Wife's acadia in the shop with a $1500 repair. Thinking of pitching it instead but not sure. Thoughts on the Highlander, pilot and pathfinders? Two kids and a dog in the household. Take two trips a year to VA but sometimes take my tundra. Don't see the need for a bigger SUV. Wife isn't a fan of vans although I see them as more practicle for us. Thanks

My wife and I love the minivan

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tru dat.

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Wife's acadia in the shop with a $1500 repair.

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Transmission or variable timing issue?

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Wife's acadia in the shop with a $1500 repair.

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Transmission or variable timing issue?

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Steering gear. Replaced the power steering pump under warranty (powertrain) but said the gear is out. If we don't replace will continue to cause pump to fail. Don't follow why a pump is covered but gear isn't.

Flex Ecoboost, 90% of the conveniences of a minivan, extremely comfortable, AWD + twin turbo V6 make it a rocket off the line, you get to keep your man card, and it's something you'll look forward to driving.

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Seriously so purtyyy

Power sliding side doors > any alternatives

Would slam a Flex

Go with the Highlander. It's insanely boring but very reliable and perfect for your situation, it sounds like.

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Go with the Highlander. It's insanely boring but very reliable and perfect for your situation, it sounds like.

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+1

I have 5 co-workers with white Highlanders. WTF at the end of the day that they even approach the correct vehicle.

Think I am going to go ahead with the repair. Called gm today to try and sway coverage but no luck. Trying to get the dealer to discount repairs and haven't heard back. Would like to get a couple more years out of the Acadia. Running the math repair is the right choice.

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Go with the Highlander. It's insanely boring but very reliable and perfect for your situation, it sounds like.

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I said that, then I went and drove one, back to back with the big body SantaFe Turbodiesel. The choice was obvious after that.

Flex

Or

Quigley Van

How about a not-so-mini van

Vantastic!

I am back and forth considering additional info regarding issues with this gm platform. Help push me one way or the other. 2011 with 58k. Paid off. Ideally lasts another 3 years until my truck is paid off. Drop 1500 expecting further issues; timing or transmission or get rid of? I am convinced one way and then read about rampant other issues and go the other way. Thanks

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I am back and forth considering additional info regarding issues with this gm platform. Help push me one way or the other. 2011 with 58k. Paid off. Ideally lasts another 3 years until my truck is paid off. Drop 1500 expecting further issues; timing or transmission or get rid of? I am convinced one way and then read about rampant other issues and go the other way. Thanks

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Its always cheaper to keep what you have.

Lambda based SUVs have been decent, but it seems they're not aging that well, as these gremlins start popping up.

That being said, keep it maintained according to your manual and you shouldn't have any surprises other than the other two things I mentioned, which should be covered by powertrain warranty for 5/100.

We bought a Venza this summer and love it. Doesn't have the 3rd row you might be after, but we have a little one and two dogs (one 70lb) that we manage with. Cargo area and back seat are generous IMO. You'll probably be more comfortable in a larger SUV, but we couldn't justify the additional cost just for that convenience the few times a year we really need it. Worth checking out at the very least.

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We bought a Venza this summer and love it. Doesn't have the 3rd row you might be after, but we have a little one and two dogs (one 70lb) that we manage with. Cargo area and back seat are generous IMO. You'll probably be more comfortable in a larger SUV, but we couldn't justify the additional cost just for that convenience the few times a year we really need it. Worth checking out at the very least.

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For the price of a Venza, you can get a Santa Fe with 3 rows. You can always fold down the 3rd row to have more cargo space.

We test drive the Santa Fe and didn't like it. But everyone has their own preferences. And it may be cheaper but I'll bet anything mine holds it value better than a Hyundai.

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We test drive the Santa Fe and didn't like it. But everyone has their own preferences. And it may be cheaper but I'll bet anything mine holds it value better than a Hyundai.

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I will agree that the Toyota will hold it's value better. I just got a loaded vehicle for $10k less than the Toyota. So there is a trade-off in cost vs retained value.

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I am convinced one way and then read about rampant other issues and go the other way.

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If you look up any car, you will read about problem after problem that people are having with them. I read about all kinds of issues that people are having with my car at less miles than what I've got on mine and I've never had the issue. I just bought my truck used, so I'm not that familiar with it's history, but the Tundra forums are full of people having all sorts of issues and it can be scary; however, people don't go on the internet to talk about how reliable their vehicle is. They go to forums to complain or get help resolving their problems. So just because there is some people out there with issues, doesn't mean you'll have them too.

A paid off 2011 vehicle with 58K miles would have to have a whole lot of very expensive repairs to not save you money vs. making a payment on a new car.

The flex would still be the most fun though...

How about a Denali?

^ God Bless America!

So far have the dealer down from 1500 to 650 for the repairs. Trying to get another 50 to 100. Mark-up much?

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I still don't understand why they won't put sliding rear doors on vehicles like this or Tahoes.

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I still don't understand why they won't put sliding rear doors on vehicles like this or Tahoes.

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Then the manly people wouldn't buy Tahoes or the Flex.

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How about a Denali?

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Murcia

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I still don't understand why they won't put sliding rear doors on vehicles like this or Tahoes.

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Then the manly people wouldn't buy Tahoes or the Flex.

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This. Then it wouldn't be the minivan fit people who are scared of minivans and willing to pay tens of thousands extra for it.

Vasectomy

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Vasectomy

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Says the guy who just popped out a new kid!

Minivans are souless to drive. Some of us don't care about the looks. When they stuff a twin turbo V6 with AWD in a minivan, then they might get more of my attention. The flex is like a sporty alternative, that gives you most of the creature comforts with a much more exciting driving experience.