Help me figure out what to buy

[Anonymous]

My family's '97 4runner is finally giving it up. We are a duel fed family so this is a horrible time to buy a car, but we need something and would like to stop having to pay for flights every time we visit family in the south. We have three kids and would like a minivan that is reliable enough for road trips at the lowest possible cost. We could probably pay around 10k cash and the rest would have to be financed, and I don't know how any of that works. Any recommendations for me?

[Anonymous]

Lease or used are the best way to go. Look for a 1 to 2 year old car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lease or used are the best way to go. Look for a 1 to 2 year old car.

Disagree.

Are used vehicles still selling at huge premiums above the value in the used car guides (Kelley Blue Book ?) ?

Not sure that I would lease with 3 kids unless you are able & willing to keep the vehicle in top condition.

Great deals on new vehicles now plus new vehicles typically come with very good warranties for several years plus lemon law protection (if that still exists after shutting down the CFPB.

New vehicles offer discounts, new vehicle warranties, and low financing rates.

[Anonymous]

Chrysler Pacifica, see if you can find a leftover 2024 model. Don't be picky about color or other options if looking for the best deal.

Also look at a Kia Carnival.

If you're uninformed about how to shop for the best price, use a car buying service, like Costco's.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My family's '97 4runner is finally giving it up. We are a duel fed family so this is a horrible time to buy a car, but we need something and would like to stop having to pay for flights every time we visit family in the south. We have three kids and would like a minivan that is reliable enough for road trips at the lowest possible cost. We could probably pay around 10k cash and the rest would have to be financed, and I don't know how any of that works. Any recommendations for me?

Buy a longblock crate engine and have a mechanic do an engine swap.
Still have your vehicle, but like new with a new engine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My family's '97 4runner is finally giving it up. We are a duel fed family so this is a horrible time to buy a car, but we need something and would like to stop having to pay for flights every time we visit family in the south. We have three kids and would like a minivan that is reliable enough for road trips at the lowest possible cost. We could probably pay around 10k cash and the rest would have to be financed, and I don't know how any of that works. Any recommendations for me?

Buy a longblock crate engine and have a mechanic do an engine swap.
Still have your vehicle, but like new with a new engine.

But a new car will have safety features like back up cameras- even the base model. Does a 30 year old car have air bags? Do they work?
I have a Kia carnival minivan (mid level for the pleather seats kids and dog) and I love it. I will drive it into the ground. It is not perfect and just out of the warranty, so when I had an electrical problem I was fortunate to have purchased the “wrap around” coverage which extended the warranty to “60 months or 100,000 miles”. Otherwise there have been no problems.

[Anonymous]

Me above- 10 years not 60 months.

[Anonymous]

Personally, I think I would look for a used Honda or Toyota minivan. Yes, they hold value well so will still be expensive, but not nearly as expensive as new. You should be able to go back several years/ many miles and still have a decent vehicle.

Also, you could always just rent a minivan to visit your family in the south.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My family's '97 4runner is finally giving it up. We are a duel fed family so this is a horrible time to buy a car, but we need something and would like to stop having to pay for flights every time we visit family in the south. We have three kids and would like a minivan that is reliable enough for road trips at the lowest possible cost. We could probably pay around 10k cash and the rest would have to be financed, and I don't know how any of that works. Any recommendations for me?

Buy a longblock crate engine and have a mechanic do an engine swap.
Still have your vehicle, but like new with a new engine.

But a new car will have safety features like back up cameras- even the base model. Does a 30 year old car have air bags? Do they work?
I have a Kia carnival minivan (mid level for the pleather seats kids and dog) and I love it. I will drive it into the ground. It is not perfect and just out of the warranty, so when I had an electrical problem I was fortunate to have purchased the “wrap around” coverage which extended the warranty to “60 months or 100,000 miles”. Otherwise there have been no problems.

Buy and install one for $150. Cameras are cheap, even cheaper than that. Not much of a safety feature though. Airbags are GTG for a long time but can be replaced if you are a worry wart.

[Anonymous]

Look at a Certified Used Vehicle.

Cars are generally more reliable when younger. However, the average US vehicle is 12 years old. I recently drove a Subaru to the point of unreliability... 15 years and 110K miles.

1-2 years is not likely to be an off-lease car. I would look for 3-4 years in like new condition for a vehicle at its same brand dealership.

Go to dealerships of the brand you want, try some vehicles out, ask them for prices, and tell them what you are looking for. Dealerships vary in how honest and price-gougy they are. You want to find a salesperson who will locate or alert you to an off-lease vehicle that they have or can sell to you at a reasonable price.

If you are not buying or leasing a new car, it's usually best to have your own auto loan arranged privately with a bank that you have found. But don't reveal this right away. Ask about their financing and negotiate.

[Anonymous]

Get a used Honda Odyssey. We just sold a 2014 for $14k. It had 90k miles and will easily go another 90k.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Chrysler Pacifica, see if you can find a leftover 2024 model. Don't be picky about color or other options if looking for the best deal.

Also look at a Kia Carnival.

If you're uninformed about how to shop for the best price, use a car buying service, like Costco's.

She wants it to last. The only option now is Toyota. Even Hondas are having issues. Don’t get awd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look at a Certified Used Vehicle.

Cars are generally more reliable when younger. However, the average US vehicle is 12 years old. I recently drove a Subaru to the point of unreliability... 15 years and 110K miles.

110K miles is the point of unreliability on a Subaru? Our Fords have gone to 200K+, one to just under 300K. And that's just when we traded them, still running...

[Anonymous]

Jeep Wrangler.

[Anonymous]

A new sedan or small SUV with no frill from Kia.