Yet another "what daily driver" thread

I am having a tough time with this one, and the answer is definitely not "Miata" or "P71" although the latter isn't far off where my head would be normally.

Currently daily driving an 03 GTI 1.8t which is a decent enough car but with three small kids (2, 4, 6) I can only take two at a time at best and it's quite cramped even then. My initial thoughts are a larger, four door sedan.

Budget is 5-10k but I'd really like to be 7-8k. Needs to get 22mpg on regular and 25mpg on premium at min. Stick preferred but it'd have to fit all three in the back seat so my wife doesn't need to drive it, ever. Auto only otherwise.

Initial thoughts were E39 but for some reason my wife rolls her eyes. Another thought was Acura TL (and TypeS) but they're more at the top end of the budget. Haven't really considered Camry/Accord due to blandness. Gut wrenching sportiness isn't required, but a little bit would be good to break up the monotony. Haven't really considered much American, but should I?

Maintenance/repair wise I am not scared of much other then failing automatic transmissions. I have owned loads of VWs and had an Audi and Land Rover before and have survived.

I am sure there are other options, but can't really think of much that meets all the criteria. I'm tempted to get a cheap Tahoe and a trailer but that might not go over well long term.

Anyway, GRM forum, please help.

Mazda 6? Throw in the wagon for extra utility. Probably the "sportiest" of the humdrum midsized sedans out there, not counting the Germans.

Matrix with the 6 speed and the good engine? At the ages you're dealing with you need to haul the car seats with you and see what it takes to get all 3 in back. It's surprising how hard it is to get 3 car seats (even 3 booster seats) in back of most modern cars.

Mazda 6 would be a good alternative.

Don't discount the Accord. You can get a stick. The 4cyl 5spd is actually more fun to drive than you'd think. They're not thrill seekers, but they're not Buicks.

Not much will fit 3 across comfortably in the back seat. My vote would be to go with a Kia Rondo: its in your price range and has the room you need. All you have to do is accept your fate and drive an appliance. A really great appliance, but still.

Paul_VR6 wrote: I am having a tough time with this one, and the answer is definitely not "Miata" or "P71"

You're right, it's both. Sorry, but it's the truth man. Currently waiting on the very next time I need a vehicle to go P714Life.

In reply to J308:

I was actually thinking about a 3K or less 2003+ p71 with a manual swap and a blower. I think that would meet all qualifications and be fun on a bun!

So it sounds like your criteria are "enough space for 5" and "doesn't suck to drive". Your desired mileage doesn't sound too difficult as long as you stay away from the really big models. While I like the Mazda 6 wagon idea (or a Legacy GT, space will be tight in the back seat still. Maybe not as bad as the 2 door hatch, but still not awesome. Seems like you need a real family hauler, like a minivan or SUV.

So what minivan/suv/crossover/thingy doesn't suck to drive?

Mazda5

Sure, the third row is tight compared to a full-size minivan (oxymoron?), but with just little kids to throw back there it shouldn't be too big of a problem. Hell, you could put your wife, all three kids, and one of their friends back there. From personal experience, the engine is adequate for the car, but not stellar. A manual tranny can make up for some of that though. The real surprise (for me) was just how much fun it was to drive. The handling is firm and it has less body-roll than our 99 Integra. I found myself bombing through corners in total confidence in the same way I would in a much smaller car. Which makes sense considering the underpinnings.

Subaru WRX wagon?

not so much in the fun category, but for a cheap box, my mother in law uses her first gen Scion xB to haul around 3 grand kids with no problems. The functional box shape means it fits 3 carseats across, gets great mpg's, and is a pretty simple/reliable set of wheels.

Otherwise yes most modern cars just aren't very adept at 3-across without resorting to something with a 3rd row.

Pick the kid you like least and put it up for adoption?

Thanks for the initial ideas, quite a few, esp Mazda5, I hadn't considered. I have to go drive one.

We have an 06 Odyssey for the true workhorse, and it does its job well. If I had the money I would think about a second (seriously). I have my 95 GTI as a "race car" so the toy-toy is already covered as well. Gives me a bit less leverage on the "fun" factor, not that it ever runs for long before I go changing things.

MattB's "So what minivan/suv/crossover/thingy doesn't suck to drive? " is an excellent point, but also "what midsize sedan with an auto doesn't suck to drive?" We had an 04 Jetta with a tiptronic and it wasn't horrible I just need something a little bigger then that and that gen Passat has all the expensive front end suspension parts as the Audi's I like to avoid. E39 w sport pkg? Any Mercedes? Anything like a Camry but sporty?

The "wagon" made a comeback but it's made for the two adult, two kid, plus dog family.

I really was liking the E39 530i sport pkg. Not sure how comfy it is for 3 kids in back seat. Is it 3 kid seats or boosters or?

The challenge is going to be fitting three car seats across in the back seat of any reasonably-sized car. I fit two boosters and an infant car seat in the back of my RAM, but that's a monster, full-size truck. I'm cringing as our youngest has outgrown the infant car seat and I'm going to need to try to stuff a rear-facing convertible seat back there. Unfortunately, we have a Britax Marathon, which is just about the widest convertible seat on the market.

On the plus side, with your youngest being two, you'll be able to have their car seat front-facing, which helps your chances of fitting the three car seats in a car (as opposed to a truck/van/suv).

The newer Accords and Camrys have larger back seats, of the two I'd pick the Accord with the 4cyl/5spd. I hate to say it, but I don't think the E39 will be wide enough for the three car seats. It might be worth the investment to buy the narrowest car seats and then pick a vehicle that you can fit them in. That might give you some more options vehicle-wise.

Let us know what you end up with. I have 3 boys (5.5 yrs, 4 yrs, 14 months), so I'm in the same boat. As you can see, I'm lacking a "fun" car at the moment

Paul_VR6 wrote: Anything like a Camry but sporty?

Maxima?

Not sure if Ford Fusions have depreciated enough at this point.

If I go auto, it can be almost anything as my wife can drive that if she needs to go somewhere and/or I need to use the van to haul the kids around.

If it's stick, I need to be able to fit all three in the back (preferred?) so my wife can just take the van and I can do whatever. The seats are: one butt only booster, one booster with a back and one full seat facing forward.

I know, she needs to learn to drive stick, and she can (I have seen her move my car around) but just isn't comfortable jumping in and going in one. That and her love for fancy shoes makes it tougher to drive I guess.

I was thinking mid-size as it's tough to get any of the kids in the back of my GTI due to the doors and seat design. Even my oldest can't buckle because the booster sits in the seat funny. Wish I had tried all this out before I bought it, but alas!

Volvo wagon/sedan? S70, V70

Find a e39 530 locally at a dealer show up with three kids in tow and try it out

That is on my to-do list. Probably an 00 528 because it has the 5sp auto but still cable throttle.

E39s are lovely and I can get the front facing bucket in the center (non latch) with my girls boosters in either side. However, my wife hates something about BMWs or the people who drive them and this seems to be an insurmountable obstacle at this point. I need an action plan for convincing other then showing her crappier versions of other makes, she'd catch onto that too quick.

Time to drive more mid decade Jettas and Passats :(

I would think 3.5L Maxima would be a good choice. That kind of money will get you a solid lower miles one. The I35 if you want the luxury. I never tried it but I would think that would be enough.

My sister does it in an Avalon. That works as well. Also, I second the V70 suggestion. Those work well too and you can get a decent one for that pricing too.

She just said the word Touareg. Girl has an agenda and I think it has to do with how she'll look in it. Similar to when I bought that Land Rover...

Paul_VR6 wrote: However, my wife hates something about BMWs or the people who drive them and this seems to be an insurmountable obstacle at this point.

Has she driven one yet?

G35 Sedan? Lexus IS 300? IS 300 Sportcross? The nicest 1995 Taurus SHO on the planet? People seem to like the 1st gen CTS, though I didn't enjoy my test drive.

Paul_VR6 wrote: She just said the word Touareg. Girl has an agenda and I think it has to do with how she'll look in it. Similar to when I bought that Land Rover...

Either that or she's trying to keep you in the garage for some reason.