Family vehicle suggestions

[RedDg]

Wagon Queen Family Truckster

[john9001]

Originally posted by RedDg
Wagon Queen Family Truckster

that's not the color i ordered.

[eskimo2]

Originally posted by SteveBailey
again, 6 people in a minivan doesn't really work.

I have a 97 AWD 7 passenger Extended Ford Aerostar (the “extended” in the cargo area is maybe 18 inches).  We have three kids, my in-laws and my wife and I in our household.  This is the vehicle we take when all 7 of us go somewhere together.  We’ve driven it from Ohio to the beach in NC and also a trip to Minneapolis. Three car seat fit in the back just fine and the middle seat holds the women just fine.  The cargo area helps a bunch; we can go on overnight trips without resorting to the roof for cargo.

My parents have a Honda Odyssey; we use that when we visit them to Alaska.  It’s much tighter on cargo; 5 people with camping gear can work but I think it only seats six.  Here’s an interior shot with one of the middle seats folded down:

[Chairboy]

Originally posted by RedDg
Wagon Queen Family Truckster

You think you hate it, just wait 'till you drive it!

[RTR]

Had a minivan for a few years when the kids were at "that" age when they all had to be somewhere.

It's hard to look cool in a mini van but hey, it served it's purpose.  

Take heart Republic!  It doesn't really matter what you get as long as it is safe. As soon as the kids get older you will dump it like a hot potato ("potatoe" for the Kerry fans) anyway.

Before you know it you'll be cruise'n in style again. Trust me...they grow fast!

I don't have a pic of the old "family wagon" but here's what the Mrs and I drive now.



Get them kids growed and cruise man!

cheers,
RTR

[SIG220]

A used Honda Pilot is definitely what I would buy if I had your needs.   It can seat up to 7 quite well.  You can find them used under $20,000 here where I live from dealers.   The way car sales are going these days, you could probably negotiate an even better deal.

The Honda Pilot has fantastic reliability and safety ratings from Consumer Reports, much higher than the vehicles you mention.   Hondas can generally easily go for 200,000 miles or more, if properly cared for.

Even the standard LX models come very well equipped.   I found a used 2004 locally with only 26,500 miles for under $20k:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=228116758&dealer_id=95169&car_year=2004&model=PILOT&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=200&marketZipError=false&search_lang=&make=HONDA&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=2&sort_type=priceDESC&address=97477&advanced=&end_year=2007&doors=&transmission=&max_price=20000&cardist=104

This is a nice car with great features:








And here is a 2005 model with 44k miles also listed for under $20K:





And here is a loaded 2004 EX model with leather and 49,000 miles, also under $20k:











One of my relatives has an Accord that is still going strong with 245,000 miles on it.    Whatever you do, do check and confirm how well Consumer Reports rates a car before you buy it.

Anyway, a used Pilot is hands down what I would get, in your situation.

[republic]

I've actually been thinking of looking at a Pilot, I didn't know it had rear HVAC controls.  Good suggestions from most everyone, keep em comin!

[SteveBailey]

Originally posted by SIG220
A used Honda Pilot is definitely what I would buy if I had your needs.   It can seat up to 7 quite well.  

[Chairboy]

No kidding.  7 what?   Cats?

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

Consumer Reports is an over rated, self inflated, crock of crap. They are a Honda/Toyota shill, their bias is so obvious it isn't even funny any more. A bigger truck load of drivel would be hard to find as far as their automotive scribes go.

[Thruster]

You mentioned a tight budget, 2 kids, but not locale, average mileage, or expected length of ownership.

FWIW, think minivan. Think NEW minivan. I'd advocate a MOPAR. The Odyssey is a pretty good choice but they are pricey and I don't know if they stack up cargo room wise. They're also MUCH more user friendly than a full size van or wagon.

Beside the interest rate/payment term issue, buying used is a crap shoot money wise. All used vehicles have flaws. Most are not covered by warranty after the first year. A funky cup holder or bad dome light may seem like a small price to pay but trust me, after a few years that defect becomes the "telltale heart" that makes your Blood pressure rise every time you look at it. And if you knew what people do to re-con cars.........

Lets just say sawdust in the differential is the least of your worries.

Cost of ownership is much more than payment. Last time I looked the cheapest car to insure was a Chrysler MiniVan. Better gas mileage and fewer major maintenance issues are considerations as well as a longer post loan service life if you choose to keep it longer than the loan term.

If image is an issue, well.....

Probably shoulda thought about that before you got yer tukus married and started having kids.

[lazs2]

my Lincoln Town car seats 6 pretty well and gets 23 or so mpg..   it has a 2 body trunk too.

lazs

[Chairboy]

The numbers just don't add up, Thruster.

The depreciation is immediate and harsh.  Wife owned a Suburban a while ago.  It was two years old when we bought it and had depreciated by almost 20k already, very much like her Volvo.  Think about it, that means that even if she pays ten THOUSAND dollars in unexpected repairs, she still comes out ahead.  And of course, we never had anything anywhere near that.  A used vehicle may have a problem, but you perform a mechanical inspection before purchase to make sure there aren't any expensive ones.  

Is that funky cup holder really worth $20,000 in real money to you?  Because that's basically what your argument comes down to.

If you buy new, buy because you want new and are willing to pay a premium, not because you think you'll save money.  That's a fool's errand.

[Thruster]

Of course the numbers add up. Otherwise I wouldn't have mentioned it.

Comparing high end cars to what a young family needs for day to day transportation seems a fools indulgence to me.

From what I read, the total purchase price of their new vehicle will probably be in the 20k range and with two little ones and a "tight budget" my advice is spot on and time tested. A 20k purchase price differential is an inappropriate assumption.

Besides the real world issues of buying cars that were not premium when new, there's the issue of higher interest rates, and abbreviated loan terms that affect monthly out of pocket.

For the vast majority of people in Republic's position, that is the most reasoned solution. That's why there are so many out there.

[ZetaNine]

Originally posted by republic
We currently drive a 2006 Toyota Matrix XR 5 speed.  Great little car but...it's too little for our growing family.  I've been in the market for a....gasp....minivan.  I need something with lots of room, and I'm on a very tight budget. (I've got an old pickup I'll need to be replacing soon as well.)  I really like the Kia sedona but where I live there are almost as many Chevrolet dealerships as there are trees so I've been looking at the Chevrolet Uplander.

Any of you have any experience with the Uplander, what should I look out for?

I had been holding off hoping I could find an idividual to sell my Matrix to rather than have to fool with trading it in...but it's getting really frustrating traveling with the baby in the matrix, especially with another one likely on the way soon.

ASK ANY Post 1999 HYUNDAI OWNER:

Then Look at anything Hyundai.....
Safest...best backed....best built.....more extra features........least expensive. Hyundai is the toyota of 1982....best thing going....just that nobody knows it yet. DONT LISTEN TO THE UNEDUCATED...GO TEST DRIVE SOME OF THE HYUNDAI VEHICLES & SUV'S....or talk to Hyundai owners....they literally don't break. so much so that dealers typically don't even stock common things like a/c compressors/alternators/starters/etc...