Car shopping...help!!!

[kstaven]

I've driven a new t&c. It isn't what the older product was. Given the choice I would keep what you have or go with the Impala.

 

[mmajw]

We were on a vehicle search for about 6 months before we chose a new one. In that time we also looked at the new 2009 Dodge Journey. It is more of a cross-over but it does have the third row and there is storage in the floors as well. It might be worth looking at seems you want to stay in that family.

I traded my 2000 suburban for a 07 4runner with a third row and I love it.

ETA:
My kids loved the van with the rear seats the swiveled and turned facing the rear and the table that popped up but I couldnt drive the van the windshield was too bubbled and made me car sick.

 

[The Chicken Lady]

Check out Saturn vehicles, too. They're made well and the service you get from a Saturn dealership is tough to beat anywhere else. I have a '06 Vue and love it.

 

[EweSheep]

Hubby used to work at the Saturn plant in Bloomington, IL and he could not believe the proud workmanship those employees do but crappy parts imported elsewhere. Not all Saturns are created equal LOL!

Keystonepaul, sorry to hear that you had problems with your Dakota. I had one for four years and that truck was excellent running and had high mileages when I lost the truck due to bankruptcy. I only had six more months to pay it off!

However it was best because Iwas pregnant with my daughter and it was NO way we could fit the carseat between ourselves getting squeezed thru. That is my only beef I have of the Dakota, its made for two people not three

 

[chicknmania]

Thanks for your input so far everyone! I did check out the Caliber, and, fyi, not great reviews on it. Consumer reports is a good idea, I haven't done that yet...and I will check out the Dodge Journey too...the salesman is letting us keep the Impala overnight tonight for a long test drive. I have read a lot of reviews on it, as well as input from here, and so far they are very good. I think it's a shame they butchered the interior of the new T&C in a lot of ways. They should've left a good thing alone. It was a very popular vehicle in this area.

 

[chicknmania]

We rejected the Impala; no leg room at all for more than three people. Anyone had experience with the new 08 Chev Equinox? Seems nice and is fun to drive, I can't find any ratings on that model year, haven't looked a whole lot yet. Has a bit better mileage than my van.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

A good car is an 08 ford focus.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Quote:
104,000 miles isn't the end of the road for a well maintained vehicle. You could easily get another 100,000 or more out of it with today's vehicles, but it depends upon what you mean by "routine maintenance". To some people I know that means only changing the oil. If you haven't been servicing the transmission, differential, brakes, belts, hoses, radiator, miscellaneous rattles, etc, then I'd suggest a new one. If it has been well maintained then I'd suggest saving the $$$ and hanging onto it for another 5 years...

 

[chicknmania]

Actually, what I want to do is keep it for my kids to use, cause we do have a car shortage. Not sure I can get anything else without a trade. This is a good time to buy a car, which is the other reason I started to look. And, like I said, I'm trying to save some gas money...Equinox is a touch better than my van, on gas. I'm trying not to rush, just looking. And by routine maintenance I mean just oil/filter and brakes once in a while; or whatever other maintenance is scheduled. No repairs at all. But on the flip side, when you get to 200,000 miles, what is that worth as a trade? You'd pretty much have to try to sell it on your own, I would think , which is a drag, too. But, good point about keeping it, I may end up doing that.

 

[domromer]

I have a soft spot for the Impala. I used to have the model with the corvette engine. A nice smooth ride with plenty of power. That being said I often got 13mpg.
So the vette engine is nice but a bit crazy in terms of fuel economy. So my vote is for the impala, Roomy, comfortable, good power, easy to get parts.