Car Buying Dilemma

[RC Fan]

Car and Driver just did a long term test of an Acura (made by Honda) and their biggest gripe was all of the problems that they had with the car, the unscheduled stops to the repair shop, and they have a great reputaion for reliability.

I read the C & D article too, however I feel confident this particular car is the exception rather than the rule.

I think the OP is headed in the right direction with the Sienna or the Odyssey.

 

[DisneyBaby!]

Sorry,
Did not mean to give the impression that there are problems with the brand, just it can happen to any brand and there really is not a big difference in quality between most brands today. I wanted to make the point that the OP should get what they want and not be worried about the quality

 

[tar heel]

It sounds like you have at least some interest in not spending $$$. When we researched vans, we came to two conclusions:

1 -- The Oddysey holds its value amazingly well. This is great if you own one, but not useful at all if you're looking at two-year-old lease returns. (We were not looking at the Sienna b/c we considered it too small -- I think they've made it larger now)

2 -- The Grand Caravan doesn't hold its value nearly as well, so you can get a real deal on a lease return with 20,000 or so miles on it.

We decided we were either going to go with a new Oddysey or a used Grand Caravan. We ended up with a two-year-old Grand Caravan with every bell ad whistle and an extended warranty. It cost roughly half the list price of like-equipped new one.

 

[Nicolepa]

Our Odyssey has the rear fold and go seating (whatever it's called in the Odyssey). It doesn't have the middle fold and go, but I can't imagine that there would ever be a reason to need it and didn't even know it was offered in a van. If we have to carry something big we can take the middle seats out, but I don't think we've ever done that in the Montana. We're using those seats for the kids, afterall. The fold and go is nice in the "way back" seats and even nicer is the "well" in the trunk area. The groceries now do not end up in the front of the van like sometimes happened in the Montana. Not sure what the Sienna has.

As of 2005 the Sienna has the rear stow and go as well. I love it!

 

[Disney_1derland]

No real advice, we are in pretty much the EXACT same situation. #3 is due in July, we just bought a new car last July, it only seats 4 so we really are stuck into buying a new car. We have yet to find a 'car' that has a big enough back seat for two high back boosters and an infant seat. Camry, not quite enough room, avalon does but more pricey than we were hoping to go. We're looking at vans, suv's and can't quite decide what we're going to do.

 

[Christine]

No real advice, we are in pretty much the EXACT same situation. #3 is due in July, we just bought a new car last July, it only seats 4 so we really are stuck into buying a new car. We have yet to find a 'car' that has a big enough back seat for two high back boosters and an infant seat. Camry, not quite enough room, avalon does but more pricey than we were hoping to go. We're looking at vans, suv's and can't quite decide what we're going to do.

Have you looked at the Highlander? It seats 5 VERY comfortably and has lots of storage in the back. It is roomier than the Camry and you could probably put 3 carseats in the back.

 

[golfgal]

Sorry,
Did not mean to give the impression that there are problems with the brand, just it can happen to any brand and there really is not a big difference in quality between most brands today. I wanted to make the point that the OP should get what they want and not be worried about the quality

I really have to disagree with this. We have owned Toyotas and American cars and there IS a HUGE quality difference between the two. Our American cars were constantly having little things go wrong, door panels falling off, the ignition tumbler breaking, electrical issues all the time, etc. We had our Toyota for 16 years and the only repair we did was to put in a new starter. Most of the issues we have had with the American cars have been minor, but they are still a day in the shop, not being able to use your car, etc. and the cost ads up over time, probably close to $2000 over the life of the car for "minor" repairs. The quality control standards for American made cars is just not as high as those for foreign cars.

There is a trade off and American cars are less expensive to buy. I was set to buy a Toyota Sienna until Dodge came out with the stow-n-go seating and now we will probably buy one of those this summer. We are willing to accept the fact that we will just have to put more money into repairs. The seating flexibility is the trade off for us.

Nicolepa--the rear seat of the Sienna folds into the floor. The Stow-n-Go seating for the Dodge/Plymouth vans is middle row and the back row fold into the floor. Toyota does not have that option.

 

[golfgal]

Have you looked at the Highlander? It seats 5 VERY comfortably and has lots of storage in the back. It is roomier than the Camry and you could probably put 3 carseats in the back.

Something else to think about with buying only a 5 passenger car is that you will never be able to drive anyone else but your family in your car. I know that it seems like we always have an extra kid along when we go anywhere and with 3 kids that means a mini-van or large SUV.

 

[Christine]

Something else to think about with buying only a 5 passenger car is that you will never be able to drive anyone else but your family in your car. I know that it seems like we always have an extra kid along when we go anywhere and with 3 kids that means a mini-van or large SUV.

My Highlander has the 7-passenger seating option. Now, I would *never* want to sit in the back bench, but it is fine for 2 children and it has worked for us if we needed more people in the car. Over Christmas, my family went to see Wicked and we had my parents with us, so one of the kids got to sit in the back seat (which we just pop up when we need it).

 

[RC Fan]

I really have to disagree with this. We have owned Toyotas and American cars and there IS a HUGE quality difference between the two. Our American cars were constantly having little things go wrong, door panels falling off, the ignition tumbler breaking, electrical issues all the time, etc. We had our Toyota for 16 years and the only repair we did was to put in a new starter. Most of the issues we have had with the American cars have been minor, but they are still a day in the shop, not being able to use your car, etc. and the cost ads up over time, probably close to $2000 over the life of the car for "minor" repairs. The quality control standards for American made cars is just not as high as those for foreign cars.

ITA!

 

[RitaZ.]

Go to Edmunds.com. Check out the forums on the particular make and model that you're interested in. Lots of good info there. Good luck!

 

[poohbear1029]

Definitely if you go by Consumer Reports you should get the Toyota or the Honda mini-vans....but realistically, I dont believe that either of those companies haggle on the prices as much as american made cars.

We are in the process of buying a Chrysler Town & Country. My first choice was a Honda....but we were able to get a deal through a military buying program on the Chrysler. The difference allowed us to get a car with more whistles and at a price that makes up for the drop in value when you drive it off the lot. You may be able to get some sort of similar promotional deal.

Also...if you have carmax in your area, they will buy your car from you. We are going to sell our current car to them when the van comes in. Its a better dea for us to do that v. trade. They had some very nice used vans on the lot, but they didnt have the features we were looking for.

Check them out at www.carmax.com to see if they are in your area.

 

[DisneyBaby!]

I have to say that the Nissans I have owned, 3, have had more problems that the American cars we have owned. Had a Saturn LS, that no problems, a Escape that spent no time in the shop and the Dodge, the only problem was caused by a spilled juice, not their problem. My Nissan had phantom door locking, A console cover that is broken, a gas guage that reads empty with 5 gallons left and it is less than 1 year old. The other 2 had a emission control problems that kept turning the check engine light on and leaveing the exhaust with a rotten egg smell. BUT I never let those minor issues bother me, I liked the cars. The biggest factor is how well the cars are maintained and how they are driven. I know people that have 10 yo american made cars and trucks with 150,000 miles, no problems, but my dads BMWs that are driven about 1 mile to and from work are fried after 3 years.

 

[RC Fan]

I think Honda and Toyota are in a class of their own as far as quality and reliabilty. Nissan at this point perhaps has a bit to go to enter that class.

As far as the German brands, I believe there have been some reliability issues.

I'm a Subaru fan myself, but I would buy a Honda or a Toyota without hesitation.

 

[Christine]

I think Honda and Toyota are in a class of their own as far as quality and reliabilty. Nissan at this point perhaps has a bit to go to enter that class.

As far as the German brands, I believe there have been some reliability issues.

I'm a Subaru fan myself, but I would buy a Honda or a Toyota without hesitation.

Yep, Nissan has *never* been able to get to the quality of a Toyota or Honda--that was even true in the late 70s, when we had a first "Datsun". We also had a Toyota that just ran circles around the Datsun/Nissan. For some reason, they've never been able to pull up to the Toyota/Honda quality.

We've had Toyotas, Hondas, a Mazda, and currently also have Dodge. The Dodge Dakota is truly a nightmare compared to any car I've ever had.

 

[Disney_1derland]

Have you looked at the Highlander? It seats 5 VERY comfortably and has lots of storage in the back. It is roomier than the Camry and you could probably put 3 carseats in the back.

thanks for the suggestion, I will definitely look into it!