What kind of car do you drive?

[faithabides]

Well, I finally sold my old car and now I'm shopping for a new one. I had an Accord for 12 years and our family outgrew it. I'm thinking of getting an SUV. Never had one before. My husband says if we are going to get one we might as well get the biggest they make!! He wants to look at Suburbans. Not sure if I want to go that big!! Do any of you out there drive an SUV, and if so, what kind, and would you recommend it?? Thanks for any suggestions!!

 

[Grace51]

Well, I finally sold my old car and now I'm shopping for a new one. I had an Accord for 12 years and our family outgrew it. I'm thinking of getting an SUV. Never had one before. My husband says if we are going to get one we might as well get the biggest they make!! He wants to look at Suburbans. Not sure if I want to go that big!! Do any of you out there drive an SUV, and if so, what kind, and would you recommend it?? Thanks for any suggestions!!

unfortunately, nothing. i am still in the process of getting my degree and got tons of student debt, so public transport for me.

 

[akmom]

How many people are in your family, and what kinds of seats do they use (car seats, boosters, etc.)? I borrowed a Jeep Grand Cherokee for two weeks and the fuel costs were enormous. So I ended up getting a small car for my family of five (2 adults, 1 booster, 2 car seats). We could seat one more in the middle up front if needed and it has been ideal for us for 4 years now. Just a thought. If you're counting on using any middle seats, make sure you bring the car seats and try them for fit. You'd be surprised how many "big" vehicles don't actually fit 3 in a row!

 

[Publius]

Well, I finally sold my old car and now I'm shopping for a new one. I had an Accord for 12 years and our family outgrew it. I'm thinking of getting an SUV. Never had one before. My husband says if we are going to get one we might as well get the biggest they make!! He wants to look at Suburbans. Not sure if I want to go that big!! Do any of you out there drive an SUV, and if so, what kind, and would you recommend it?? Thanks for any suggestions!!

'84 Dodge Ram...still has the Reagan bumper sticker on it.

 

[LovebirdsFlying]

Mine is a 2006 Ford Taurus, white. Hubby is driving a new Toyota Tacoma, black.

No experience here with SUV's. In fact, that Taurus is my first car, ever. But his first vehicle was a full-size van. I don't know if he's ever owned SUV's. He knows quite a bit about vehicles, though, and is a professional driver. I can ask him if you'd like.

 

[AlabamaDawn84]

My mom has had a Rav since 1999 and it has 300,000 miles on it. She just put in a new trans, but it still runs great. I think the newer ones have 3rd row seating and they are extra comfy. We have a Sienna and the only thing I would trade it for is a newer Sienna.

 

[Eveningfirelight]

Still driving my 2002 Honda civic. Sure hope it keeps lasting as I can't afford a new one

 

[drjean]

Might be a good time to invest $30 for an online Consumer Reports subscription where you can compare all the vehicles they've checked out. I'm in the market for a van that can be made handicap accessible... I don't think I want one that isn't going to be made any longer (as in part of the GM bankruptcy etc.) Toyota has some reliable vehicles... and the Honda Odyssey is highly rated among handicapped people, but I think it's one that isn't going to be made in the future. That makes a difference to me since I tend to keep cars a long time like you do, and I don't want issues with finding parts in the distant future... (barring the Lord's snatching us away )

I like the safety ratings first...(Nader has real ones too)... the problem I'm having with used ones is gas mileage is the pits. Among other things (I'm a comfort creature.)

Good wishes on your hunt! Oh... I know my local Goodyear or Firestone mechanics will check a vehicle out for maybe $35-50 once you find one (used) ... and check the car vin history. I had a custom (handicap) shop trying to sell me one whose mileage didn't verify=---and that was ON the report (which makes it illegal for them to sell it!) They had sent me the info by accident. HA! No sale.

 

[ex-pat]

I drive a 2012 Toyota Corolla (early Christmas present from my husband) but we're going to be adopting a sibling group in the next year or so, so we have researched and test driven many minivans/ SUVs. Hands down the winner is the Toyota Sienna. I love that thing! So easy to put the seats down if needed, lots of room, including leg room in the back, three-way climate control, great gas mileage, lots of storage space (extra glove box, etc.). When we adopt, we're calling the dealership to say 'Get one, we'll pick it up on _____" Consumer Reports loves it, too. The Honda Odyssey, while looking bigger, does not feel anywhere near as nice...road feel, external noise, etc much worse than the Sienna. I hated it during the test drive! (Before the test drive, I'd been convinced I'd love it) Good luck!

 

[ImperialPhantom]

A 2006 Ford Explorer and a 2006 Toyota Prius. We call them the Republican car and the Democrat car. The Explorer is smaller on the inside than it should be for its size, its a gas hog and it's blown 3 water pumps in a year but it's quiet and decently stylish. The Prius has 95% of the functionality we need, and its loud and makes all kinds of strange noises but none which I mind or which indicate coming problems.

Since you asked about Suburbans: they're quiet and fairly stylish, but the engine tends to sound awful within a couple years of being brand new and for their size they are TINY inside. A Ford Expedition EL is less powerful and feels slightly rougher but has a much nicer interior and feels huge inside, including third rows which adults can actually sit in.

 

[ImperialPhantom]

Might be a good time to invest $30 for an online Consumer Reports subscription where you can compare all the vehicles they've checked out. I'm in the market for a van that can be made handicap accessible... I don't think I want one that isn't going to be made any longer (as in part of the GM bankruptcy etc.) Toyota has some reliable vehicles... and the Honda Odyssey is highly rated among handicapped people, but I think it's one that isn't going to be made in the future. That makes a difference to me since I tend to keep cars a long time like you do, and I don't want issues with finding parts in the distant future... (barring the Lord's snatching us away )

I like the safety ratings first...(Nader has real ones too)... the problem I'm having with used ones is gas mileage is the pits. Among other things (I'm a comfort creature.)

Good wishes on your hunt! Oh... I know my local Goodyear or Firestone mechanics will check a vehicle out for maybe $35-50 once you find one (used) ... and check the car vin history. I had a custom (handicap) shop trying to sell me one whose mileage didn't verify=---and that was ON the report (which makes it illegal for them to sell it!) They had sent me the info by accident. HA! No sale.

The Odyssey isn't going anywhere anytime soon. They just overhauled it a couple years ago, and its still a best seller, and for a huge v6 vehicle it gets incredible mileage since they tend to use it as a platform to debut fuel efficient technologies. I don't see it going anywhere unless the big minivan market dies off, and at that point the Sienna will be a goner too.

 

[RaebethJud]

My wife and I have a Toyota RAV 4. It has 3 Rows and can seat 7. It gets 24mpg city and 30mpg highway

We have a 2month old and a 2 year old

My wife also babysits an 8 year old and 5 year old. All fit in the RAV 4 well

 

[cam44]

2012 Santa Fe and 2005 Honda civic 4 door. With 2 kids the civic is tight ... Santa Fe is great all-around ... very nice vehicle for 4 ...

 

[Nerd Girl Supreme]

I've had a two-door sporty Cavalier for the past three years. But since my son is rapidly growing (he's 12 now) and we added a husband to the picture last year (hooray!)... we definitely need a bigger vehicle lol. We aren't fans of big, lumbering things, so we'll probably go with a smaller crew cab pickup, like a Canyon. Even if we had a bunch of kids, I'd probably stick with a bigger sedan or mini-van, I'm just not crazy about SUV's.

 

[Bellaoftheball]

Honda CRV

 

[Syckological]

I have two cars.

2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI (After-market parts installed etc)

2003 Acura 3.2TL Type S w/ semi-auto transmission.