It seems my cunning plan of driving my '92 Cabriolet until the doors fall off has been thwarted by a cracked cylinder head. This leaves me in a quandary as to what to do next.
I had been planning to get a new car eventually. We wanted to buy a house first, and that depended on whether we wanted to stay in Atlanta. Now we really no longer have a choice as to when I’m gonna get a new car, since the repairs would cost me as much as the car is worth, there’s no point in repairing it. There’s the added fact that the back seat in a Cabriolet is so small that a car seat will not fit.
So, anyhow, I’m putting it to you all: Recommend some affordable (<15,000) cars that are reliable, fun to drive, economical, and with a back seat big enough for at least two car seats.
You might want to consider a car that originally cost more than your $15,000 target but is now used, in good condition and with low miles… the reason being that you may by doing so get a safer, more reliable vehicle and with kids that’s the name of the game.
If you have young two kids (like we do), I strongly recommend taking the plunge and getting a new Mini Van. Easy access in and out. Head room. Storage space for trips. Etc. Etc.
When my '89 Dodge Colt died, we bought a 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT. I inherited the previous family mini van, a '91 Dodge Grand Caravan. I drive it work and back every day. Almost 200,000 miles and it’s still going strong!
We currently have a famliy car, a blazer. When HC2 (Hypothectical Child number 2) rolls around, we plan on trading the blazer in for a van. Better cargo space, and easier passenger access. Right now, we’re looking for a city car. Something to drive around town, and no have to worry about loading the kids into, if we have to.
Well, we looked at the Camry, Passat, and Sonata this weekend.
I really liked driving the Passat. It has nice pickup, has reasonible mileage, and the trunk feels bigger. The Camry has a better price.
Time to haggle. I hate buying new cars… Especially, if I don’t really want a new car.
You should do fine with many, many things. My wife and I did very well for a long time putting our twins (now 19 months) into a four-door Toyota Echo. For longer trips, a cargo carrier and roof rack held additional luggage, which was far cheaper than buying a bigger car.
The only reason we’re looking for a minivan now is because we’re expecting a third child.
If you want a more fun ride, but something practical, I’d go with the Honda Element. This car is plenty big enough for two car seats and has an interior that can be hosed out. It’s slightly more expensive than you want to spend, but worth a look.
Toyota and Honda both have near-bulletproof reliability reputations.
If you want an econobox, I heartily reccomend the Toyota Echo. One of my friends immediately post-college got one, and it had an impressive mix of performance, options, and interior room. I am not too well-versed on how big child seats are, so I can’t comment on that.
Regarding the Camry reccomendation someone else made, there are a few years of late 90’s Camry with a V6 that have a mechanical flaw that makes them tend to fry its motor oil. I think the affected years are '99 to '01 but I could be wrong. Going with the 4 could save you money anyway.
Regarding domestic verus import, remember that most imported brands retain their value moreso than domestic brands. Thus, you can buy more car for less money if you get a used domestic.
There is a marketplace perception that imports are substantially more reliable than domestics. I believe that while this may be true, it is dramatically less true than it was in the past.
Expect that a very substantial portion of the time, your car’s engine will outlast the rest of the vehicle. Engines frequently make it to 250,000 to 400,000 miles without major work. I am sorry to hear that yours did not. The automatic transmission will typically need its first major work either between 80,000 and 120,000 miles or sometime after 200,000 miles.
I reccomend you scope out “JD Power” for their vehicle reliability ratings. http://www.jdpower.com/cc/auto/index.jsp
Edmunds has decent used car reviews and pricing.
The Kelley Blue Book is another source for car pricing.
Have you looked at the Honda Accord? I have a 2003 and I’m really, really happy with it. Very safe for the kids, too. If you go to edmunds.com, you can get an e-mail quote at a much better price than you will on the showroom floor - sticker on my car was $20,000 and I got it for $18,400. (Leased it, actually, but that’s the number we worked from for the lease.) It was a much more pleasant buying experience than you’ll get walking into the showroom and having to haggle.
Yebbut, Honda is the anti-VW. Do you have any idea how much conjoling it took my wife to get me to just look at the Toyota?
I’ve pretty much decided on the Passat, I believe I can get a good price (end of the month and model year, et al). We just now need to make sure she would be comfortable operating the clutch.
