4 car choices - which to choose?

[CBCJ1979]

Thank you in advance for any comments/feedback you can offer!

I’m looking to trade in my 2006 Toyota Sienna with 80,000 miles and reoccurring brake/rotor/caliper problems that are becoming a major nuisance. Plus, I’m a single Mom of 2 kids and really no need for such a big car for the 3 of us. However, I do carpool on occasion, take trips with the kids often where we drive far distances and like the extra room, but I’m over being the 31 year old single mom in the van..So, I’m looking to replace and get into something new. However, just as many other posters have shared in other posts, car buying is such a hassle, just trying to figure out what I want is becoming a problem.

I test drove a 2011 Kia Sorento and liked it enough, liked the options it had, liked the incentives and trade in amount they are offering for my Sienna, but I’m not 100% sold.

Some other runners I have on my list are:
Used 2010 Ford Flex with 12,000 miles. This gives me a 3rd row which I could use as needed
Used 2007 Ford Edge SEL (various models at my desired price range)
Or
Used Honda CRV EX

So, given those choices, which would you choose? Or is there something else I should consider?

I don’t live the RAV4, don’t like the Forester…

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I would go with the Ford Flex - new enough to get something that will last and be reliable while driving around the kids, big enough to meet your needs without being too big, but still not brand new so you save a bundle.

 

[merekc]

I am not familiar with the Ford cars, but I would steer clear of the Kia. I had a Sedona and had nothing but problems.

I recently bought a new vehicle and considered a CRV. Consumer Reports consistently rank it high and I really liked it when I test drove it. It was probably my 2nd choice after what I purchased and only due to the fact I wanted something a little bigger.

Good luck.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

If I see multiple cars I like, by default I would go with the one with the best gas mileage.

 

[JoiseyMom]

I am currently driving the SOrrento (Rental) and I don't like it at all. My DS9 doesn't have enough leg room in the back!

My car is a 2010 Equinox, and I love that. Good luck with your choices.

 

[tvguy]

I'd say all are good choices.
But the best choice would be to find a different (better) mechanic, get the brakes fixed properly, and keep the van you have and drive it another 100,000 miles or so.
The sales tax, higher registration and insurance and depreciation alone on any of those newer cars will be greater than several brake jobs on your current van. And of course, you could just be buying a different qwirk with a different car.

 

[crazelion]

None. I would Nissian Sentra 2010 modol or the Vesra. New Nissian sentra is huge compare to my Nissian sentra 1993. By the way drive the wheels of the Nissian sentra.

My top choices for cars something made by Nissian , Honda, Toyota.

I love my car. I had for two years.

 

[crazelion]

H@ll no I would not buy a Ford.

 

[Green Tea]

Not the Flex, please not the Flex. That has got to be one of the worst looking cars in production.

The Honda will be the most reliable.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

GO WITH THE HONDA!!!!!!!!!

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

My family has no luck with fords they always turn out to be a bunch of crap (4 different cars and 4 different drivers) I'd go with the Honda it will be the most reliable

 

[HannaBelle]

Have you considered a Scion xB? The current body style is much more stylish that the previous body style and you cannot beat the reliability of a Toyota. Now that being said, I am going to have to agree with you about the Sienna’s. I have a 2007 and it has not done as well as my 2000 did. DH drives a 2006 Rav4 and it is not nearly as comfortable at the Scion xB

My DS17 drives an '08 Scion and they are very roomy and have a great safety rating. I personally would love to sell my van and get one for myself, but DH is not on board with that.

I have looked at the Ford Flex b/c they are nice looking, but I was honestly disappointed with their gas mileage. It is not any better than my van.

Good luck!!!

 

[tvguy]

My family has no luck with fords they always turn out to be a bunch of crap (4 different cars and 4 different drivers) I'd go with the Honda it will be the most reliable

Just the opposite here. 27 years with one Ford, 18 with another (longer if DD hadn't totaled it) , 16 with a third Ford (only got rid of it because I needed a bigger car).
We run a fleet of Explorers at work, 250,000 miles before we turn them in.
(I don't believe in those reliablity studies....so I won't mention Ford beat Honda and Toyota in the last ones....oh sorry, I slipped)

 

[CBCJ1979]

Yes - but I don't want to keep this van. It has been nothing but problems and again, I am a single woman with 2 kids, this big van is unnecessary for us.

I'd say all are good choices.
But the best choice would be to find a different (better) mechanic, get the brakes fixed properly, and keep the van you have and drive it another 100,000 miles or so.
The sales tax, higher registration and insurance and depreciation alone on any of those newer cars will be greater than several brake jobs on your current van. And of course, you could just be buying a different qwirk with a different car.

 

[schmitty]

Kia Forte Hatchback. Its a great car with great interior space. Can fit four adults comfortably and gets 36 MPG highway.

 

[HannaBelle]

I'd say all are good choices.

But the best choice would be to find a different (better) mechanic, get the brakes fixed properly, and keep the van you have and drive it another 100,000 miles or so.

The sales tax, higher registration and insurance and depreciation alone on any of those newer cars will be greater than several brake jobs on your current van. And of course, you could just be buying a different qwirk with a different car.

I mean absolutely no disrespect, but I disagree with this statement. As a single mom, I would think you want a car that is going to be as maintenance and problem free as possible. That will not happen with an older car/van.

You have to factor in loss of work, hassle and safety issues as well when considering keeping an older vehicle vs buying new.

BUT that is absolutely MY personal opinion.

 

[Christine]

I happen to have the latest Consumer Reports here that rates the new models.

The Kia Sorento isn't rated horribly but, in its class, the Highlander is much better.

The Honda CRV is the top rated in it's class.

The Ford Flex is in the large SUV category and is not a recommended vehicle in any form unless you purchase the EcoBoost model, which is top rated.

The Ford Edge doesn't seem to be listed at all.

 

[schmitty]

I happen to have the latest Consumer Reports here that rates the new models.

The Kia Sorento is rated horribly but, in its class, the Highlander is much better.

The Honda CRV is the top rated in it's class.

The Ford Flex is in the large SUV category and is not a recommended vehicle in any form unless you purchase the EcoBoost model, which is top rated.

The Ford Edge doesn't seem to be listed at all.

Dont take Consumer Reports seriously. They base many results on older cars not brand new models.
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/20...s-survey-analysis-part-one-insufficient-data/

 

[Christine]

Dont take Consumer Reports seriously. They base many results on older cars not brand new models.
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/20...s-survey-analysis-part-one-insufficient-data/

I don't live my life by them, for sure. They steered me wrong many years ago on a baby stroller! However, I do use them as a general guideline and one of many things I look at. According to their article, they use data from 2001-2010 automobiles to forecast how well a 2011 will do.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Just the opposite here. 27 years with one Ford, 18 with another (longer if DD hadn't totaled it) , 16 with a third Ford (only got rid of it because I needed a bigger car).
We run a fleet of Explorers at work, 250,000 miles before we turn them in.
(I don't believe in those reliablity studies....so I won't mention Ford beat Honda and Toyota in the last ones....oh sorry, I slipped)

Same here - 30+ years of reliable Fords. It is not by chance that Ford was the only American car maker that did not need a government bail out.