Looking for 8 (or more)-person vehicle...

Yes, we've been busy :)

Currently 2 adults, 5 kids, and often a friend or two... We have a 2000 Windstar that the wife loves, but 2nd transmission is going and it's long in the tooth.

She's not really interested in a SUV and I've already looked at new ($$$!!!) Suburbans since you can get the base model with a bench front seat and fit 9... but it has worse headroom than the minivan.

Cargo capacity is a plus; towing capacity (enough to pull a dolly and a 2500 pound car) a plus. Good gas mileage a plus (the Windstar used to get ~24 on highway trips, but no more...)

I'm open to new, but very interested in other options as well.

Odyssey / Sienna both seem to do 8. Is that really the best option though?

Unfortunately, 9 is the most you will get in anything (and not in any minivans) other than the full sized, extended vans.

^^^^ Good for Mex/Tex food night

mtn wrote: Unfortunately, 9 is the most you will get in anything (and not in any minivans) other than the full sized, extended vans.

We got to the point where the full size van was the only option.Previously had a Suburban,my wife and I both liked driving the Suburban much better.The kids like the van,roomier and easier to get to the back.Both towed good,both get poor gas mileage.Suburban easier to work on although they are both pretty reliable.A big van does what it is designed to do pretty well but is as boring as it gets.

I agree with most everyone that you are in full size van territory now. You can get a 12 passenger shorter wheelbase full size and aviod driving the truely huge extended 15 passenger van. I tow my tarck car on a dolly with a full size van and it does pretty well. I would reccomend going 3/4 or 1 ton if you plan to carry 9+ people and tow a car at the same time.

how about a Sprinter?

This...

with this...

We are looking at the diesel Suburban from the late 90's now, and I have to say that the mileage is awesome for something that big.

In reply to racinginc215:

Unfortunately, only 2 adult drivers. My oldest is still a few years out from driving (thought a fleet of little cars does have its appeal...

GSmith wrote: Odyssey / Sienna both seem to do 8. Is that really the best option though?

Sienna, yes.

I have an 06, LE 8-pax. I don't tow with it but it has a 3500 lb capacity. Every Sienna comes with the necessary beefed up mechanicals for towing. The towing package for them consisted of the hitch hardware and wiring.

I liked the Honda's style, handling, ergonomics, etc. better than the Toyota's, but the Toyota came ready for duty and better suited to actual use as an 8-pax. I have 4 kids, but we're always picking up somebody.

Going to a big, thirsty, body-on-frame Suburban is something I wouldn't do unless I had to. Say, if I regularly needed to tow greater than 3500 lbs.

This plus some couches

E250 and -350 have optional Powerstroke diesel. Will handle everything you're looking to throw at it, and knock down close to 20mpg doing so.

DILYSI Dave wrote:

little late for that, dave

DILYSI Dave wrote:

How come they have one for "Her Pleasure," but not for "His pleasure?" Do we not see what has become of humanity?

APV? Bonus is- you've already got a 15 passenger capable ZAV, and it has guns!

rogerbvonceg wrote:

GSmith wrote: Odyssey / Sienna both seem to do 8. Is that really the best option though?

Sienna, yes. I have an 06, LE 8-pax. I don't tow with it but it has a 3500 lb capacity. Every Sienna comes with the necessary beefed up mechanicals for towing. The towing package for them consisted of the hitch hardware and wiring. I liked the Honda's style, handling, ergonomics, etc. better than the Toyota's, but the Toyota came ready for duty and better suited to actual use as an 8-pax. I have 4 kids, but we're always picking up somebody. Going to a big, thirsty, body-on-frame Suburban is something I wouldn't do unless I had to. Say, if I regularly needed to tow greater than 3500 lbs.

The big, thirsty body on frame Diesel Suburban from 1997 or thereabouts gets nearly the same fuel economy as the 2008 Sienna.

why not a low mileage, late model, 2WD burb?

I've been looking at late 90's Suburban diesels as well and it's been tought even finding something fairly clean with less than 150k or so on it... and the few I've found like that are pushing 5 figures.... not far from a 7.3 Excusion.

My '99 5.7 got 18mpg on the highway... and those are around for less than half what the diesels cost. That buys a lot of petrol....

I'm looking for a diesel mainly for better mpg towing... for people moving jobs I'd just as soon have the 350...

Good luck! Bill

wcelliot wrote: ....not far from a 7.3 Excusion....

I retract my previous idea. THIS!

Diesel excursion all the way!

I can't believe only one other person thought Sprinter. Diesel so you get double the mileage of a full-size (gas) van and you aren't stuck with the GM interior or Ford diesel reliability. I've driven them and they drive like a minivan, not anything like as big as they are.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

DILYSI Dave wrote:

How come they have one for "Her Pleasure," but not for "His pleasure?" Do we not see what has become of humanity?

His pleasure is not having any damn kids running around.

MitchellC wrote:

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

DILYSI Dave wrote:

How come they have one for "Her Pleasure," but not for "His pleasure?" Do we not see what has become of humanity?

His pleasure is not having any damn kids running around.