I have a full size chevy conversion van. We use it for road trips and aroujd town when a full crew is present. 3 rd row and TONS of storage behind the rear seat. Avg 18 mpg hwy, and about 15 in town.

 

Ahh yes, the Flip mobile aka Spam-can in NJ. It is standard issue with Filipinos fully equipped with 19" tv and satellite for $85k. Unfortunately, we have an old Expedition to fit that need once or twice a year. Once the party bus in college, now the family bus to go long distance. I'm looking for a "Porsche" that can fit 6 for a family DD. I appreciate the thought though, and a conversion van did cross our minds.

 

Family of 3....my 99 996 is my family car.....and my daily driver....I drive a 911 every day, and it is one of the best parts of my day!!!!

 

I did not include MDX on our list for that reason. I know of 2 people who brought back their new purchases for that reason. The Q7 has the sliding 2nd row too but like MDX, a major overhaul look for the new generation 2015. Not liking a beta version of anything.

 

Rub it in!

My 996 is my daily and love it. Problem is, kids love it too especially dropping the top when I pick them up from school (4th still at home with nanny). My town is family friendly and driving enthusiasts. All Ferraris here are Californias; Porsches are 911s or Cayennes; soccer Coach carpools kids in a Bentley; Sunday post dinner snacks at Rita's ice cream is the spot to get ice cream with kids in our Sunday drives: Maclarens, Ferraris, Porsches, R8s... we eat at the picnic tables because we can't crap up the interiors.

There is an option for his and hers 911.... hmmmm

 

I had a bad experience owning my b7 audi a4. the 2.0T drove me crazy with the clicking noise ( it only had 47k miles) and was told by audi it was normal. I no longer own that car and wont be going back to an audi. This may not be the issue with the Q7.

My daily driver right now is an 07 f250. I know this isnt on your list but its a extended cab with a huge amount of leg room. Its a short bed as well. It works nice when my buddies and I have road trips due to the huge amount of room and the fact that noone can get comfy in the back of my targa . My dogs also dont mind it either.

 

Remember - it may take a while, but ask a couple dealers around town - put a refundable deposit down, take the x5 home for a day or two. That's the only way to know. The 15 mins test drive is bullsh*t

 

I have a 02 463 Mercedes G500 for our 2 French bulldogs LOL...

 

Handling performance in an SUV for anything other than you and a passenger sounds like a weird proposition with children in the vehicle. Especially since none of the other 4-5 seats will have anywhere near the support of the front two. It sounds disturbing, to put it bluntly.

My brother-in-law has a Ford Explorer Sport. Near as I can tell its excellent and roomy. I do not recommend any other model Explorer. The front seats suck for "handling".

For hauling family during reunions, weddings, etc. we rent a minivan and it is the best in terms of utility and comfort. Also with one seat folded down, it seats 6 and has lots of storage.

 

I think you don't understand what the OP means when she says 'handling', or when I say 'driving dynamics'. We're not talking about tracking the car. We're talking about how the car feels planted in corners and not leaning, how it feels planted on the road, not floating around at high way speeds, how it brakes linearly without diving.

If those characteristics are not important to you in your family hauler, then you are not the profile of buyer that would be interested in the list of SAV/SUV's being discussed (i.e. Cayenne, Touareg, X5, GL, ML), and you are sure to be plenty pleased with many other SUVs out there.

 

Thank you, once again Roadsession. Well said. I hope people noticed my signature line which clearly states Expedition. My husband is a physician so safety is a concern, a concern also shared by the line of fine cars mentioned above. No tickets, no accidents.

Sure I could buy a Town & Country but I'm not a mom-jeans kind of girl. Before the kids, I was a Hawaiian Tropics model (hence the multitude of offspring). Anyway, anger aside, I appreciate the concern. I will make sure I have the safety add on of $3,000 on my next suv.

 

Although pricey, I've heard great things about the MB GL63 AMG.

 

dbTarga & Franco67, pups are family too. Our 07 A4 has been fun, closing in on 100k driven hard (cross country, Sandy, Gustav, NYC). I guess we're partial to Audi as we're Audi sport fans of McNish, Rocky, and now Porsche w Webber, Dempsey and 2 former Audi drivers

 

White Rock, Alpine mentioned AMG earlier. Husband refuses to go over $100k on family ride. More like a $80k max. He had eyes on a C4s when the Audi retires.

 

You are now going to have every male member on this forum demanding pics...