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SUV's with 3rd Seat...


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My wife and I are expecting our third child in a few months and looking at getting an SUV with a 3rd seat. With 3 car seats, it is near impossible to do it without a 3rd. Anywho, who has one and what can you say about yours? We are looking at Acadias, Pacifica's etc....

As far as a van goes, my wife won't drive one... even though I am game because they are so practical... so those are out.

Thanks for your response....

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My nephew has a Tahoe and he has two car seats across the middle section and a third person sit in, too. I would imagine a Tahoe would fit three car seats across without having to have one seat way in the rear.

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I have an Expedition EL, previously had an Explorer with 3rd row.

If you like to carry a lot of stuff, go big.

Some of those V6 motors get worse mpg than the V8's.

I know the third row seat in the Tahoe's sits really low, not very comfortable for the long haul.

Just my 2 cents

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We have a Dodge Durango and it has three seats and plenty of room. Bought it new in 2006 and have not had any issues with it. My wife uses it as her daily commuter.

If you get one, skip the hemi engine if you are worried about gas mileage. The thing has incredible HP and torgue but only gets about 12 MPG in the city. I would go with the non-hemi, smaller v-8 if I was to buy another one.

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Coach- Not sure if you're looking new or used, but I'd reccommend having your wife test drive a '99-'07 Toyota Landcruiser. Plenty of room for the family, extremely reliable, and one of the safest vehicles on the road. Skol.

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We have an 01 Ford Expedition with the third seat. We only have two kids but we have put them back there a few times when we traveled with another couple. It worked out pretty well. The only drawback I could think of is accessabilty. We have bench seats so we have to fold one flat to get back there. Not really an issue unless you have carseats in the way.

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I have an 06 Durango with the Hemi/4wd and get about 14 in town and 17 on the hwy, which is about what you would get with a Tahoe/Expedition, but a lot "sportier". I like it a lot, haven't had any issues with it so far. I have never had to use the 3rd row, but I know its there! smile

You mentioned the Acadia's, and my Dad and good friend both have one, and they both really like it. Lots of room/flexibility, drives really well, nice design/interiors. I am pretty sure they get low to mid 20's MPG on the Hwy. No current V8 is going to come close to it in MPG's. I don't believe either has had any problems yet. I think it could tow a small boat/trailer as well. (you didn't mention anything on towing) I would just make sure to get the DI engine if buying used, as you will get a little better MPG's and more HP. All the new engines are equipped with it.

Don't know anybody that has bought a Pacifica and don't see too many of them.

Congrats on your third child!

CJH

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Thanks for all the replies.

I would like to be able to tow a 16 foot boat with a 40HP motor and possible a trailer with a 4wheeler if at all possible.

I hear the concerns on the bench seats and getting to the 3rd row..... that is why some of the models with bucket seats are my favorites right now, but they also seem to be the most expensive!!

Any others with experience or advice, please chime in... THANKS!

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My wife will not drive a minivan either and she won't even let me get a full sized van for work. Have thought about getting a 2000 forged rod E350 diesel van but I'd have to park it at the shop and never bring it home!

My wife drives a 2000 Ford Excursion 4x4 fully loaded diesel. It gets better fuel mileage than a Hemi or V8 gas job and will last a lot longer too. Current mileage 214K miles, just broke in. Best part is it won't drop in value like the Durango which has the worse resale value. My brother did own two Durango RT's, those aren't that bad looking. Had tranny issues with both though.

Before the Excursion my wife drove a 95 Bronco 5.8. That got really bad fuel mileage and a motor failed by 70K miles.

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We were in the same situation. I went with a 2005 Pacifica and love it. I took out the bucket seat behind the driver to have better access to the bench in back. I have a 9 month old that sits in the bucket seat behind the passenger and the 3 and 5 year old sit in the back bench seat. When we go out of town the dog sits behind the driver and I have a luggage bag that we strap to the cargo rack up top. I went with this vehicle for a couple of reasons. All wheel drive was something I wanted and also something that is comfortable and drives nice. So far no issues. Good luck with whatever you decide.

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My wife has a 2001 toyota sequoia and it has given us zero problems. We can take 6 adults with the boat (1850 reata) to the lake with no problems. It is my favorite vehicle in the stable. It is a gas sucker, but she only drives 10 miles to work. Our neighbors have an acadia from GMC and love it also.

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Thanks for all the info so far. I don't think we have really decided what the front runner is yet. Fuel economy is something that is important at this vehicle will get driven 40-50 miles per day. What kind of towing capacity does a Pacifica have? Also, with the bucket seat model... any chance you can take center console between the buckets out?

Thanks again for all the info.

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We bought a Toyota Highlander last fall and have been happy with it. We have used the 3rd row a couple times and they have worked out well, although the space is tight and it's more for kids than anything. We did have an adult or two back there without much of an issue. Gas mileage is decent, avg about 20mpg around town, 22mpg on the freeway. We got ours with the tow package, so it's got a 5000 lb tow capacity. Fun to drive....comfortable for me (I'm 6' 4"). Plus, we can fit two large varikennels side by side in the back for the dogs.

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Check into a 97 98 99 Mazda MPV All Sport. Personally I think it was the first crossover. I had a 97 and loved it, and I have mini vans. The 4 doors open like car/suv doors, no sliders. And it never got stuck, the 4WD was great.

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