OT: Looking for a car

[DennisSmithHOF]

My wife and I are looking into getting a different, not new, vehicle. We have 1 child so far, with the hope of 1 more. We so far have looked at minivans. The high end Honda is out of our price range, regretably. Any info from fellow maners on 01-05 Grand Caravans, Ventures, Montanas?
We may also look into a Trailblazer, but only at a good price.
Any help out there would be great.

[Hotrod]

I know where you can get a nice 94 Dodge caravan in good condition ;D

[DennisSmithHOF]

Thanks Hotrod, but I will pass.

[Beantown Bronco]

I'd look at a used Toyota or Honda, or new Kia minivan long before I'd go with any of the used domestics.

[Hotrod]

But it was grandmas and its really pretty kinda sort of clean and runs sometimes ;D

[61Vikefan]

Transmission problems with Chrysler minivans so I would stay away from those. I'll tell you what the best buy is right now in used cars-Ford Taurus. You can get a loaded Taurus with less than 20K miles on the odometer for around 12 grand. They are great cars-you'll get 120K miles out of them with no major problems. Good luck.

[DennisSmithHOF]

We already have 2 cars and need something bigger. I haven't driven a Tauras, but I like the Impala I have already.

[i4jelway7]

I'm in the process of buying a used 2003 Honda Pilot, I don't knw what your price range is but you can get a loaded one for 17-20 thousand, I'm not really sure why I'm buying it.. I don't need it.. I drive a paid for 97 Honda Civic now..

[No1BroncoFan]

My wife and I are looking into getting a different, not new, vehicle. We have 1 child so far, with the hope of 1 more. We so far have looked at minivans. The high end Honda is out of our price range, regretably. Any info from fellow maners on 01-05 Grand Caravans, Ventures, Montanas?
We may also look into a Trailblazer, but only at a good price.
Any help out there would be great.
Have you looked at the Kia Sedonas? You can get one new for the price of a late model used Honda. We've had ours for almost two years and have had no trouble at all.

Ben

[Meck77]

Here is my suggestion. Great family ride!

Plenty of great modern VW choices also.

[watermock]

The Kia brand engineering is Honda's. Also, don't compare the junk Hyndai's of the 80's to the new product that was reintroduced. Their new plant is the most advanced on the planet.

The problem with used imports is that they hold their value so well it's literally better to buy new, especially Toyota's and Honda's. Mazda is priced between the elite Japanese designs and the Korean companies and is also a fine product.

Domestic quality is much better today by miles, yet they offer much faster depreciation so you get more for your dollars. Ford Windstars are a dime a dozen and quite nice. With the new Firestar, they have dropped in book and are an excellent value. Ford built gobs of them (taurus frame) Just make sure you get a 3.8 instead of the 3.0. It will use more gas but is a superior engine by far. Another very nice mid-size SUV is the Buick Renezvous. It's very cool looking too, at least in my eyes. They are kinda rare tho. Windstars are very common. You could pick and choose a cherry one easily, they are all over the place for sale.

[BroncoBuff]

The Kia brand engineering is Honda's. Also, don't compare the junk Hyndai's of the 80's to the new product that was reintroduced. Their new plant is the most advanced on the planet.

The problem with used imports is that they hold their value so well it's literally better to buy new, especially Toyota's and Honda's. Mazda is priced between the elite Japanese designs and the Korean companies and is also a fine product.

Domestic quality is much better today by miles, yet they offer much faster depreciation so you get more for your dollars. Ford Windstars are a dime a dozen and quite nice. With the new Firestar, they have dropped in book and are an excellent value. Ford built gobs of them (taurus frame) Just make sure you get a 3.8 instead of the 3.0. It will use more gas but is a superior engine by far. Another very nice mid-size SUV is the Buick Renezvous. It's very cool looking too, at least in my eyes. They are kinda rare tho. Windstars are very common. You could pick and choose a cherry one easily, they are all over the place for sale.
That's good info, mock. You have a lot to offer, early in the day anyway...

[TheDave]

Mazda MPV just bought one for the wife a few months ago.... Easily the most bang for the buck.

[ak1971]

Have you looked at the Kia Sedonas? You can get one new for the price of a late model used Honda. We've had ours for almost two years and have had no trouble at all.

Ben


just make sure the new ride has an orange hubcap

[watermock]

Mazda's are fine cars. All I'm saying about these Fords is they are pretty easy to buy. Ford made a ton of them. I drove a 95 Protoge that was bulletproof in Florida except they put the engine computer under the drink cups on the floor and the A/C went out.

I picked up a 2000 Intrepid in nice shape for 3300 but that 2.7 sludges so if anyone has one, get a synthetic in or it will throw the timing chain by wearing out the chain guides by under lubrication and bust the guides. Then all hell can break loose.

[Beantown Bronco]

just make sure the new ride has an orange hubcap

Speaking of which....if anyone's in the market for a new compact ride (and with the current state of gas prices, who isn't?), Honda is making the new Fit available in a pretty sweet orange color in the upper-trim level.

[heydensmom]

I have a trailblazer and LOVE IT! Drives nice, not like the Explorer we have. I looked into the Kia Sorento, but seemed cheap to me....so glad I didn't. I'm in love with my Trailblazer..

[No1BroncoFan]

just make sure the new ride has an orange hubcap
_i_O_i_
You just love picking on me, don't ya! ;D

Ben

[watermock]

I haven't really looked at Kia trim, but I know their drivelines are sound. My brother bought a Trailblazer. Chevy once again missed the market and went too much SUV/Crossover as typical of GM.

All these crossover SUV's are is FWD cars, station wagons parading around as tough guys.

[whatsgolden]

My wife and I are looking into getting a different, not new, vehicle. We have 1 child so far, with the hope of 1 more. We so far have looked at minivans. The high end Honda is out of our price range, regretably. Any info from fellow maners on 01-05 Grand Caravans, Ventures, Montanas?
We may also look into a Trailblazer, but only at a good price.
Any help out there would be great.

Just about any Chevy dealer will have program Trailblazers at a pretty nice price reduction from new. You can usually get one with about 10,000 miles for around 10,000 less than original price, usually less than $20,000. Also, you can sometimes get incentivised loan rates through GMAC. They've been used as rentals, or possibly company cars, but they are also certified by GM. It's an inspection process that gives you extra factory warranty.

I sell cars at a dealership in Ft. Collins, so if you have any questions, let me know.

Make sure you drive everything you're considering. Most domestics will surprise you as far as their capability and comfort. I drive an Envoy, and I absolutely love everything about it. Good luck.

[Cito Pelon]

Depends on what you want. Japanese marks have far superior maintenance histories than any other brands, US built included. They also hold their value better, hence higher cost used. Among the domestics, Ford and Mercury lead the pack in maintenance history.

My attitude is buy a Japanese brand, Ford, or Mercury, why bother looking at anything else? If you want style, attitude, that's a whole different matter.

[Bronco Billy]

Here is my suggestion. Great family ride!

Plenty of great modern VW choices also.


Hey Meck! Was this the original OF1!!!