Please see my post here that didn't have a catchy enough title so none of you responded to?

All advice in this area is much appreciated.

No, I didn't respond because I have no advice to give.

Honda's get broken into very often. Or at least in CH for their airbags.

Is it honda's that have one of the highest car insurance rates because of their theft rate?

What's CH stand for?

Crown Heights.
I can't say as I know only South Africa. You looking to buy or lease? Also do you travel a lot or more inner city travel?

Isn't it more cost-efficient to buy?
I travel daily, but not usually more than 10 miles a day on a regular day.

If you buy then never buy Volvo, their parts are really expensive to replace and also Hyundai.
When you buy make sure you get a service plan on the car. Plus ask for Demo cars as they have maybe 1000 miles on them and are around $8000 cheaper.

Ok so now you've told me what NOT to get. Any ideas of what TO get.

bumpity bumpity bump (I still didn't get enough advice on this one)





but sure seems like I'm spending a lot of $$ lately (between laundry and car), ouch!

Why does everyone with a baby MUST have a minivan? A cultural thing?

no. for the record I have two babies (actually one's a kid and one's a baby). The issue is we now have a regular sedan (that's chugging away on its last leg b"h) and we use up 4 of the 5 seats. If we want to take anybody/think with us other than our bodies. (i.e. 1 suitcase, 1 bike, etc. go shopping) it's a HUGE hassle to get the stuff to fit with all 4 humans in the car. It's a space issue. I really don't care if a station wagon is cheaper and more reliable, I just need more space and it doesn't make sense to buy another small car at this stage of our life.

I prefer a sedan like the Camry, Taurus, or Accord.
Even with 3 kids, it can carry a lot of stuff.
A best bet is a 3 year old model, as it's still relatively new but much lower in price than a new one (especially the Tausus).

Better yet, take a 5 year old model - even a better value.

I refuse to get a minivan and drive an SUV because I need the space. We have outgrown our current SUV (Honda Passport) and I'm looking into some some of the bigger SUVs now. Driving a minivan makes me feel old.

Driving an SUV would make me feel a ) like a macher (which I'm not) and b ) like I enjoy paying tfor dinner for the owner's of the gas company. Also, c) it's a higher climb to get in

A. A macher? You've got to be kidding
B. The owner would be the thousands of shareholders, the difference in MPG is not as large as you think.
C. You could get a step.

A. I'm not where I live if you've got an SUV, you're a macher. Only machers have SUVs. No regular people do.
B. what is the difference? And when I was looking to buy a car a few years ago, the difference was not marginal, it was noticeable, but at that point I was looking at sedans.
C. I know, but still high and annoying if you ask me.

I don't know if it's out in the US but the new Hyundai is a very nice car but it might be a bit too pricey for you.
How many kids do you have?

If you buy a used van, make sure you buy from a private person or dealer with detailed records of maintenence. In todays world of leased cars, most people neglect to change their oil on time, and drive the hell out of the car because they will return it. Another thing to consider when buying a car with 30-40k on it is that that is the time when wear items need replacing, a set of tires can run around 4-600, brakes 2-400 or more. Due to the milage restrictions of leasing many people roll the milage back on cars so make sure it has dealer maintenence records. This is a very serious problem and quite common. (they roll it back before the state inspection is done so that carfax or the like wont detect it). You are probably better off purchaing a new car or leasing it (if you dont drive sigmificantly more that 10-12k per year. There should be significant discounts on 2007 dodge/chrysler vans this summer as the new 2008 redesigned vans are introduced in aug/sept. Often you can get discounts on cars with light (sometimes only a few dents) hail damage.

Why you quoting me?
That is self understood as in SA all cars come with a log book where all services etc are written.
I suggest a Demo car as its brand new with a few miles on it and a lot cheaper. Also look into a service plan for the vehicle.

Im not talking about a log book (anyone can write that they did the work), i mean actual records and receipts for the services ie. either actual receipts or being able to veryify the work ( by calling them)at a reputable dealer. Also its silly to buy an extended warranty on a car at the time of purchase, your money will be working for the company rather than you untill your factory warranty runs out. in addition, most waranties that dealers offer dont cover all components. What you want is an exclusionary warranty that list only items that are not covered - everything else is. You can buy these right before your regular warranty expires in 3/5 years.

Hate to break it to you but where I come from the log book is stamped with the dealership stamp after each service to avoid such a problem.

this is not done in the states


I dont see where you stated this.

Post #7

Post #7 makes no mention of maintenance records

Ok, another trip to the mechanic, another step closer to purchasing.
anyone have good info for me.
We're looking at cars.com, but what do I want to look for??
What brands are good/horrid/medium/etc.?

If you're looking for a 2007 model minivan; Consumer Reports likes:

Honda Odyssey
Toyota Sienna
Hyundai Entourage

Please do NOT get a Toyota Sienna. With all the hype, when we were in the market, we leased one. I HATE it. It's not comfortable at all. I don't like anything about. But oh, my old volkswagon Passat. I miss it. So comfortable. If I'd drive, I'd get a VW SUV.

My folks have a Toyota Sienna and we love it. Test drive one and see if you like it.

If you want to be a macher there are thousands of Jeep Commanders sitting on huge Chrysler lots across America. IOW, huge discounts on the Jeep Commander right now. They cut production so I don't know how long it will last. I was thinking about getting it because it has three row seating but it's still to small for me as it has little luggage space unless you fold down the last row. I'll probably end up with the Acadia.

Do I look like I want to be a macher..I won't even get an SUV because I don't want a "macher" label.

Either way, we got the car, and now we have to hope that Hashme lets us use it for many many years in good health, unless we make aliyah and want our good health there.

Which one?