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MarilynW
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What do you have as your second family car? We have our main van and then we also kept our very old van that my husband uses for work - but this is becoming too expensive in gas and repairs. We are trimming our budget and looking at the options. At this stage we cannot do with just one vehicle. our best option is probably some sort of compact car - we are hoping to find one that is one or two years old. Does anyone have any recommendations - and also how to look for a reliable used vehicle?
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Marilyn
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Carole N.
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We have a Dodge Caravan as our main vehicle. My dh used to drive a Dodge Dakota, but since he became scoutmaster, he has to pull a very heavy trailer. So he bought a Dodge Ram (can you tell we are a Dodge family).  The van, which I dearly love, is coming up for replacement as soon as we pay for the truck.
We always buy our vehicles used. My dh searches Ebay, we look at reliable dealers in the area, and generally do a little research on what we want before we purchase. There is a website on recalls (I do not know the name--my dh handles this), that can help out as well.
Good luck finding a vehicle! 
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Carole ... in Wales
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Lisbet
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We only have one vehicle and always have for the past 12 years. Right now it's a 15 passenger van. Dh works about 10 minutes from home and I take him to work when I need to go somewhere during the day. The van will be paid off in a month, and we are planning on moving out of the city, so we are also considering a good used car.
We searched and searched online when we were shopping for our van, and found the best deal about an hour and a half away from here. That's my only suggestion, I'll be watching this thread for more suggestions since we will be looking soon too!
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
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MarilynW
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A friend just got a Saturn compact as the commuting car and is very happy. I will have to look at this. We have not bought used before - so still trying to find a good source.
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Marilyn
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Cay Gibson
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OUr main family vehicle is a Ford Expedition (yes, we own and drive a dreaded SUV  ). We bought it when I was pregnant with #5 because it seated 8 instead of the 6 my mini-van seated.
Dh used the mini-van for work until it was on its last tire and bought our very first new vehicle last January. Until then we only bought used, program vehicles (and have had very good luck with them).
Don't look envious at my dh's dream truck though. He's working a sideline business on top of his "real" job to pay for it.
When it's paid for my program SUV will be topping 200,000 miles. 
While we're talking vehicles, does anyone own or have you looked at the Ford Freestyle?
I love the look and have driven one. It just came out in 2006. It rides well, seats five but has a bonus lift seat in the back that can seat extra passengers or stay down for trunk room. (one thing about the SUV is it doesn't have any luggage room  unless you prop the backseat down and we can't do that when we're all together on a family trip.)
I don't think I need more than a seven-seater. Even if we are blessed with another baby, my older three are teenagers and not with us all the time. And the oldest has his own vehicle.
The Freestyle is also gas-friendly and price-friendly (compared to other family vehicles). We were seriously looking at getting rid of the SUV when the gas prices hiked.
I figure by the time we can afford to buy one it'll have been on the market awhile and I'll be able to find me a good used, programmer. 
I don't mean to hog this thread, Marilyn. You asked about a compact car. You might want to look into the Ford Freestyle. They'll have those program/demo models on the used car lots in 2007. And they can house the large family of 5 with the benefits (gas, etc.) of a compact car.
Hope this helps.
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
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MacBeth
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Our second car is a 1990 Volvo 740 wagon. Every time we think it is on its way to the junk yard, it turns out to be an easy fix. It seats 7. When it was 10 years old was a Consumer Reports "best 10 year old car buy". Even now, after 200,000 miles, the gas mileage is not too bad.
I know of many, many people who have the Honda Accord for a second car. The Accord is reliable and fuel efficient.
Check Consumer Reports Car Buyer's Guide (it'll be at the reference desk at your library). It has a comprehensive list of recommendations.
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MarilynW
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Cay - I had never heard of the Ford Freestyle - will definitely look at it. Our Siena minivan is an 8 seater - so we do not have to have the second car seat a lot - but looking at things like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry - they are pretty costly even used.
MacBeth - I love the Volvo idea - I know people who have had their wagon forever. I like the possiblity of the 7 seater too.
I am just praying for wisdom. I really do not like going to car dealerships.
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Marilyn
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Cay Gibson
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MarilynW wrote:
| Cay - I had never heard of the Ford Freestyle - will definitely look at it. |
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Here's some pictures (click on photo gallery). It's kind of a wagon/van/SUV combination at a good price and good gas mileage.
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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Paula in MN
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We have bought all of our vehicles used and online. The latest is a 1997 Dodge Intrepid. It had 103,000 miles on it -- it had been the previous owners second car -- and is in perfect shape. I paid $500 for it. But then I sold my OLD car for $500, so I got the car FREE!!!
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Paula
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LisaD
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I drive a Chrysler Town & Country (found it on Carmax.com), and dh drives an 11 year-old Saturn with 120,000 miles on it. He says it still has a few good years on it! He only commutes about 15 miles to work, but it gets great mileage (might have something to do with the lack of a/c).
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stefoodie
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Paula, dd (soon to be 16) would love to find out where you got such a deal!!
DH too, he drives a 13 year old Subaru with 100K+ miles on it. I drive the same car, Lisa.
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stef
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Paula in MN
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Stef, we found the car on Carsoup.com. That is the only website we use to buy and sell vehicles. I don't know if they are National or not, but he could try!
The intrepid was a deal because it had been the second car for the wife. Their son turned 16 and they gave it to hime for his birthday but it wasn't *cool* enough. So they bought him a new car and just wanted to get it out of their driveway.
We are now looking at a 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager with 148,000 miles for $1900. No rust, no problems.
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missyc
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We have a GMC Safari (seats 8) and a Jeep Cherokee. This has worked well for us so far. Thankfully, my husband knows cars and is able to fix them. We have had times when we are "stuck" at home because my husband is fixing the van-and it takes a week or more to repair it. We just offer it up and figure that's Gods way of telling us to slow down our pace a little . As a last resort, we can all fit into the Jeep if need be to get to church( there is 6 of us(I am pregnant with #5)and thankfully,our parish is close by). You should see the looks we all get climbing out of the Jeep at the church parking lot-all 4 doors open with people coming out, and someone coming out of the hatchback! Think of one of those clown cars at the circus!  We have always bought our vehicles used and purchase them based on how well my husband is able to fix/repair the engine as need be.
missy
wife to John, mom to Ginny, Freddie, Caryn, Joey, and Baby in April '07
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stefoodie
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thanks for the info on carsoup and carmax, gals! we're not shopping for a car just yet, but in a year or so...
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stef
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folklaur
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Hi,
We had a wonderful, old Ford Conversion van that I loved. A teenager ran a red light and right into the side of it, and our only car was totalled  but it kept us safe. We bought a Ford Explorer (the newest used car I have ever owned, but I was a basket case after the accident and did not want to be in a small car with the kids. The van was completely crushed in under my dd4 car seat - the site of impact. But being in the van, she was set up high, and so was just fine....)
BUT - dh needed a way to get to work too - and it had to be fuel efficient, etc. He ended up buying a scooter. Don't laugh . He actually loves the silly thing, and (since he got the special edition Atomic Fireball - other guys come up and say things like "Wow, is that yours etc?" (All the while my dd17 is just mortified.  )
It is easy to fix and maintain, and gets EXCELLENT gas mileage - 79 miles to the gallon. Really. And it goes fast enough to be freeway legal (65+ mph) (Although there are crazy drivers out here so he tends to keep to the surface streets just to be safe - and to keep my mind at ease  )
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MarilynW
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Please say a prayer for us - we are looking at a used Volvo wagon(has rear seat)and used Toyota camry this weekend. The used Volvo is a 2001 with about $70K miles. The Camry is 2006 with much fewer miles. Both are about the same price. Please pray for wisdom. Also we are getting are Dodge Caravan valued - hoping to get something reasonable for it.
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Marilyn
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Second car?
