Budget buster- new to us car!

[MomtoGKC]

We knew we were going to look for a new to us car in the next few months since DH got a new job in December (budget booster!) We had a 98 Volvo stationwagoon with 121,000 mile that I loved for its size and ease to drive, but I hated that we were averaging between $250-300 a month in repairs with our mechanic!!

The last straw for me was when the anti lock brake system light came on a few weeks ago. We also needed new front tires. We're going to Disney in a few weeks and driving 3 hours each way - I was not happy about driving that far with those problems. So, we thought we'd start looking around now.

Tuesday I found one I liked online and knew that this type of car goes quickly at Carmax. So, while DH was at work I grabbed the kids and thought I'd take a quick run up there to test drive it. Hah! As soon as I pulled off I-95 the thing started smoking out the hood! OK - so now maybe we're going to accelerate the car buying process a little. I was ready to drive out of there with the new car but I couldn't because DH wasn't there to sign all the papers.

So, we hobbled home and made it within a mile of our house before the smoke started again. The next day DH & I went back up without the kids (thank god - it took over 2 hours!) and got the car - a Toyota Sequoia. I didn't want such a huge gas guzzler, but I wanted reliable and three rows and DH refused to consider minivans - so this one was one of two that fit the bill (Honda Pilot was the other.)

I really didn't want to add another loan since we're finally doing so wel on getting rid of our debt, but I really needed a safe car. Luckily it really isn't a budget buster for us, we can ahndle the payments easily, it's just that I wish my other car didn't die so I would have had that extra money for other things.

Oh well, I also started working part time now so hopefully this debt wil be gone in a few months then we can pay off the car ASAP.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

You can't go wrong with a Toyota. I have an 2004 Rav with over 100k miles on it and we have done very little repairs on it! All repairs were totally expected and within the norm for the amount of miles on the car (i.e. latest was the serpentine belt was starting to wear), nothing that left me stranded or smoking on the side of the highway!

I found a really good independent mechanic that is MUCH cheaper than the Toyota delaer to repair!

 

[MomtoGKC]

That's why I insisted on a Toyota or Honda - I needed reliability this time!

And I like your user name - you'll be happy to know the very first thing I did before we even left the dealer was to peel off my Red Sox window cling from the old car and put it on the new one.

 

[natenapril]

I sold my Sequoia last year and miss it so much. It was a great car. 2001 with 170,000 miles and going strong. We bought a new Toyota Tundra but it's just not he same as packing everything and everyone into my Sequoia

 

[nowellsl]

You can't go wrong with a Toyota. I have an 2004 Rav with over 100k miles on it and we have done very little repairs on it! All repairs were totally expected and within the norm for the amount of miles on the car (i.e. latest was the serpentine belt was starting to wear), nothing that left me stranded or smoking on the side of the highway!

I found a really good independent mechanic that is MUCH cheaper than the Toyota delaer to repair!

I bought a 2001 Rav4 last year with 37,000 miles on it - Love it!

 

[DawnM]

That is LOW mileage for an 8 year old car! Awesome find!

Dawn

I bought a 2001 Rav4 last year with 37,000 miles on it - Love it!

 

[DawnM]

We have a Sequoia.

It is a 2004 with 85,000 miles on it and it runs like the day we bought it, not kidding! People still complement me on it and are shocked when I tell them it will be 6 years old in April!

I imagine will get another 10 years out of it easily.

Dawn

 

[vegasnative]

I LOVE the new Sequoias. They are very nice looking. My van is only 3-years old, so I'm going to try to my best to ride it for a few more years but if I were going to get something new today I would also be looking at Toyota...and this is coming from a die hard Honda gal. I think Toyotas are just a smidge better than Honda, and again, die hard Honda fan here (I drive an Odyssey)....although that new Honda Accord Crosstour is pretty sweet looking!

 

[MomtoGKC]

I wanted an Oddesey but DH said NO WAY to minivans. Of course he seems to forget I am going to be driving it 90% of the time! Oh well, I love this car so far and I love that when we go to Disney in 2 weeks my kids can sit AWAY form each other!!

Oh, it had such low miles because it came off a lease so it looks nice and clean inside, too. Of course I have 3 kids so it probably won't stay that way for long!

 

[vegasnative]

I wanted an Oddesey but DH said NO WAY to minivans. Of course he seems to forget I am going to be driving it 90% of the time! Oh well, I love this car so far and I love that when we go to Disney in 2 weeks my kids can sit AWAY form each other!!

Oh, it had such low miles because it came off a lease so it looks nice and clean inside, too. Of course I have 3 kids so it probably won't stay that way for long!

We also have 3 kids, and when we got our van, it came with the carpet floor mats in a plastic package (all together). I told my hubby not to even open the package, we will save the mats for later. So, for 3 years now I have been driving around with nothing on the floor boards (it is a rubber built in type mat). So whenever we do go to sell the van, someone is going to get some brand spanking new floor mats!!! Just kidding, I will probably use them around year 8 or so. Kids and cars, I don't know what it is, but all kinds of things get dropped in cars. Ya know when you open a gallon of milk, and that little strip of plastic that seals the lid, well I found one of those in my van one time. What on earth? We don't open gallons of milk in our van!?! Do we? Who knows what goes on back there.

 

[DawnM]

I wanted a Sienna. DH wanted a Tundra (truck that seats 5).

We compromised and got the Sequoia. DH can have his towing capacity and I can have my seating.

Of course, it cost more that way......but we plan to make this thing last forever, so we are ok with it. It has been paid for since '07!

Dawn

I wanted an Oddesey but DH said NO WAY to minivans. Of course he seems to forget I am going to be driving it 90% of the time! Oh well, I love this car so far and I love that when we go to Disney in 2 weeks my kids can sit AWAY form each other!!

Oh, it had such low miles because it came off a lease so it looks nice and clean inside, too. Of course I have 3 kids so it probably won't stay that way for long!

 

[MomtoGKC]

I was actually surprised that the 2005 Sequoia was less (by a little) then comparable Odesseys with similar mileage!

And I totally understand the milk thing! I find the weirdest things int he back of my car. it doesn't help that DH likes to let the kids have things like chocolate milk and frostys in the car! I told them from now on it was cheerios and water - kind of like baby prison!