I hate car troubles and of course it seems like we are always having them. But then again one car is 13 years old and the other 11 years. I think we might have to bite the bullet and take a loan for a different vehicle. I haven’t wanted to do that, but the repairs we are putting in a year could make a payment on a newer vevhicle. So I think we will start doing some looking around for a new van. I need to stop at the library and do a consumer reports research first, though I think I know what I want. We are going on vacation to SD and had to rent a van to go since my truck won’t hold us all and none of our other vehicles are trust worthy that far away. Hmmm…maybe I will look in SD and see if they are cheaper there. The rental alone is about the equivalent of two months payments on a different van. I will probably go to the credit union this week sometime and see what I can get preapproved for. I am hoping that we can sell the other two cars for enough to buy a third car for around $3,000.00. Nothing great just something to have for Josh and our extra vehicle. We really are in need of two newer vehicles. I would be nice to be able to purchase at least a 2000 model, but we will see what happens. So wish us luck…I hate to have to do it, but it seems like it will be more cost effective in the long run to do this now. The deciding factor for me was that we spent over $2,000 in repairs last year and that would be almost the years payment on a vehicle that costs about $14,000. ARGH!! So if anyone has any advice on a good minivan. let me know. I would like to look at a used Toyota Sienna. My friend says she has had terrible trouble with their Dodge Caravan, has anyone else had trouble with theirs???
Not much else going on….still need to finish up paperwork for my 7:00 meeting tonight. I had weigh in today, but maintained….didn’t gain nor lose. Later!
We just did the new car thing. We had a 1999 Chevy Venture that was very reliable and VERY GOOD on gas. I averaged about 21 mpg around town (remember I’m in hilly WV too). We decided to go with a Dodge Grand Caravan Sport. It was a program vehicle with 19,000 miles on it and we got it for $12,995!
I’ve heard good things about the Toyota Sienna. The Kia Sedona is supposed to be really safe but I felt like it looked cheaply made and it didn’t have a large enough trunk. I love my new DGCS but it doesn’t get near the gas miles the Venture did.
We had great luck on finding program vehicles, you might try for one of those.
Good Luck!
We just did the new car thing. We had a 1999 Chevy Venture that was very reliable and VERY GOOD on gas. I averaged about 21 mpg around town (remember I’m in hilly WV too). We decided to go with a Dodge Grand Caravan Sport. It was a program vehicle with 19,000 miles on it and we got it for $12,995!
I’ve heard good things about the Toyota Sienna. The Kia Sedona is supposed to be really safe but I felt like it looked cheaply made and it didn’t have a large enough trunk. I love my new DGCS but it doesn’t get near the gas miles the Venture did.
We had great luck on finding program vehicles, you might try for one of those.
Good Luck!
If you are looking into something new go for almost new like one that has been a rental car for a year. If you can hold off on some of the car buying I’ve heard January is when dealers sell their cars the cheapest. And of course for buying any type of used car from a private party check what the selling price is at Kelly Blue Book http://www.kbb.com I think.
If you are looking into something new go for almost new like one that has been a rental car for a year. If you can hold off on some of the car buying I’ve heard January is when dealers sell their cars the cheapest. And of course for buying any type of used car from a private party check what the selling price is at Kelly Blue Book http://www.kbb.com I think.
From what I’ve seen an heard, August is the big month, since that is when they get the new cars in. I don’t know how that works with used cars. For a while there was a time, which may still be true, that buying new was actually a better route because you could get better financing, although I have seen used car loans for very low lately. I haven’t owned a new Caravan, but the agency here has one and it is SO nice!! I’ve never been into minivans, but I’d own one of those. Right now I have a Jeep Cherokee – 1998 and I like it but the repairs have been really annoying. Not only expensive, but finding the problem when it arises has convinced dh and I that we won’t be getting another. Jeep is also Crysler, so take that for what it is worth. Good luck with the search! I hate spending money on cars!!