Help! We need to buy another car but I have no idea what we want...

@ParaTed2k (22940)
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
December 27, 2006 2:43am CST
Our Chrysler Voyager died last week so now we are in the market for another family car. We have 4 kids, so for the last 20 years our family car has been a minivan. Two of our kids have grown and moved out, and the other two will be gone in the next two years, so a minivan isn't needed anymore. That's the problem we're looking at now. It's been so long that we've paid any attention to the midsized car market, we have no idea what we even want. We're looking for used... in the $15,000 neighborhood. What would you recommend, and why?
7 people like this
26 responses
@Signal20 (2281)
• United States
27 Dec 06
I've got a 2000 Toyota Rav 4(bought it new in Sept. 1999), it's the last year of the older style. Has 110,000 miles on it, and knock on wood, I have had no major problems with it, just the typical maintenance brakes, tires, oil changes, heck I just realized I've never even done a tune up on it lol (Yes, I'm bad about the maintenance stuff once they run out of the warranty, but I did check on that awhile ago, they said not until it hits 100,000). It's a 4 cylinder(less gas), still has pick up and go power-not near like an 8 cylinder but still not bad, gets pretty good gas mileage, back seat folds down if you need more room, if not the back area is pretty roomy for hauling stuff/groceries etc. Seats 5, I think the Toyota Forerunner's seat 7 though. Great, reliable car, and Toyota's are known for holding their resale value, if you don't like the Rav, check the other models they have, I know I'll be buying another Toyota when it's time for a new car.
2 people like this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
27 Dec 06
My dad is a big Toyota fan. He loves the fact that (unlike most cars), it doesn't take major surgery to do operator maintenance like changing sparkplugs and doing oil changes. Thanks for the advice and info!
1 person likes this
• United States
27 Dec 06
you should buy a toyota camry "best engine"
2 people like this
@ESKARENA1 (18261)
27 Dec 06
I would not advise you to buy any more cars they are the most evil item in the world today. They poison the air people need to stay alive ie they poison the air we all breathye. As well as that, they are the biggest problem when it comes to the production of greenhouse gases, so if you do not want to die from poisoning, then do not buy a car and use your feet instead.
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
27 Dec 06
What kind of car do you drive?
@Signal20 (2281)
• United States
27 Dec 06
hmmm, a Jazzy Chair? lol...
1 person likes this
• India
27 Dec 06
let me know for what purpose u use ur car for the most
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Dec 06
I have heard that the kia cars are pretty good and reliable and they are like 35mpg which is pretty good and you can buy a new one for around $10,000 which is excellent so i would check them out and they are actually pretty roomy my grandmother has one and she loves it and they drive excellent.she has a kia rio
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
28 Dec 06
I've heard KIAs are good too, but being a military retiree, I just can't get myself to even want to ride is a vehicle called a KIA. To me KIA means, "Killed In Action"
@katprice (806)
• United States
27 Dec 06
Go to a local auto auction. The one in our area has many SUV's and minivans. I had my eye on a white Dodge minivan and it was only $600! All the cars at the auction run. They come from the charities that people donate their cars to. Some are reposessions and some come from car dealerships. I have purchased two cars from the auction and I have been very pleased. They are both still running. I wish I had bought that minivan though because I would really like one. Don't spend $15K when you could go to the auction.
@katprice (806)
• United States
9 Jan 07
The auction here is every Wednesday night. Sorry to hear that you don't have auto auctions that often where you are. It's a lot of fun and excitement. The bidding wars are fun.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
27 Dec 06
Unfortunately there won't be an auction running in the next few days. Good call though!
1 person likes this
@whoosh88 (242)
• United States
27 Dec 06
i suggest checking out a hyundai. they are great cars and not bad prices either. you can get an elantra (four-door) for somewhat under $15,000, if i remember correctly.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
27 Dec 06
We had a Hyundai as a courtesy car when one of our cars was in the shop. We really liked it. After talking to a few long time owners though, we're not interested anymore. Apparently they are great... until the warranty runs out.
@whoosh88 (242)
• United States
28 Dec 06
really? even though they have a 10 year-100,000 mile warranty? what have they experienced when the warranty expires?
@beckyomg1 (6756)
• United States
27 Dec 06
there are so many choices out there, i worked in the car business for over 20 years. i used to have a mini van for many years, but this year i leased a nissan pathfinder, i love it. the nissan has some nice midsize cars. also the dodge has some nice midsize cars.
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
27 Dec 06
Hmmm, I've liked Pathfinders, I'll have to check them out. Thnx
@mgmagana (3618)
• United States
27 Dec 06
i would recommend a toyota just because they r good cars and last a long time and always keep their value. maybe a rav 4 or camry, i'm sure u can find nice used ones for that price!
1 person likes this
@bronie123 (4587)
• United States
27 Dec 06
Toyota 4-runners are a nice roomy midsized vehicle, dodge dakota's, Ford explorers, Expeditions there all nice
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
27 Dec 06
Nice and big ;~D
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
27 Dec 06
I know we have a Hyundia Tuscan which is an SUV. We bought it new for $21,400. They had brand new mid-sized cars for under $15,000. I really like the Tuscan we have. It rides great. Gets decent gas milage and has lots of room. If I was going to go out and get a second car I would go with them.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
27 Dec 06
A little out of our price range, but thank you!
• United States
27 Dec 06
I love Saturns. Several people in my family have them and all of them have been really reliable cars. They are also affordable. My sister bought a brand new Ion for around $12,000, I think.
1 person likes this
@mgmagana (3618)
• United States
27 Dec 06
saturns r nice cars, i had one and they r pretty good!
@kareng (55066)
• United States
27 Dec 06
My SUV started having some problems right before Christmas. I was in the same situation, my youngest are now 19 so the SUV wasn't needed for hauling all the friends around. I got a 2006 Monte Carlo LTZ. You may want to look at the regular Monte Carlo, we saw several 06's on lot around your price range. There are some good deals right now being the END of the year, so take advantage of that! And don't forget to let us know what you get!
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
27 Dec 06
Wow, I haven't been in a Monte Carlo since the 70s. I guess they aren't aircraft carriers anymore are they. ;~D Thanks and yes, I'll post it when we pick it up.
@Melizzy (1381)
• United States
27 Dec 06
Congrats on getting out of the mini-van auto! Do you have a preference for foreign or domestic cars? If not, I'd try to find something foreign. German or Japanese. Toyota's and Honda's are great cars with good gas mileage. And they are good cars new or used. They will last a long time.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
27 Dec 06
Nope, no preference between foreign or domestic. I am going to check out Toyotas... my dad loves them.
• United States
27 Dec 06
If you are short on options, I would go take a look at Edmunds.com for your next vehicle. They show prices, values, and give recommendations on nearly any type of vehicle that you can think up. They also show used vehicle Blue Book prices, as well as what it will take to maintain a vehicle of your choice. It is always a good place to start in the quest for that new family transport.
1 person likes this
@vipul20044 (5794)
• India
27 Dec 06
Go for a Nissan Micra its really reliable or try an older Toyota. They are my favorite car because they are the most reliable on the market. Find an old one that runs well and change the oil every 3000 miles an it will last forever. Dont worry if it has 150,000 miles on it either because I have seen them run past 300,000 miles
1 person likes this
@kgwat70 (13388)
• United States
30 May 07
I would look at vehicles made by Honda, Toyota or possibly Nissan for something that you can afford or like. Those cars are very good and reliable and probably more gas efficient than midsize cars made by other companies. I am looking at small cars since I am single but I bet you could find something decent from one of those makers. The pricing is not bad either for their cars.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
30 May 07
LOL, thanks but we bought the car a few months ago. ;~D We actually bought 2. We got a 93 Jeep Liberty and a 2001 Ford Escort Wagon. The Jeep we got because we loved it, the wagon because it gets great gas mileage and we could pay cash for it. ;~D
@Crostini (321)
27 Dec 06
you're looking at buying a Vauxhall Zafira
1 person likes this
@lulylove (1560)
• Brazil
27 Dec 06
car - car
I think that to vender the old car to be able to help to buy one better and minor it would be an excellent idea. But I think that to talk with its children Today and to ask for so that they help it to buy a new she would be very better.
1 person likes this
@1986ankush (1241)
• India
27 Dec 06
you belong to any country this think only depends up on your budget also on your pocket , but my opinoon is to best buy is that according to you think what you should you purchase.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
27 Dec 06
This has got to be the worst non answer of the thread!
@ilvrshn (463)
• United States
27 Dec 06
Well if you have a local Car Max that will help. They have a galore of cars to chose from. Or you probably can go to carmax.com. If you don't have a car superstore then I think the new Mazda are nice, the Jeep Compass is something that I am in the market for.
1 person likes this