4Real Forums: Cars/Vans...am I crazy???

Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.

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Topic: Cars/Vans...am I crazy???

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StephanieA
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Joined: May 11 2006
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Posted: Oct 05 2012 at 10:46am \| IP Logged

Our Montana 8-seater van bit the dust after only 115,000. Sigh. So we are looking for another vehicle. I have 3 older boys who are seldom with us and 6 others. I have a senior and freshman in HS who drive a Toyota Corolla and are seldom with us either. (We take separate cars to Mass because some go to hour adoration beforehand). Vacations are non-existent at this time.
So...we were going to buy a Honda Odyssey with 100,000 miles, but after test driving it...and being bucked around, we decided- no. After a little reading, it seems that these van has transmission issues.
So then there is the Sienna van....

But then my crazy mind was thinking - Gee~ Why not just buy a sedan or littler station wagon (for the storage room) and ditch the van idea.

Am I crazy? Or does a family like mine really need a van?
Will I regret the space or convenience of all piling in the van (although we seldom "all pile in the van" around town?

Blessings,
Stephanie

JodieLyn
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Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
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Posted: Oct 05 2012 at 11:05am \| IP Logged

Taking two vehicles instead of one big van could easily be price effective since then you could take one smaller vehicle at other times. You have to have enough willing drivers though that when you need all the kids somewhere you can get them there.

Though the flip side is that my 15 passenger van can get all of us somewhere, close or far and be more cost effective than 3 smaller vehicles even if we had the drivers for 3 vehicles. See to cost less each of the 3 vehicles would need to get better than 51 miles per gallon. If you went with 2 vehicles each would only have to get 34 miles per gallon or better. (my van gets 17 miles per gallon)

One other thought to keep in mind is insurance. Are the smaller vehicles going to cost you more in insurance?

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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4

All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott

mom2mpr
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Joined: May 16 2006
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Posted: Oct 05 2012 at 12:51pm \| IP Logged

Now, we have a small family, but are thrilled with our 2000
Odyssey. Have never had a problem with it in 190,000 miles. We have found it so nice to have 7 seats even for,our small family. We can take my parents in our car when they visit. We can bring other kids to sports practice. It has been very nice. Also, as far as gas mileage it gets better than my husbands, Nissan Altima. So we have found it a very cost effective vehicle, gas and repair-wise. And, again, the extra seats are awesome to have.
Just my 2 cents as I know I will probably be looking for a new vehicle in a few years. I have already told dh another Oddy would be awesome-especially with the new back up cameras. My only issue with my car-it is hard to see down low when backing up.
Good luck in your quest. Car shopping is the pits

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Anne, married to dh 16 years!, ds,(97), Little One (02), and dd (02).

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