We really should be buying a car. Vote on our purchase!

[whoisjohngalt]

I don't know if I should be boring you with the background info, but feel free to ask.

As of right now, we have 2011 Subaru and 1997 Nissan.

Subaru is usually for me and the kids.  Husband takes it to work if he needs a 4WD

Nissan is for husband's daily commute (100miles daily) and I take it to go shopping or run errands if I am not bringing the kids.  Nissan is a 2 door, small car and not a 4WD

Subaru has 62K and Nissan has 176K

We are trying to decide between two options

1.  Buy another small car for husband's daily commute
2.  Buy a big truck, like Tahoe for me and the kids and husband will take over Subaru.

If we go with option 1 - it will most likely be a new car, either Chevy Impala or Nissan Altima.  No Honda or Toyota.

If we go with option 2 - we want Tahoe.  I can't spend $50K on a new one and am having a hard time spending $40K on a used one, that would be 1-2 yrs old.  The reason I can't do with lower model Tahoe is bc i HAVE TO have a back up camera and only more expensive models have that.  Otherwise, I don't need any bells and whistles in my car

Here are the rules:

You can ask any questions you want
You can faint at the thought of buying a $40K car
You can vote once, twice or not at all.

But at the end of your post - you have to tell me what to do!

Go!!

[Peace77]

Why are you thinking of buying a truck?   Are you olannin to buy something that needs to be towed?

[yogiii]

I think the answer depends on how often you find yourself wanting a bigger car right now.

[whoisjohngalt]

My husband thinks that with 3 boys we will outgrow Subaru very soon. 

Even now, wherever we go somewhere it's packed, literally, to the top.  We have a bag on top of the car and trunk is always full.

[busymom]

I vote for the Impala. You'll definitely get better gas mileage, and, we've road tripped with our kids in one, & they said the ride was comfortable.  A lot can happen over the years, so I'd wait until your kids are older before I'd consider a larger vehicle.

Whatever you decide, best wishes!  

[Blonde Granny]

OK, how old are the kids? How long would you be planning on keeping the vehicle you decide to buy? Are safety features important and have you compared them between the Tahoe & Impala?

on edit: Hands down I'd be buying the Tahoe

[whoisjohngalt]

Jul 30, 2014 9:34:58 GMT -5 Blonde Granny said:

OK, how old are the kids? How long would you be planning on keeping the vehicle you decide to buy? Are safety features important and have you compared them between the Tahoe & Impala?

on edit: Hands down I'd be buying the Tahoe

Kids are 3, 4 and 6.

I like to keep cars forever.  I've had Nissan for 17 yrs, so....

Safety?  I am not the most safety oriented person.

I would love Tahoe, but can't get over the price shock. 

[yogiii]

I hear people with minivans love the sliding doors

[Opti]

Why do you need a backup camera?

Why something like a Tahoe (truck) versus a big SUV or larger vehicle?

Is the current Subaru a Forester or a sedan?

If you go the truck route can you afford the increased gas costs for the life

of the vehicle?

[whoisjohngalt]

Jul 30, 2014 9:42:59 GMT -5 yogiii said:

I hear people with minivans love the sliding doors

Yeah, I hear all kinds of things about all kinds of crazy people....

[whoisjohngalt]

Jul 30, 2014 9:44:23 GMT -5 Opti said:

Why do you need a backup camera?

Why something like a Tahoe (truck) versus a big SUV or larger vehicle?

Is the current Subaru a Forester or a sedan?

If you go the truck route can you afford the increased gas costs for the life

of the vehicle?

I won't be able to park it without the backup camera

Tahoe - bc it's large enough.  Otherwise we would be fine with our Outback.

I have no idea if we can afford things later....I hope so, but nothing is guaranteed, obviously

[muttleynfelix]

Can you get an aftermarket backup camera to install?  I think my boss did that on his wife's traverse.  It was like $300 to buy and install a couple years ago.

Personally, i would be going for the bigger vehicles if you are going to be keeping it into their teen years.  15 year old boys don't fit well in the back seat of sedan (and this was with his 2 much smaller sister's sitting nearby).   My boss has a Tahoe and I think there are better options out there if you want the space/3rd row seating, but if you are hung up on it, I would spend the extra money now rather than be ticked the next 5 years that you don't have enough room until you give up and go with the larger vehicle.  

[Blonde Granny]

You might not be into the safety aspect of either vehicles, but both the Impala and the Tahoe are on the GM & GMC recall list for problems.

Before I did anything, I'd make sure I knew exactly what the problems are before I signed on the dotted line. AND that the recall repairs had been done.

[whoisjohngalt]

I didn't do any research on Impala, but I thought that Tahoe had good reviews.

thanks for the heads up

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Are you dead set on the Tahoe?  We have a ford Expedition. it has a button to push, and the back seats fold down. So much better than having to take them in and out!!!

Try to get the car used and with really low miles. That was our route, and we all know how financially savvy I am. 

We we use all eight seats frequently. We fill up the back often. And we have four bikes on the back. You'll need five bikes on the back. Definitely the Full sized SUV

Am am I helping? 

[whoisjohngalt]

Yes Knee Deep in Water Chloe you are helping.

My husband doesn't like Fords....

[yogiii]

There are 3 people on my street with 3+ kids that have an Acadia.  Does that help?

usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/GMC_Acadia/

[Blonde Granny]

Jul 30, 2014 10:26:51 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

Yes Knee Deep in Water Chloe you are helping.

My husband doesn't like Fords....

If you remind him about all the problems GM and GMC are having, he likely won't like them either. Our son just bought a 2 year old black Suburban, it looks just like the FBI vehicles. Anyway, he kids are now 16, 14 & 9. Our DIL still drives a 4 or 5 y/o Volvo X 90 which does have a third row seat, but it makes it very cramped on the inside for the 3 kids in the back.

You stated no Honda or Toyota, you're running out of makes to choose from.  How about Nissan?

[whoisjohngalt]

Nissan would be good, but I am not sure they are any better now.

[nutty]

My 1997/98/99 Ford Expedition finally died a few weeks ago. I loved that car. It had 192000 miles.

[Deleted]

You couldn't pay me to drive a GM vehicle. 

Ok, I'd maybe do it if I was being paid...but I wouldn't buy one, so my only remaining choice to vote for from the list is for the Altima.

[Deleted]

Compare yearly cost of Altima/Tahoe.

Then think of the amount of times per year you would truly need a Tahoe, probably just for long trips. Multiply that times the cost of a rental Tahoe, add to cost of Altima and compare.

I think for most folks it would make more sense to buy the car and rent an SUV when you truly need one.

[lexxy703]

I love SUVs so I vote Tahoe.

[muttleynfelix]

Oh, another option - my boss's Tahoe was a vehicle that had been repoed.  So it was cheaper than just your typical 3 or 4 year old vehicle (I honestly don't remember how old it was when he got it, he got it shortly before I came to work for him 8 years ago).  

[whoisjohngalt]

I really would love to be able to figure out the cost difference, but I am not sure how to do that.

muttleynfelix - we were looking at 1-2 yr old Tahoes and they are about $40K

[Mardi Gras Audrey]

Why not a Toyota or Honda?

I am going outside what you listed and suggesting a Toyota Prius. They come in various sizes (Small, medium, and large) and do well in the snow (My cousin lives in Northern VT and drives 50 miles each way to work. She hasn't had any problems with it).

They are also very reliable, low maintenance, and good on gas mileage. They also come with a backup camera.

If you got one now, it would be ~10 when your boys started driving. They could learn on it, as it would be safe, smaller, and older. At that point, you could get a new car for yourselves!

[muttleynfelix]

Does it have to be 1-2 years old?  Would you be willing to go 3-4 years old?  Are you willing to look at an aftermarket back-up camera?  

[ArchietheDragon]

Jul 30, 2014 12:05:02 GMT -5 @missmargarita said:

I have a back-up camera on my vehicle and I actually find it a bigger pain in the ass than a benefit.  It didn't detect my son's scooter as I backed over it... or the ice chest that my husband backed into...   But backing out of a parking spot the alarms go off because it detects the cars parked next to you. 

You know you are supposed to use your eyes to look at the little screen which shows you what the camera is detecting, right?

[Blonde Granny]

I have a 360 degree back up camera on my ML SUV. I love it!!!! when the vehicle is in reverse it shows 180 degrees for back & side. When it goes into drive, it shows the front & side of where I intend to park. It's the coolest thing ever!!!

[emma1420]

I think you want a Tahoe, so I'd go with the Tahoe.

I think if you buy something other than a Tahoe that you will regret it and wish you'd bought it.  

But, I'd also buy one new not used if they are 40K plus used.  Many SUVs have the back-up camera even the most stripped down model, so I bet by the time you have negotiated with the dealership on the most basic model that the price would be comparable to one that is only a couple years old.  When I bought my Honda, it was actually cheaper than the options used, because I was fine with the base model and most of the used options had a lot more options.  And, if you keep cars until they die, it's not like you need to worry about the depreciation.

Although, personally, I would buy a sedan as it will be cheaper long-term.