Please help me buy a vehicle XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

[SandraC]

Hi all ~ My car died so we are looking at new/used cars. It's a second family car so I won't be driving far ~ lots of short trips. However, we would like the vehicle of pull our tent trailer. DH is looking at Mini Van or SUV's. Used Windstars are in ouir price range ~ we have looked at 2001 and 2002 Windstars. We are also consider Montana's, Quests, other mini vans and even SUV's. What do you think? Thanks! Sandra

 

[Tina]

I'd look at used Toyota's and Honda's. You can't go wrong with either. I recommend picking up the latest issue of Consumer Reports. The new car buyers issue just came out a few weeks ago. It has a section of used cars to avoid and used cars that are good. Its a good starting place.

 

[crazywig]

i'll put in a vote for a honda odyssey. i have an '03 and love it! (but they are pricey)

 

[SandraC]

Hi ~ Thanks ~ we have eliminated Winstars and Caravans from our search. I would love a Honda or Toyota! S

 

[seashoreCM]

If the vehicle is being financed through the dealer or by the dealer, do not drive it out of the dealership until the financing has been approved by the lender (financier) and signed by the manager of the dealership, with all the numbers written down and agreed upon, and the time and place of making payments written down too.

There have been times when the customer drove the car home and a week or two later the dealership calls and says the financing was not approved so the car has to come back and then they try to charge you 50 dollars a day and 50 cents a mile.

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3/75 World Inn (now Doubletree Club)
4/85 Kon-Tiki (now Econolodge Hawaiian)
'80s Disneyland once or twice
7/94 Dixie Landings (now Port Orleans Riverside)
9/97 All Star Music
11/98 ASMu & first premium annual pass
12/98 Knights Inn on 192
9/99 All Star Movies
12/00 All Star Sports & PAP#2
9/01 ASSp
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You could argue that the dealership should either (1) become the financier and accept the agreed upon monthly payments or (2) take back the car at no more than zero dollars a day plus (your purchase price) divided by (lifetime of 150,000 miles) per mile (straight line depreciation rather than auto dealer computed depreciation) but who needs to spend all that time arguing?

 

[RoyalCanadian]

If a minivan is what you're looking for, I would wholeheartedly recommend the Toyota Sienna. This is probably the best minivan available on the North American market today.

 

[JohnnyOldBoy]

An important consideration is the total weight of your trailer loaded. Many front wheel drive minivans are not suited for towing. A better choice may be the Chevy Astro, a rear wheel drive design with a full frame or an SUV, even a two wheel (rear)drive model. A good database of vehicle tow ratings can be found at
http://towrating.trailerboats.com/

 

[LIFERBABE]

If you find an LE or XLE they come with the tow package.

We purchased ours in 2001 and have made 2 2400 mile trips to WDW. I really like the newer models and they have lots of bells and whistles, but my 2001 LE has been carefree!

Much better gas mileage than an SUV too.

 

[hercamore]

We pull our camper trailer with our older GMC Safari van Very reliable and GMC Safari's have bigger engines than some of the mini vans.

herc.

 

[maciec]

If you haven't been to Edmund's definitely check it out.

We just bought a 2004 Toyota Sienna and I was able to negotiate a pretty good deal thanks to all of the information I got off of Edmund's. Be sure to check out the Town Hall also. Lots of valuable information from people who have already bought.

 

[Bird-Mom]

I would love a toyota sienna; that is my number one choice. We currently have a Nissan Xterra, and it is a great car. I would recommend Nissan also. The only thing that I don't like is that the backseat is a little bumpy, but then again, I can get pretty severe motion sickness riding in the backseat. My dh thinks the bumps are all in my head. The new Nissan Quest is in the top 3 minivan choices for 2004. I hope when we trade in our Xterra to get the Sienna or Quest.

We used to have a 95 Chrysler Town and Country LXI which I loved until the transmission started to go. That didn't happen until there was over 125k miles on it. We opted to get a new vehicle instead of having the van fixed because we had a new baby on the way and didn't want to deal with the potential of a transmission that would never be the same. We both had previous cars with replaced transmissions that just didn't work the same after the replacement.

 

[chadfromdallas]

God hates people who drive SUVs


Get the minivan.

 

[maciec]

That's a terrible thing to say! I hope you were just kidding.

 

[sgtdisney]

We have had 2 Pontiac Montana's now. Our first was a regular wheelbase and when we had our second child we wanted the extended length van so we traded it in on one. We have had very good luck with both of them so far.

 

[chadfromdallas]

Originally posted by maciec
That's a terrible thing to say! I hope you were just kidding.

Nope.

 

[Meagansmom]

My vote is for the Honda Odyssey! We just bought a new one. We have looked at everything!!

 

[fran99999]

I was having the same issue about a NEW car. I finally spoke with a few friends and they suggested I go talk to a few (5)mechanics (3) full car and (2) transmission rebuilders. Out of a Jeep, Ford and Chevrolet. The one that had the strongest motors and transmissions was a Chevrolet.

Don't take my word go ask yourself. Mine gave an honest answer.

One of the Transmission shops also had a Minivan that they just rebuilt the trans in and the people couldn't afford to pay the bill. They said if I waited 2 more weeks they would have clear title and would sell to me for $$.

I bought a new Blazer 4X4 with the tow pkg not my first choice but all 5 agreed ( independently) this was the strongest motor and transmission to get many miles and years out of.

 

[maciec]

chadfromdallas

I am not even going to dignify that with an answer

 

[memymomonica]

I drive a Jeep Liberty and I love it. I only have 1 kiddo though. It has an awesome turn radius and has never been a problem. I only wish it had a sunroof.

 

[chadfromdallas]

Originally posted by maciec
chadfromdallas

I am not even going to dignify that with an answer