It DOES suck!! FYI... our Sienna looks like the day we got it... I wax every other month since it was purchased, waxed every 3 weeks the first two months so it's done WELL even in WI winters... 50K miles, still get 22-23mpg freeway, built half my basement hauling stuff in it, maybe $1300 total for tires, maintenance, oil (synthetic only) and still worth $13K sooooo... maybe 06-07, looking at $20K???? Then keep the GS OR go RX + Sienna + _________...

Sorry, I feel for ya, GLAD my decision is done!!

 

you will still need Sienna if you want to take granny with kids somewhere.... dont forget twin baby strollers - there is no SUV with 7 seats that can take twin baby strollers...

You can probably get huge discount on new Sienna, and keep GS for until RX450h is ready (it is also what i am considering - getting RX450h).

GS is fine for 2 kid seats at the back, and even an kid between them, but you can tightly fit only one stroller in the trunk (my kids are 8 months and 2.8 years so no need for 2 strollers). However with GS, I can not take an trips with kids because there is not enough space in the trunk.

On the other hand, I had new Rav4 before, and due to hatchback design, i could fit loads at the back, so I am definetly looking for another SUV in the future, whatever it ends up being (I am in europe).

 

Ok here's the game plan. Do your shopping at the end of the month. Either the end of nov or dec when you have them by the short and curlies. Also, have your wife play bad cop. She 'hates' whatever it is you're looking at and wants something else, wants to buy it later, wants something cheaper, etc , however the more concessions you win over from the dealer, the more she's willing to concede...

 

+1... I like, especially bad cop, she can vent for real at sales folks , not hubby

 

You guys are definetly on to something. One for the sake of negotiations and getting the best deal and second, because she won't do it at me.

Not to mention, with the way the twins are making here feel, she wont be acting!

 

First things first.... CONGRATS...

Second... dollar for dollar, you can't beat the MDX. It is the funnest to drive for the lowest cost.

Third, a friend has the GL450 - LOVES IT. Rides great, has wonderful features - gets 11MPG when he is LUCKY. Cost almost 1.5 times what the MDX does. I'd LOVE to pick one up, but my wife just looks at me and says WHY? The other day she actually said "If you want one so much go buy it for yourself, I like my MDX". And we have the previous gen MDX....

Fourth - I still believe the minivan is the best choice for a family. However,the wife sees it the way you do - NFW!

 

Congragulations. The RX is a nice, plush, car-based SUV, with a lot nicer ride than its truck-based GX cousin. The platform comes from the Toyota Highlander. Premium gas is generally recommended for the RX...but check with your service reps there to see if you can use regular, with a little less HP and torque. They know the engine in detail better then I do.

With only two very young kids, you probably won't need three full rows anyway (the RX is a 2-row). Later on, when the kids are old enough to start squabbling with each other, some parents separate the two of them and use the third row, if available.

Let me know if you need the new-car break-in rules, if you don't already have them. I think I sent them to you, though, in an earlier PM.

 

1st: Thanks. As I have stated before, I am really excited. The twin thing is great two and I want everyone to cross fingers, pray, chime, whatever it is you believe you should do for a girl and a boy!

2nd: My wife was in love with the MDX(Yours), but we absolutely hate the look of this one. It looks like...off to me. Acura as a whole is not a boat I really want to be in. Their designs are at best okay.

3rd: Glad your friend loves his GL and you are like me in the appreciation of its style, but does your friend have twins/kids of small ages and does he use his back seat at all?

4th:You feel me on the minivan, but for the record, I do agree it is the best for this situation.

 

MMARSHALL, what are your thoughts on the Mercedes Benz R Class?

 

Haven't formally reviewed it, but it's relatively long and narrow, with room for 6 in 2+2+2 seating. It's roughly, but not exactly, a more upscale version of the Chrysler Pacifica, though the styling and many of the components are different. An AMG version, I believe, was available for a brief time, but neither it nor the regular R-Class sold well here. The Pacifica has already been dropped, and I wouldn't be suprised to see the R-Class go pretty soon as well.....M-B officials have admitted that it was a marketing error, but, to my knowledge, have not actually dropped it.

If you are seriously interested in one, I'll do a review if possible.

 

I don't like the styling of the new one very much, the wife does however. I did drive the new one and WOW, it blows away the old one. VERY VERY sporty.

Friend has a 3 year old daughter. I don't think he uses the 3rd row. Friend upgraded from the R-Class. They liked that vehicle a lot.

 

Too be honest, I also think you will be fine with the GS you have now. I am 32 and I have two small children that are still in baby seats and strollers and I can tell you the trunk space on the LS is way smaller than the GS. Although I said the LX was good I really think that you could get by just fine with the GS. JMHO.

 

I'm with MBenz--a GS is tough as your ONLY car with twin babies. I have an IS and 2 kids, but a Pilot as the wife's car.

 

Just serviced the Sienna and sat in a Highlander and Pilot this morning.... I'd take the Pilot over the Highlander space-wise (huge and 3rd row), and inside materials definitely improved, BUT... it's not A Lexus, Acura, MB, etc. IMO, if I didn't have the Sienna already and the Mrs wanted an SUV, the Pilot was a LOT for the money, only way for you guys is the old test drive!
Spoke with the sales guy (known him for years) on Highlander vs new RX, he said, "Look at your ROI... I said, "Yeah, but it's not a Lexus and your premium $$ also pays for your experience- dealership, service, etc." He shrugged and agreed.

FYI- I cannot get around the MDX's looks, have tried and tried...

Good point by MM, you may not need the space for a while (3rd row)... I'm just waiting til spring for the new RX... and yep, got the break-in info Mike, THX!

 

The idea of one car to rule the world is fading fast and seems to be hard, but tommorow is the big test drive day. We have a few cars we are going to check out and I will add the pilot to the list. I have driven it before when I took my friend to the airport (he has two kids, but not twins) and it comes in handy when he has family in town.

Tex, you have the right idea with the IS and the Pilot, but unfortunatley, our second car is a 96 Jeep Cheroke that is on its last legs. And it just sits because I use the DC Metro everyday except weekends. Maybe, just maybe we can keep the GS and get something else, but my wife will make that call. After all, she will be driving it, not me.

MMarshall, thanks for the info on the R class. We drove it and liked it, but very minivan esk. The 2+2+2 setup is great, particularly with the way the second row can slide without folding in order to allow access to the third row, but may just still be too much like a van for the wife's liking. They still offer the car in 350 and 320cdi models, but they have phased out the AMG and the 500 models. Most likely they will get rid of it completely in 2010.

This weekend will be telling and I will keep you guys informed. The way it is working out, we may just wait and see if there is a need once the twins come, but with family expected to be here when they do, that seems like a harder choice.