We need a car with a third row of seats. I was all set to get the Town & Country, but it is no longer AWD (all wheel drive) because of the stow n go seating (the seats, fold under the floor!)

So, I saw the Quest and can get a very good deal on a loaded one (DVD, navigation, satelite radio, leather - every bell and whistle). However, it's not AWD either, but it does have traction control and a vehicle stabilization system.

It handles really well, but I am leery about having a car that is not AWD here in the northeast where we get tons of snow and ice.

Does anyone have the Quest (2004). Can you tell me how it performs on snow and ice?

What would you do? Get the loaded Quest or the semi-loaded Pathfinder, which does have AWD and also third row seating?
Help!!!
Ame

By Andi on Saturday, November 27, 2004 - 10:26 pm:

My best friend has a Quest, not AWD but I thought I would let you know that she LOVES it. I personally don't like how they look but she loves it!

By Palmbchprincess on Saturday, November 27, 2004 - 11:09 pm:

The Quest is the van and the Pathfinder is a SUV, right? I was really adamant about having an AWD, vehicle, but ended up with a 2WD SUV, and found it to control really well, especially with skid control features and good tires. (I also don't live in the snow any more, so you have to decide if you are willing to not have AWD.) As far as a 3rd row seat SUV, most parents I know that have one say there isn't enough cargo room, so I'd go with a van over the SUV. Cargo space is a biggie to me. Good luck with the shopping, and let us know what you pick!

By Shellyg on Sunday, November 28, 2004 - 12:26 am:

I had a Pathfinder for years, drove the heck out of it, lots of 4x4 trips, and I LOVED it. I never had one problem with it. I would recommend a Pathfinder for the durability. When I just bought my new car, a Landrover Discover, I too need a third row set of seats. I love my new car but miss my Pathfinder.

By Amecmom on Sunday, November 28, 2004 - 09:00 am:

We also had a Pathfinder, and I really liked it. I guess my real concern is, can the Quest handle the weather conditions where I live? Andi, what part of the country are you in? Can you ask your friend how it is in the snow?
Ame

By Cat on Sunday, November 28, 2004 - 09:40 am:

We had an older Pathfinder that didn't have a third row, but we still like it. It was a nice car. But I definately needed a third row for transporting kids to and from school (kindergarteners) so I ended up getting an Expedition. Dh now has a Durango. While I really like my Expedition, for everyday driving it's just really too big, especially when it's just me! Dh and I both love his Durango. It seats 7 and if you need storage space the back row folds down flat. Both of our cars are SUV, so the gas milage isn't so good. A van would have better gas milage, but we didn't want to be mini-van parents! lol I don't know anything about the Quest. Just putting in my 2 cents on SUV's the the Pathfinder.

By Andi on Sunday, November 28, 2004 - 10:26 am:

We are in Sunny San Diego, CA...sorry no snow. She has only had it for about 6 or 7 months so she has never driven it in the snow.

Good Luck. I think we are going to end up leasing a 2005 Honda, Oddysey in February.

http://automobiles.honda.com/models/model_overview.asp?ModelName=Odyssey&bhcp=1&BrowserDetected=True

By Trina~moderator on Sunday, November 28, 2004 - 10:33 am:

We live in CT, and up until a few months ago, we did OK with our 2 wheel drive minivan, as long as we put on snow tires. We live in a rural area with lots of hills and mountain roads. In fact, we live on top of a hill. This past summer we got a 2004 Toyota Sienna AWD. LOVE, LOVE it and am anxious to see how it does this winter. Personally, I don't care for SUVs. They tend to be gas hogs and don't do as well as minivans in safety ratings. I also haven't been impressed with the third row seating. Unless you get a large SUV the third row is usually small and not all positions offer head support and both lap and shoulder belts. (I know, I'm a safety nerd! LOL!)

Lots of info comparing minivans and SUVs here:
Car-Safety.Org - SUV Safety and Safe Family Vehicles

By Amecmom on Sunday, November 28, 2004 - 03:54 pm:

Thanks for the helpful info, Trina. It makes me wonder if the Quest wouldn't be ok after all. The Pathfinder's second and third row seating all have the appropriate restraints and we would get the side curtain airbags. Mileage is another story, but it's better than the H2 or the Armada - both of which I really like.
I don't know if I can make the leap to a minivan ...
Ame

By Trina~moderator on Sunday, November 28, 2004 - 04:11 pm:

Oh come on, make the leap! LOL! Seriously though, I understand your hesitation. It was a big step for us as well. After #2 was born we bought our first minivan, much to DH's chagrin, but I was instantly hooked. The convenience of the dual sliding doors alone made it SO much easier to load and unload the kids into and out of their car seats. No more sore back from stooping and lifting the kids in and out of our sedan. The extra passenger and cargo space was just icing on the cake. Hello, my name is Trina, and I'm a HAPPY and proud minivan owner! LOL!