We are currently a one car family and I'm finally actively looking for a second vehicle. Driving my husband to work every time I have a doctors appointment is not appealing. Especially since he needs to be picked up during nap time.
I am going between a van or small SVU. We are looking at the odyssey, sienna, Rav4, CR-V, Edge, and Escape mostly. Because of our budget most of the cars we can afford are between 2006-2009.
Any pluses or minuses on these vehicles? One reason I'm leaning towards a van is to be able to hit a button and have my toddlers door open and close behind her as she gets in the car so I can worry about settling the baby and know she is safe in the car.
Thanks for your input!
Re: Vehicle buying help
This is baby #1 so vans weren't even on our radar so I can't compare the two, but the CR-V was my favorite of the small SUVs. My second favorite was the Hyundai. We looked at both the Santa Fe and the Tucson and didn't want the size of the Santa Fe (didn't fit well in our garage) but the Tucson didn't drive quite as smooth. My H is pretty loyal to Toyota but I felt the RAV-4's console was way too busy.
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BFP#1 10 wk missed mc
BFP#2 DS born at 40+2 on 8/14/12 BFP#3 DD Born at 39+3 on 5/13/14
It gets the same millage as a sedan and you can parallel park in the same sized space. We test drove a couple of vans and looked at a few other options that can seat 6, and this was by far our favorite option. It was priced in line with many cars, new.
DD1 Feb 2010
DD2 Sept 2011
Anyway, we bought a 2002 Pontiac Montanna in excellent condition for $2,300. Seats 7, push button on the sliding passenger door. Whoever had it before us had bought a $100-or so permanent air filter that helps the van get better gas mileage. The only issue is the fuel float (what tells the gauge how full/empty the gas tank is) doesn't work bt to fix this small thibg, we'd have to buy an entire new $800 fuel pump. Not happening. So, we keep track of how much gas we put in and how many miles we go betweeb fill ups.
I know Pontiac Montanna wasn't on your list, and you're looking at newer vans than 2002, but maybe check out if there are any common issues with these vehicles in the years you're looking at and see if that affects anything.
Baby G born 6/6/14, 37 weeks 1 day due to preeclampsia. 5lb12oz 19"
#2 due Christmas 2016.