Graduating from the minivan...

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

So, it's about to time replace our Chrysler T&C minivan. Since my oldest is a senior next year, I think it's high time I at least got 7 passenger SUV! At first I was in love with the Buick Enclave, but wasn't thrilled with the price. So upon looking closer I see that the Chevy Traverse appears to be very close to the same vehicle with a lower price and fewer bells and whistles. My dh likes the Traverse better since the Enclave is a bit fancy for his taste..lol. I have to admit that I like the looks of it too. So can anyone recommend either of these vehicles, and if not please give me any recommendations that you would like.

[HLAuburn]

Have you looked at the GMC Acadia? It's the "same car" as the Enclave, but a less fancy version.

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

Originally Posted by HLAuburn

Have you looked at the GMC Acadia? It's the "same car" as the Enclave, but a less fancy version.

Well I've only been looking online so far, but I think I like the shape of the other two better. Of course when I begin test driving them my thoughts may change.

[mafibisha]

We've had two T & Cs and on our second Traverse. We've loved them all.

In our Traverse we can easily haul our kids and two of their friends as it easily seats 8. The 3rd row is less roomy but our oldest teens sit there often with one of their friends. And oldest DS is 6'1"

Have fun shopping!

[emer95]

My husband has a new Traverse and he loves it. Im not a fan. It has almost zero trunk space, and I have a really difficult time with the visibility, front and rear.

FWIW, I am looking to replace my 2004 T & C also. I'm looking for a smaller crossover, since my husband has a 7 seater. We only have two kids, so I'm looking at the Rav 4, Subaru Outlook, and Honda CRV.

[JessB320]

We have an expedition. I really like it and it's held up really well (it's an 2007)

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

Originally Posted by mafibisha

We've had two T & Cs and on our second Traverse. We've loved them all.

In our Traverse we can easily haul our kids and two of their friends as it easily seats 8. The 3rd row is less roomy but our oldest teens sit there often with one of their friends. And oldest DS is 6'1"

Have fun shopping!

That sounds great!

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

Originally Posted by emer95

My husband has a new Traverse and he loves it. Im not a fan. It has almost zero trunk space, and I have a really difficult time with the visibility, front and rear.

FWIW, I am looking to replace my 2004 T & C also. I'm looking for a smaller crossover, since my husband has a 7 seater. We only have two kids, so I'm looking at the Rav 4, Subaru Outlook, and Honda CRV.

Oh no! I definitely don't want to have visibility problems. I read some reports that said the Traverse had more trunk space than most others in its class, so I'm guessing there must not be much space in any of them. Hmm, we have three kids and sometimes make two week trips to Florida so I need space!

[Swimalie]

What about the Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander? You can't go wrong with either brand.

[tantoria2]

We just purchased a Traverse Friday! I love it so far. We also have three kids and our oldest daughter is 5’8. The back seat still fits her fine. We have captains chairs in the middle seat and they are adjustable forward and back in order to accommodate leg room if need be
I was looking at several crossovers and the Traverse has the most cargo space of its class for sure. It is similar to a Tahoe, not huge like a mini van by any stretch… but manageable. We bought ours a year old with very low miles and got it fully loaded ( leather,DVD, 2 sun roofs, heated seats etc) for just under $24,000! I thought this was an amazing deal! If you are in the market for used, check out carguru.com and look at used cars in your area. It will tell you if the price listed is below market ( great deal, good, deal, average deal etc) it is a great way to see what cars in your area are going for so when you find a deal you can jump on it

[momof3ds]

We switched from our minivan to a 2010 hyundai veracruz. Have had if for a few months and very happy.

Hyundai has phased out the veracruz this year and made the santa fe a 5 or 7 seater. I think this is why we got the deal we did.

We have 3 kids so everyone fits fine. But, if we fill all the seats for a trip (bringing a friend, etc), we are going to need to get a luggage rack for the roof.

[donaldlovesdaisy]

Originally Posted by Swimalie

What about the Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander? You can't go wrong with either brand.

ITA prior to buying a Toyota I had two different Chevy SUVs and had nothing but problems and their value depreciated so badly even though I paid invoice for each one . I can only imagine how sad it would have been had I paid sticker price! My husband and I both love our toyotas and I recently checked the value of mine and after 3 years it is still worth 10000 more them I owe! They only negative I can think of is the factory tires that comes on them are not so great and both of us had to get new ones after 30000 but other then that no problems!

[cvjw]

We just traded in our 7 year old Toyota Sienna for a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. We do not buy American made cars (been there, done that, nothing but trouble), so we were only considering the Pathfinder and the Highlander. We decided on the Pathfinder because it has just been redesigned and it had so much more to offer than the Highlander. We are beyond thrilled with the Pathfinder. It gets great gas mileage, looks fabulous, and is so luxurious.

Just FYI about the PP who stated that Toyota's hold there value better than other cars. The dealership gave us almost 1/2 the purchase price of our 7 year old Sienna towards the Pathfinder. We could have gotten more if we sold the van ourselves, but did not want the hassle.

[rusty4]

I want to get rid of my T&C so bad too. I have had my eye on the Ford Flex for years. It is so roomy inside! It is more roomy than any other crossover we have tried. We are a tall family so leg room is important. Some people do not like the look of it. I love it. Might want to check it out and see what you think. I would suggest really checking out the interior before saying no to it because you may find you really like it.

We don't want a car payment right now. So we are trying to put off buying for as long as we can. But the van thing is certainly getting old!

Here is Edmund's review.
Good luck! I am jealous. Wish I was car shopping.

http://www.edmunds.com/ford/flex/201...FcKaPAodeyUAgA

[pyrxtc]

I have had my Traverse for about 2 years now. I got it with all the bells and whistles off a lot with towing capacity. I had them throw in a Hitch mounted stowage compartment and it's even better than trunk space. I told them that we would buy right then and there is they gave us that and installed it at no cost. It was a done deal. At first the guy had no clue they even offered it as and accessory and they tried to get me to do a roof rack but I said no way with the sun roofs. This is easier to use and stores tons of stuff. great for the beach... no more sand in the car.

It took me a little bit to get used to the size difference and to be able to see out the back enough but it wasn't that long and I love my traverse now. Make sure that if you go leather and get heated seats that you get cooled seats too. You don't have to buy local either. We bought ours while on vacation in FL and drove back to NH with it.