So there's nothing interesting that seats 5 for sub $4k?

Perusing Craigslist with a $4000 upper limit for a daily driver with the other parameter (in my head) of seating 2 adults and 3 kids.

Mpg not very important, reasonable aftermarket and repair parts cost and availability.

And believe me my interests know few bounds. I'd daily anything a Grumann bread truck to a 15 passenger Dodge 3500 van to a Country Squire woody wagon. Just interesting (in a GRM way).

I just can't STUFF my kids into a small import.

I'm truly stumped (P71?)

What do you mean by interesting? Surely you can find 4.0l Cherokee or something.

I need clarify... I need three shoulder belts for the kids.

A center lap belt won't cut it.

Lexus LS400?

ebonyandivory wrote: I need clarify... I need three shoulder belts for the kids. A center lap belt won't cut it.

That's the kicker, unfortunately.

Yup kids definately narrow ones choices but dang if I don't love 'em to death!

I'm 'bout ready to give a Grand Caravan the WRC treatment!

DAJIBAN

What CL Market should I look in?

You can get manual sedans such as Saab, Maxima, Mazda6, etc.
Do these interest you?

I am interested in the answer as well.

E34 5 series?

I was going to suggest a Buick Roadmaster Wagon but only the outside positions in the back seat have shoulder belts. The center and rear facing seats are lap belts.

I don't think shoulder belts were mandated for all seating positions until the late 2000s. That might make it hard to come under your $4000 cap.

ebonyandivory wrote: I just can't STUFF my kids into a small import. I'm truly stumped (P71?)

There you have it, the newer panthers have 3 shoulder belts across the rear.

Taurus SHO? I can't remember what the rear center belt is like, honestly.

There is a 2001 crown vic at a stealersip local to me with 89,000 miles for that price.

Beg to differ (except I missed that center lap belt part... so completely disregard):

http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/cto/4647692403.html

http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/cto/4657114688.html

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/4654139761.html

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/4656479015.html

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/4637453036.html

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/4649802471.html

http://skagit.craigslist.org/cto/4632224816.html

Happy hunting!

SAAB 9-5's have center shoulder belts, but they have about 4 inches less shoulder room in the back than a Crown Vic.

How about seats 7

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/2002-ford-e150-chateau-back-in-black/82263/page1/

Looking BIG is certainly attractive. I'm on the large side (6'-3" 260).

That's why I mentioned one ton passenger vans. I'd use a van like a truck but am concerned with snow travel (tires, chains?)

So do people with older vehicles and kids allow thier precious little ones use just a lap belt?

In reply to stanger_missle:

I keep wondering if the older vehicles can be retrofitted with a center shoulder belt?

(Big wagon fan here!)

Surely at any given time there's one of the three you don't like. Put that one in the middle seat. Problem solved

Volvo 850/S70 definitely has 5 shoulder belts. And up to 240 (stock) turbocharged horsepower out of a 5 cylinder. And the most comfortable seats ever. If you want three pedals and a turbo you have to swap the tranny, though. Good news is that 300ish whp isnt all that hard to get to. My vote goes for a 5 speed swapped T5 wagon.

If you like wagons and want FWD, I'd agree either a Volvo or Saab wagon will work perfectly for your needs. I've had both, and have 3 kids. I had them all in the car many times with no issues.

ebonyandivory wrote: Looking BIG is certainly attractive. I'm on the large side (6'-3" 260). That's why I mentioned one ton passenger vans. I'd use a van like a truck but am concerned with snow travel (tires, chains?) So do people with older vehicles and kids allow thier precious little ones use just a lap belt?

Yep, that's what we've always done.

mazda protege5.

Klayfish wrote: If you like wagons and want FWD, I'd agree either a Volvo or Saab wagon will work perfectly for your needs. I've had both, and have 3 kids. I had them all in the car many times with no issues.

I cam very close to buying a turbo 850 wagon (supposedly an R) with a blown transmission. I had an 850 5 speed at the time and I was very tempted to combine the two