I just had a look, and I'm confident you could get a NEW Mazda5 Sport with the manual transmission for less than $18k. Just something to keep in mind.
Opinions wanted: used family car options for $15K
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I own a 2009 Venza V6 AWD.
I would recommend a 4 cyl FWD Venza at your price point. Better on fuel than the V6 alternates, huge inside, plenty of people/cargo room, no need for AWD in your climate and "legendary Toyota reliability".
I would recommend a 4 cyl FWD Venza at your price point. Better on fuel than the V6 alternates, huge inside, plenty of people/cargo room, no need for AWD in your climate and "legendary Toyota reliability".
For that price I would look at an older low mileage Expedition, Suburban or Tahoe. Caravans get good fuel mileage, but don't have quite as much space when fully loaded. I really don't like the Caravan seats on long drives either. My Focus wagon was the family car for our family of 5. Being a wagon it was big enough most of the time, But we took the extended cab truck for trips because it has a bigger back seat. If I could do it again I would have bought an Expedition EL or suburban instead of my truck. The 3rd row seat would have been good for birthday parties and keeping kids apart on cross country trips.
I don't think toting a couple kids warrant 3tonne guzzla vehicles.
We get 30+ with the forester AND its got loads of room for 4 + junk. Don't bypass the Terrain or its chevy 4cyl stablemate.
We get 30+ with the forester AND its got loads of room for 4 + junk. Don't bypass the Terrain or its chevy 4cyl stablemate.
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
I don't think toting a couple kids warrant 3tonne guzzla vehicles.
We get 30+ with the forester AND its got loads of room for 4 + junk. Don't bypass the Terrain or its chevy 4cyl stablemate.
He already has a VW wagon which is more or less Forester/smaller SUV's sized with similar MPG or better if TDI.
He wants more room....
I don't think toting a couple kids warrant 3tonne guzzla vehicles.
We get 30+ with the forester AND its got loads of room for 4 + junk. Don't bypass the Terrain or its chevy 4cyl stablemate.
He already has a VW wagon which is more or less Forester/smaller SUV's sized with similar MPG or better if TDI.
He wants more room....
Originally Posted By: rjundi
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
I don't think toting a couple kids warrant 3tonne guzzla vehicles.
We get 30+ with the forester AND its got loads of room for 4 + junk. Don't bypass the Terrain or its chevy 4cyl stablemate.
He already has a VW wagon which is more or less Forester/smaller SUV's sized with similar MPG or better if TDI.
He wants more room....
We find the Focus wagon a good size for now, our boys are 4 and 2. So even their bikes fit easily in the wagon, as does our run stroller with 20" wheels. I doubt we'll have it anymore by the time they out grow it in 10 years anyways...
If you do go to a real minivan with a family of 4, you can do stuff like fit 4 bikes in the back, but most people get racks anyways.
Long car trips though are nice with 3 rows as the kids can have a row each if needed, but that's when they are 8-9+.
I would never get a Venza type vehicle though, they combine all the worst attributes for utility for a family IMO. Bad mileage, small weird shaped interior, maybe they can tow more than a minivan but I doubt it.
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
I don't think toting a couple kids warrant 3tonne guzzla vehicles.
We get 30+ with the forester AND its got loads of room for 4 + junk. Don't bypass the Terrain or its chevy 4cyl stablemate.
He already has a VW wagon which is more or less Forester/smaller SUV's sized with similar MPG or better if TDI.
He wants more room....
We find the Focus wagon a good size for now, our boys are 4 and 2. So even their bikes fit easily in the wagon, as does our run stroller with 20" wheels. I doubt we'll have it anymore by the time they out grow it in 10 years anyways...
If you do go to a real minivan with a family of 4, you can do stuff like fit 4 bikes in the back, but most people get racks anyways.
Long car trips though are nice with 3 rows as the kids can have a row each if needed, but that's when they are 8-9+.
I would never get a Venza type vehicle though, they combine all the worst attributes for utility for a family IMO. Bad mileage, small weird shaped interior, maybe they can tow more than a minivan but I doubt it.
Originally Posted By: OneEyeJack
Something like this .....
That was a nice find. Although I have not driven one the Odyssey is known to be the "driver's" mini-van. We just got a new Sienna at work, which is a step up from the Caravan that was rusting out, but man is it numb.
I like the suggestion of the Mazda5. It is a sleeper, but the current look is, "meh". Much less expensive than the, "big boys".
Something like this .....
That was a nice find. Although I have not driven one the Odyssey is known to be the "driver's" mini-van. We just got a new Sienna at work, which is a step up from the Caravan that was rusting out, but man is it numb.
I like the suggestion of the Mazda5. It is a sleeper, but the current look is, "meh". Much less expensive than the, "big boys".
One of the best kept secrets in the auto industry is that a Mazda 5 with a roof box has just as much cargo space as a full-size minivan and seats 6 people almost as well.
Combine that with the fact that the 5 itself takes up less space, is easier to park and maneuver, handles better (it's basically just a huge Mazda 3), and comes in stick...
As a simple people-hauler for people who like driving, it really is a slam-dunk.
Combine that with the fact that the 5 itself takes up less space, is easier to park and maneuver, handles better (it's basically just a huge Mazda 3), and comes in stick...
As a simple people-hauler for people who like driving, it really is a slam-dunk.
Originally Posted By: d00df00d
One of the best kept secrets in the auto industry is that a Mazda 5 with a roof box has just as much cargo space as a full-size minivan and seats 6 people almost as well.
Combine that with the fact that the 5 itself takes up less space, is easier to park and maneuver, handles better (it's basically just a huge Mazda 3), and comes in stick...
As a simple people-hauler for people who like driving, it really is a slam-dunk.
Exactly. We've rented a Grand Caravan a couple of times when we helped our son move to college, but the thought of owning one and having to drive it on a daily basis?
One of the best kept secrets in the auto industry is that a Mazda 5 with a roof box has just as much cargo space as a full-size minivan and seats 6 people almost as well.
Combine that with the fact that the 5 itself takes up less space, is easier to park and maneuver, handles better (it's basically just a huge Mazda 3), and comes in stick...
As a simple people-hauler for people who like driving, it really is a slam-dunk.
Exactly. We've rented a Grand Caravan a couple of times when we helped our son move to college, but the thought of owning one and having to drive it on a daily basis?
Maybe a Dodge Grand Caravan? Looks like the price has bumped up just a little from rock bottom, but a lightly used Pentastar one should be in your range. Me? I figure the new car warranty is worth an extra 1,000 bucks alone. I'd go for a new one for $19K.
https://www.truecar.com/prices-new/dodge/grand-caravan-pricing/2014/EEC9B63D/
https://www.truecar.com/prices-new/dodge/grand-caravan-pricing/2014/EEC9B63D/
Originally Posted By: jimbrewer
Maybe a Dodge Grand Caravan? Looks like the price has bumped up just a little from rock bottom, but a lightly used Pentastar one should be in your range. Me? I figure the new car warranty is worth an extra 1,000 bucks alone. I'd go for a new one for $19K.
https://www.truecar.com/prices-new/dodge/grand-caravan-pricing/2014/EEC9B63D/
I would never own a Grand Caravan past the drivetrain warranty. Too many bad stories, like my best friend who went through 7 (yes 7 as in Seven let's count'em that's SEVEN) automatic transmissions.
Even if you disregard his extreme experience, take a close look at CR/JDPowers/Edwards on the Grand Caravan. It's not pretty. The 2013's/2014's are known for oil burning.
Here US News has the 2014 as below average predicted reliability.
http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/Dodge_Grand-Caravan/Reliability/
Maybe a Dodge Grand Caravan? Looks like the price has bumped up just a little from rock bottom, but a lightly used Pentastar one should be in your range. Me? I figure the new car warranty is worth an extra 1,000 bucks alone. I'd go for a new one for $19K.
https://www.truecar.com/prices-new/dodge/grand-caravan-pricing/2014/EEC9B63D/
I would never own a Grand Caravan past the drivetrain warranty. Too many bad stories, like my best friend who went through 7 (yes 7 as in Seven let's count'em that's SEVEN) automatic transmissions.
Even if you disregard his extreme experience, take a close look at CR/JDPowers/Edwards on the Grand Caravan. It's not pretty. The 2013's/2014's are known for oil burning.
Here US News has the 2014 as below average predicted reliability.
http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/Dodge_Grand-Caravan/Reliability/
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Originally Posted By: HangFire
Originally Posted By: jimbrewer
Maybe a Dodge Grand Caravan? Looks like the price has bumped up just a little from rock bottom, but a lightly used Pentastar one should be in your range. Me? I figure the new car warranty is worth an extra 1,000 bucks alone. I'd go for a new one for $19K.
https://www.truecar.com/prices-new/dodge/grand-caravan-pricing/2014/EEC9B63D/
I would never own a Grand Caravan past the drivetrain warranty. Too many bad stories, like my best friend who went through 7 (yes 7 as in Seven let's count'em that's SEVEN) automatic transmissions.
Even if you disregard his extreme experience, take a close look at CR/JDPowers/Edwards on the Grand Caravan. It's not pretty. The 2013's/2014's are known for oil burning.
Here US News has the 2014 as below average predicted reliability.
http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/Dodge_Grand-Caravan/Reliability/
Hmmm. Doesn't look bad on Truedelta and seems to be steadily improving. http://www.truedelta.com/Dodge-Grand-Caravan/lemon-odds-73 Pretty good, but not as good as a Forester. http://www.truedelta.com/Subaru-Forester/lemon-odds-251
Dodge has a decent powertrain warranty: 5Yr 100K. As I mentioned, all the more reason to spring for the Pentatar. I have an idea that the repair costs will be a big relief from someone coming from a Porsche.
Originally Posted By: jimbrewer
Maybe a Dodge Grand Caravan? Looks like the price has bumped up just a little from rock bottom, but a lightly used Pentastar one should be in your range. Me? I figure the new car warranty is worth an extra 1,000 bucks alone. I'd go for a new one for $19K.
https://www.truecar.com/prices-new/dodge/grand-caravan-pricing/2014/EEC9B63D/
I would never own a Grand Caravan past the drivetrain warranty. Too many bad stories, like my best friend who went through 7 (yes 7 as in Seven let's count'em that's SEVEN) automatic transmissions.
Even if you disregard his extreme experience, take a close look at CR/JDPowers/Edwards on the Grand Caravan. It's not pretty. The 2013's/2014's are known for oil burning.
Here US News has the 2014 as below average predicted reliability.
http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/Dodge_Grand-Caravan/Reliability/
Hmmm. Doesn't look bad on Truedelta and seems to be steadily improving. http://www.truedelta.com/Dodge-Grand-Caravan/lemon-odds-73 Pretty good, but not as good as a Forester. http://www.truedelta.com/Subaru-Forester/lemon-odds-251
Dodge has a decent powertrain warranty: 5Yr 100K. As I mentioned, all the more reason to spring for the Pentatar. I have an idea that the repair costs will be a big relief from someone coming from a Porsche.
Originally Posted By: jimbrewer
Hmmm. Doesn't look bad on Truedelta and seems to be steadily improving. http://www.truedelta.com/Dodge-Grand-Caravan/lemon-odds-73
Does truedelta distinquish minor repair trips from major? I'd consider a seat belt replacement in one category and a transmission replacement in another. And like I said, check out all the other trackers.
Originally Posted By: jimbrewer
Pretty good, but not as good as a Forester. http://www.truedelta.com/Subaru-Forester/lemon-odds-251
That is good. I would posit that the difference in yellow between the Forester and the Grand Caravan means a lot more than the difference in red, and also it's really too soon to judge 2014 reliability (except guessing based on earlier model years).
I also note that across different trackers, including truedelta, 2009 was a VERY bad year. That information is very relevant to the OP.
Originally Posted By: jimbrewer
Dodge has a decent powertrain warranty: 5Yr 100K. As I mentioned, all the more reason to spring for the Pentatar.
OK, but that is more important to new car buyers. I doubt the OP will get much of that warranty remaining on a $15K used purchase.
Originally Posted By: jimbrewer
I have an idea that the repair costs will be a big relief from someone coming from a Porsche.
Yes, this is the perennial domestic car advantage, with the exception of lower production high-tech vehicles like Cadillacs. I own an old Dakota, second one, I enjoy the low parts costs, availability, and general ease of repair, but I've never crowed about the quality. (Except the galvanized body. Love that).
Hmmm. Doesn't look bad on Truedelta and seems to be steadily improving. http://www.truedelta.com/Dodge-Grand-Caravan/lemon-odds-73
Does truedelta distinquish minor repair trips from major? I'd consider a seat belt replacement in one category and a transmission replacement in another. And like I said, check out all the other trackers.
Originally Posted By: jimbrewer
Pretty good, but not as good as a Forester. http://www.truedelta.com/Subaru-Forester/lemon-odds-251
That is good. I would posit that the difference in yellow between the Forester and the Grand Caravan means a lot more than the difference in red, and also it's really too soon to judge 2014 reliability (except guessing based on earlier model years).
I also note that across different trackers, including truedelta, 2009 was a VERY bad year. That information is very relevant to the OP.
Originally Posted By: jimbrewer
Dodge has a decent powertrain warranty: 5Yr 100K. As I mentioned, all the more reason to spring for the Pentatar.
OK, but that is more important to new car buyers. I doubt the OP will get much of that warranty remaining on a $15K used purchase.
Originally Posted By: jimbrewer
I have an idea that the repair costs will be a big relief from someone coming from a Porsche.
Yes, this is the perennial domestic car advantage, with the exception of lower production high-tech vehicles like Cadillacs. I own an old Dakota, second one, I enjoy the low parts costs, availability, and general ease of repair, but I've never crowed about the quality. (Except the galvanized body. Love that).
Originally Posted By: d00df00d
One of the best kept secrets in the auto industry is that a Mazda 5 with a roof box has just as much cargo space as a full-size minivan and seats 6 people almost as well.
Combine that with the fact that the 5 itself takes up less space, is easier to park and maneuver, handles better (it's basically just a huge Mazda 3), and comes in stick...
As a simple people-hauler for people who like driving, it really is a slam-dunk.
After seeing the crash ratings on it...best kept secret as a death trap is more like it.
http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/mazda/5
Shame I really liked them a lot, even went shopping for one before I had the Jetta. My wife's xD is safer by far.
One of the best kept secrets in the auto industry is that a Mazda 5 with a roof box has just as much cargo space as a full-size minivan and seats 6 people almost as well.
Combine that with the fact that the 5 itself takes up less space, is easier to park and maneuver, handles better (it's basically just a huge Mazda 3), and comes in stick...
As a simple people-hauler for people who like driving, it really is a slam-dunk.
After seeing the crash ratings on it...best kept secret as a death trap is more like it.
http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/mazda/5
Shame I really liked them a lot, even went shopping for one before I had the Jetta. My wife's xD is safer by far.
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Minus the hyperbole, that's a fair point.
At the same time... I'd argue that it's almost not relevant. For someone like me, there's no other choice besides a Mazda 5 as nothing else comes in stick. Barring that, if you can afford an Odyssey, there's no reason not to go for it... and if you can't, you're stuck anyway -- unless you don't really need to accommodate more than 4 passengers, in which case a wagon or sedan is a much better call than a minivan.
At the same time... I'd argue that it's almost not relevant. For someone like me, there's no other choice besides a Mazda 5 as nothing else comes in stick. Barring that, if you can afford an Odyssey, there's no reason not to go for it... and if you can't, you're stuck anyway -- unless you don't really need to accommodate more than 4 passengers, in which case a wagon or sedan is a much better call than a minivan.
Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Eh...
While it's pretty suspect to call a car a "death trap" (or totally safe) based on these kinds of tests, I'm happy to accept that they bear at least some relation to real life.
And yet we "got by" with much less safer vehicles in years past. I'd even bet a mid 2000's car with 5* ratings would be considered a "death trap" today.
Personally I'd not care if I liked the car. If it's your time, it's your time.
Eh...
While it's pretty suspect to call a car a "death trap" (or totally safe) based on these kinds of tests, I'm happy to accept that they bear at least some relation to real life.
And yet we "got by" with much less safer vehicles in years past. I'd even bet a mid 2000's car with 5* ratings would be considered a "death trap" today.
Personally I'd not care if I liked the car. If it's your time, it's your time.
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