Last car payment! What should we buy next?

[tiggerlover]

I just made the last payment on our van, what a great feeling that is!!! Now it is time to start thinking of buying a new car (probably in the next 7 months or so). We are in Italy and can only ship one car back to the US when we move, so we will sell DH's car here and buy a new one when we get back. We are thinking of a Volkswagon or a Honda, but haven't put too much thought into it. Looking for suggestions on autos that you have and love and wouldn't hesitate buying again.

Thanks!

 

[KathyFP]

Toyota!!!!

I have had Celicsa and Camry and have loved them all.

The only thing I have drove for fifteen years.

 

[holycow]

Honda Van here and love it...I just paid ours off and we are thinking of getting another...the new ones are great looking!
Have fun looking at all of the choices!


HC

 

[BedKnobbery2]

Or....hang on to the old car and put what had been your payments into a vacation or savings fund! I've been car-payment free for about 5 years now, the ole Volvo is still running (relatively) strong, and I plan to run it all the way to the ground!

Or, if you feel you must get a car, get a nifty European one and be the envy of your friends when you get home! (Although I'm guessing it'll need some modifications to be driveable in the U.S.!)

 

[Pooh67_68]

Nissan Pathfinder, or some type of Toyota.

 

[Ranatra]

We just paid off our Acura TL last month. For the next 4-5 years I am putting that $400 a month into our variable annuity fund we set up. I Love being car payment free finally.

To answer your original question, I would buy a Honda (Love them!) On the other hand I never had good luck with the volkswagen I bought years ago. It turned out to be a lemon and it was appropriately Lemon Yellow!

 

[bsnyder]

If you're thinking of getting another van, I'd recommend the Honda Odyssey.

My last two vans were Dodge Caravans, which I liked alot, but I LOVE my new Odyssey. That "magic" seat in the back is so easy to fold up or down. We splurged and got the flip down DVD player with the headphones. It's an awesome vehicle on a road trip! Which is probably why I've put almost 10,000 miles on mine, since the end of June!!!

Good luck with the car shopping!

 

[loisg1]

Another vote for Hondas!! All we've had since '82. Started with a Prelude, then Accord, Civic, and presently have two Accords. We'll be payment free starting early March, '04. Can't wait.... although DH racks up the miles daily to work.

Good luck as you make your choice.
Lois

 

[KingsFanInRI]

I have to vote for Toyota as well... I'm a company man I have worked for Toyota for 12 1/2 years and would never recommend anything else (although, if I did recommend something other than Toyota it would be a Honda).

At all costs, avoid the US car companies (I hate the fact that I sound so un-Patriotic when I say that, but as the saying goes, "Friends don't let friends drive American").

 

[SandraM]

What about a Fiat Multipla? It's a real eye-catching car and doesn't it seem kind of right that you bring home an Italian car?
Just a thought.

 

[crazelion]

Nissian car. I happen to love my sentra and it's 10 years old still going strong.

I would buy the Nissian Altima 2004. I happen to love the way the car look.

Here's buy three brand choices:

1. Honda
2. Toyota
3. Nissian

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

I love both of our Honda Cars...Mine has been paid for sense 1995 it still looks good and drives great. My DH now drives mine and I get the new 2003 to drive. I bought DVC with extra income.

 

[wdisneelvr]

Toyota's in our family, love all the different models.

If not a Toyota then a Honda for sure!

Happy car shopping

 

[crazyforgoofy]

Our Honda CR-V has been paid off for a few months and I'm loving it! I put the payments into savings. I've had it nearly 4 years (4 years tomorrow as a matter of fact) and never had to have one thing repaired nor has it been recalled. It gets its regular oil and filter changes and that's it! Has nearly 100 thou on the odometer and doing fine. It may get traded in in April or May as we need more space since Isabella joined our family. I'm thinking Honda Odyssey or the cool new Nissan minivan. I'll miss my little red CR-V though. Good luck on your car hunt.

 

[tiggerlover]

Sounds like a lot of Toyota and Honda fans out there. Thanks for your thoughts. It is great being payment free and we will be for 7 months at least, but since we can only ship one car back to the US we will need to buy a second car upon our return (we must be a two car family!!)

For those of you who prefer the Toyota's and Honda's, which models would you favor as a family car? We already have a van so we do not want to buy another, we would like a nice looking, comfortable four door that is no more than $25,000. Thanks for your help!

 

[momsal]

I am a Honda owner I love my civic!!!!

But I like toyotas also!!!

Go for a civic or accord or camery

 

[loisg1]

We have an '01 Accord. Roomy... expecially with a snail on top for long trips. We had also looked into the Civic in '01 when they came out with their new model and both DH and I could sit in the back leg room wise and he's 6'1" and I'm 5'10". So if it's going to be a work car for DH and Civic would definitely be fine. Either one could come in under the $25K price that you're looking at. Also, you may be able to wait until the end of year clearance prices? Right now certain models are having an APR of only 2.9% for four or five year financing.