What truck to get?

[PAUL M]

Well I just found out that my wife is preggo! With Twins!!
I have a 14month old already.
My dilemma; Besides finding a nanny I'm going to need a bigger truck than
the rx330 that I have. Any suggestions? reccomendations?
Def dont want a hummer.(if I had gotten one to begin with I wouldnt need a bigger truck If you know what I mean!)
Looked at the ML It seems smaller than the lexus
Looked at the range Rover sport Too small
Thanks
Paul M
01 s55
95 nsx
04 rx330

 

[menuserve]

well first of all congratulations on the twins...

might i suggest the pathfinder Armada? That truck is huge... my wife drives a pathfinder but we didn't get the Armada because of how big it was! We only have one child, not the three you have in store for you!

Eric

 

[nuccaJB]

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT 8. It does 0-60 in 4.5sec.
Just joking about that one, it would be fun, but probably not anysize difference for you. What about the GX 470? It has 8 passenger capacity.

 

[Pacemaker Kid89]

Acura MDX, better value then bimmer or benz for the same thing...navi and rear dvd and such...prob under 46Gs

gas mileage is ehhh and the brakes could be better IMO

 

[Elite]

MDX or Pilot, GX 470 or Sequoia,QX56 or Armada, those are your best choices, IMO.

 

[Nimbus]

A Honda Odyssey with the DVD entertainment package would be the most practical for your situation.

 

[jordansx]

I went to a test drive here in las vegas and the GX 470 blew every suv there out of the water in every aspect. (suvs included the navigator, x5, escalade, ML, mdx, etc) If thats still too small for you I'd go with a QX56. Some don't like the styling but I love it. Looks like a big bear and its a great SUV. Good luck and update us on what you decide.

 

[comquat1]

What about a Ridgeline? It does comfortably seat four inside and tons of storage space. You'll have even more yet if you get a bed cover on it like Retrax.

 

[Edwardo]

The Ford F250 crew cab King Ranch edition is my favorite truck. I do not own one but I believe a member of this board used to own one. Perhaps he could chime in for a first hand review.

 

[Da Hapa]

Last weekend my wife and I purchased a 2006 Lexus LX470. The additional 45bhp for this year really made a huge difference in the truck and I can't say enough good things about it.

We test drove the Infiniti's, BMW, Range Rover, Porsche, MB and Acura and in our opinion, the LX was the best solution for comfort, useful space, driving comfort, reliability, quality and value. It's plenty big inside for two adults, two kids, a dog and all their stuff but unlike some of the big American iron (Suburban, etc.) it's not so big that it doesn't fit in most garages or feel unwieldy to drive.

It's still a big truck, so it certainly isn't an NSX but the adjustable shocks and suspenion really go a long way to buttoning down the ride and while it's no Porsche Cayenne S, it doesn't float down the road like an Escalade either.

The fit and finish, quality of materials, and simplicity of design is outstanding. And while others might point to the relatively old design as being long in the tooth, I like the fact that the technology is now proven and any minor bugs are (hopefully) long since worked out.

Frankly, we got a screaming deal on it as well. Basically $2,200 under invoice (plus we're getting an additional $500 back from Lexus as existing Lexus owners). We got the color we wanted and I was able to peel the plastics off my brand new, 8 mile car last Sat.

We hope this Lexus is even half as bullet proof as our last and look forward to many, many years of good service.

BTW - I'm avg. 13.5mpg (per the trip computer) so far in 60/40 street to highway driving on the first tank. Research says that should improve to the mid teens once the motor is broken in, etc.

 

[CKS Papa]

I'm with Nimbus, check out the Honda Odyssey Touring.
I have 3 kids, sliding doors makes loading and unloading much easier.

 

[caz-nsx]

I vote for the Armada also. We have had ours for a little over a year now. Very powerful engine. We have also been getting 14 to 15 miles per gallon in mostly city driving, not bad for a big V8. The electric rear hatch makes me feel lazy, but it does come in handly if your hands are full.

 

[ceeya32]

There is a great lease deal on a 2006 Lincoln Mark LT 399 a month, $2,500 total down, only 24 months! It's like the King Ranch only sweeter!

 

[nchopp]

I LOVE the QX56. If I were in the market for a people\stuff moving vehicle right now, it'd be my first choice. Took a test-drive when I was up in Bloomington getting my Q serviced, and man, talk about a hell of a ride.

 

[The Kid]

Congrats on the twins, your a lucky man.

Twins run in my family and I hope to one day be as lucky.

Dont forget the MDX, I know someone who can give you a good deal.:biggrin:

 

[Da Hapa]

I'm with Nimbus, check out the Honda Odyssey Touring.
I have 3 kids, sliding doors makes loading and unloading much easier.

If you're comfortable driving a minivan (surprisingly, I am but my wife is not)... this is an excellent recommendation.

All the space you'll ever need, good power, it drives nice and the Touring model is ven nicely appointed. The parents of my goddaughter just bought one and I was shocked at how much I actually liked driving it.

 

[PAUL M]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. The wife and I arent ready for a minivan yet(I agree it would be the best fit)
I will Def. check out the Qx and the Lexus Lx470. Didnt even think of that and I have an rx that we love.
I also heard that Benz has a GL coming out. Will look into that also
THanks again
I'll let you know how I make out
Paul M

 

[Made in the USA]

Volvo XC90, my good friend has one and he says it is almost the perfect family car. Not flash at all, but has seven seats, comes pretty well equipped, and has Volvo saftey record behind it.

Me, I am a Land Rover guy, but neither the Range or the Range Sport has seven seats, so for a family it is not as practical, but the LR3 is available with seven seats, that could be an option.

Congrats on the soon to be new arrivals.

 

[whiteNSXs]

Hi Paul,
The Honda Pilot has 8 seats, four wheel drive and many goodies. It will be perfect for your family of 5 plus room for toys and others. It would be my top choice if I have 3 kids.
Steve

 

[NsSeX]

I would stay away from the nissan's. I remember reading a post about the nissan and infintiy suvs having brake issues. I don't know if they've been fixed or not but just a heads up.:wink:

 

[PAUL M]

Thanks for all the responses guys. I think Im going to go with an 06 escalade esv platinum.They have some great rebates now because the 07 is a new model. Just need to decide on 06 or 07. wife and I test drove it yest. For such a huge truck it doesnt feel that big while driving.Glad I will be buying American for a change. It will be my first American car since 1986.Hope I dont regret it.
Paul M
01 s55
95 nsx
04 rx330

 

[GOTTSPD]

I drove an Escalade for about 1 week when I was having some upgrades done to my Caddy. I loved it. Surprisingly my wife did too. She didn't want one of her own because its too big for her, but we had a ball driving the big black Caddy for a few days. I'd definitely go for the new one though. The inside of the current generation is not up to the same standard as the rest of Caddy's new cars.

I know what you mean about buying American. I had a couple of Chrysler cars in grad. school and they were remarkably unreliable. That was 10 years ago and they were the last American cars I owned until the current Caddy. I love this car and its fun beating up on most everything else on the road.