in the back for a dog and small enough to be liveable as a DD.):

Grand Cherokees (tons of inventory out there) - 7400 lbs with tow package
http://www.leftlanenews.com/new-car-...rand-cherokee/

and

VW Touraeg w/ tow package - 7700 lbs (Luxurious with a brilliant chassis)
http://www.leftlanenews.com/new-car-...wagen/touareg/

[gymratter]

Mercedes GL

[funwheeldrive]

Thanks for the input.

I'm not crazy about the Honda Pilot because I hear lots of stories about their transmissions busting prematurely. I know you could say that about a lot of cars, but the 2002-2010ish Hondas seemed to have a dip in overall quality compared to their 90s models.

I've never been drawn to VWs/Audi, I don't think I would ever spend good money on anything by them. Mercedes is an option, but probably out of my budget.

I'll have to look more into Volvo and Jeep because I know nothing about them. Maybe the dealership will have some I can scope out.

I'll still have my FRS as a daily driver so gas mileage isn't a huge concern, and this will mostly be my wife's car so I want it to be as reliable as possible. Ideally I want whatever I buy to last for close to 10 years without any major repairs. I know that's optimistic, but I'm spoiled by my 2002 Sienna. That thing has been rock solid!

[MRCA1ST]

A first gen Porsche Cayenne S would fit the bill as well. I know it is the same platform as the VW/Audi, but the Porsche V8 is a beast, it can tow as much or more than anything else listed here and it is incredible in the snow and off road (with the right tires). I had one for a few years, no issues at all. Like most V-engine German vehicles, the coolant transfer pipe is a weak spot but the aftermarket metal replacement version makes it a one time problem. It is a toss up between the Cayenne S and my wife's 550 as far as the nicest/most well built car we have ever owned...either way though, it is an amazing vehicle and you can get a cherry example for $15k, heck you could get a face lift first gen for well under your budget as well, and that engine was even better.

[gymratter]

Originally Posted by funwheeldrive

Mercedes is an option, but probably out of my budget.

nope, here are just a few. tons more on Autotrader :p

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...delCode1=GL450

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...delCode1=GL450

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ode1=GL320BLUE

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...delCode1=GL450

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by funwheeldrive

Thanks, I knew that the LS engines were bulletproof, I just didn't know about everything else with GM (transmissions, electronics). I have heard some horror stories about the newer Cadillacs and their electronics and didn't know if that carried over the Chevy/GMC. .

I can speak from experience on GM products.

I owned two Chevy Astros that went 250,000 and 285,000 miles respectively as family haulers. Neither of them had any transmission service (other than PM) during that time. The 250,000 one we traded up to because it was just time, it looked rode hard but was still running. The 285,000 mile one ate a motor bearing, but was actually repairable.

I now have a 2004 Chevy Suburban Z71 I bought in 2012 for $11,000 (original MSRP was $49,999.99 according to the windows sticker in the glove box). It had 95,000 miles when I bought it, and now has right at 150,000 miles. I would not hesitate to get in it and drive from GA to CA.

[gravitylover]

In my limited towing experience something very important to consider is you want the tow vehicle to be heavier than the trailer. My old Willys Jeep would pull a house but when things got squirrely at speed it became uncontrollable. For your size requirements with the dog I'd be looking at Suburban, Sequoia and Durango in that order. The Suburbans are actually pretty good on gas once you get them up to speed and are a comfy cruiser with all the space you'll ever need, the Sequoia is nicer to drive and be in and the removable third row is a bonus. I have an '06 Durango and other than the Chrysler electrogremlins it's been fantastic. I basically ignore the things that won't leave it stranded dead on the side of the road and rely on the bombproof mechanicals. I have the 4.7 and while it's not a speed demon it's a torquey bastard and will move mountains when asked, stay away from the 5.7 Hemi because it has insurmountable issues that may never pop up but if they do the best thing to do is replace the motor or dispose of the vehicle. All that said I'd be looking for a 4wd or AWD full size Chevy Express van. Kickass road trip rig that will go through ANYTHING, monster towing capacity and space for the family to be totally comfy with easy access to a kid seat in the middle captains chair due to a huge sliding side door. That and you can put a bunch of bicycles inside so they're out of the weather and less likely to be stolen.

[MRCA1ST]

Originally Posted by gravitylover

All that said I'd be looking for a 4wd or AWD full size Chevy Express van. Kickass road trip rig that will go through ANYTHING, monster towing capacity and space for the family to be totally comfy with easy access to a kid seat in the middle captains chair due to a huge sliding side door. That and you can put a bunch of bicycles inside so they're out of the weather and less likely to be stolen.

I have an AWD Express and totally forgot about the conversion setups with captains chairs and sliding doors. Mine is a normal 8 passenger with suicide doors on both sides, I added a third bench, heavier leaf springs in the back and a 3" key lift up front. Coupled with some nice AT tires it is a beast, I feel like I appreciate it more and more every day...I had 800lbs of fill dirt behind the rear axle the other day, didn't even sag.


Anyways...OP, the AWD is fairly common in the conversion Express vans so they are not hard to find and get a great deal on. It is basically a Suburban you can stand up in.

[funwheeldrive]

Originally Posted by gravitylover

In my limited towing experience something very important to consider is you want the tow vehicle to be heavier than the trailer. My old Willys Jeep would pull a house but when things got squirrely at speed it became uncontrollable. For your size requirements with the dog I'd be looking at Suburban, Sequoia and Durango in that order. The Suburbans are actually pretty good on gas once you get them up to speed and are a comfy cruiser with all the space you'll ever need, the Sequoia is nicer to drive and be in and the removable third row is a bonus. I have an '06 Durango and other than the Chrysler electrogremlins it's been fantastic. I basically ignore the things that won't leave it stranded dead on the side of the road and rely on the bombproof mechanicals. I have the 4.7 and while it's not a speed demon it's a torquey bastard and will move mountains when asked, stay away from the 5.7 Hemi because it has insurmountable issues that may never pop up but if they do the best thing to do is replace the motor or dispose of the vehicle. All that said I'd be looking for a 4wd or AWD full size Chevy Express van. Kickass road trip rig that will go through ANYTHING, monster towing capacity and space for the family to be totally comfy with easy access to a kid seat in the middle captains chair due to a huge sliding side door. That and you can put a bunch of bicycles inside so they're out of the weather and less likely to be stolen.

Originally Posted by MRCA1ST

I have an AWD Express and totally forgot about the conversion setups with captains chairs and sliding doors. Mine is a normal 8 passenger with suicide doors on both sides, I added a third bench, heavier leaf springs in the back and a 3" key lift up front. Coupled with some nice AT tires it is a beast, I feel like I appreciate it more and more every day...I had 800lbs of fill dirt behind the rear axle the other day, didn't even sag.


Anyways...OP, the AWD is fairly common in the conversion Express vans so they are not hard to find and get a great deal on. It is basically a Suburban you can stand up in.

It's funny, I was looking at Express vans just before checking this thread again. I would love one, but it seems hard to find one that isn't a panel and has AWD. If I can find one locally this will probably move to my #1 choice!

[MRCA1ST]

Originally Posted by funwheeldrive

It's funny, I was looking at Express vans just before checking this thread again. I would love one, but it seems hard to find one that isn't a panel and has AWD. If I can find one locally this will probably move to my #1 choice!

I am shocked this one hasn't sold: https://www.ebay.com/itm/2004-GMC-Sa...pZ3Qf2&vxp=mtr


There does seem to be a shortage of them right now, when we were looking there were plenty of AWD conversion setups available, but we were only looking for the 8 passenger configuration. We would have jumped on that red one in a heartbeat. It is such a niche market the prices are all over the place. When we were looking an AWD with ~120k had a KBB of $10k, we talked with three different dealers around the country and they wouldn't come below $15k. I had an alert set up and it popped when ours was listed for $9.5, called right away and put down a deposit, signed the papers the next day. Initially the dealer (Lexus) didn't understand why we were buying it sight unseen (it was in NH, we are in VA) after the papers were signed the salesman said they had gotten a bunch of calls about it and figured that their used car manager dropped the ball on gauging the market on them.


Anyways, that red one is a steal, I am guessing the miles turn people off, but you could swap in an L92 and still not even hit half of your budget.

[vh_supra26]

Used Lincoln Navigators can be had for pretty cheap.