Getting my stuff together

[Sam_2.0]

So, I've generally been a YM failure. I need to take steps to rectify that ASAP.

1st question - should I get a different car? I have a 2012 Acadia. AWD with tow package, so the mpg is around 17 if I am lucky. Driving a lot for work now. I really want a van - most convenient with the kiddos and gas mileage is way better than what I have. I still owe on the Acadia, around what its trade-in value is. I would go with a sedan or something even better, but I am going to be the primary driver for the kiddos (DH wont have carseats in his car...he doesn't like the way they look??)

Looking to stay $400 or under on payments so that it's not more than I have now. I had my eye on a Pacifica Hybrid but that will have to wait.

Recs on good used minivans? I need it to last me 5 years or so, not forever. I have time to look at a forever car later. Cheaper now is better. I know honda/Toyota get the immediate gold stars, but are the used ones worth the premium for the short term?

[justme]

My parents have been getting grand caravans as long as I've been old enough to remember! Their last one was slightly used at carmax. I believe it was a rental car that ended up there. They've had it, hmmm at least 5 years with no problem but it's probably several more after that with no big problems and they road trip 1500mi one way every year and regularly have 4 adults and 2 kids in carseats in it (they have captains chairs). My cousin has a caravan too, forget whether it's grand or not, for probably 4 years and I believe they bought new.


And I can't not say it, your husband's a dick about the carseats.

[oped]

Nov 9, 2018 16:55:50 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

So, I've generally been a YM failure. I need to take steps to rectify that ASAP.

1st question - should I get a different car? I have a 2012 Acadia. AWD with tow package, so the mpg is around 17 if I am lucky. Driving a lot for work now. I really want a van - most convenient with the kiddos and gas mileage is way better than what I have. I still owe on the Acadia, around what its trade-in value is. I would go with a sedan or something even better, but I am going to be the primary driver for the kiddos (DH wont have carseats in his car...he doesn't like the way they look??)



Sorry to hijack so early... but I’m guessing he doesn’t like them because they make him look married...

[Sam_2.0]

Or, I should say, if anyone has recs on a sedan that would work ok with 3 carseats I am open to that too. The kids are little so we still have big seats. Minivans are just so dang convenient that's where I went first

[Lizard Queen]

I bought an older Sienna, and I love it. I've had some recall work done, but haven't had any problems with it. Oh, the drivers seat motor quit on me, but the cause was a seat cover. I don't think the has mileage is any better than what you have. You might want to check into that specifically. The newer model years get better.

[andi9899]

I went to cars.com and just put in used minivans between 2013 and current year for under $20K with under 30K miles. Got some decent choices. There was even a Toyota in there which I much prefer to an American car.

www.cars.com/for-sale/searchresults.action/?bsId=20220&mlgId=28870&page=1&perPage=20&prMx=20000&rd=30&searchSource=GN_SELECT&shippable-dealers-checkbox=true&showMore=false&sort=relevance&stkTypId=28881&yrId=47272&yrId=51683&yrId=56007&yrId=58487&yrId=30031936&yrId=35797618&yrId=36362520&zc=66101&localVehicles=false

[justme]

Nissan altima wouldn't fit unless your oldest is in a booster. There's a back facing and front facing in the rear seat and my tiny SIL just fits between the two when needed. Not that helpful I know.

[Happy prose]

Try to see if the 3 seats will fit in a Honda Accord. Best bang for your buck!

[Sam_2.0]

Oldest is in a booster, middle can move to a high back booster soon.

I found some Mazda 5s that may be a good choice. Under $10k too.

[Sam_2.0]

cargur.us/qYn4C
This would get me the gas mileage and room, with the convenience of sliding doors. And I could make a trip to see the NE folks out of it

[Sam_2.0]

How bad would this be? I could just go pay cash for it. Permalink: cargur.us/qYnyh The mileage is worrysome though. 

[cktc]

Nov 9, 2018 17:25:26 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

Oldest is in a booster, middle can move to a high back booster soon.

I found some Mazda 5s that may be a good choice. Under $10k too.

I was going to suggest Mazda. When I was looking at a used lot for crossover Mazda's they said their top seller for families was the minivan.

[muttleynfelix]

We have a 2008 Toyota Sienna. Bought 2.5 years ago for $13k. Mileage was low on it...we still aren't to 100k miles. Yes. It was worth it. I would say,you will probably find something a little older for under $15k and be just fine with it.

[steph08]

I have a 2010 Honda Odyssey. Bought used in September 2017 with 87k miles. I think I paid $17k, or right around there. I can't remember. Love the convenience of the sliding doors - open, kids climb in themselves, etc. I think the cost was worth it. No large problems. I did have a broken caliper this year, so that cost me $250 for a new caliper, rotor, and brake pads all around. 

It has 101k miles, and I anticipate owning the thing forever. 

I do want an SUV, but with the kids, the van is seriously the best. I know it's a "want," but I'm willing to drive a 2010 to get it.

I had a Toyota Camry previously - it had a big back seat, you might be able to get three car seats in there. One year DH and I took a trip to the beach with two of our friends, who are both over six feet tall and they had plenty of room, but not sure on the width. 

[tcu2003]

Be careful with a Caravan and carseat placement. The Car Seat Lady has some great reviews and posts because there are issues with actually being able to safely use carseats in their third row, despite the manufacturer’s claims.

[tcu2003]

We have a 2013 Odyssey and love it! My ILs have two older Siennas and love them. I think theirs might be in the 2005ish range, but I’d have to verify that. They still run really well.

[stillmovingforward]

I had a honda odyssey. Sold it with 280,000 miles and still running great! I never had to do anything major to it. Sold it for a fit. No kids in car seats and no more foster care....

[Works4me]

Go for the minivan. They are practical, comfortable and fun to drive because you feel up high. They are also great for moving things with have great cargo capacity. Get the vehicle you really want as if all goes well, you will be driving it for sometime. 

Still laughing about not liking the way carseats look - too much of a "married with children" look? ROFLMWBO!

[empress of self-improvement]

Nissan Rogue? BIL has one and it holds 3 car seats. 3 expensive-ass car seats, I might add.

[Lizard Queen]

Check out fueleconomy.gov

[justme]

Nov 9, 2018 20:33:52 GMT -5 tcu2003 said:

Be careful with a Caravan and carseat placement. The Car Seat Lady has some great reviews and posts because there are issues with actually being able to safely use carseats in their third row, despite the manufacturer’s claims.

The nieces are safely spoiled in the second row captain chairs in our fam. Me and my mom climb our way to the 3rd row with our 5'10 selves with the girl's mom.

Needless to say I met them at the destination unless it's hours away.

[Sam_2.0]

Nov 9, 2018 22:23:18 GMT -5 empress of self-improvement said:

Nissan Rogue? BIL has one and it holds 3 car seats. 3 expensive-ass car seats, I might add.

I have an SUV now. If I switch, I really want sliding doors. The 4yo and 7yo need to be able to get in and out on their own without causing door dings

[alabamagal]

Not a minivan expert ( well had a Honda Odyssey back in the day untill it got wrecked). Honda and Toyota are always great choices, but you pay a premium for the name. If you want to spend a little less, check out the Mazda’s, Kias and Hyundai’s. They have all improved quality in the last several years and can be better value.

[steph08]

Also meant to say that I agree with Archie on gas mileage. If you get an older van, you might not be saving anything on gas mileage, especially if you do a lot of city driving.

I average about 20mpg in my van, and that's 80% highway. If I do 100% highway, I can get it close to 22/23.

Just reiterating that it isn't going to save you much money to switch. Though I love the sliding doors.

[Shooby]

I have owned and a couple of minivans .  I think there are lot of used minivans out there so I think you could find a used one at a nice price.  I had Toyota Sienna and was happy with that.  The other brands I don't know as i didnt own one.  But  seems reasonable to trade in now while your current car has some value.  

[Shooby]

  We usually try to drive a car long  after it's paid for.  But, not that long ago DH bought a used 2014 Ford Explorer.    After we bought it we had some buyer's remorse.  I mean, it's a nice car but really our sons now have their own cars and DD is just starting to drive and that was too big for  her.  The newer Explorers got bigger and it got horrible gas mileage.  And he really didn't enjoy driving it, the way it handled wasn't really like other cars we owned.  So, we traded it and he got a new Honda CRV.  It's a bit smaller, gets great gas mileage and rides much better for us.  I was getting car sick riding in the front seat of the Explorer and the CRV just rides better for us.
  Anyway, that wasn't our original plan when we purchased the Explorer but sometimes you plans change and it's ok to just go with that. And, i glad we did.  That has worked out better for us.

[oped]

I too am thinking of trading in before the life of the vehicle is over... but i also don't spend much time hauling kids any more and the flex, while such a nice ride, is huge and gets horrid gas mileage. I'm so used to being high and having lots of space now though... it will be an adjustment. 

Sorry i don't have anything to add on vans  

[Sam_2.0]

DH's parents also have a 2004 Sienna that they want to get rid of and they've offered it to us for $1,000. I hate it, lol. But it would be super cheap and do what I need it to. 

[alabamagal]

Nov 10, 2018 9:32:40 GMT -5 oped said:

I too am thinking of trading in before the life of the vehicle is over... but i also don't spend much time hauling kids any more and the flex, while such a nice ride, is huge and gets horrid gas mileage. I'm so used to being high and having lots of space now though... it will be an adjustment. 

Sorry i don't have anything to add on vans  

Hoping the “high” is from riding in a tall vehicle.....

[WholeLottaNothin]

This is not what I thought this thread would be about. *backs out slowly*