I figure it would need something with bucket seats in the second row with a third row seat to accomodate the car seats. Reason I say bucket seats in second row is I dont want to have to remove car seats to get to the back, I'd rather the third, oldest child be able to walk between the bucket seats to get to the third row.

I dont want to break the bank for a new vehicle and would also like to save a little on gas while having enough space for luggage/gear for trips.

The obvious choice would be a Suburban but they are pretty dang expensive and cost to fill up is pretty high.

What are other good options?

(Also, I cant stomach buying a minivan right now.)

[This message has been edited by Broseph (edited 4/25/2012 4:57p).]

You can get the 2012 Ford Explorer with 2nd row buckets and no console to make walk-through to 3rd row easy. They're nice looking, too.

2nd row buckets are not common. You can find several Tahoe/Yukon Denali/Escalades that have them, and many of these can be had for less than 20K, but most manufactures don't make them that often.

Another option to consider might be a 2nd row bench seat with a third row entry via the back hatch (like on the Lexus GX470, Land Rover Disco II SE7, some others).

I would find a Denali that fits your description and call it a day. OR, swallow your pride and get a minivan. Swagger wagons ain't so bad.

If you care about saving money on gas, and you have to cart around three kids who are carseat-aged...well...it sounds like you already know what you *should* do.

09/10 Suburban or Expedition EL
You can't get good MPG with all your requirements.
My vote is a Sub. We have an 08 with 3 kids with center buckets, love it.

I can and have put three booster seats across the middle row of our 2010 Pilot. Many SUVs got wider in their last model refresh for the new rollover component of the govt. safety ratings.

If mpg is important, get a 2.0L ecoboost explorer.

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If you care about saving money on gas, and you have to cart around three kids who are carseat-aged...well...it sounds like you already know what you *should* do.

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yup. odyssey

I was always adamant about no minivans, but test drove and bought a '11 Odyssey EX-L last summer. It actually drives really nice and the sliding doors, low step in height, storage, and seating are great for kids. Close to $40k though, so not cheap. You won't regret it if you get one.....as long as it's your wife's car!

If not, the Traverse (and similar) come with 2nd row buckets.

[This message has been edited by slschultz02 (edited 4/25/2012 9:54p).]

3 kids.....3 carseats.....time to suck it up and get yourself a Swagger-Wagon.

+1 for the Ford Explorer

With the 3rd seats up there is no room for cargo in Explorers.

Your choices are either a minivan or a large SUV.

I would not buy new unless you love the Odyssey new body style. Was not that impressed with my 2011 Sienna.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2X-R_PR6xs

I think your first order of business is getting 'snipped'. Then stop at the mini-van store on the way home.

I'll snip it for you....need to feed my goldfish

My friends had this same issue when their first kid was on the way. They went with the 2012 Explorer.

Please don't get a minivan. A piece of my soul dies every time I see a dude driving one.

There's nothing wrong with a minivan if it serves your needs well. Hopefully the guy has a sports car or project car to balance it out.

Besides if a guy is forced to buy a minivan because he has several kids still in carseats...well, he kinda did it to himself.

I've said it before and I will say it again. I swore I would never buy a minivan. Then a baby came and the Tahoe didn't really work with the heavy door and the baby seat sitting petty high etc....and 15mpg.

Bought a 2001 Odyssey 11 years ago.

Best thing we ever did. Automatic sliding door and the perfect seat height probably saves mine and my wife's shoulders and backs.

Today it still gets 25mpg on highway and we take it everywhere.

Men's golf outing? Screw suv. We can carry 4 sets of golf clubs and 4 men's luggage with an ice chest full of drinks with ease. Yes we will pull up to your country club in our minivan and park next to your truck and subs and still kick your ass on the course.

Yes I do have a sportscar to compensate for the minivan.

Thank you.

Oh...and I would put the oldest kids seat in the 3rd row which he/she should be able to climb in with ease. And the middle row should hold the other 2 with room to spare. Mrs can now drive or she can be the passenger if you're driving. And the trunk will have plenty of room to carry everything you need.

Now my kids are 6 and 12...and when the wheels fall off the Oddy I think we will get an AWD Sienna. We need it here for driving on snowy mountain roads.

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I dont want to break the bank for a new vehicle and would also like to save a little on gas while having enough space for luggage/gear for trips.

The obvious choice would be a Suburban but they are pretty dang expensive and cost to fill up is pretty high.

What are other good options?

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Not an SUV. Odyssey or Sienna.

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(Also, I cant stomach buying a minivan right now.)

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When you see that it meets all your requirements AND gets better mileage than a mid-size SUV, you'll get over it. Not to mention they are way more comfortable on long family trips.

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I cant stomach buying a minivan right now.

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Then you should have pulled out.

Maybe get a full size van.

We've had 3 Odysseys. GREAT vehicles, especially with kids on long trips. Get over the minivan "stigma" and buy one. It's silly to buy a vehicle that doesn't meet your needs just because of pride.

Can't stomach a minivan? Our Sienna gets 20 MPG is the city and 24 (Max 27) on highway. Easier to stomach at the gas pump.

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With the 3rd seats up there is no room for cargo in Explorers.

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You can just put one 3rd seat up and stow the other.

I actually thought about getting a conversion van...those things have 26 in flat screens in them and you can find 3-4 yr old models between $18k - $25k. I could get one with a back ladder, throw on some side pipes and paint flames on it. Way cooler than a minivan.

those conversion vans are still kinda cool, but gas is going to kill you i bet.

If you're a father of 3 little kids then the era of looking "cool" in a car is over until you hit midlife crisis....then you can buy an alleged "cool" car..which no one will think you're cool rather they will either think you're going through a crisis or compensating.

Get a minivan.

We have an Armada with 2nd row buckets and a third back. The cargo area is still pretty large with the third row up. we LOVE it.

Is a Sprinter diesel considered a minivan?

Tons of room, drives good, excellent MPG.

I'm halfway thinking about getting one to haul dirt bikes instead of pulling an enclosed trailer.

Get a minivan. I think suburban and tahoes are great with older kids, it's what I grew up with, but kids in car seats = minivan.

we don't have three, but looking for the same size vehicle. our top 3 right now are:
sienna
explorer
highlander

all pretty dang good. some people like the cx-9, but i couldn't get comfortable at all driving it and didn't like the ride (didn't absorb any of the bumps, i thought). i like the explorer better than the highlander, but kind of worried about long-term reliability of ford+ecoboost vs a toyota. may pick the sienna for overall space, but all three drive great.

Sprinter is a full size van and dwarfs minivan. Unfortunately there aren't very many sprinter conversions except upscale limos and class b and c RV.

Your answer is the obvious one: minivan

It meets all the criteria. We have had a Honda Odyssey for 6 years and it is great with kids and car seats. The kids are getting a little older now (5 & 7) and I've looked at a couple of SUV options but with the third row in use there is no room in the cargo area to carry the kids stuff. I recently looked at the Honda Pilot and it didn't look like it had enough room to carry my 7 yr old son's bag with his baseball gear (little larger due to his catcher's gear) or a stroller if the kids were younger. They are also lower to the ground than tahoes & suburbans so younger kids can actually get into them.

More cargo area, more legroom, bucket seats in the 2nd row, automatic doors, & better gas mileage. You are a parent with 3 kids and probably live in the suburbs so just get the minivan.



[This message has been edited by ag97dds (edited 4/27/2012 11:52p).]