We currently have an 03 Civic that we are keeping.
We have a 99 Corolla that is on its last legs with 200K miles (burning oil, engine light keeps coming on and the mechanic isn't sure why- he thinks the engine is just about to go).
We have 2 kids now and are 50/50 on having a third kid in a few years. IF we have a third, we will ideally want a van. But we can't afford a fancy new van right now. Right now we are pretty tight every month but have a good cushion in savings (like 6+ months expenses). However we don't want to touch it bc we wouldn't be able to build it back up again without me returning to work.
Options:
Used Mazda 5 2006 to 2008 range. 8-12K depending on mileage. Pro: perfect for the 2 kids we have (room to carpool, take the dog, etc). Moderate fuel economy. Semi reliable I think (how long/how many miles will a Mazda go?) Cons: If we have a 3rd kid, the 3rd row seating is hard to access and you have almost no trunk space. I worry a little about safety with the 3rd row if we got rear-ended.
My g'mas '96 Buick: 1500$. She went into a nursing home and it is for sale. Around 100K miles. It was very well maintained until G'pa died 3 years ago. Who knows since then. Basically we will drive it until we decide on a 3rd kid or not, and hope it lasts a few years.
My g'pas van. ~4000. 2001 Town and Country. Fine shape so far, but dodge/chrysler vans have pretty bad reliability. Pro: I want a bigger car. Con: At the moment with 2 kids we don't *need* more space, and it might die before a 3rd comes along. Higher gas costs, and I would be driving a less reliable car with little kids in the winter.
My g'pas 2003 Civic. 6000$ish. Pros: We have one already, LOL, and like it. Reliable and we could probably get 5 years out of it. Good fuel economy. Cons: If we have a 3rd kid we would need to sell one of the Civics to get a bigger car.
We have a 99 Corolla that is on its last legs with 200K miles (burning oil, engine light keeps coming on and the mechanic isn't sure why- he thinks the engine is just about to go).
We have 2 kids now and are 50/50 on having a third kid in a few years. IF we have a third, we will ideally want a van. But we can't afford a fancy new van right now. Right now we are pretty tight every month but have a good cushion in savings (like 6+ months expenses). However we don't want to touch it bc we wouldn't be able to build it back up again without me returning to work.
Options:
Used Mazda 5 2006 to 2008 range. 8-12K depending on mileage. Pro: perfect for the 2 kids we have (room to carpool, take the dog, etc). Moderate fuel economy. Semi reliable I think (how long/how many miles will a Mazda go?) Cons: If we have a 3rd kid, the 3rd row seating is hard to access and you have almost no trunk space. I worry a little about safety with the 3rd row if we got rear-ended.
My g'mas '96 Buick: 1500$. She went into a nursing home and it is for sale. Around 100K miles. It was very well maintained until G'pa died 3 years ago. Who knows since then. Basically we will drive it until we decide on a 3rd kid or not, and hope it lasts a few years.
My g'pas van. ~4000. 2001 Town and Country. Fine shape so far, but dodge/chrysler vans have pretty bad reliability. Pro: I want a bigger car. Con: At the moment with 2 kids we don't *need* more space, and it might die before a 3rd comes along. Higher gas costs, and I would be driving a less reliable car with little kids in the winter.
My g'pas 2003 Civic. 6000$ish. Pros: We have one already, LOL, and like it. Reliable and we could probably get 5 years out of it. Good fuel economy. Cons: If we have a 3rd kid we would need to sell one of the Civics to get a bigger car.
