Obviously, neither vehicle is particularly well-suited for carrying children. Since the car is very cheap to drive I don't want to replace it with an expensive vehicle. I would rather replace the already-expensive truck with a more family-oriented ride.
Here's are my criteria for selecting a vehicle that can do what we want to do:
- Some offroad capability. AWD, 4WD, I don't intend to go hardcore offroading but I want a safe winter vehicle and something that can handle semi-rough roads to the decent camping and fishing spots.
- Efficiency. I want a vehicle that can consistently get above 17mpg. A giant SUV, built on a truck frame is probably not what we're after. I want to put money in the bank, not the tank. Oh, I should totally patent that. You heard it hear first. Money in the bank, not in the tank. Alright...
- Price. I don't want to spend more than $20k. Vehicles are a liability, not an asset as some people incorrectly believe. It will never gain value. It will always cost you money. I expect to have to pay close to $20k for a larger, family-friendly vehicle but I think more would be silly. Another mark against the hulking, fuel vampires that grace the interstates these days.
- Honda Element. People love 'em or hate 'em. I think they are very clever in design (don't disagree without reading about one first), they have an interesting body style, they get 17mpg and come with an AWD option. They also fit the price range.
- Nissan Xterra. I don't know anything about this vehicle other than the used models are pretty affordable. 2007s start at $20k so a new one is probably out.
- Subaru, Toyota and other AWD wagons. Again, don't know much about these. Your thoughts?
- Dodge Durango. Paws rented one of these to go on a camping trip after an antelope decimated their car. It seemed like a very solid vehicle. However, this may fall into the money-burning, fuel vampire class. The windows roll up fast in the event that you are proselytized by zealous strangers, which is always a nice feature (this actually was a concern during our excursion).
*We reserve the right to ignore, ridicule, consider, reject or otherwise respond to your opinions as we please.
Posts
3 comments:
First of all-thanks for the encylopedia link for the big word you used...I'm not even going to try to recall how to spell it. Second of all...it's here, not hear. Thirdly, I love your disclaimer and I'll probably get ridiculed. FourthlyForthly (is that a word, possibly I should use lastly instead)we, of course, have a 2005 Ford Expedition. It can either be front wheel, 4 high, 4 low or AWD. This is very handy. Also handy is the huge console, 3 thousand cup holders, 3 rows of seats, large back carrying space with seats folded down, and comfy seats. However, it fits under your 'fuel vampire' or whatever you called it, vito. We get decent gas milage and can go pretty much anywhere we want in it. We really like it. A girl at work drives one of the newer 4 door jeeps. They really like that.
Chris and Kate have a Durango and really like it. It is 4 wheel drive, small enough to park easily, be zippy in traffic, decent fuel mileage (refer to them about that, they just got back from a trip to TX),it has a 3rd seat for when extra family comes, but folds flat to haul lots of stuff. If you are used to a car,you won't feel tight in the space. We are used to trucks and Excursions, so are used to the plentious arm and head room.(Is it a requirement to use BIG words when writing on your blog? ;) We have had lots of snow here this winter and icy highways, and they seem to do well with it.
If you buy a newer used one, you can get a pretty good deal...with dealer incentives, new ones probably have lower interest and might be lower payments!
Our all time favorite for room and drivablilty, and versitility, is the diesel excursion, but that doesn't sound like what you are looking for!
I'm enjoying reading your blog (backwards to keep the posts in order) and we faced a similar situation a few years ago. I realize you already got the XTera (we looked at those too before the twins came) and it is too late, BUT, if you have any more kids you might want to look at a Toyota Sienna. We love ours, it hauls 8 people, consistently gets 29-30 mpg, and has traction control that works sort of like 4WD.
Post a Comment