To Super Size Or Not

After taking a week long trip over Christmas in our WRX filled to maximum capacity, we've been wondering if we'll need a larger vehicle in the future. When it was just the two of us we were able to push our seats back to accommodate our long legs and use the back seats for additional cargo space. With Sophia and her car seat, things have been getting cramped with the front passenger seat pushed up and we've had to use some advanced Tetris techniques to fit our haul into the trunk. Now, with the potential that we could have another passenger in the future, we're trying to decide whether it's time to get a bigger vehicle.

One option is to cut back on what we take with us on trips. For example, we could stop bringing presents to Christmas and go naked. But we're a little stuck to traditions. another option is to get a cargo box to mount on the roof. Not a bad option for replacing the cargo space lost in the back seat. However, it still doesn't solve the legroom issue. We'd also like a vehicle that can transport the tri-bike in the trunk without having to remove both wheels (we've been told extensively to never mount the tri-bike on the roof because of the high potential for damaging the bike).

So, we've been eyeing the Honda Pilot as our top choice for a family vehicle. We think that it's the optimal configuration for what we need. It seats up to eight people and the 3rd row can be folded down to create a large cargo space. The Pilot also has exceptional fuel economy for it's class, great safety ratings, great resale value, good reliability, and has won several awards. We also think it looks sweet.

If we do decide to get another vehicle, we also need to decide if we want to go new or used. A new 2007 Pilot starts at $28,000 for the entry level model and a used 2004/2005 is in the range of $20,000 to $24,000 depending on condition and trim level. Is it worth it to save between $4,000 to $8,000 for a 2 to 3-year-old vehicle that has 40,000 miles on it? And do we need a new vehicle if we're going to be putting fewer than 10,000 miles per year on it?

So what do you think? We'd like to hear your suggestions.