Car help

haylo33 · July 2014

Unfortunately my husband totaled his car last week. Fortunately, my husband was fine despite flipping the car. We are just glad DS wasn't in the car. Anyway, we need to buy another car. Since I'm off work, money is tight so we need to buy used. We are trying to figure out what to buy. I'm thinking minivan because our other car is so crammed with the car seat. Problem is I'm not sure if I'm ready to be the mom with the minivan at only 24. First question... Anyone have recommendations for SUVs with a 3rd row with bucket seats in the middle? My second question is for those with vans; Is it worth the convenience of a minivan?

gutsysneakers · July 2014

The same thing happened to us! Dd and I were at the dealership waiting for DH to return with the check from the bank and someone ran a red light and totaled our "old" car. Same thing - luckily, he wasn't injured and dd wasn't in the car. Just cruelly ironic to total and buy a car in the same hour. Ugh.

So I know you asked about 3rd row, but I thought I'd share anyways. We bought a subaru outback and I love it! They are extremely safe, reliable, and hold their value ridiculously well. It only seats 5 but the back is huge. We needed a car to fit our dog and stroller.

I didn't want a minivan so we looked at that car and the Kia sorento. That had a third row that "popped up" from the floor to seat a total of 7.

Glad your DH is okay and good luck car shopping!

dogsombrero · July 2014

DH is a mechanic and he prefers Japanese cars. They hold their value, good gas economy, cheap to repair. The downside is upfront cost. We only have the one so we got a scion Xb which is a Toyota product. I would highly recommend getting a used car inspection at an independent shop on any car you are serious about. We charge $60 for ours and value estimate the car plus repairs needed for negotiation power.

letal316 · July 2014

@anniemore‌ We have an Equinox too!! It's been great so far (we have a dog too), but I agree, adding another kid (or two) will make it tight.

My Aunt and Uncle have four kids and a dog and they have a Yukon.

ho11yday · July 2014

I love my minivan. I didn't think I would but my husband convinced me to get one based on the price difference between a minivan and an SUV.

We upgraded from a hatch to the van. The hatch would have been fine but the van is so much more comfortable and it carries the whole family plus dog.

kat8805 · July 2014

Third row options, cause we've been looking too - Mazda CX9, Ford Explorer, Jeep Commander, Toyota Highlander, GMC Acadia, and my brain can't scratch up anymore. For vans, I'd go Toyota or Honda. The 04 Sienna my mom has still runs like a champ with nearly 180k miles on it. They got it the first year they offered 8 passenger and got a pretty great deal on it brand new from Carmax. My step mom just totaled her 2010ish Odyssey but came out just fine. Both love their vans and they both have minimal issues if any.

Glad your H is alright, and best of luck in your car hunt.

JKTTC1 · July 2014

SUV (pilot) turned minivan users here! Honda odyssey! Love the sliding doors!

LeeLee86 · July 2014

I second the Japanese vote as well. DH has worked for Enterprise for 9 years (I worked there for 5) and would never ever buy American made (sry to pp, just our opinion!).
Based on quality I would buy Subaru, Kia or Honda. My sister has had her Kia minivan for 11 years with no complaints and minimum maintenance.
I'm so glad everyone is ok!!

haylo33 · July 2014

Thanks! If we go the minivan route, we are thinking the toyota sienna. It is the only can with all wheel drive. We live in the mountains of PA and winters are rough. Anyone know how the odyssey does in the snow?

springbeduk2 · July 2014

I don't know too much about larger vehicles (though a coworker lovers her highlander and though its not a hybrid it gets much better mileage than she got in her previous suv which was some sort of Chevy I think but smaller than a suburban) but wanted to say ...

If you have good credit make sure you really run the numbers on new vs. used especially if you're looking at Japanese made (which I agree you should ... though I wad raised in Subarus and am now a Honda civic devotee). If you do your homework and really get the best price on a new car (test drive at a dealership you probably don't want to buy from, walk away, then get email quotes from many - should be able to get below invoice sometimes by a lot) it really can be a better deal than buying used. Definitely in the long run if you keep the car 10+ years and usually even in the short run - lower or same monthly payments with better financing deals and longer loan time (which you could then pay off early when income improves and save more $ on interest) plus very little chance of major repairs while you're still making car payments plus you get the warranty and really know how car is treated/maintained. Used Honda's and Toyotas are not cheap so the old line about the car losing half it's value when you drive it off the lot is less true. It feels like a splurge to buy a new car but if you keep it a long time it isn't so much. (I'm still driving the civic I bought new in 2000 - love that car! - 230,000 miles and going strong) and our other one is a 2009 which still feels new at around 80000 miles) ETA: that 2009 only cost about 4000 more than a 4 or 5 year old one at the time - definitely a better deal long term and even short term I think we could have lower payments with the new. Oh yeah and I said Japanese made but my 2000 was built in Ohio and the 2009 somewhere in Canada.

Good luck and don't take any BS from car dealers!

gutsysneakers · July 2014

springbeduk2 said:
I don't know too much about larger vehicles (though a coworker lovers her highlander and though its not a hybrid it gets much better mileage than she got in her previous sub which was some sort of Chevy I think but smaller than a suburban) but wanted to say ...

If you have good credit make sure you really run the numbers on new vs. used especially if you're looking at Japanese made (which I agree you should ... though I wad raised in Subarus and am now a Honda civic devotee). If you do your homework and really get the best price on a new car (test drive at a dealership you probably don't want to buy from, walk away, then get email quotes from many - should be able to get below invoice sometimes by a lot) it really can be a better deal than buying used. Definitely in the long run if you keep the car 10+ years and usually even in the short run - lower or same monthly payments with better financing deals and longer loan time (which you could then pay off early when income improves and save more $ on interest) plus very little chance of major repairs while you're still making car payments plus you get the warranty and really know how car is treated/maintained. Used Honda's and Toyotas are not cheap so the old line about the car losing half it's value when you drive it off the lot is less true. It feels like a splurge to buy a new car but if you keep it a long time it isn't so much. (I'm still driving the civic I bought new in 2000 - love that car! - 230,000 miles and going strong) and our other one is a 2009 which still feels new at around 80000 miles)

Good luck and don't take any BS from car dealers!

Totally agree with all of this. DH and I have excellent credit and I talked the dealer down from 32k to 26k on a 2014 Outback. Getting a new car was about 2k more for a Subaru since they hold their value really well. Talk to a few dealerships and don't jump at the first price that sounds reasonable. We talked for at least a week with two dealerships before getting the price that was my "line in the sand".

flockofmoosen3 · July 2014

I was also going to recommend a subaru forester until you said third row. Since you live in a snowy region (so do I in western NY by lake ontario), the minivan with AWD is a great choice. But remember that more important for snow driving safety is the quality of your tires. You can have AWD and still slip everywhere if you dont have good tires. Maybe invest in winter tires to change out or great all-seasons. I used to have a Subaru Forester but it got totaled so now I have a mazda 3 hatch and it is just as safe in snow with my new all-seasons tires.

Have fun with your minivan! We will get there someday, I'm sure!

DBonfante · July 2014

I don't have a third row but I LOVE by Subaru forester. I only have my one baby but there is plenty of room for his car seat stroller and whatever else I need to stuff back there.

springbeduk2 · July 2014

@jmcdyer‌ is totally right about winter tires. If you get an extra set of rims for them (very affordable on tirerack.com and probably other places) then changing the tires each fall/spring should only cost the same ad a tire rotation. I go by SUVs and other AWD vehicles spun out off te road all the time in the winter (in Maine) while doing fine in my little front wheel drive with good winter tires and sensible driving. Plus you have to remember AWD helps you get going, get up slippery hills, etc but does not help you stop!

haylo33 · July 2014

Thanks. All great advice. Still shopping around. DHs parents wanted us to jump on a 2004 honda odyssey with 130,000 miles. It was only $4500 which sounded great because we wouldn't need a loan but it felt and looked so old. When we told them we didn't like it very much, DH got a text back that said "you aren't in a position to be picky". Uh yes I am. I'm not going to buy the first crappy car I see because it is cheap. Ugh needed to vent for a minute

LeeLee86 · July 2014

When it comes to a large purchase you always have the right to be picky. 130k is way too many miles. Stick to your guns mama!

bridetobe9132013 · July 2014

@haylo33‌ you do have a right to be picky because you want a safe option for your family! I will probably be getting a van later in the year. My cobalt and my dh's grand prix are way too small!

sarag0116 · July 2014

We have a Toyota Sequoia. It's HUGE. Captain seats in the middle and 3rd row seats. I think it's too big but DH really wanted it.

jsaffer01 · July 2014

I have a honda pilot and I love it. I love the 3rd row option and even with the 3rd row up there is still enough room in the trunk. I'm not a minivan person. (Which is why I got an SUV) but the odessey from honda looks really nice. If I was to get a minivan it would be that one. I'm also biased to honda, I've had 3 different honda cars and I loved them all!!!

haylo33 · July 2014

jsaffer01 said:
I have a honda pilot and I love it. I love the 3rd row option and even with the 3rd row up there is still enough room in the trunk. I'm not a minivan person. (Which is why I got an SUV) but the odessey from honda looks really nice. If I was to get a minivan it would be that one. I'm also biased to honda, I've had 3 different honda cars and I loved them all!!!

The car that was totaled was a '04 pilot. We really liked it and I think it played a big part in the fact that my husband walked away unharmed. Very safe car

danabsd · July 2014

GMC Arcadia. Never heard a mom complain. It had buckets and a third row.

I drive a CX-9 it's great but doesn't have bucket seats. I almost always have my third row down and the cargo area is ginormous.

Good luck! Glad

cbrust · July 2014

I'm currently driving my MIL's 07 odyssey. Never thought I'd be driving a minivan at 22 but it's really not that bad. My favorite features are the push button doors and the kickass AC in the back. I drove in through the winter here in Idaho and never had a problem-honestly AWD/4WD isn't going to do crap unless you have good tires.

I'm looking at getting an expedition/sequoia/yukon/tahoe soon. Haven't decided which but I want more room than what the odyssey has; when the back row is up I can hardly fit my stroller in the back.

chillypenguin · July 2014

We have a 2011 Honda Odyssey and I absolutely love it! So much space to haul all their stuff, sliding doors, and my husband can put the seat all the way back with a rear facing car seat behind it. My DH actually loves it too and wishes it was his to drive, didn't expect that!

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