Sadly, we're finally outgrowing our much-used and much-loved 1996 Pontiac Sunfire. Somehow, we just don't think it's fit for two cars seats, plus all of the extra gear that comes with kids. So we've begun "THE SEARCH".
At one point we were considering:
1) A larger sedan
2) A station wagon
3) A minivan
4) A SUV
Obviously, that opens the discussion quite a bit. However, after test-driving a Nissan Maxima and a Honda CRV, we've decided that passenger space is critical, especially at the rate at which we're having children. It was hard to close the door without hitting a car seat in the CRV! And since we love being a one-car family, being able to fit everyone in plus a friend or two is pretty important. Other than passenger space, our other deciding factors are:
1) Safety
2) Price--isn't craigslist.com the best invention ever?
3) Reliability
3) Coolness (we hope that goes without saying)
Factors that aren't as important to us are:
1) Age/mileage of the car--assuming the other criteria are met.
2) Gas mileage (believe it or not, we don't drive that much right now, with Jonathan taking the bus to work and Southwest Airlines providing our travel arrangements to Michigan. We actually might be able to get a good deal with everyone trading in their SUV's right now)
3) Japanese vs. American--we've driven both and really believe the difference in quality is marginal.
Next on the list to test-drive are a Honda Odyssey, a Toyota Sienna, a Ford Windstar and possibly a Ford Explorer. Any recommendations? And anybody want to buy a REALLY COOL Pontiac Sunfire?
5 comments:
Honda Odyssey's have received exceptional ratings. We know two families with them and say that the Odyssey is great for city driving as well as for long distances.
We love our Subarus. Check out the Outback, or the Forester.
HELLO,
we miss you all so much! sorry we havent called you back yet. i cant find your email addy.... anyway a word of advice on cars DO NOT BUY A PONIAC MONTANA TRANSPORT all we have had is trouble with ours dell had to take it mostly apart change the head gaskets an... they just have horrible reviews they are known for this problem as well as MANY others! we have decided we will not buy another american car. but that is just our opinion.
we love you dearly. huggs an kisses allllllll around.
love julie w.
Okay- we LOVE our Mazda 5 - not quite mini van, bigger than hatchback and identical milage as our previous car had. 25-27 MPG. We have nicely fit 6 adults in there and also the other day had 3 full size car seats and 2 adults, plus strollers, etc. so.... I would vote for that.
Also, my mom's Sienna is PIMP (a little costly though).
Good luck - the search is fun, but in the end, it is never an "investment" that you buy, it is always a "money pit".
HAPPY FATHERS DAY JONATHAN!! WE LOVE YOU AND ARE VERY PROUD OF YOU AN YOUR FAMILY. huggs an kisses all around!!
xoxoxooxo
julie dell trent an lauren
Post a Comment