 GooberPremium
join:2000-12-17
Naperville, IL
kudos:4
2 edits | Suggestions for a good 7-seater automobile We are probably going to be looking for a new family auto soon.
I'm looking for suggestions for a good 7-seater type of vehicle. I prefer not to buy a mini-van and not to have a rear-facing third row seat.
In most cases there will be two adults and 3 kids (13, 10, 7) riding in it. Relatively often there may be a couple of more kids in that age range. Four to five times a year, there will be a couple of extra adults that average about 170 or so pounds.
I like the Acura MDX, but don't see too many other cars in that size range. They either all seem to be mammoth sized SUVs or mini-vans. Looking in the luxury or near-luxury market segment. I'd prefer that the car get 18+ mpg.
I've done searching on the internet, but I can't quite get a handle on the what's good or not so good. Professional car reviews aren't doing it for me. So, personal anecdotes/opinions are welcome. |
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 dennismurphyPut me on hold? I'll put YOU on holdPremium
join:2002-11-19
Parsippany, NJ | GMC Acadia crossover.
I love mine ... it's a great vehicle, and top safety-rated to boot. |
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GooberPremium
join:2000-12-17
Naperville, IL
kudos:4
1 edit | Highest rated car in its class on Consumer Reports. Only niggle is the slightly below average reliability rating and that it's not in the luxury class.
Have you had transmission issues with yours?
Edit: Acadia is tied with a couple of other cars and Toyota Highlander models are rated a little higher. |
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dennismurphyPut me on hold? I'll put YOU on holdPremium
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Parsippany, NJ Reviews:
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2 edits | said by Goober:Highest rated car in its class on Consumer Reports. Only niggle is the slightly below average reliability rating and that it's not in the luxury class. Have you had transmission issues with yours? Not one. The software programming for the 2007 transmission was... sub-optimal. It hunted between 5th-6th gear quite a bit.
That was resolved with a firmware update for the 2008 models. I have an '08 ... (BTW, the update is available for 2007 models as well... they are software-upgradeable.)
I couldn't be happier with my Acadia .... it's certainly restored my faith in the ability of GM to build a quality vehicle!
Oh, and not in the 'luxury' class? Go drive one.  |
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| reply to Goober
I like the MDX myself. For a more affordable alternative, take a look at the Pilot, probably the EXL or the Touring trims. Now that they've redesigned it you can order both the navigation and the DVD player instead of either one or another. It's a good size too without being ginormous. It seems to me the Japanese brands are also worth a look if the resale value is a concern for you. |
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dennismurphyPut me on hold? I'll put YOU on holdPremium
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| said by BrianTheDog :
I like the MDX myself. For a more affordable alternative, take a look at the Pilot, probably the EXL or the Touring trims. Now that they've redesigned it you can order both the navigation and the DVD player instead of either one or another. It's a good size too without being ginormous. It seems to me the Japanese brands are also worth a look if the resale value is a concern for you.
Check the resale value on the Acadia ... it's excellent. Even for a Japanese model. The whole "Japanese cars hold their value better" is old thinking.
KBB trade-in value for my 2008 Acadia SLT-1 with 22,000 miles lists at $31,150 for "good" condition ... I paid $34k for it almost 2 years ago. |
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dennismurphyPut me on hold? I'll put YOU on holdPremium
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| reply to Goober
said by Goober:Highest rated car in its class on Consumer Reports. Only niggle is the slightly below average reliability rating and that it's not in the luxury class. Have you had transmission issues with yours? Edit: Acadia is tied with a couple of other cars and Toyota Highlander models are rated a little higher. The acadia is probably tied with the Buick Enclave and the Saturn Outlook ... all 3 are on the same "platform", with the Buick being the most luxurious ... go test drive one (seriously - Buick!!) |
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GooberPremium
join:2000-12-17
Naperville, IL
kudos:4 | Acadia tied with the Traverse and the MDX.
I'm surprised regarding the resale value of the Acadia.
I've got this fear of domestic cars. The T&C for us has really been a PITA the last year or so. A couple of firmware upgrades on the sliding doors, the engine light coming on and the engine running rough when started (which the dealer can't seem to find a fix for even after taking it in a couple of times), air conditioner needing repairing (on the last month of the extended warranty!), brakes most recently (that's okay, being a wear item) and a couple of other smaller issues. My parents have had issues in the past. Granted that was a number of years ago, though. |
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dennismurphyPut me on hold? I'll put YOU on holdPremium
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| said by Goober:Acadia tied with the Traverse and the MDX. I'm surprised regarding the resale value of the Acadia. I've got this fear of domestic cars. The T&C for us has really been a PITA the last year or so. A couple of firmware upgrades on the sliding doors, the engine light coming on and the engine running rough when started (which the dealer can't seem to find a fix for even after taking it in a couple of times), air conditioner needing repairing (on the last month of the extended warranty!), brakes most recently (that's okay, being a wear item) and a couple of other smaller issues. My parents have had issues in the past. Granted that was a number of years ago, though. GM has come a long, long way in the last few years... The Lambda platform, in particular (which is the underpinning for the Traverse/Outlook/Enclave/Acadia) is really very solid.
I had a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am that was a complete P.O.S. I enjoyed driving the car -- to and from the dealership. Lots of problems, and I swore off GM.
But the renaissance began when Bob Lutz became vice-chairman. I think the designs they're putting forward have really stepped the game up. No more cheap materials - they're really on par with some of the luxury manufacturers.
I can tell you how happy I am with the Acadia, and that I've had no issues with it... but there's nothing like test driving one. Do you have a GMC or Buick dealer nearby?
Of the models, here's how the breakdown works:
Chevrolet Traverse - "entry-level" model. Still very good, but w/o the bells & whistles.
GMC Acadia - mid-level model. More truck-like appearance. Lots of options.
Buick Enclave - the luxury model. On-par with the finest from Audi, Mercedes, et al. Quietest vehicle I've EVER been in.
If it's luxury you want, go seek out the Enclave. It's a fine looking (and driving!) vehicle ....
I really like the look of the Enclave, but my wife prefers the Acadia... so it's an Acadia we own. 
Also, only the Audi Q7, Mercedes R-class and the GM Trio are top safety-rated.
»www.iihs.org/ratings/summary.aspx?class=110
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dennismurphyPut me on hold? I'll put YOU on holdPremium
join:2002-11-19
Parsippany, NJ | reply to Goober
A good set of reviews ....
»usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/ca···ze-SUVs/ |
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GooberPremium
join:2000-12-17
Naperville, IL
kudos:4
1 edit | Wow. That's a big car relative to the MDX.
The R-class Blutec diesel is another I was considering. I bet it gets dropped in a year or two though. The BMW X5 Diesel is another I was considering (although the ride reviews aren't great).
Being brutally honest, I can't tell whether it's the fact that I don't associate the American cars with luxury/prestige or if it's the fear of quality or a combo that's giving me pause regarding the domestic brands.
We have almost all of the dealerships around me (not the exotic ones though). I think only the Chrysler one is several miles away (good riddance to bad rubbish IMO). I guess I'll check the Buick out as part of the entire new car DD. But, it'll take a lot of convincing for me to come back to American cars. |
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| reply to dennismurphy
said by dennismurphy:Check the resale value on the Acadia ... it's excellent. Even for a Japanese model. The whole "Japanese cars hold their value better" is old thinking. KBB trade-in value for my 2008 Acadia SLT-1 with 22,000 miles lists at $31,150 for "good" condition ... I paid $34k for it almost 2 years ago. I wouldn't doubt that the resale values of many American brands have improved dramatically from where they used to be in the past. However, I'd have to argue that the numbers you quoted from KBB are farfetched to say the least. A vehicle in the mid $30k price range cannot possibly lose only $2,850 of its value after 2 years and 22,000 miles - not without some artificial supply control by GM or severe shortages in production.
You are right though, GM has come a long way. |
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| reply to dennismurphy
To be totally fair, there is a number of other SUVs that are top safety-rated grouped under a different category:
»www.iihs.org/ratings/summary.aspx?class=50
Also, here are a few that are a bit more compactly sized than the Acadia:
»www.iihs.org/ratings/summary.aspx?class=55
OP, another interesting vehicle to take a look at: Ford Flex. It's a little overpriced (IMO) but Ford will probable be happy to give you a nice discount. Also, it has a "personality" and doesn't blend into the crowd. I've heard much about Ford's quality improving dramatically over the years as well. |
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GooberPremium
join:2000-12-17
Naperville, IL
kudos:4 | Thanks for the info.
At this point I think I'm mostly interested in the luxury or near luxury brands at around the $50K or so price range, give or take a bit based on the options. |
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dennismurphyPut me on hold? I'll put YOU on holdPremium
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Parsippany, NJ Reviews:
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| said by Goober:Thanks for the info. At this point I think I'm mostly interested in the luxury or near luxury brands at around the $50K or so price range, give or take a bit based on the options. Best of luck car hunting, and make sure you let us know what you settle on!
... but I'd definitely include the Enclave in that "luxury" segment.... traditional definitions be damned! |
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| reply to Goober
Have you looked at the Audi Q7? |
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GooberPremium
join:2000-12-17
Naperville, IL
kudos:4
1 edit | reply to dennismurphy
I'll definitely look. The game is definitely different from several years ago.
I'm going to see if we can't go car hunting this weekend. My wife dreads it, but I always like the challenge. |
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GooberPremium
join:2000-12-17
Naperville, IL
kudos:4 | reply to No_Strings
I haven't read much good about it other than it's really luxurious. I've heard the 3rd seat is smaller than most vehicles it's size, there are some reliability issues and it drinks gas at 15 mpg. Consumer reports gives it its worst predicted reliability rating. The Euros just don't seem very reliable at all. And for this being the wife/kids car, reliability is pretty key for me.
It's a pretty car, but there are just too many issues. |
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 imrfPremium
join:2002-06-06
Utica, MI | reply to Goober
said by Goober:Thanks for the info. At this point I think I'm mostly interested in the luxury or near luxury brands at around the $50K or so price range, give or take a bit based on the options. If you're looking for luxury, check out the all new 2010 Cadillac SRX. It's been completely redesigned and looks sharp, IMO. Also the Enclave could fall into that category. It's a stunning vehicle too. |
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GooberPremium
join:2000-12-17
Naperville, IL
kudos:4 | I'll look at the Enclave. It seems to be getting some good reviews.
The 2010 SRX unfortunately got rid of the third row. Having one is a must for us. |
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