3-Row SUV for Midlife Crisis

[PandaBear]

My wife' early midlife crisis was when we had our 1 and only kid. That was 2013. " I WANT A HONDA PILOT EXL, RED w BLACK LEATHER INTERIOR ! " WAAAAHHHH !!!! So, 48k later, we got it. Brand new. BIGGEST mistake of our lives. Drank gas, hard to park, tranny blew at 70k, lower control arms recalls, horrible brakes, Cats at 100K, Sold at 105k. That 3rd row was used 3x tops !!!! Should have bought her a Civic. One kid, really ????? Now she drives an 06' Camry Le. Too bad !!!!!!!!!!!! No camera, no bluetooth, , no Sirius XM radio, no nothing. GO TO WORK !!!!! At least I charged up the A/C for you. Stop complaining !!!!!!!!! LOL

This is why I believe these vehicles are better rental on demand than own or lease. Especially since Critic lives in the Bay Area and anything with large 3rd row seats like Suburban would be too big to park in many parking lot (forget about street parking, they usually won't fit). Rich people typically don't buy them here (and most who have them are people who bought them before moving here) but rather smaller European Luxury instead for this reason.

 

[PandaBear]

When OP said "Road trip," what exactly did he mean? 100mls? 300mls? or 5000 miles?
BOF vehicle unless towing/off roading is something I would not like to live with every day. I have one, it is parked 5 days a week.

Typically when we Bay Arean do "road trips" we mean going down to San Diego or Vegas at most, and would be less than 1000 miles (like 500-800 usually).

5000 miles is probably beyond West to East coast and most of us would rather fly. Our days off plus gas in a large SUV (say 18 mpg) would cost more than the plane tickets.

 

[Starving Electrician]

Women are emotionally superior/more capable than men, but sometimes need to be talked off the ledge of making emotional decisions that aren't rational. That's where hubby comes in, and why marriage is meant to work so well in a complimentary fashion. So, I was partly tongue in cheek but also serious with my comment.

I am not sure on that one. Growing up with 4 sisters, being married 10 years after knowing my wife for 28, and general interactions with women in life and in the work place I have never seen any of them to be emotionally superior or more capable. More neurotic yes, more prone to trying emotional manipulation yes, but superior no not even close.

With that I adore my wife she is wonderful and beyond great, my sister's are all great people, but I can't imagine relying one there ability to regulate, control, understand, or protect their own feelings. Can I count on them to be way too emotional and anxious about meaningless things yes, but that goes back to that neurotic nature.

 

[glock19]

Growing up with 4 sisters, being married 10 years after knowing my wife for 28, and general interactions with women in life and in the work place I have never seen any of them to be emotionally superior or more capable. More neurotic yes, more prone to trying emotional manipulation yes, but superior no not even close.

You must be a hit with the ladies...

 

[Hohn]

Ok, so not exactly completely on topic, but am I that out of touch that I was not aware an Escalade is over 100 grand now?

It's been that way since before covid.

When the market participants are people who have no fear of debt, those of us with stricter budgetary rules will be left behind.

It would take me YEARS to save up the cash to pay for a new Escalade. And having done so, there's no way I'd be spending that money on any GM product that doesn't have "zr-1" in the model name.

 

[John105]

It's been that way since before covid.

When the market participants are people who have no fear of debt, those of us with stricter budgetary rules will be left behind.

It would take me YEARS to save up the cash to pay for a new Escalade. And having done so, there's no way I'd be spending that money on any GM product that doesn't have "zr-1" in the model name.

It’s a bit sad but I would say GMC is over 100k, and Chevy generally in the low 90s. We are talking about the higher level trim. The Tahoe equivalents. Two options that will take a Chevy into six figures are the performance intake and exhaust, and Brembo brakes. Now Tahoes are 103k.

What is funny to me is how more than 50% on the lot have optional rims to the tune of $2000, and black out packages. People are into “the show” these days.

Btw I saw all remaining ZR1 orders were canceled. That has to be really disheartening for an ordinary well off person. To wait and wait and then be told this late, sorry, a new order will need to be submitted for a 2026. Oh and btw the price has gone up $7,200.

 

[Hohn]

It’s a bit sad but I would say GMC is over 100k, and Chevy generally in the low 90s. We are talking about the higher level trim. The Tahoe equivalents. Two options that will take a Chevy into six figures are the performance intake and exhaust, and Brembo brakes. Now Tahoes are 103k.

What is funny to me is how more than 50% on the lot have optional rims to the tune of $2000, and black out packages. People are into “the show” these days.

Btw I saw all remaining ZR1 orders were canceled. That has to be really disheartening for an ordinary well off person. To wait and wait and then be told this late, sorry, a new order will need to be submitted for a 2026. Oh and btw the price has gone up $7,200.

The ZR1 most likely to come to my life would have the LT-5 in it. Yeah, THAT old ZR-1.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

All I can say is that karma is a bit-h !!!!!!!! I'm retired, get to just lolly gag around the house, and putz around with stuff. Being that she's younger than me, she still has to get up early and GO TO WORK in her 06' Camry Le. I win. LOL

 

[02SE]

The ZR1 most likely to come to my life would have the LT-5 in it. Yeah, THAT old ZR-1.

We have a 2019 with the manual trans. It's our more practical sportscar.

 

[Hohn]

This is why I believe these vehicles are better rental on demand than own or lease. Especially since Critic lives in the Bay Area and anything with large 3rd row seats like Suburban would be too big to park in many parking lot (forget about street parking, they usually won't fit). Rich people typically don't buy them here (and most who have them are people who bought them before moving here) but rather smaller European Luxury instead for this reason.

In much of the bay area, the best you could hope for us that the only break out your windows and steal your wheels.

I wouldn't feel safe parking anything nicer than a rusted out 1995 Accord.

 

[mcrn]

Is getting something similar but smaller and renting for the road trips an option? Acura MDX to buy....then rent the Suburban or Expedition for the road trips? Would save money and save miles on your car. Just an Idea which I think was mentioned previously. If not I think the Suburban, Expedition, or X7 sound like good suggestions.

 

[edyvw]

Typically when we Bay Arean do "road trips" we mean going down to San Diego or Vegas at most, and would be less than 1000 miles (like 500-800 usually).

5000 miles is probably beyond West to East coast and most of us would rather fly. Our days off plus gas in a large SUV (say 18 mpg) would cost more than the plane tickets.

So, we do multiple road trips per year. From 2500 to 5500mls.
Tickets are not cheaper. For a family of 4, you are looking at least $2000. Add to that, rent a car, inability to go anywhere else but that limited area. We just got back from 10 day stay in Vegas. If we flew, tickets would be upward of $2000, a large vehicle (5 of us, plus a child seat to rent) would cost more than $1000 with insurance, etc. So you are looking $3500 just for tickets and renting a car without fuel. Our Sequoia had an average mpg of 14.2 (Yakima on top, high speeds), and we spent on gas exactly $502. Add to that two nights in a hotel on the way there, we save around $2600 roughly.

Road trip means I can bring grill, bikes etc. etc. visit national parks, some other towns. Quick getaway somewhere is just that, quick getaway, and yes, you fly, but with kids, there is no such things as quick getaway.

Now, OP as far as I know, does not have small kids, so let's assume just two of them. Road trip with friends? Yes, that is probably close by. So, how big third row really has to be? If only two adults, than that math that you pointed to makes sense.

 

[AZjeff]

No vehicles to add just want to say nice to see people willing to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Nothing wrong with being able to afford nice things.

Also curious about the full size man OP's wife wants to sit in the 3rd row?

 

[PandaBear]

So, we do multiple road trips per year. From 2500 to 5500mls.
Tickets are not cheaper. For a family of 4, you are looking at least $2000. Add to that, rent a car, inability to go anywhere else but that limited area. We just got back from 10 day stay in Vegas. If we flew, tickets would be upward of $2000, a large vehicle (5 of us, plus a child seat to rent) would cost more than $1000 with insurance, etc. So you are looking $3500 just for tickets and renting a car without fuel. Our Sequoia had an average mpg of 14.2 (Yakima on top, high speeds), and we spent on gas exactly $502. Add to that two nights in a hotel on the way there, we save around $2600 roughly.

Road trip means I can bring grill, bikes etc. etc. visit national parks, some other towns. Quick getaway somewhere is just that, quick getaway, and yes, you fly, but with kids, there is no such things as quick getaway.

Now, OP as far as I know, does not have small kids, so let's assume just two of them. Road trip with friends? Yes, that is probably close by. So, how big third row really has to be? If only two adults, than that math that you pointed to makes sense.

Just OP, his wife, and his 4 year old daughter. The extra row is for grandparents if they come along.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

So, we do multiple road trips per year. From 2500 to 5500mls.
Tickets are not cheaper. For a family of 4, you are looking at least $2000. Add to that, rent a car, inability to go anywhere else but that limited area. We just got back from 10 day stay in Vegas. If we flew, tickets would be upward of $2000, a large vehicle (5 of us, plus a child seat to rent) would cost more than $1000 with insurance, etc. So you are looking $3500 just for tickets and renting a car without fuel. Our Sequoia had an average mpg of 14.2 (Yakima on top, high speeds), and we spent on gas exactly $502. Add to that two nights in a hotel on the way there, we save around $2600 roughly.

Road trip means I can bring grill, bikes etc. etc. visit national parks, some other towns. Quick getaway somewhere is just that, quick getaway, and yes, you fly, but with kids, there is no such things as quick getaway.

Now, OP as far as I know, does not have small kids, so let's assume just two of them. Road trip with friends? Yes, that is probably close by. So, how big third row really has to be? If only two adults, than that math that you pointed to makes sense.

Oh man, I wished I knew this. We were in LV for 10 days and got home last Saturday evening.

 

[The Critic]

Typically when we Bay Arean do "road trips" we mean going down to San Diego or Vegas at most, and would be less than 1000 miles (like 500-800 usually).

Correct - I don't see myself driving for more than 500-750 miles. Flying is much more efficient, even if it comes at a premium.

Reoccurring themes within the comments are:
- Full size body-on-frame SUV's are the only choice for a "roomy" 3rd row. Everything else is a hit or miss and largely depends on the individual's proportions.
- European or domestic CUV options will have better driving dynamics, but at the expense of space and sometimes, cost.
- Minivan is the ideal choice. I agree, but it isn't being considered.

Seems like the TX checks most of the boxes for my wife, and while it doesn't do anything particularly well, it is positioned at an unique pricepoint where it doesn't have any apples-to-apples competition. Similarly equipped, domestic full-size options are $20-$25K more. European options are more money and nicer, but have less 3rd row room. Atlas/Grand Highlander offer the same interior room as TX for 10-25k less, but with a downgraded interior and arguably worse powertrain and suspension options.

 

[RooflessVW]

Just sayin'

 

[Astro14]

My wife woke-up one day and decided she wants an early midlife crisis vehicle. Here are her desired requirements, in order of importance:

- 3rd row that can comfortably sit an average-sized male adult for a road trip.
- 2nd row Captain Chairs
- Panoramic moonroof
- A seemingly upscale interior
- An exterior color that is similar to Audi's Nardo Gray
- Reasonably good acceleration (e.g. under 7 second 0-60)

Price point: Less than $100K

Condition: New or less than 1 yr old/15K miles

Other preferences that would be nice to have but are not critical: brown interior color, available 10 yr extended warranty from OEM, reasonable reliability and parts availability, rear entertainment system for kids.

Vehicles we have looked at:

TX 500h Luxury: workable, but her desired color combination is rare and the market has priced it accordingly.
GLS450: 3rd row is too small
Yukon AT4 Ultimate: doesn't like exterior appearance or interior quality.
Escalade: exceeds budget

Looking for suggestions.

Thanks.

If she gives up that first bullet, she can have a great car.

But “full size adult male in the third row” eliminates many great SUVs and pushes you into a very few choices, none of which meet the rest of the other criteria.

Take the remaining five, go shop a Volvo XC90, and you’ll get the panoramic moon roof, upscale interior, color she likes, captains chairs, and with the T8 (plug in hybrid, 455 HP) she can go 0-60 in five.

Go for the air suspension, the ride is outstanding.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

No trips anywhere for us 3 dummies. ( wife, 13yr old daughter, myself ). We do what we can for our daughter in the summer, ( camps & what not ). I'm retired from local utility ( 36yrs). Would have stayed, but my pension got capped. No sense working . Pension gets taxed in NY. & federal tax. Moved to this particular town for the school district. Excellent schools. Wife has 7 more years to work as a school nurse, and she works summer O.T. doing " summer school" work for all the ones that failed during the year. Taxes are insane in NY to boot. Daughter is doing exceptionally well in school. Hopefully, she'll get some kind of college grants come the end of 8th grade. She wants to go to college out of state. So, the wife and I will wait till she retires, gets a better pension than mine, sell the house, and move to a retirement friendly state. And buy ONE NEW CAR. NOT A PILOT EITHER LOL. Suffer till then ....I think it was 2032 when we could leave this ridiculous state. YAY !!!!!!!

 

[Astro14]

@The Critic - I know we’ve talked. I think she will really like the 2025.5 XC90. Go drive one. Let me know.