Well, you won't believe it, I actually got the wife thinking about a XL7.  We have our thrid baby on the way, and the Tracker is a little tight, and our 94 Escort 4 door is a little small too.  We talked about minivans and we just aren't minivan people, nothing against them, she just isn't too keen on driving one.  So the other day she saw a brand new Nissan PAthfinder, and she liked it because of the third row seating.  She decided that she'd like an SUV with a third row......Wellm nothing against a Nissan Pathfinder but they're pretty pricey.  So I told her about a stretched and slightly wider version of my Tracker with third row seating.  (She like my Tracker. )  Oh, and btw I also told her that they were available with a manual trans. (she hates automatics).  So, I don't know how far this thing will go,  but hopefully we're a little tight in the finance dept these days, but I told her that sooner or later we have to get one.  Hopefully I can talk her into it...  Have fun, Dave

I'd get one IF I had the $$$ too.

Oh BTW a XL-7 5spd, 4x4 are pretty rare. Most of them were AUTO except the base model and some mid-models

Yeah the 5 speed are rare. I Don't know if you can even get the manuel with a third row seat. They are sweet and the ex III is awsome. The gas milage seems not so great. You can get 03 and 04 with third row for around the 16 to 17 grand range with under 10k miles. Not bad for a v6 suv when compared to the nissan 20 and above range. If you have connections with the someone who can buy from acutions i've seen 03 limited go across for 15 grand.

heres a used one for ya
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=176157996&dealer_id=1015384&car_year=2001&search_type=used&make=SUZUKI&model=XL7&transmission=Manual&distance=100&address=08080&advanced=&certified=&max_price=&min_price=&end_year=2006&color=&start_year=2000&color3=&color2=&isp=y&engine=〈=en&cardist=56

    So, thought you'd all like to know, I visited the dealer today.  Its a small dealership and he only had two XL-7's on the lot, a burgundy '05 with out 3rd row, and an Azure grey (like a silver/blue color, really nice) '04 EX LOADED with leather 5 speed automatic (it's worth a thought if I can't get a stick) thrid row, etc.  He was willing to sell it to me for $23,000 (the sticker was almost 28,000).  But, my  wife doesn't like leather, and we really wanted a stick.  He looked it up, and told me we could order an XL-7 LX, with a stick and third row.  Suzuki has a $1250 cash back incentive.  He also added the manual tranny XL-7's are rare.  And that he's sorry he NEVER has any used one's to sell, he said it seems like people buy them and then just run them into the ground, keeping them for years.  Now, its just a matter of seing what we can or cannot do with our finance situation.  I'd love one with a stick, but can pretty much only afford a used one at this time.  But anyway, at least I learned something, and hey, who knows?  Hav fun,  Dave  

Check autotrader for used ones ... be prepared to drive a ways if ya need to.

Also it's easier to deal with used car lots the last weekend of the month (sales guys will work hard to book sales that weekend).

Good luck, and post pics when you find it!

Hey if you buy a new one and already own a suzuki there is a 1000 rebate for suzuki owner loyalty. I just orderd a pearl white 05 ex III. I'll post pictures when it arrives. I found a dealership this time that treated me fair.  I ended up paying around 24 grand out the door not bad considering what you said with a sticker around 28 grand

I would recommend sitting the family in one first.  RealRedWagon was gonna buy one from me but then he put his car seat in the second row and the fit was too tight.  If you are located in the area, I can get one for you.  I work at a GM Dealer in Western NY, and I can get anything used that you could think of.  Just sold an 05 H2 this morning.  If you're too far away, just PM me any questions, as a fellow Zuker I'll make sure you don't get hosed. ...I see you're in NW Jersey.  Probably too far to go for an XL-7 but let me know if there's any way I can help.  

I have been a minivan family man and an SUV family man.  I would go small SUV if I were you.  Went from several different minivans to a Honda CRV then looked around and really liked the Suzuki, but we found a Rodeo that was loaded for a really great price.  The rodeo with rebates and dickering was cheaper than anything on the market.  It was a great SUV but the mileage was around 17mpg so we found another Honda CRV and the wife was set on that cuz she totally loves the new style.  I still wanted the Zuki but lost the battle.  Price would have been the same and the zuk was more loaded.    does the third row seating really matter to you?  You can get the Zuk in a much cheaper package if you forgo the third row.  

By the way the Honda 4wd is not the same as the Suzuki.  The Zuk is a much better 4WD system. Oh well, good luck with your search.

The honda makes a poilt that has third row seating. But one of the main reasons I imagine your looking at a suzuki is the body on frame soild rear axle and two speed tranfer case. One thing to think about is, the hundred thousand mile warrenty on powertrain didn't start till 03. And 03 is last year of the red tail light o4 started new head lights and clear tail lights pluse 03 you can get a manuel selectable t case, 04 went to push button, The honda just has a one speed transfer case and is nothing more then a bigger subarue when it comes to offroad. Great car but not ment for anything  but the snow and road.

But has anyone seen The new Honda Ridgeline? They finalie made a fullsize truck with a v8. It looks like a alvalanch. So now that nissan and Honda makes a full size its only time till suzuki jumps on.

Thanks for the advise guys, and the help, and teh tips, your right, I want a full frame with a real transfer case under me.  I'm pretty sure we can fit the car seats init, we gen get them in iny 2000 Tracker 4 door, and the X:-7 has a little more room it looks like, my boss has one so I've been able to look at it in great detail.  I'll keep you posted and let you know what's going on.  And again, thanks everybody for the advise and the offers for help and advise, I just might need it.    
     
        Dave

So, got an update:  Went back to the Suzuki dealer, and first off I'd like to say dealing with them so far has been a pleasant experience, absolutely NO pressure.  This time I took the wife and kids to see the EX for sale, its at $23,600, it's loaded with leather and everything.  And let me tell you, it was NICE, even my wife liked it.  Problem is, with baby number three on the way, money is a bit tight, and the thought of $425 a month car payments are a little steep for us right now.  But, we found a used one at a Saturn dealer that we might look at, its a 2001, third row seat, loaded with only 25,000 miles. Just trying to talk my better half into going for it.  We'll let you know what we end up with (who knows, maybey even a minivan... )   Thanks again for all the advise, does anyone know of anything I should look out for with a 2001? I figure there really shouldn't be any bugs in them because the redesigned Tracker came out in '99.  Thanks again,  Dave

So, got a big big update today.  I took my family to see the XL-7 on Sat, about a half hour before the dealer closed for the night.  I could not believe my eyes.  This guy was not exagerating when he told me the condition on the phone.  There isn't a mark on it.  Well, actually, one very small ding on the front fender, but I think we can live with that .  We drove it around the lot due to the fact it was 5 minutes before closing.  (We'll be going tomorow because my wife wants to make sure that she'll like it......Which between you and me, I'm sure she will)  It drives nice and tight, no clunks no bangs.  Just like any 25,000 mile vehicle should.  I opened up the back door and could not believe the condition of it, it honestly looks like no one ever sat back there, even the floor mats (and they're original) look like brand new.  And better yet, they came down to $12,900 without me even asking.    If I can figure out how to get the photos I took of it up here I will.  I've never posted a pic on this site before so it's going to take a try or three.  It's real nice, I like the tinted windows with the black and grey interior.  

     I know that this isn't exactly an exciting thread, we're probably never going to lift it, or wheel it.  And the 4wd is mainly going to be used for getting around in the winter time.  But, the thing is,  I wanted a good solid dependable family vehicle, something that I don't have to worry about my family, including a newborn probably by the end of March, unless the baby decides to come sooner.  Its got a full frame, and a 5 star govt. crash test rating from what I understand.  It seems real comfortble ride, nothing like my Tracker.  (I don't mean that in a bad way, just rides a little smoother due to the longer wheelbase.  Thanks again for the advise and replys, I'll let you know when it makes it home (I put the deposite on it today, hoping to have everything in a row to bring it home on Thursday.  Thanks again ,   Dave

Hay if you get it you should take it to gonzookin   That way I won't feel so lonely with the only  Xl-7
George

I don't think that the wife's going to be too keen on the idea of me wheeling her Zuk