4 car choices - which to choose?

[Anne34]

I LOVE the look of the Ford Edge. If it would comfortable fit my family, I would get it. The only thing that holds me back here is that it is a 2007 too. I don't think CRV's are very comfortable & don't like the look of the Flex. Don't know anything about Kias. Go with the one you like the best, you will be driving it for awhile.

 

[JLTraveling]

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)

I agree with this. Just traded in a 2004 Ford E-150 for a 2007 Ford Expedition. There was nothing wrong with the E-150, it had 100K miles and would have easily gone another 100K, but we traded it in for reasons listed below.

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 don't agree with this. My family has a lot of experience with older, high mileage cars over the years, and it's just not worth the hassle. The longest-running was actually a Chevy Cavalier--300,000 miles and still ticking along fine when it was totaled due to frame damage from being rear-ended. But it just isn't worth it to us anymore.

We now have different requirements, since we tow a travel trailer full time. I know extended warranty/mechanical breakdown insurance is a highly controversial topic, but we have a policy on the tow vehicle with the same company that handles our RV, and it's been a godsend. The monthly cost is dirt cheap, our deductible is $100, and they cover EVERYTHING mechanical that you could possibly imagine. Anyway, when the E-150 went over 100K, it was time to start looking, since the mechanical breakdown only covers to 120K.

We also wanted a heavier duty tow vehicle so we can upgrade the RV soon, so like the OP, we had additional reasons for wanting to do a trade in. We got what we wanted with low mileage and a very fair price, and I think it was the right decision.

 

[arminnie]

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.

What kind of crappy cars are you driving that are unreliable so early? I have a 2006 Honda Odyssey. I am single and drive 8-9 hours twice a month through really deserted rural areas. It couldn't be more reliable. Sure I have the oil changed and do the maintenance stuff when needed - but you have to do that even with a brand new car.

This car won't give me problems for years. This is my third Honda. I've kept each for 9-10 years and have never, ever, ever had one break down or have to be towed. My first Honda did have some brake issues - but nothing that put me in danger. I just got them fixed when needed.

The stupid GM cars that I bought in the 70s and 80s were worthless after 24 months - but this is a new world.

 

[tvguy]

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.

No disrespect taken, and no respect meant, but a 4 year old car is old?
My family car is a 1987 Suburban, purchased new, and regularly serviced. Not counting worn out batteries. it has stranded me once in 23 years when a wire in the distributor burned through, been paid for for 20 years. Repairs run me about $1,000 year, which is equal to about about 2 car payments, or about half what the sales tax is on a new $20,000 car, or about a quarter of what I would lose on depreciation. Registration is $97 a year instead of the $400 a year a $20,000 car would cost.

I still think OP would be better off getting the brakes fixed properly, I'm not a
Toyota fan, but 80,000 miles is barely broken in. And none of the models being considered is going to make a major impact in the gasoline bill. EDITED FOR UPDATE
All the models OP is looking at get lower gas mileage according to the EPA website. Sienna 24, Sorrento 19, Edge 20, Flex 20, and the CRV is rated at an identical 24.

 

[TandT]

Honda CRV hands down.

 

[pigletgirl]

No disrespect taken, and no respect meant, but a 4 year old car is old?
.

I agree!

I just was in a car accident last month, and now I have a new-ish car... and let me tell you, even a good brake job is SO MUCH CHEAPER than just getting rid of it, and buying something else.

Plus, if you have a lien on the title, you have to pay that off before getting something else I think.

So, anyways, best of luck in your search, but the cheapest car is the one that is sitting in your garage/driveway.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

Which one has the best warranty? I'm a single mother and the warranty was a big thing for me when I picked out my car (Kia Sentra5). At the time I bought my car Kia was the only company that had the 10 year/100,000 mile warranty, so that is why I went with them.

I have had no problems with my Kia and still love it. It sits 4 comfortably (5 in a pinch) and has a lot of space in the hatchback area.

 

[natenapril]

Have you seen the 2011 Ford Explorer? I am not a huge Ford fan but the Explorer has been around forever. They have redone it and it looks pretty cool. My DH came home today talking about it. It does have 3rd row if you needed it and if you didn't you could fold it up.
Just throwing it out there as an option.

 

[chloeloveless]

I would say choose between the Honda CRV and Ford Flex. It might be a good idea to do some research before hand on their “on-road” costs…you know maintenance, car insurance (The Hartford) etc. to get an idea of how much you will actually be paying for the car on a regular basis.