Ford's are junk.  I would buy a GM before I step foot on a Ford dealership.

check out the new toyota venza, it's like toyota's version of the nissan murano

or the new rav4 big enough to fit a pinball machine, and it's got all wheel drive

Eric

Quoted from pinsRfun

Ford's are junk.

Yes and No.

We have a 12-year 'young' Ford Taurus wagon with 223K km.

Sure, there has been a few repairs lately, but it has been a useful family car and great pin hauler over the years.
I have carried 100s of pins and vids, one or two at a time in there, sometimes pulling a U-Haul trailer with this car,
in the last 12 years.

We too are looking at replacing it soon... But I do not know how much longer I will be staying employed
in this known high-tech company... So holding-off buying a vehicule for now...


Cheers,
- Sylvain.

Quoted from thunderstorm

check out the new toyota venza, it's like toyota's version of the nissan murano

or the new rav4 big enough to fit a pinball machine, and it's got all wheel drive

Eric

Prices???

...none are under 35000 in there.

I, too, am in the market for a new truck.

I was looking at a used 2008 Jeep Commander, good vehicle for the price.

Or I might wait a few months and buy myself a used Hummer H3T (these are the pick-up versions on the famous and popular H3).

Anyone care for a good 2005 black Nissan x-trail, awd with 93000 km on it?

For you Sparky...cheap!!! Cheap!!! Cheap!!!!

tartagliag

Quoted from Azatotht

So i need one able to fit 3 baby-seats/boosters with still enough room to carry everything else that comes with them (we travel a lot).

We had the same requirements.
We actually measured the width of 3 car seats
and took a measuring tape to the dealership.

Surprisingly few vans/SUV now have the 3-seat middle seat,
opting for 2 captains chair.

We did not want to use up the back seat
as we wanted that for cargo space.

We ended-up with a Honda Pilot   (... but that was more than Sparky's $25K limit... )

Steph

Quoted from pinsRfun

Ford's are junk.  I would buy a GM before I step foot on a Ford dealership.

Don't get either one!!!

Dodge Rams are NOT cheap on gas, even with the 'econo cylindre mode'

Not to be an a$$, but to be honest, I think that what you're looking for doesn't exist...period...

Why I say that? ALL cars have their lemons...Subaru, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mazda, "formerly known as Big-3", the Koreans, the Germans...

For a 'single-pin' haul, then you have options under $25K (you'll need a tape measure to ensure a WPC pin fits!!!):

- Mazda 5 (I know, I know, but it's not a crappy MPV...and a WPC fits!!!)
- Kia Rondo (may fit?)
- Hyundai Santa Fe
- Hyundai Tuscon / Kia Sportage (IIRC, WPC doesn't fit)
- Nissan Rogue (WPC won't fit)
- Toyota Matrix (WPC won't fit)
- Honda Element (might be slightly over $25K now)
- Ford Escape (was elegantly surprised by my nephew's '09 Escape...not bad at all!)
- American minivans are cheap now...but quality sux

Seriously, why do you need the machine to 'fit' in the car??? get yourself a dependable 'cheap' vehicle and an enclosed trailer (a la Phil)

I had the same thought as you when I picked up my X-Trail (which I still love and have way more KMs that tartagliag!), when, honestly, I should have paid off the remaining 30 months on my Accord Coupe (with a trailer hitch) and buy a trailer...my car payments are killing me...at least I only have 17 months to go...

For the amount of times you haul pins, is it REALLY a necessity???

Mes deux cennes,

Frosken

P.S.: An X-Trail might be a good "used" option...they are relatively cheap, reliable and a WPC fits well..except if you have a Bally (like Motordome generation), better get your tools to remove the head!

Quoted from Steph

We had the same requirements.
We actually measured the width of 3 car seats
and took a measuring tape to the dealership.

Surprisingly few vans/SUV now have the 3-seat middle seat,
opting for 2 captains chair.

We did not want to use up the back seat
as we wanted that for cargo space.

We ended-up with a Honda Pilot   (... but that was more than Sparky's $25K limit... )

Steph

We had the 8-seater Toyota Sienna (3 captain seats at the back) and it worked just great. We now have the Quest; excellent has well, except for one minor issue compared to the Sienna. The 3rd row could be folded 60/40 in the Sienna (great for riding the whole family and bringing a pinball at the same time). We can't do this in the Quest, the 3rd row folds complete.

By the way, if you want a great van with exceptional gas mileage, go with the Sienna. It is unbelievable.

tartagliag

Everyone likes their own brands. I had a brand new f150 lariat back in 07 I couldn't stand it, I gave it to one of my salesman. Also had a dodge dakota before and that truck was a POS.

I currently have a 93 sierra w/ 393,000km on it, a 98 sierra with 524,000km on it and a 08 silverado with 30000km on it. The 93 and 98 have never let me down, both still have original motors/transmissions in them. Buy what has been reliable for you and what you like, who cares what others think.

Quoted from frosken

- Hyundai Tuscon / Kia Sportage (IIRC, WPC doesn't fit)

I beg to differ, World Cup Soccer fit very nicely in my Tucson.

My wife currently drives a Grand Caravan.... I leave the first (middle) row of seats in all the time, and still have enough room for 2 (80's style) pins.  the length of a pin fits perfectly with the Grand Caravan.

I have never had trouble with my van.... and it currently has 260,000km on it.  Back in the early/mid 1990's all Chrysler small trucks and vans had transmission problems... but in 1997/98 they corrected the issue and they run like a dream.

the only real problem is that, as a guy, you really do look like a girl private driving one!!!!  That's why I gave it to my wife to drive, while I have the LOADED Grand Prix    

Good luck with your purchase.