I need a different Dad mobile

pinchvalve wrote: Mazda 5 is your answer: No, not a powerful V8, but you can get it with a stick and it handles like a car and still hauls 6 people in comfort. A few former and current owners on here can shine in. It can be a lot of fun. The other option of course is the Kia Rondo, but I am not sure you are ready for that level of power and awesomeness.

Speaking from personal experience I can tell you the 3rd row in the Mazda 5 is on the small side. I had my 10 and 11 year olds in the 3rd row a few times and it was getting tight for them. My wife sat there a few times with the kids and she agreed it wasn't best for adults. That's the actual reason we eventually sold it for a larger roomier vehicle (conversion van).

The other thing is the factory low profile tires on the Mazda 5. This always kept me in hyper-alert mode when driving especially in the winter time here trying to avoid the many moon crater size pot holes.

Buick roadmaster wagon. Tow and Go

With a $3500 budget, minivan is the only answer. Get the nicest one you can find. Everything else is a compromise.

Rode in a Kia Rondo with 5 other dudes the other night. Wasn't terrible other than this one not having the third row. Pretty sure the guy we stuck in the back wouldn't have fit in the third row seat though. A kid should be ok back there.

I know you can get early 2000s Suburban and Tahoes here for less than 4k. Sometimes you can find a really clean 03/04 with salvage titles here for about $3000. Usually salvaged because the 3rd row and wheels were stolen. I know salvage title is a big no for some but I doubt they'll ever be worth more or less than 2k. Whole lot of vehicle for that price.

04 suburban

03 Tahoe

Also, look towards Orange County for soccer mom's dumping them cheap for space because they aquired a new family vehicle.

B-body wagon is the answer. Doesn't matter if it's a box or a bubble, you get three rows of seats, an absurd amount of comfort, and a shockingly large aftermarket.

One question not asked yet, but what is the car seat count? That could dictate if 2 rows of 3 across is an option. Otherwise look for 3 rows. If 3 rows, minivan is the easy button.

Dajiban!!!!

Well since it looks like we hit all the reasonable options...

Dusterbd13 wrote: Dajiban!!!!

That's what I came to suggest.

3rd the Roadmaster wagon. 94-96 come with the LT1, but if you have 4 kids realistically the van man is coming to get you.

Some video Inspiration

Can't argue with this:

http://bangshift.com/general-news/project-cars/buford-update-our-9c1-caprice-gets-transformed-with-mickey-thompson-tires-and-cragar-wheels/

(Sorry, on my phone so linking not done)

My wife already has a van, my car just needs to fit that many kids occasionally. I like the Roadmaster idea though.

Volvo V70R :

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=19446&endYear=2017&modelCode1=V70&showcaseOwnerId=1394098&makeCode1=VOLVO&startYear=1981&firstRecord=0&searchRadius=0&maxPrice=5000&trim1=V70%7CR&mmt=%5BVOLVO%5BV70%5BV70%257CR%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&listingId=434727976&Log=0

Seriously, The LT1 powered Roadmaster is at the bottom of the depreciation curve (so CHEAP) and can seat 8 people. Check this out:

AWESOME Wagon Build Thread.

In reply to Indy-Guy:

That's my wagon! They are stupid cheap right now. At $300 mine was a BIT of a project (Challenge car after all), but there are much nicer examples on the market. Mine was a daily driver after replacing the cracked head, at 250k miles, until I pulled the engine for a Challenge makeover. Now it's a super awesome daily driver.

Make no mistake, this car will swallow 7 real, actual, full-size humans. 2 up front (middle seat is too small), 3 in the middle row, 2 in the back. Moving 4 kids with it should be no sweat. It's what we did before SUVs, right?

And don't forget, 5.7 liter V8 with 10.4:1 compression, factory stainless dual exhaust, and RWD

One of my friend's dads had a Roadmaster with the woodgrain (it was a 94-95-96?) He used it for his cleaning business and going to a middle school dance in that thing was like riding in a limo. The a/c in that thing would put a fridge to shame.

Road master wagon + rear mount ghetto turbo = car pool lane burnouts.