Car buying advice: 55k, 2 cars, big family

[JMapleton]

This is a silly place to ask such a question.

AT Response: Buy the wife a 1989 Dodge Caravan with rust, spend the rest on an M3 with Dinan kit.

But please, don't buy a minivan. Or an M3 if you have kids.

 

[Dr. Zaus]

So I agree with the M3 thing being a joke.

But what's wrong with a mini-van, i'm clearly not looking to get laid and I don't define my value as a person by the kind of car I choose to afford.

 

[SearchMaster]

Minivans are perfect for moving people around, don't let the haters get you down. They drive like (large) cars, are very comfortable, and have a ton of utility. Our new Odyssey is getting 23+ mpg so far in around-town driving - not phenomenal but certainly reasonable for a vehicle of its size.

 

[Brian Stirling]

Yeah, a good minivan for the wife and a Fusion for you. Not sure on which minivan but there's quite a few options. I'd narrow the list down then test drive with the idea of testing it how you plan to use it. The Fusion is just a great car and is, in my view, among the best looking American cars that well made and is a very nice drivers car with lots of tech.


Brian

 

[Zargon]

So I agree with the M3 thing being a joke.

But what's wrong with a mini-van, i'm clearly not looking to get laid and I don't define my value as a person by the kind of car I choose to afford.

some people are too insecure to drive one

don't worry about them

 

[ViviTheMage]

some people are too insecure to drive one

don't worry about them

It's mostly because they are ugly, it is not that we are insecure.

 

[jagec]

It's mostly because they are ugly, it is not that we are insecure.

Sure, but people drive SUVs all day long without worrying about it, and those things are even uglier.

I also see a shocking number of these on the road around here, and it's about as good looking as a 200 lb baby.
The most that you can accuse a minivan of is being boring. Which is always true.

 

[Zargon]

It's mostly because they are ugly, it is not that we are insecure.

plenty of people think our Xterras are terribly ugly vivi

the new dodge vans can be pretty good looking from the factory

Im actually pretty fond of the aesthetics of mine, and the usability of it destroys my X on everything but suspension travel/4x4needs

the sienna is ok looking

I do not like the odysseys looks at all, or the quest(they are terrible)

 

[Scarpozzi]

The car seats are going to be a killer and many of the mini-vans have captain chairs on the second row. Not all SUVs with 3rd row are created equal. Many of them are more like jump-seats than actual seats. Even if they claim to have 3rd row seating, most can fold down and they sacrifice safety and comfort (ie, no leg room) for flexibility.

Look for a Chevy Tahoe or Suburban... Suburban can seat up to 9 in some configurations, but traditionally 8 is the max:

Notice how much more narrow the 3rd row is. In all of these vehicles, the 3rd row is typically over the wheels too, so it's a little higher than the second row. Taller individuals may be close to the ceiling when sitting in those seats. I've got a 4Runner with 3rd row and I feel like I'm going to hit my head if we go over a bump.

 

[BurnItDwn]

The car seats are going to be a killer and many of the mini-vans have captain chairs on the second row. Not all SUVs with 3rd row are created equal. Many of them are more like jump-seats than actual seats. Even if they claim to have 3rd row seating, most can fold down and they sacrifice safety and comfort (ie, no leg room) for flexibility.

Look for a Chevy Tahoe or Suburban... Suburban can seat up to 9 in some configurations, but traditionally 8 is the max:

Notice how much more narrow the 3rd row is. In all of these vehicles, the 3rd row is typically over the wheels too, so it's a little higher than the second row. Taller individuals may be close to the ceiling when sitting in those seats. I've got a 4Runner with 3rd row and I feel like I'm going to hit my head if we go over a bump.

Friend has ford expedition, 3rd row in that thing SUCKS, find for child booster seats, but completely useless for adults. No leg room or head room.

 

[Dr. Zaus]

So a van (say Honda odyssey at 20k) and two six-seat saloons at 17k?

And we leave the van in the garage except when traveling with the whole family.


Is simply renting a van when traveling a viable alternative? at 20k that's at least 100 rentals.

 

[Dr. Zaus]

And after the house is paid off, the kids college fund sacked away, and retirement taken care of, i'm going to save up for this toy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7P4nJzD-4s

 

[Zargon]

So a van (say Honda pilot at 20k) and two six-seat saloons at 17k?

And we leave the van in the garage except when traveling with the whole family.


Is simply renting a van when traveling a viable alternative? at 20k that's at least 100 rentals.

just an FYI for 20K you are getting a Pilot with like 60K miles on it

depending on the size of the family members 200 miles in the 3rd row could be a stretch.

 

[Dr. Zaus]

just an FYI for 20K you are getting a Pilot with like 60K miles on it

depending on the size of the family members 200 miles in the 3rd row could be a stretch.

Sorry, meant honda Odyssey

http://www.carfinder.com/detail.php?sVIN=5FNRL5H27CB011889

 

[Zargon]

damn! that's another 6k where I live, WTF

 

[ansarali2h]

Big family cars need to offer plenty of space, low running costs, and enough power to haul around a heavy load from time-to-time. But they also need to be affordable and robust enough to cope with the day-to-day demands of family life my suggested car for you and in your budget. Skoda Octavia estate Hyundai i40 two cars for your family.


A simple suggestion to you my friend is to give things a bit more thought before posting...?
Also consider as to where you are suggesting things...

Note this is considered a warning...

AT Moderator
Bartman39

 

[alpineranger]

With all the small kids, if they all need car seats, minivan might offer sufficient space. Have you considered the new Ford Transit vans?

 

[DominionSeraph]

Look for a Chevy Tahoe or Suburban... Suburban can seat up to 9 in some configurations, but traditionally 8 is the max:

So instead of something refined, with low step-in, great safety, mid 20's MPG, and sliding doors, you'd recommend something that has single-digit MPG, a bad ride, and is noisy and impossible to park?

 

[thomsbrain]

Honda Odyssey for the van, Honda Fit for the commuter. Both are the bar-setting vehicles in their classes, by far. Over-built, refined, bullet-proof, good MPG, low cost of ownership, high resale value, great to drive for their classes, and shocking amounts of interior space.