5-8k best road trip car for baby and dog

[dareo]

2009 Jetta Sportwagen with the 2.5L engine. Got lucky, found a friend one at a credit union sale, under $4k with good miles. Very worthwhile if you can get a good deal. He has road tripped, even slept in the thing with his wife.

In reality, what you search for, requires a good list of vehicles that you might want. That list, combined with what actually comes up for sale in good condition with a good price determines what you get. Be looking for a dozen different cars every day. The market will decide what you end up.

 

[IndyIan]

The 2wd manual SUV's(CRV, Escape, Rav4) get pretty much 28 mpg, but I'd get a Mazda5 before one of them as you may as well have the option for 6 people. I can't really imagine having a dog in the back seat with a kid in a sedan, but maybe if you've got a very mellow dog?

 

[mcrn]

How often do you take road trips? You could always rent a vehicle if for whatever reason the Sienna does not work.

 

[UncleDave]

Originally Posted By: deoxy4
Great car for a large dog and versatile. Honda Element. Gas mileage only around 22mpg.


Bought the Ex wife an elemement and although the design itself is practical for a small family and dog(s) Its flat windshield is a rock eater, and I experienced many problems atypical of Hondas- stuff like windshield wipers motors failing, and check engine lights. Never owned a honda that went to the shop as much.

An older well maintained Sienna is a better choice to me, but with toyotas look out for inheriting someone elses timing belt jobs - its not going to make the MPG window.
Sienna V6's from 1998-2006 use a belt
A Nissan quest wont have the belt problem at any mileage or year.

If you can swing it an older well maintained 400H is a highly loaded cool cruiser and almost available at the top of your range.
It will deliver 28 freeway and city if driven with a light foot at the limit in a flat area.
Ive averaged 25.1 over 6K miles now with a 50/50 split between 80MPH freeway running and Brutal stop and go LA traffic



UD

 

[CKN]

Originally Posted By: wha232
don't forget Honda Fit




None of the reviews I have read say this makes for a good "road car".

 

[TheKracken]

Originally Posted By: merconvvv
Toyata sienna makes an ideal hwy cruiser with family and dog.
I too would like to know the $math argument for buying another smaller car for hwy trips.!!!!
I am sure op has sound reasons which i am not able to see.


Since a few people asked this I figured id just rely to this one.

The math doesn't work out well I agree. But we currently have 3 cars, the sienna, the truck and a 2 seater hybrid. We can only really take the baby is the Sienna and maybe the truck (extended cab). But if anything were to go wrong with the Sienna then we are left without a second vehicle to cart the dog and baby around in. So since I am most likely going to replace the small hybrid I figured id do so in something comfortable enough to road trip in.

Someone else asked how much we road trip. I would so quite a bit. Probably once every weekend we take a day trip (100-500) miles. and every few months we take a 2k mile round trip to california.

As to someone who said to just take the sienna and drive it to 250k miles. Do you really think these things can go that long!?!? Just kidding, I currently have 275k miles on this. A newer lower mile car would be nice so there are no worries for the long trip.

 

[Mr Nice]

Sell the Insight and T100, buy a Mazda 3 hatchback.

 

[dareo]

Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
Sell the Insight and T100, buy a Mazda 3 hatchback.


Don't sell T100s they are really cool trucks!

 

[TheKracken]

Originally Posted By: dareo
Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
Sell the Insight and T100, buy a Mazda 3 hatchback.


Don't sell T100s they are really cool trucks!


Never selling my truck...how come you did?

Also I checked out a volvo wagon today (03 volvo xc 70) and the turbo was spewing oil...pass. Toyotas have always treaated me well

 

[merconvvv]

I think if you look at consumer reports that helps narrow down choices for a reliable hwy cruiser.
Most manufacturers have lost reliability but toyota seems to one of few that is good across the board for most part. Atleast thats what i remember from reading consumer reports guide in the grocery store

.
But i trust my 99 ford with 180k to drive to alaska than a new or used car. Just have to make sure all fluids tired belts and brakes etc are good.
Firestone charges 10 bucks to put it up on hoist and do a walk around with you.
But you plan on selling the honda so it will exciting to buy another car.
Will be interesting if you will trust the new car as much as your sienna. Keep us posted. We are interested !

 

[Nick1994]

Sell the hybrid and the Sienna and then you'll have even more in the budget to buy a newer Sienna with way less than half the miles and no need to worry about needing a second car since it's probably not going to need repairs for a long time.

 

[CKN]

Originally Posted By: merconvvv
I think if you look at consumer reports that helps narrow down choices for a reliable hwy cruiser.
Most manufacturers have lost reliability but toyota seems to one of few that is good across the board for most part. Atleast thats what i remember from reading consumer reports guide in the grocery store

.
But i trust my 99 ford with 180k to drive to alaska than a new or used car. Just have to make sure all fluids tired belts and brakes etc are good.
Firestone charges 10 bucks to put it up on hoist and do a walk around with you.
But you plan on selling the honda so it will exciting to buy another car.
Will be interesting if you will trust the new car as much as your sienna. Keep us posted. We are interested !



Really?......I mean REALLY????

 

[TheKracken]

Alright, so my wife and I are pretty much decided on getting another prius. Contrary to popular belief, it is probably the most versatile vehicle Ive owned. You can camp in one (we have and was super comfy) fit 2 kids and a dog (done this too) and get 50+ mpg.

I had a gen 2 with the 1.5 engine and will be going for a gen 3 that has the 1.8 engine. Between the engine and upgraded hybrid system I think it nets 30-40 more HP than mine, which I was already happy with the power.

If anyone has thoughts on this, go for it. I am listening.

 

[pandus13]

Originally Posted By: TheKracken
Alright, so my wife and I are pretty much decided on getting another prius. Contrary to popular belief, it is probably the most versatile vehicle Ive owned. You can camp in one (we have and was super comfy) fit 2 kids and a dog (done this too) and get 50+ mpg.

I had a gen 2 with the 1.5 engine and will be going for a gen 3 that has the 1.8 engine. Between the engine and upgraded hybrid system I think it nets 30-40 more HP than mine, which I was already happy with the power.

If anyone has thoughts on this, go for it. I am listening.


first: your wife is a saint....
second: if Prius is in the books,.... what are you still doing here? you should be on the prius forums ...
third: honda element.. can you say hoseable floors? also it's bigger inside then it looks
fourth: mazda5: will work for you in the 2+2 configuration living room for Fido+luggage in the back. But Fido will have to smell the air trough the kids windows. it has sliding doors.

 

[CKN]

Originally Posted By: TheKracken
Alright, so my wife and I are pretty much decided on getting another prius. Contrary to popular belief, it is probably the most versatile vehicle Ive owned. You can camp in one (we have and was super comfy) fit 2 kids and a dog (done this too) and get 50+ mpg.

I had a gen 2 with the 1.5 engine and will be going for a gen 3 that has the 1.8 engine. Between the engine and upgraded hybrid system I think it nets 30-40 more HP than mine, which I was already happy with the power.

If anyone has thoughts on this, go for it. I am listening.



So...just asking-Is gas millage that important to you? I'm with some of the others on here-we can disagree of course, but the most versatile vehicle for your needs would be a newer mini-van.

 

[TheKracken]

With how fast we add on miles, fuel mileage is very important to us. I agree that with the baby and dog, the Sienna is easy and comfortable. But saving 15-50$ each day trip is worth it for the slight inconvenience. Cost to own and reliability is also a issue.

We own the minivan for my wifes job, she is a Nanny and has to cart around multiple kids all the time. Once we have a few more kids then I can see the mini van being a requirement,

 

[merconvvv]

Ckn
Why cant a 99 ford go from chicago to alaska?
It goes from chicago to miami in the last 2 years without a sweat in the middle of summer

 

[supton]

If you are going to go Prius I'd start a new thread and/or go to a Prius forum. IIRC there are a couple of sore spots on them, year-dependent. Headlight leveler and HID bulbs? Traction battery? Some oil burning complaints? Nothing huge but if you are buying used I'd look to see what the common issues are.

 

[Tahoe4Life]

Suburban or Tahoe would work well for you. You will not get 30MPG but you will get 25MPG on the highway [on regular fuel] which really is not bad. With a 26 gallon gas tank you can go almost 500 miles on a tank. They are both perfect vehicles for a long road trip. Just IMHO.

 

[UncleDave]

Originally Posted By: TheKracken
Alright, so my wife and I are pretty much decided on getting another prius. Contrary to popular belief, it is probably the most versatile vehicle Ive owned. You can camp in one (we have and was super comfy) fit 2 kids and a dog (done this too) and get 50+ mpg.

I had a gen 2 with the 1.5 engine and will be going for a gen 3 that has the 1.8 engine. Between the engine and upgraded hybrid system I think it nets 30-40 more HP than mine, which I was already happy with the power.

If anyone has thoughts on this, go for it. I am listening.


Everyones version of "best" is different.

I have never heard anyone describe any generation prius as the "best road trip car for baby and a dog" or any similar arrangement - maybe for saving gas money, but not for ride comfort and utility on a road trip.

FORD 4 life -what year would you be referring to she could get a 25 MPG suburban or tahoe for 5-8K ?

I had a 2001 suburban with a 5.3 and it wouldn't get 20 if I drove it off the side of the matterhorn, 25 MPG ? - My RX400H hybrid gets that in mixed driving.


UD