New Car Advice About This Page:

[SarahJ]

OK you guys, DH is seriously considering trading in my Buick for a minivan or SUV. If you haven't seem the thread about my morning, my Buick blew a head gasket today. So I need some opinions on models, etc.

What we're looking for is enough room for DD in her carseat and since we'd like to have another child, room for a second car seat is important. We need to be able to put the dog in the back in his crate along with a stroller and some luggage for road trips. All wheel drive or 4x4 would be really nice. If it has three rows of seats the third row must fold flat. And we'd like to stay under $30,000.

Some minivans we would consider are the Chevy Venture, Honda Odyssey and Dodge Caravan. SUV's we've thought about include Chevy Tahoe and Trailblazer, (And their GMC counterparts). We would consider new or used, I hear we could get a good deal on a 2003 model since they're trying to move them for the 2004's.

Any opinions?

[DisneyMomma]

Sorry the vehicle is giving you so much trouble. (I just took DH to pick up our Camry. It's 8 years old and still running strong - except for the motor mounts. Now we have new ones and $300 less in the checking account. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] )

We just bought a Honda CR-V EX and LOVE IT!!!!!!! I love all the room and the fact that it has little compartments for everything (like my sunglasses, the CDs, etc.) The back cargo area is very roomy too. It's easy to drive and will be great in the winter weather.

The end of the year *is* a great time to buy! You should be able to find some great deals.

Good luck. Let us know what you decide on!

[DVC_Don]

We are due for a new minvan next spring. Ford is coming out with a new "Freestar" to replace the Windstar in a few weeks. There may be some deals on the 2003 Windstars sitting around. Another we have been researching is the Pontiac Montana with all wheel drive. We also have looked at the new Toyota van and Honda van, but the dealers around jack up the prices over sticker and will not budge. If you can get one for sticker price that's a good deal? Not to me. Good luck van hunting.

[GoofyMom]

We have the Venture's sister van, the Montana. It's a 2003. I love it, except for one thing. It has kinda poor visibility in parking lots when you're backing up. But it has enough room for our 2 teens, 3 big suitcases, a small cooler, a couple golf bags, and Goliath (90 pound dog). I solve the backing up problem by parking a little farther away from the store and pulling through to the space in front. You also have to really double check your mirrors and shoulder check carefully when you change lanes.

The Honda Odyssey is supposed to be a terrific van, but even 4 or 5 year old used ones were more expensive than our brand new Montana.

[AKLRULZ]

Well, not on your list but we love our Ford Windstar SEL and the Eddie Bauer Ford Explorer. Both have 7 passenger seating but both are very different (my wife doesn't dig the SUV!). I'd give them thumbs up all around - we actually replaced our 95 Windstar with a 2001 model in Sept 2001 b/c we loved the old one so much.

Good luck!

[HiddenMickey]

I drive an Oldsmobile Silhouette and love it. Lots of room, comfy, rides well, has a flat folding rear seat. My sister just bought the Mazda MPV which has been nicely redesigned (she has a 3 yr old and a 4 month old and a dog). Her rear seat really folds in well. They got the really loaded version and I think it was close to $30,000. Has DVD overhead and a sunroof.

-HiddenMickey