Best 7/8 Passenger Used Vehicle Under $30K

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Originally Posted by JRSC00LUDE

Likely too expensive due to rarity as there can be only one.

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Solid reference

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Originally Posted by dj_rice

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/...o-fees/m377139

2019 model. 48K hail sale $28900.

But Theres lots of 2nd/3rd gen Highlanders (2nd gen 2008-2013/some 3rd gen 2014-19) under $25K if u up the KMs to under 120K. My 2008 model has 300K when I bought her and she runs like a tank, engine runs mint still. I think the 2nd/3rd gen Highlanders were the best years

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Disappointed, young grasshopper.

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Originally Posted by ExtraSlow

Solid reference

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Arigatōgozaimashita

This is a market I know well, with three kids.

IF you want a usable third row, then the mid-size SUVs are pretty much out. There is a small subniche of what I would call large crossovers out there which have more room in the third row and are slightly larger than the midsize category. The Mercedes GL/GLS is in that category, but I would not recommend it if you are on a budget. Expensive cars to keep on the road. They are also a bit less practical for kids due to interior materials and less functional access to the third row. We ended up with an Atlas, after some complaining from the wife about the brand. It's been good so far.

You can also look at used current gen Chevy Traverse.

We actually went with captain chairs in the Atlas, so one kid always is in the back row, but it has worked out. Makes 3rd row access for adults a lot better and makes the 3rd row feel much roomier.

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Originally Posted by Buster

This is a market I know well, with three kids.

IF you want a usable third row, then the mid-size SUVs are pretty much out. There is a small subniche of what I would call large crossovers out there which have more room in the third row and are slightly larger than the midsize category. The Mercedes GL/GLS is in that category, but I would not recommend it if you are on a budget. Expensive cars to keep on the road. They are also a bit less practical for kids due to interior materials and less functional access to the third row. We ended up with an Atlas, after some complaining from the wife about the brand. It's been good so far.

You can also look at used current gen Chevy Traverse.

We actually went with captain chairs in the Atlas, so one kid always is in the back row, but it has worked out. Makes 3rd row access for adults a lot better and makes the 3rd row feel much roomier.

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We were also in the same market and agree that mid size SUV's are pretty much out. While the atlas had the most room (imo) out off all the mid-sizers we looked at, it didn't have enough power for my liking. In the end we went with a non-xl suburban which had the space we wanted plus the power to pull a boat.

That said, i really wanted a minivan. Mostly because i am cheap and they are the ultimate family hauler (and i didn't have to regularly drive it lol). The Pacifica is the gold standard here that looks quite sharp and has some pretty interesting offerings.

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Originally Posted by spike98

We were also in the same market and agree that mid size SUV's are pretty much out. While the atlas had the most room (imo) out off all the mid-sizers we looked at, it didn't have enough power for my liking. In the end we went with a non-xl suburban which had the space we wanted plus the power to pull a boat.

That said, i really wanted a minivan. Mostly because i am cheap and they are the ultimate family hauler (and i didn't have to regularly drive it lol). The Pacifica is the gold standard here that looks quite sharp and has some pretty interesting offerings.

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The Atlas is very compromised. It's short on power, and the suspension does not feel modern in any way. It feels like what it is - essentially a large version of one of VWs two generic platforms. On the plus side, it is almost as functional as a minivan with AWD and ground clearance for the winter. It' interior is reasonably nice, and durable enough to combat the kids. We don't tow, so getting a body on frame SUV doesn't make sense for us, and the full size SUVs are too much of a pain.

The list was short.

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Originally Posted by Buster

almost as functional as a minivan

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This is the best you can hope for from any SUV. Nearly as good as a minivan.

Attachment 97743
or
Attachment 97744
or GTFO

Huderite van?

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Originally Posted by cidley69

Huderite van?

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You mean a GMC Safari/Astro from the 90's?
Oh wait, that's a different group with 11 people in a van in the KFC drive-thru...

My parents had an Astro in the 90’s. That thing was the tits.

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Originally Posted by killramos

My parents had an Astro in the 90’s. That thing was the tits.

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Same, the AWD Astros with the V6 were a solid hauler.

Do you need to move all those midgets AND stuff? All the 3 row Midsize SUV’s will have no space behind the 3rd row. The only thing that will hold 7 people and gear are full-size SUV’s and mini-vans. 90’s GM Suburban wins.

Even an odyssey doesn’t have that much room when the third row is up. Just saying. Midgets have a lot of garbage.

Suburban wins.

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Originally Posted by SkiBum5.0

Do you need to move all those midgets AND stuff? All the 3 row Midsize SUV’s will have no space behind the 3rd row. The only thing that will hold 7 people and gear are full-size SUV’s and mini-vans. 90’s GM Suburban wins.

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This is correct. A bit of cargo room behind the back seats is critical, which is why I'm surprised there aren't more than a handful of large crossovers on the market. Which again left us with the Atlas.

Attachment 97756

Atlas is good geometry. Never owned or driven one.

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Originally Posted by Buster

This is correct. A bit of cargo room behind the back seats is critical, which is why I'm surprised there aren't more than a handful of large crossovers on the market. Which again left us with the Atlas.

Attachment 97756

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Is that the Atlas? thats actually a decent trunk with the seats up. My bro has an escalade non ESV and with the 3rd row up there is enough room in the trunk for a couple back packs

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Originally Posted by SkiBum5.0

Do you need to move all those midgets AND stuff? All the 3 row Midsize SUV’s will have no space behind the 3rd row. The only thing that will hold 7 people and gear are full-size SUV’s and mini-vans. 90’s GM Suburban wins.

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Mostly midgets only, very little stuff. If vehicle ever used for stuff too, midgets are all in 2nd row, and 3rd row folded down to carry the stuff. Midgets+friends=no stuff being hauled, which is ok.

The Atlas looks nice, but its not in the under $30K price range.

Confirmed on the big body GM stuff. We’ve got 3 kids under 6 and tow a boat so it was Suburban/Denali XL/Escalade ESV or two vehicles for every trip

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Originally Posted by vengie

Plus, they’re pretty much a truck.

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I'll just leave this savage beast here.

Wife likes our Expedition Max Limited, except for it being a boat to park

They're hard to find with the middle row bench seat though as usually the max limiteds and max platinums came with captains chairs

I don't know if you'll find an Ecoboost aged one in the 30k price range and if gas mileage really is a consideration then the V8 is a no-no (i think we've been averaging about 19-20l/100km) but since she doesn't drive much it's not bothering us