My parents are looking to buy a car, budget maxing out around $18k. They'd like something very reliable, with lots of 2nd row legroom for when they go on road trips with my very tall brothers (6'5"), and of course would also need room for luggage.
Any recommendations? They live in MN, so it would be especially nice if it handles well in the snow.
Yes, it'd be a used one.
We have an Expedition, and it has been fantastic. I'm 6' and so is my husband, and either of us can sit in the back seat with no issues. I'm all legs, so I would guess my legs are about as long as a man 4" taller. In terms of buying a used vehicle, I would think a Ford would be a good choice. My Expedition has 200K miles, and my husband's F150 (same engine) has 300K miles - neither has ever had any kind of mechanical issues.
Please check into the Honda Pilot. There is a lot of legroom back there and my son who is 6'4" is very comfortable in the back even with a carseat in the center. Perhaps they could look into a used Pilot or see what Honda has in a different model.
Mini vans, has lots of cargo room, lots of seating, and leg room is good too.
And the seating can be situated how you want it or you can even take the seats out.
Most everyone I know, who have vans with families of varying sizes, seem to fit.
But like anything, all your relatives would have to go and actually sit in one, to see and try it.
In our van, it seats 7. (ie: driver, passenger. In row 2 there are 2 seats that can be removed or not. In the 3rd row, it can seat 3 people and is a "bench" type seating. The 3rd row, can also be flipped down to become flat and thus, you have a huge back cargo area. )
But the middle row of seating, can be taken out. And the 3rd row then has more leg room in front of the person's legs. For example.
But well you mentioned it also has to handle well in snow.
The honda pilot has alot of room in the back seat for adults. We opted on a KIA Sorento, the Pilot was a little big for what we anted. CRV might be on the smaller size but is also a comfortable car.
We just bought a used 2008 Toyota Highlander with 3 rows. The second row seats slide up and back so you can have as much leg room as possible. I have 2 tall boys and my husband and myself are just under 6 ft. and there is plenty of room for all. We don't do snow hear in South Texas but it does have a "snow" button to increase traction I'd assume. Great car...get's 23 mpg too!
They will most likely need a minivan or a large SUV. I have family members that tall and they don't fit into any mid size or small SUV's. Some of the larger ones are Ford Expedition or Excursion, Chevy Suburban, etc.
You family should stop at different dealers when they are interested in something and just sit inside to see how they fit. If they like it then go for a test drive.
My husband is 6'2 and can fit in the back of my CRV comfortably. I don't think he would like being back there for hours but then who does?
You are asking a lot of $18K. Perhaps an older Suburban or even a mini van because the seats can often flip around in other directions.
Ford Flex - not sure about the winter handling but tons of room everywhere.
Under $18k? For an SUV with legroom? Good luck, unless you are talking an old one.
I am sure there are larger SUVs with more legroom, and I don't know how cramped it really is at 6' 5"... but I have been in a 2014 Subaru Forester and my kids sat in the back. My son is 15 and a teenager, and about 5'9". He siad the back seat had way more legroom than my Xterra (which I think has a lot of legroom in the back seats). It also has a lot of head room. Which is just as important for tall folks.
They start around $23,000. And are AWD, so good in the snow. And the gas mileage is pretty alright, too... like 26/32 or something. It might be worth it for them to at least sit in one... otherwise, I wish you luck. Under $18k is very limiting for an SUV.
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I did a quick google search and the "average" age I found for a Honda Pilot at $18,000 or under was a 2008 model. Most are not 4 wheel drive. And most have in the neighborhood of 80k miles on them at that age... at least the ones I saw. There was one that came up in NM that was a 2009 model, with 4 x4, though. So maybe look at those if they are willing to go that old. Personally, I'd be hesitant to spend that amount on a vehicle (particularly a 4x4) that was 7 years old.
I wonder... how often do your very tall brothers expect to ride in this vehicle? If it is only on periodic vacations, perhaps your parents would be better served to rent something for the vacation driving, and BUY something that more closely suits their every day needs (without the limitations of tall back seat passenger comfort). It'll open up a lot more options for them in their price range.
