Hey Guys,

Curious scenario. If you had P2.5M, would you go for a 2013 Previa? And would the P127K difference between the Standard and Q justify the Q's price? Or what would you go for?

Here's where I'm coming from:

My Mom is selling her 2005 Tribute V6 to upgrade into something in the 7-seater range. 7-seater? Here's why:
- She has the occasional weekend driver duties for my grandfolks and their entourage and baggage. So that would be herself, and sometimes my dad, both her parents, personal nurse, and male alalay -- hard to call him boy when he's in his 50s na, hehe -- 2 wheelchairs and what have you. These are not long drives out of town, but in-city drives. Though of course this would be useful in out of town trips to Tagaytay, etc.
- She has some weekday driver duties for our kids, too. So that's herself, a 4 and 2 year old, 2 yayas, and accompanying stuff.

Other factors:
My Mom has an '03 Altis which she loves to bits which she uses everyday except for Monday (coding). This can handle the weekday driver duties with the kids for the meantime, but is too small when my Dad doesn't join her on the weekend with the grandfolks. When my Dad does join them, sometimes a 2nd car has to be taken, unless they can get my Tita's Carnival.

Grandfolks cannot climb anything higher than the current gen Kia Carnival (my Mom's sister's van, which the grandfolks occasionally ride if they can get my Tita's driver or if it's a Sunday). Innova and Tribute are actually a challenging climb for them already. No, they will not resort to the ergonomic chair that converts into a wheelchair that slides in and out of the car at the touch of a button. At least not yet.

The Innova is already tight with 5-6 folks, 2 wheelchairs and other baggage. The usual 7-seater SUVs are too tall, plus are about as big inside as the Innova. The GS and Carnival are too big for my Mom to drive and park, plus the GS is tall pa. The SWB Carnival, which would be an easier drive for her is not as spacious.

So the Previa. It's not much bigger than the Innova on the outside, so it's pretty compact for a van, something my Mom can drive with relative ease and can park. With ease? Well.... Inside it's a real 7 seater -- no cramped 3 row. Engine and fuel economy, she never really maxed the 3.0L Mazda V6 and I don't think the Previa drinks like it. I think the only gripe for me is the price -- which buys you 2 Innovas. But as in the case of the Prado vs. Fortuner, will 2 Fortuners really serve the desire, intent and purpose of a single Prado?

Any thoughts?