I was talking with another member on the phone earlier today and an interesting conversation came up regarding what the best "Family" car is.

What do you guys think?

To help us try and all compare the same vehicles lets assume for this discussion a "Family" means 4. 2 adults and 2 children.

And why have you made that choice.


I will caution the membership that if WE can not ALL keep it civil and about the VEHICLES then I assure you this will go to the crapper faster then Brad after his morning Metamucil.

So what say you?

Probably varies with the area of the country.

We bought a 2007 Fusion SE - 4 door, all wheel drive for handling in snow, tons of trunk room and the rear seat backs fold forward. Easy in and out with car seats for the grandkids. Air bags everywhere including side curtain bags. Fair mileage with the 6 cylinder model, lifetime avg so far about 22.4 in mostly stop and go driving.

Handles like its on rails, even in bad weather its the best I've driven for a production car and as a bonus, it has Ford badging - even if it was made in Mexico.

mtflat said:

Probably varies with the area of the country.

We bought a 2007 Fusion SE - 4 door, all wheel drive for handling in snow, tons of trunk room and the rear seat backs fold forward. Easy in and out with car seats for the grandkids. Air bags everywhere including side curtain bags. Fair mileage with the 6 cylinder model, lifetime avg so far about 22.4 in mostly stop and go driving.

Handles like its on rails, even in bad weather its the best I've driven for a production car and as a bonus, it has Ford badging - even if it was made in Mexico.

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I would definitely agree with this and recommend the Taurus/Sable for those wanting more room, and the MKS for someone looking for something more upmarket.

back when the kids where little it was a mec. topaz awd 4 door. For the same reason tim stated above. Now we have a zx2,2 rangers and a explorer

smokey said:

back when the kids where little it was a mec. topaz awd 4 door. For the same reason tim stated above. Now we have a zx2,2 rangers and a explorer

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ZX2s are good little cars, tho I really didnt like them until the last (2003) model year when the front was redesigned...

Count me as a big fan of the compact station wagon.

My parents had a couple of Escorts when I was young ('83, and '89), and they really worked pretty well.

When the '89 rusted out, Dad replaced it with a 2000 Focus. Couldn't get a wagon with a 5-speed, so he bought a sedan...dang, what a pain sedans are if you're used to a wagon.

I'm about 6', and so is Dad. Either one of us can sit behind the other in a Focus, and both be pretty comfortable. Wouldn't necessarily want to ride cross-country with four of us in a Focus, but for the hour ride to Grandma's it's not bad at all.

for about two years my family (mom, dad, sister and me, the others were grown and moved out) only had a 94 escort. It never gave us any trouble even though it was high mileage when they got it and it won't die. Both me and my sister took our driving test in it. It seriously was one of the most reliable cars my parents have ever owned and we could all fit in it for the most part.

How about some price parameters, and a few other criterion to look at? comfort vs. size, for instance. Price point? Is a sporty feel part of the equation? Is an import brand on the table?

In the "bang for the buck" sweepstakes, I'd vote a tie in the Taurus (new style) or Impala. Taurus is roomier, and trimmed nicer in the upscale models. Impala will outhandle it, outrun it, and get significantly better gas mileage while doing it. Both can be had for $12-$15K as used, certified '08's. That's puts them in the same ballpark as many smaller, compact models (Corolla, Civic, etc). As an alternate, don't discount the '09 Hyundai Sonata. You'd have to drive one to believe it.

In the "slightly upscale" catagory, the Buick Lucerne really deserves a look. Not quite as stodgy as a Cadillac DTS, but shares major chassis pieces. In a domestic "near luxury" car, it doesn't get much better than this. Used '08's can be had for $15-$20K. Thw Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car really should be in this discussion, but it depends on how you feel about an antiquated (but functional) chassis and bodystyle. I prefer a V8, RWD setup, and that pretty much limits the choices- especially for folks on a budget. Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger is in this small group. I'm not that in love with them, but many like what they do.

In "upscale," $30K+, there's a lot of choices. The BMW 3-Series is a good bet, as is a Cadillac CTS, or and Infinity G37. These cars represent different, unique flavors of driving experience, and only a test drive of all three will determine what fits you best. I axed the Mercedes C-Class for ongoing reliability issues, and the Lexus GS simply because I don't see the price vs. what's offered- but that's just me. The Volvo S60 might be a good alternate if the deal was right.

I didn't really have any criteria in mind but if we wanted to break it down we could do...

$20,000 or less
$20,000-$35,000
$35,000 or more

I liked the Suburban we had. Was an 04 LTS or whatever the top o the line was. All the bells and whistles. Was hands down the most comfortable car seats I have ever sat in. Was a nice ride, could tow our trailer and had good power.

Which brings the next obvious question to mind- should it be a car, or are SUV's and crossovers on the table?

I've heard good things about the ford 500's and 300C's.

CaFordDude said:

I didn't really have any criteria in mind but if we wanted to break it down we could do...

$20,000 or less

Used '08 Buick Lucerne. funny it'd be in the lowest price class.

$20,000-$35,000

New: Subaru Legacy Outback Wagon (consider where I live). Bombproof reliability, great driver's, very versatile for everything but trailer-towing.

Used ('08 Certified). Cadillac CTS or maybe even a DTS. With the implosion of the luxury car market, there are some terrific bargains out there. either Caddy should cost less than that new Subaru- but the Soobie will resell better. A new-style Suburban/Tahoe fits into this price catagory- ditto Expedition. I've even seen '07-'08 Escalades in the low $30's!

$35,000 or more

Again, the luxury car implosion puts just about everything on the table here.

I liked the Suburban we had. Was an 04 LTS or whatever the top o the line was. All the bells and whistles. Was hands down the most comfortable car seats I have ever sat in. Was a nice ride, could tow our trailer and had good power.

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I wish we could revisit this in a few months- there are some pretty dramatic events unfolding in the car market- especially on the late-model used end of things.

polarbear said:

I wish we could revisit this in a few months- there are some pretty dramatic events unfolding in the car market- especially on the late-model used end of things.

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And as a GM dealer, is it hard on you guys right now?

Well It never be a new one. I just don't buy them .Alway 5 yr or older .

But Have to be a real 4x4 .
I love Ford cars , But in winter I have to keep end drive cleared out before I go to work so a """Car """ can get out. In case my dad is late plowing

With escape or the like I wouldn't have to. They r too small but Hate the newer to big Explorers .

For a summer car Taurus would be at top . Would take a smaller wagon if they made one.

Then when the Crossover type rides r old enough . Might be interested in them

'93 taurus. before they ruined the taurus, plenty of room, plenty of go-power, plenty of trunk space. can almost get 30 mpg highway. easy to service. (though a starter motor is expensive,go with the lifetime warranty part) i got a steal on mine, it beloned to the grandmother of my sister's husband. had only 25,000 miles on it and had been garaged. paid only 2,500 for it. has 110,000 on it now. its kinda a "front drive L.T.D." ive put a hitch on it and my own rear suspention kit.

Ford family car would be the Explorer and the Xpys

Others would be the Subaru lineup and the Tahoes...

We used to go everywhere in a regular cab chevy pickup. Dad traded it in on my moms now wrecked 99 f350 cc longbed to tow the four wheelers we used to have. Tons of room in the back seats and after awhile he got a shell and carpet kit and we rode back there too. Not safe but it was nice to stretch out after awhile.