Home Forums Gear Hunting Trucks and Four-Wheel Drives Girlie vehicles

What do your wives drive to haul the kids around in? We're in the market for a new (or lightly used) vehicle for my wife. Primary duties will be to haul the 2 kids around, take the 4 our us places, and the capability to carry a couple of additional passengers occassionally. Price is a big factor since we're a single income family.

Right now we're thinking minivan of some sort. I drive a 4 door Explorer Sport Trac that serves the hunting/outdoor/SUV role. Any recomendations?

I would look at a late Jeep Cherokee. Rugged and will beat the hell out of your Exploder for off road and hunting duties. I bought mine with 65,000 miles on it and now it has 178,000 and still runs as good as when we bought it. This darn thing replaced my pickup as a hunting wagon. After a year I added a few modifications to it such as a HD roof rack ( for hauling out quartered Elk), small 3" lift, and a winch. I would not trade this thing for anything made today........well Ok for a 4dr Cummins pickup, but not for another SUV.

We only have two kids, but I couldnt see my family owning a van. We decided on an Expedition, and its worked out great. Lots of room for everything. We've taken 7 people on a 30 hour trip with Tvs and the bit. Good car. If the expedition is too big, then the explorer, or the Chevys version. Tahoe, Envoy, or whatever. Vans, not for me. Also, hers is not a 4x. I have a F150 supercrew, which must be. (See I have this addiction that requires offroading). But we are CA, your needs may be different.
mike

Toyota Rav-4. We've had it 5 years, other than the clutch crapping out at 55k (fixed under waranty), it's been reliable and get's decent mileage. Toy's have treated us well, and I don't want her breaking down on a -20F day with little kids in the car. Sure, something a little bigger would be nice, but it fit our budget, also single income, and my idea of a reliable ride. 4wd was a must for me as well for winter roads.

I simply can't come to terms with having a mini-van <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

My wife loves her "new" Trailblazer. We bought it a month ago, an year and a half old LT AWD with 22K on it. It maneuvers at least as well as her 98 Jimmy (the Jimmy is smaller), has 85 more HP, and gets similar mileage in town--still gathering data for freeway mileage. It has a signifiantly more room than the Jimmy.

The SUV ain't a bad idea, but look into a former rental car such as an Impala, they usually have less than 20,000 mi. An sell for around $12,000.

Bought a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder 2 weeks ago and am digging it big time.

I wouldn't want more than 2 passengers in the back seat for much of a haul, but I'm pretty well allergic to back seats -- had to ride everywhere in the back of a 2-door Maverick, then the back of a 2-door Tercel for the 10 years before I went off to college.

Are you keeping the Exploder, and this'll be a second vehicle? My wife got a '01 Chrysler Town & Country a few months ago and it works well for the situation you described. It gets 19-20 mpg for combined city/highway driving which isn't as good as the car it replaced but it's got more room, a V6, and it's way more convenient with kidlets. As 458 said, it does take some work to get past the idea of owning a mini-van though!

About 15 months ago my wife got a 2002 Toyota Sienna (I believe its the LE version), and she likes it alot. We got a good deal on it since it was just 1 year old (or a little bit more) and had like 19,000 miles on it. I think we paid $19,000 for it...this was when the others were selling for 23K or 22k and one dealer close to our home was selling the 2001 Siennas for22k.

FWIW, I got a 1994 Grand Cherokee Jeep and its basically been pretty good, but its recently turned 180k miles. It has given me some problems but not something that cannot be fixed. However, since I got two small kids, I don't trust driving it around in Northern VA like I do around my childhood home, because when a car breaks down in the area I grew up, I can always call a relative to come get me (read: over 30 or 40 first cousin and some aunts/uncles). Around here where I live, few friends close by and they everyone is so damn busy to help someone! LOL. But back to the Jeep, I bought it in 1999 and it was 5 years old and bought from a construction executive, who frequently rids of SUV's that hit the 100k miles. A couple weeks ago, this Jeep completely quitted on me at a Home Depot, but the next day I went to see if it would start and if not, get it towed to my home...but that damn thing started! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Basically, I don't drive the Jeep where I would not want ti to break down. But I still drive it, but if I go out to shoot or hunting areas which are mostly hideous...I don't takr the Jeep.

Here is what I am thinking of doing. I am looking at the 2005 Civics and Corollas, because of economical gas usage and because my wife commutes to work in traffic and I used to but may be doing it again soon. Here is how I look at it, since my wife drives 40 miles to work one way in somewhat med-heavy traffic and heavy traffic back home, I might as well as get the best mileage car. I can use my Jeep if it is really needed, but I am thinking a good gas mileage car would go a long way towards me having peace of mind with my kids and just driving a whole lotta more without worrying about a 15MPG guzzler <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I had a new brother in law just come back from Okinawa (he's a Marine) and he bought a spanking brand new Explorer and said he had another Explorer before he went to Japan and said he put on 230k miles...but had 180k miles before it first broke down! I had a Bronco that knocked at 127K miles a LONG time ago.

Anyone know the wholesale to dealers on a 2005 Civic or Corolla? Yeah, I know you bunch of shooters/hunters are all die hard USA Made, but I bet you'd be surprise where your TV is made and the components that come to make your toys come from! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> But as I said, I am looking for a good gas mileage car and we got the VAN for the family.

Hope you find what tickles your fancy... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Whttail in MT,

Yeah, I was hesitant at first in owning a van. But it did not take me too long to convert. I have owned trucks/SUVs before and actually prefer these types of vehicles. But since I got two young kids, the van fits us perfectly. At least the wife is happy ...which in turn makes me happy. She really was debating whether to get a van or SUV, but I think the van is a perfect fit. For very young children, I think the van works well for her. But I told her that if the kids were like 6 - 8 years old, I'd probably get the SUV and she agrees with me. The van gets is 24MPG in commute traffic so its not too bad.

valad

Yep, I'm keeping the Sport Trac and the minivan would be exclusively hers and for family trips. I'm not big on the minivan idea either, but it seems to make sense in our scenario and Mama wants one. Like the saying goes 'If Mama ain't happy, nobody ain't happy'. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Lots of good advice so far, keep it coming.

If you get a minivan, get one with the DVD player in the back. Keeps the kids happy and in exchange, momma...


SS

My wife and I traded in our Jeep Cherokee in 02 on a new Tahoe. It is an LT with all the options and the 5.3 and auto 4X4.

No problems at all and I have taken it hunting. Last year I had antelope on the the top! I installed BFG AT's. It gets about 13 in town and 18 on the highway.

the van is a great 2nd vehicle. it is like someone owning a pickup for the first time.
they cant believe they ever lived without one.

the mini's take great abuse from little people. they can get in and out by themselves and it makes a great camping rig if your not going 4whln. just toss all the coolers and crap in the back and load em' in. if it rains, party in the van.. it does work.

price being an issue the chryser will get a nod for sure. they are just plain cheap in all respects. thier longevity is in question but you can get into one new for about $330 a month. tough to beat.... just beat the hell out of it and trade it every 5 years <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

if you can go up a good bit the honda is tops, closely followed by the toyota. they are very pricey though. if you can get a 1-2 year old with decent mileage they will last a long time....

good luck and let the wifey pick it out! oh yeah, that dvd player suggestion is no joke. it is worth EVERY penny!!!!!

woofer

Well it looks like the Chrysler Town & Country is getting the nod. I found a 2005 base model that doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles, but does have a DVD player installed for a good price. Mama and the kids will be happy, which in turn keeps me happy.

Update -- 2 weeks after I bought it, my wife finally drove the Pathfinder (2 mile round trip to the grocery store, max. speed < 40 mph).

She loved it ...

I didn't think hunters and shooters were allowed to have minivans............ <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

blaine, they aren't. they just put their wifes name on em' <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

i am still waiting for some shop space and a month with nothing to do. would like to a see a grand caravan sitting on jeep axles/springs with a 4cyl dzl pushing it along <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

i beat 2 to death and they are pretty tough if you keep all four on the ground. problem is there is no place for tow hooks(bumpers and spring perches dont work very well)


adios

woofer

I just bought Big Momma a 2002 Tacoma 4x4 4-door 6cyl(sub $15K),to replace her 4-Runner.

Gonna get me one next,to replace my '95 V-6 Toyota 4x4 Xtra cab.

Sweet rig................

I'm keeping my peepers out for a mid 90's landcruiser <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I figure I can sell the rav-4 and be dollars ahead (excepting mileage <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> ) That's as close to a mini-van or yuppie rig as I'm willing to come.

The toy trucks definately do the trick, but just a tad cramped for longer road trips.