Minivan vs. SUV - Tell me about your.

[Gypsy Jazmine]

Durango's are nice.

Honestly, my Dodge Grand Caravan minivan hauled the dogs better than my Durango...With the back bench seat out there was plenty of room & it was MUCH easier for the dogs to get into...My dogs balk at getting into the Durango unless the back seats are in the up position & neither Sam or Pippin wants to ride in back so I have one of them halfway between the back & front seat & one sitting on one my kids laps at almost all times...Once, in the Durango, I had the "hatch is open" light come on when I was doing close to 60 on an on ramp & Pippin was laying against the back door...Scared the crap out of me!!!...Maybe it wasn't shut tight but I thought it odd the warning light didn't come on until we were well out of town...Hasn't happened again but I still don't trust it & put something across the back so Pippin can't lean on the door when he does choose to go back there...The Durango looks alot better than the minivan but my Grand Caravan is alot more fun to drive & fits the dogs better!

[DixieSugarBear]

I would love to see the camping photos.  Are you going to take Kate?

[k2campbell]

I would love to see the camping photos.  Are you going to take Kate?

OF COURSE we’re taking Kate!!! She’s part of the reason we’re going in the first place – camping just isn’t camping without a dog!  I can’t wait – I am SO excited!  She’ll have lots of buddies to play with, a nice river to swim in, and we’ll get to test out the Element in the camping scenario – yipeeeeeeeeeee eeeee!!!

[DixieSugarBear]

Oh Melissa you know me so well. Me, a pal ,three pyrs and show stuff. I am going to check out the Mazda soon.

[brandon]

I like the MSN Autos page for all the user reviews, and you can see the specs, pictures, etc on different vehicles:

http://autos.msn.com/default.aspx

Edmunds has reviews, etc online, but the forums are great for seeing what people like about or are frustrated about different vehicles:  Use the Browse discussions by vehicle:

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/ForumsLanding

Good place to see pictures of the interiors of the cars/trucks/vans:
http://www.familycar.com/PhotoGallery.htm


I think the Edmunds discussions is what made me want to steer away from the Toyota and Honda vans.

[zanie]

We've been looking into a Toyota 4-Runner, not new but late 90's early 00's.  I need the height of an SUV to make it easier to get in and out of because of my back, we need to be able to seat at least 4 AND have room to haul the dog.  The back section needs to be big enough that Dell can hang out back there and not be pinned between the seats and the back door. There's even plenty of room for him to move around if necessary.

Anyone have any experience with a 4-Runner?

[brandon]

Some good friends of ours have a newer 4-runner, we've ridden in lots of times.  It is a good riding and comfortable vehicle with plenty of leg room in the back seats and front.  The area behind the back seats isn't as big as it is in some of the larger suv's but not bad, it certainly isn't a rav-4 or something like that.  No experience with dogs in them.  I don't think they have had any trouble with it.  I do think that their car payment is more than their house payment though 

[Magnus]

I have to Nissan Armada and it has been a great SUV.  It passed the lond road trip test with 2 adults, 3 kids, 2 dogs and a weeks worth of gear. It was great on the beach access roads.  It has a great tow capacity and great option packages.  Gas milage is ok but not much less than other larger SUVs. We are approaching the end of the lease and are looking at another one, although I havent ruled out the Nissan Quest which friends of ours have and LOVE.  I also like the new Toyota FJ.

[DixieSugarBear]

I am soooooo sad I dont think I will be able to make it on Saturday.  We are moving my MIL.  I hope we get to do it again soon.

Lisa

You'll see ours Saturday!

[nohesnotahorse]

I am soooooo sad I dont think I will be able to make it on Saturday.  We are moving my MIL.  I hope we get to do it again soon.

Lisa

You'll see ours Saturday!

Hope that it works out that you can come for just a bit... it'd be great to see you, Dixie and Sugar Bear, but be there in spirit if not!!