Family vehicle recommendation

[Aleks]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

When is the last time you were in a head on collision - I've never been. Now I'm not saying crash worthiness shouldn't be a factor when buying a vehicle but comparing the crash test results of a 20+ year old vehicle to modern vehicles is sort of unfair.

We had 2 Chev Astro's back to back when we were in full on family mode and they were great for our needs but I would not make the recommendation of getting an Astro/Safari any more because they are getting very long in the tooth now. One thing OP will most definitely notice if they move from a van to an SUV is how much less utile a SUV is when it comes to hauling a family and their stuff around, been there, done that.

The point I was trying to make is that the Astro was probably one of the worst vehicle made when it comes to safety. I'm glad you were never in a serious collision in one! Cars are way safer now for sure. But if one has to get an older car especially to carry kids around now, there are choices that are better than others.

Here is what a 2001-2006 MDX looks like after the same test:

[revelations]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I'd like to replace my front wheel drive mini-van with something that has AWD for the wife. Checking in with you guys for some recommendations.

It should have third row seats (I have three kids), AWD, and be around $10k. Other than that, I am open to suggestions. Researching 2007-2009 Volvo XC90 right now.

We had the same situation and we ended up getting a Mazda5 with STUDDED snow tires. Wife now stops and corners better than AWD with all seasons.

AWD is a marketing gimmick, and only helps you accelerate and rally around corners (which most women dont do).

[flipstah]

My family bought a 2010 XC90 new and still in the fleet with 193k kms.

PM me if you want to know anything about the 3.2 inline-6

The third row is awesome + the trunk space is still usable vs. a minivan.

[roll_over]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

AWD is a marketing gimmick, and only helps you accelerate and rally around corners (which most women dont do).

Acceleration and getting going is pretty important in the winter. I live in the West end and regularly see people getting stuck going up the hill near Sunterra on 17th and the hills around 17th and 85th.

Definitely does not hurt to have AWD, especially if you pair with winters.

[Tik-Tok]

Honda S2000

[revelations]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Acceleration and getting going is pretty important in the winter. I live in the West end and regularly see people getting stuck going up the hill near Sunterra on 17th and the hills around 17th and 85th.

Definitely does not hurt to have AWD, especially if you pair with winters.

AWD is essentially useless in the summer and you will have far greater associated operating costs. Think about the tires and their requirements, loss of mileage, component wear, etc.

If thats not an issue, then by all means spend the extra money. It will not make you any safer though than studded winter tires.

[r3ccOs]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

My family bought a 2010 XC90 new and still in the fleet with 193k kms.

PM me if you want to know anything about the 3.2 V6

The third row is awesome + the trunk space is still usable vs. a minivan.

I'd definitely do the T6, but the maintenance in general, as is parts is expensive though run rate and reliability is quite good

Volvo are not for people on a budge

[flipstah]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I'd definitely do the T6, but the maintenance in general, as is parts is expensive though run rate and reliability is quite good

Volvo are not for people on a budge

Yes, parts are generally higher and ours has been reliable. Only issue we have is the anti-skid becoming intermittent (it deactivates sometimes) and we can't diagnose the issue.

Also: it's an inline 6 and not a V6. My mistake.

EDIT: The V8 engine is also rock solid. Yamaha modded it to be used on Nobles haha.

[ShermanEF9]

really not sure why people feel that an AWD is safer in snow than any other vehicle. you start sliding at 80kph+, it doesn't matter what wheels are spinning.

[RealJimmyJames]

Awd is good because you can get going faster before you slide off the road.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Ford flex. Looks funky and one of the better vehicles Ford makes.

That's what I'd get for sure.

[Tik-Tok]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

really not sure why people feel that an AWD is safer in snow than any other vehicle. you start sliding at 80kph+, it doesn't matter what wheels are spinning.

Not sure anyone is claiming it's safer, but it will definitely get you out of jams a fwd or rwd won't. IE. Going up an icy hill, or even out of a snow filled parking lot. All situations made worse when have your kids in the car with you, and can't just say "Fuck it, I'm walking"

[blitz]

Better winter tires. Hakka 8’s

[ianmcc]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Ford flex. Looks funky and one of the better vehicles Ford makes.

We traded ours in after 200K+. Bought new.
Advice-stay away from 2009 and even 2010 if possible.
Troublesome brakes, front wheel bearings, leaking transfer case (and no way to drain and re-fill the fluid), crack prone pano roof, rust under cuff saver door panels, rusted around the rear hatch handle, low seating position=limited side and rear visibility.
But a beast in the winter (AWD is a must), decent fuel economy, super on long trips, wide passenger doors, decent space in the rear seats.
Only seven passenger seating with the second row bench.
Pro tip-all of the two tone paint jobs got a second coat of clear at the factory.

[roll_over]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

AWD is essentially useless in the summer and you will have far greater associated operating costs. Think about the tires and their requirements, loss of mileage, component wear, etc.

If thats not an issue, then by all means spend the extra money. It will not make you any safer though than studded winter tires.

I get what you're saying, my last daily was an E63 with winters that I would drive thousands of kms for work year round, I did just fine and actually never had an issue as long as I had the correct tires.

But my wife's suv with awd, stability, traction control, winters and ground clearance is 100x better to drive in shitty weather. Not to mention it has way more room for car seats and cargo. I understand that operating costs are higher but I buy cars for comfort (or fun), not for low operating costs.

[Aleks]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

My family bought a 2010 XC90 new and still in the fleet with 193k kms.

PM me if you want to know anything about the 3.2 inline-6

The third row is awesome + the trunk space is still usable vs. a minivan.

A 2010 Odyssey will have 4 to 5 times the cargo volume with all the rows up compared to the XC90 of that vintage.

[z24_wheels]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

We traded ours in after 200K+. Bought new.
Advice-stay away from 2009 and even 2010 if possible.
Troublesome brakes, front wheel bearings, leaking transfer case (and no way to drain and re-fill the fluid), crack prone pano roof, rust under cuff saver door panels, rusted around the rear hatch handle, low seating position=limited side and rear visibility.
But a beast in the winter (AWD is a must), decent fuel economy, super on long trips, wide passenger doors, decent space in the rear seats.
Only seven passenger seating with the second row bench.
Pro tip-all of the two tone paint jobs got a second coat of clear at the factory.

Awesome info, thanks. Also read timing on the xc90 can be tricky, better to go with v8 and timing chain.

[revelations]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Not sure anyone is claiming it's safer, but it will definitely get you out of jams a fwd or rwd won't. IE. Going up an icy hill, or even out of a snow filled parking lot. All situations made worse when have your kids in the car with you, and can't just say "Fuck it, I'm walking"

Weve never had that issue with FWD vehicles and studded tires - in fact the only time in 10 winters here that I've had an issue was about 7 years ago when we had a blizzard (the one that covered cars in Panorama and Copperfield) and my condo parkade entrance ramp turned into a giant snow drift. Even big 4x4s were having a tough go (but they eventually made it and cleared a path).

[revelations]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

A 2010 Odyssey will have 4 to 5 times the cargo volume with all the rows up compared to the XC90 of that vintage.

Yea I dont get this either. I have family (rich) who absolutely refuse to drive a nice Odessey - because its a "minivan", and chose a full size SUV instead. They have 2 kids and have issues getting all their gear in the SUV. Without sliding doors, the kids are hitting things all the time.

[z24_wheels]

I will have a look at the Odyssey as well. I have a FWD Sienna now and it has problems. It's hard on brakes (they didn't engineer it properly and the brakes are too small), tire wear is very high (again, poor engineering). Perhaps the next gen is better, should look at that. As I mentioned previously, I didn't go AWD Sienna due to the lack of spare (the center diff takes up that space) and it was recommended you use run flat$ as a result. I would assume the same issue exists in the Odyssey, but I don't know for sure.

As for the debate on AWD. I like it. If I have to move cause I see a vehicle sliding towards my ass, AWD helps me move out of the way. Yes, it doesn't help me stop, but it gets me out of trouble (and perhaps into trouble - too cocky, LOL).

Not too worked up about cargo space between minivan and SUV. We didn't really fill the van up often enough (outside of infant seats) to justify staying with that platform.