Steer me in the right direction.

"ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback" (armadaexpress) 09/24/2014 at 09:42 • Filed to: 3rd row, three, kids, car seats, will it baby, enthusiast

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My wife and I have considered having a 3rd child in the next 1-3 years, but we have an issue. She drives an FX50 and I drive a 535xi. We don't want to give up our cars (because they're awesome) but we would need something with three rows.

What options do I have to get excited about?

spanfucker retire bitch > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 09:44

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Can't you just fit them 3-abreast in the back seat?

heliochrome85 > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 09:45

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BMW x7 obviously.

More seriously, the current Escalade, the MB GL, and the QX56.

mcseanerson > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 09:45

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Mazda5.... That's all I got.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 09:46

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How about an option no one pays attention to?

Flex or MKT

They're basically a Taurus SHO with 3 seats.

Nerd-Vol > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 09:46

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Maybe 2 kids is enough.

yamahog > spanfucker retire bitch 09/24/2014 at 09:47

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Yea, save the money you would've used on a new car and just get sound-cancelling headphones to tune out the STOP TOUCHING ME I'M NOT TOUCHING YOOOU DAD HE PUT A CHEEZIT IN MY EAR WELL YOUR EAR IS STUPID.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > Nerd-Vol 09/24/2014 at 09:48

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There will never, ever, ever, be a minivan in my future. Let's just stop that train of thought right there! lol. We've seriously discussed just taking two cars every time we have to go somewhere.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 09:50

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Supercharged GM Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > spanfucker retire bitch 09/24/2014 at 09:50

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Not 3 cars seats, but possible two car seats and a booster if they're all compact enough. That would also be really tough to get them in and out.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 09:50

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I'm not seeing the problem with your current cars, they have three rear seats, no?

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 09/24/2014 at 09:51

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I've driven an older Flex and it's not a bad car, but I'm not sure how I feel about Ford yet. The ecoboost has my attention, but I'm not sold yet.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 09:52

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What is it that holds you back? Just the name? Quality?

The 3.5 EcoBoost has been doing great in quality and been in use for quite a few years now in this giant list of models: Taurus, Flex, Explorer, F150, MKT, MKS and probably one I'm missing... lol

You could go with an Explorer Sport as well, 3 rows same platform as Taurus SHO and Flex/MKT

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > heliochrome85 09/24/2014 at 09:52

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The MB I could consider, but I think the QX is way too big.

Alfalfa > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 09:53

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Boom.

Has a V8, not a minivan, and has ample room for stuff or all your childrens' friends. Also, you can get captain's chairs in two of the three passenger rows! So unless your third child will be an orangutan, there will be little to no "touching" issues.

spanfucker retire bitch > yamahog 09/24/2014 at 09:55

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MOM's got ya covered.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 09/24/2014 at 09:57

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There's something about the way the interiors are built that bothers me. The ergonomics, button placement, chunky steering wheels (generally) and styling that bothers me. I recognize that quality has gotten much better, but it's not enough for me.... yet.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 09/24/2014 at 09:58

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Yes, but car seats are much wider than a person would be. And placing the car seats abreast would make it very difficult to put kids in/ take them out, of the car.

yamahog > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 09:59

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Oh, you still have another one in a car seat? In that case just get the roof rack attachment!

Sweet Trav > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 09:59

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Make a 1st Gen SHO Wagon.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > heliochrome85 09/24/2014 at 09:59

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Also, I think the X5 has three rows and two great engine choices, so that's a consideration.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 09/24/2014 at 10:00

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I don't mind the GMC Yukon from what I know of it, but I'd rather have something that would be fun-ish to drive.

heliochrome85 > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 10:00

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the third row is theoretical.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 10:01

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I'd say drive a newer one (than the Flex you drove), just to be sure.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 10:01

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ok well quality shouldn't be a concern, but if you don't think the materials on the interior are up to par I understand.

I really recommend checking out the MKT though. The interior is light years beyond the Flex and I really truly enjoyed it when I had a chance to check one out.

heliochrome85 > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 10:01

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the MB remains the class leader as far as i know. The base escalade comes better equipped and has tons more moxy.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > heliochrome85 09/24/2014 at 10:03

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Jump seats are ok by me, I'm not sitting in them. I remember jump seats when I was a kid in my parents old wagons, and I loved them then.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 10:04

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500 + HP would be tons of fun in a straight line. There are multiple companies that will sell them to you with the supercharger and a warranty.

yamahog > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 10:05

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In all seriousness, Jeep Grand Cherokee. And if one of you wants to sell your current car you can even go SRT budget permitting ;)

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > Sweet Trav 09/24/2014 at 10:06

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I drive a '95 mercury sable wagon for awhile, but I don't recall there being a third row. I really beat that car to death too. Helped tear off my grandfather-in-laws roof once, and hauled the roof shingles and all to a dumpster elsewhere a lot.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > yamahog 09/24/2014 at 10:08

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The new Grand Cherokees aren't too bad, and an SRT would make it more fun. But I'm still not a fan of the interiors. But maybe I could give it a 2nd look. Does it have a third row?

Dunnik > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 10:08

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Yea, I'd say the GL should be at or near the top of your list. It's pricey but assuming you'll trade in or sell one or both cars (keep the 535xi!!) it's more doable.

Otherwise, a Yukon short-wheelbase model (non XL) might suit.

yamahog > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 10:15

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I could've sworn they did, but double-checking, does not appear to be so unless they end up releasing a new Grand Wagoneer soon. Had it confused with Durango.

Sweet Trav > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 10:17

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I remember the first gens having rear facing boot seats.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 10:29

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oh and for the record I think the ones I've posted are drastically more "fun to drive" than what a lot of others have posted...

Also the Truck Yeah guy said the new Expedition was drastically more fun to drive than the new Suburban, just saying...

Milky > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 10:45

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Should be worth considering. 300hp base & 400hp hybrid iirc.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > Milky 09/24/2014 at 10:49

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I love Volvo's. Almost bought one for my wife, but then she test drove the FX50 and it was all over. Also, we prefer to buy used cars because it's so much cheaper...usually.

Milky > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 10:56

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Just have your baby in 3 years then and buy one someone ditched after 1 year. #ProblemSolved

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > Milky 09/24/2014 at 10:59

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That solution has crossed my mind for several cars including this one.

BJ > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 11:02

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If you're looking for something big with AWD/4WD:

My sister-in-law has a relatively recent Honda Pilot with AWD and she loves it. Big interior, comfortable ride, no problems that I'm aware of.

The 2005-2012 Nissan Pathfinder is a real 4x4 with body on frame construction and what appear to be excellent 3rd row seats.

The Kia Sorento is a big 3-row SUV with an AWD option. Older models had a locking centre diff for tough situations; I don't know if the new model still has this, or if the traction control system has taken these duties.

The Toyota Sienna minivan is attractive and has an AWD option on LE and XLE trims. Expect to pay a lot of money, but it's a Toyota, so you shouldn't have any problems with it.

Disclaimer: I've never driven any of these vehicles.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > BJ 09/24/2014 at 11:05

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All good choices, I forgot about the pilot too. I've always liked Hondas and that one isn't too big. Thanks.

HammerheadFistpunch > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 12:01

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I hear your frustration, but the FX50 should be wide enough for three abreast, you just need narrower car seats...which is going to be a lot cheaper than a new car. Granted, it doesn't solve the getting in the middle problem but your oldest should be big enough to be getting in their seat solo anyway. Just my 2 cents as a father of 2 with 4 sibs growing up.

Jobjoris > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 12:04

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Tesla Model S, can be had with a 3rd row of seats, has rwd and more power than your 535xi. Your welcome.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 12:41

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How old are your kids?

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 09/24/2014 at 14:08

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They are 4 yrs / 2 mths. When we have another kid they'll be ranging from 5 yrs / 1yr to 7 yrs / 2 yrs.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > Jobjoris 09/24/2014 at 14:09

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This would be an awesome choice. I could consider this!

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > HammerheadFistpunch 09/24/2014 at 14:13

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Yeah and it may come to that if we're in a pinch (or just take two cars, seriously). We don't want to lose either of our cars, so we'll just have to figure it out when the time comes. There certainly have been some good suggestions.

HammerheadFistpunch > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 14:17

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Its a serious factor in our decision to have a 3rd, but the much bigger issue is that the fast that we haven't slept through the night in a year.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > HammerheadFistpunch 09/24/2014 at 14:23

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We've been seriously blessed. So far both of our kids are generally great sleepers, so that part has been a much easier factor for us. We know we want three and because we're young we'd like to get the making babies stage over with so we're relatively young once they're out of the house. Certainly a great deal of things could change, but we'd like to stack the deck in our favor as best we can.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 14:45

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Hmm, is it legal for a 7 year old to not be in a booster?

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 09/24/2014 at 14:54

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It's based on height and weight, but it's unlikely that a 7 yr old will outgrow a booster.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 15:01

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shucks.

Jobjoris > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 15:56

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It's an awesome drive, you won't know what's happening. There's no other choice when you're used to that BMW of yours!!!!

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 09/24/2014 at 21:30

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Areyou sure? R63 AMG.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 09/25/2014 at 08:30

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That's a grey area...