texas911

Honda Odyssey.

Alan Smithee

The Charger/Magnum/300/upcoming Challenger platform is not that of an old E-class...they share rear suspension design and transmissions with the previous generation E-class, but that's it for major parts.

jpcourt

I just took deliver of a Q7 S type for my wife about a month ago and I must say I really like it A lot. Here is a quick picture. Let me know if you want some interior shots.

Eharrison

The wife has a Pathfinder LE which is nice 3 rows and the mileage is acceptable. Plus it has all the goodies to keep the kids happy, DVD wireless head phones so we can listen to the radio and don't have to listen to Finding Nemo every road trip. It's nice on the highways, and has a good turning radius. I haven't had a problem yet. She's had nissans for 6 years and happy with them. She feels safer in it than any of our other cars.

mrpc12

Check out the Lexus LS460. Huge trunk and the most comfortable car I've ever driven. They should be about $60K by the summer.

Dr. No

Did you get the 3.6 or 4.2? I'd be interested in hearing your feedback as I'm considering a Q7 for the wife/kids too.

Putt-Putt

Our LR3 has some quirky problems, but we love it. It rides beautifully, seats seven and crawls over rocks like an octopede.

jpcourt

I went with the 4.2, it is a fantastic motor, it's smooth, responsive and makes for an enjoyable ride. So far the car has been flawless no problems at all and the fit and finish is absolutely superb. With the air suspension you can adjust the ride height from off-road to corner hugger, for such a big car it handles great and is very comfortable to drive. If you have any specific questions let me know, I would be happy to help.

jjl

I have an '06 ML350 that I'm very happy with...Sirius, ipod, Nav, Logic 7, adjustable airmatic suspension, 19" rims, lots of cargo room, and my wife routinely sits in the back between my kids' two car seats, fairly comfortably. $52k absolutely loaded.

Also check out new X5, and maybe the new Infiniti G35, which is a great deal for the money...the rear seats even recline, 306hp V6, huge trunk, UNDER $40k loaded, real time traffic on XM, unbeatable nav...etc.

THPorsche

Great information from you guys! I guess I am taking the Jeep Cherokee SRT-8 out of my list for now. I did check out the new X5 on Tuesday but I think the interior is kind of tight and the 3rd row is next to useless. I test drove the Audi Q7 4.2 a few months back and really liked it. Haven't driven't the 3.6 version yet (it's $10K cheaper!). For some reasons, I never liked any MB but I will check out the ML, R (wife loves it), and GL. As for the sedan, I think the 300C Hemi/ SRT-8 give the most bang for the buck - fast and roomy. I also like the Lexus GS and Lexus service (wife's RX33) has been great.

jnsv

new x5
audi s4 avant

if you have a big family, honda odyessy, it's a great car.

q7 is a pig.

djantlive

how about the outcoming mazda CX-9? it's got 7 seats with a NA engine. it looks like a larger CX-7. it's not quite out yet but i think it will be avail soon. gas mileage should be reasonable in the high teens or low twenties.

for sedan, i would do audi or lexus. ls460 will be over 60k w options for sure.

kgorman

Get the Q7.

kocsis

The Q7 third row is still very small - only for kids. In contrast, the MB R class third row is very comfortable - though car is a 6 seater (all captain's seats), not 7. I drove it for a whole day and it drove extremely well - like the Q7, which I also drove...very car-like. And for what it is it's very well priced. A number of my friends have the car and they love it. You can even get AMG - though I wouldn't.

THPorsche

Bought a 2006 MB R500 in Pewter Metallic. Even thought the car consider as "new" it is a Demo with 7000miles. MSRP $69,990 and bought it for $55,000.