Third Row Seating Options?

Let’s talk cars, Mini-Vans and SUV’s that have third row seating.  My family has a need for a daily driver that has the capacity to occasionally haul seven people (think alternating car-pooling days).  What’s available that I may not have thought of?  I have three requirements:

1.  Must be able to occasionally haul 7 people (third row)
2. Good mileage (would really like low to mid 20’s mpg)
3. Consumes regular unleaded gasoline, not the $$$ premium.

Budget’s under $3,500.  I’m thinking Volvo Wagon with the folding rear facing seat.  What other options are there?

Ran here to say Suburban but then saw #2 

These days the $3500 budget really is tough. I'm looking forward to what the hive comes up with.

I know of a Honda odyssey that has been owned since new by a friend of ours. She is looking to sell it now for peanuts because it is at 200k miles and the maintenance is over her head. Just saying. She asked me if I want it (and of course I do) but I don't have any use for it now so I think I'm going to end up helping her sell it. If you are interested let me know.

In reply to Robbie (Forum Supporter) :

I'm sending you a text.

Lesser known minivans come to mind.  Mazda MPV, first gen Honda Odyssey, things like that. 

iT's going to be hard to find ANYTHING for $3500 in this market. But the FWD Sorento/Sante Fe (not sport), 11-16-ish era are right there. Low to mid 20's on the highway. Seats 7. The rear most seats are actually habitable for actual human sized humans. Inlaws have had their 15 now for 6 years and is been a tank.

Don't you already have a Roadmaster/Caprice wagon that fits all those requirements?

maschinenbau said:

Don't you already have a Roadmaster/Caprice wagon that fits all those requirements?

Had.  Sold it to Garaithon.  He's LS Swapping it now.  Here's his build thread: The White Whale

You might be able to find a Merc R class in that range, or close to it.  We have put about 100K miles on ours and over all it has been good.

With those requirements, you are in minivan territory. They wont get 20s around town but they will be close. 

Ease up of the fuel economy and you can pick up a nice high mileage Suburban at that price. It will get 15 or so around town and 17 to 19 on the highway if you keep your foot out of the tank. 

R class IAAI
 

having some copy and paste issues. But was looking on IAAI.com and happened to see a R class. 

Rav 4 and Highlander both had optional third row seats. Camry wagon had optional rear facing third row.

I've seen S123s for that price in rough but well running condition. It'll do 25mpg mixed no problem. Consumes regular unleaded diesel fuel.

As others have said, minivan is probably your best bet based on your price/MPG requirements. Don't overlook the Sienna, Dodges, Kias, and the Mazda5 options as well. 

Odyssey is going to be tough in that price range, but I wouldn't go earlier than an '07 (they got the beefier transmission starting that year). And go LX or EX to avoid the VCM headaches.

Ditto on the odyssey and skip tourings as well so you don't PAX (or find one that needs tires for cheap and de-pax it). The VCM can be deleted with a few kits but the motor mounts are a PITA

dj06482 (Forum Supporter) said:

Odyssey is going to be tough in that price range, but I wouldn't go earlier than an '07 (they got the beefier transmission starting that year). And go LX or EX to avoid the VCM headaches.

IIRC the cylinder deactivation ring problems didn't show up until 2011.

Thanks for all the leads guys.

I don't speak Honda. What do PAX & VCM mean?

Indy "Nub" Guy said:

I don't speak Honda. What do PAX & VCM mean?

PAX is a Michelin run-flat tire option.  They're pretty expensive, ride poorly, and don't last very long, so many people dislike it.  It uses special wheels, so if you want to put normal tires on instead you need to replace those too.  IIRC they were standard on the top trim level ("Touring", I think).

VCM is cylinder deactivation for fuel efficiency (turns it into an I-3 at cruise/low load).  It adds 1-2 mpg, but there was a problem on the later vehicles where it would wear out the rings on those three cylinders.  Generally speaking, the "EX-L" and higher trim levels had it, the ones below that did not.

In reply to codrus (Forum Supporter) :

Thanks 

The VCM on our 06 was still a PITA even though the "bad" problems were later. Active motor mounts at $500/ea that go out every 50k gets old (plus another $500 in labor if you don't like dirty). The last time they took a E36 M3 I replaced with the mechanical EX mounts and deleted the VCM. Lost about 1mpg highway but worth it to not have the motor bouncing around.

Mine is still on PAX but it's because my wife doens't change tires and I travel a lot (at least used to).

Rear facing 3rd row like Volvo wagon but no one thinks to go looking for these, made until 2005

Rusty but cheap sample

Then, in 2007 there was the Ford Taurus X. See my comments in this thread

The Kia Rondo is sort of a Kia Optima stretched tall to make a wagon.  A third row was optional. The whole thing is similar in size to Mazda5 so third row is tight but possible for kids 4-12-ish.