Which used car choice you would pick?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Originally Posted By: Tornado Red
Originally Posted By: bretfraz
The Ody seems like a deal on the surface but be careful. It has mega miles and it's underpriced.


80,000 miles is "mega miles" for a Honda? Hmmm... I didn't know that, I thought they would last longer.


It's mega miles for a 3 year old vehicle. Most used buyers want to see them with 35-45K on them. 80K about kills the value. I appraised an '06 Touring today with 105K on it. It's value got whupped on.
 
Originally Posted By: bretfraz
Originally Posted By: Tornado Red
Originally Posted By: bretfraz
The Ody seems like a deal on the surface but be careful. It has mega miles and it's underpriced.


80,000 miles is "mega miles" for a Honda? Hmmm... I didn't know that, I thought they would last longer.


It's mega miles for a 3 year old vehicle. Most used buyers want to see them with 35-45K on them. 80K about kills the value. I appraised an '06 Touring today with 105K on it. It's value got whupped on.


Those have to be nearly all highway miles -- so easier miles than if they were accumulated in the city over 6-8 years.
 
Ok. I went to the dealer this morning. The honda van was gone. He said it was sold less than a week after listing.
 
The Kia would have to come in a lot cheaper to be considered.

The Grand Caravan's 3.3 liter is underpowered but it is a good reliable engine. There were some rocker arm problems, noisy tappets, and fuel line leaks on the first few years of the 3.3 but those problems were long ago addressed. The engine is fine, just short on horsepower. On the other hand, automatic transmission has always been sketchy. I've seen them go 200,000+ miles but I guarantee for every one 200,000+ transmission there are 6 that went +i+s up at 60,000.

So, have you looked at a Mazda 5? Minivans don't have to be slushy, sloppy, ill-handling things. And if you look carefully, you can find one with a manual. It's like driving a Mazda 3 with sliding doors and an extra row of seating.
 
Originally Posted By: Spazdog
The Kia would have to come in a lot cheaper to be considered.

The Grand Caravan's 3.3 liter is underpowered but it is a good reliable engine. There were some rocker arm problems, noisy tappets, and fuel line leaks on the first few years of the 3.3 but those problems were long ago addressed. The engine is fine, just short on horsepower. On the other hand, automatic transmission has always been sketchy. I've seen them go 200,000+ miles but I guarantee for every one 200,000+ transmission there are 6 that went +i+s up at 60,000.

So, have you looked at a Mazda 5? Minivans don't have to be slushy, sloppy, ill-handling things. And if you look carefully, you can find one with a manual. It's like driving a Mazda 3 with sliding doors and an extra row of seating.


Thank for info. But I really want van that can seat 7 (2 car seats) and easy access for elderly.

I went today and see 2006 Town and country - touring with leather seats and dvd, 50k miles. We agreed with price 12,000 out of the door (around 11,000 before doc fee/tax/title). When I try to call a mechanic to schedule an inspection, a family came and the salesman let them test drove the car. I went home and was told that they bought the car (they must pay higher than me) and without mechanic inspection.

I'll keep looking.
 
Nothing wrong with a Caravan if you get it with a 3.3L engine. They are rock solid reliable and for some reason have a bad reputation. I've driven many 3.3 Caravans during my years at my last job and none of them had any major repairs, including transmission. They are just cheap people hauling tools.

They are gutless however, so beware of that.
 
What about a 2011 Kia Sorento? Those can be had pretty loaded up for low 20s, and have a third row so they can seat 7. You'd be able to get 0%, and they have a 5/60 bumper to bumper and 10/100 power train warranty. Only thing I've heard about them is that they can develop dash rattles after a few months.

If you really want a van, what about a Mazda MPV? It was the predicesor to the Mazda 5, but is a "normal" minivan. They made them as late as 2006. I have a friend who has a 2001 (would be similar to the 2006) that has only needed normal maintenance. I think he has about 125k on it or so. They can be hard to find, though.

You could also look at a Nissan Quest. I am not sure if the current (up to 2010 - starting 2011 model year it is a new design) ones have a third row seat, though. But since 2011 changes design, you might be able to get a good deal on a new 2010.
 
One more - Dodge Journey. It can seat 7 and new Dodges always have good deals on them. By now there should be a few used ones out there, too, but after accounting for interest on a loan you're probably better off getting a new one at 0% financing.
 
Originally Posted By: wallyuwl
One more - Dodge Journey. It can seat 7 and new Dodges always have good deals on them. By now there should be a few used ones out there, too, but after accounting for interest on a loan you're probably better off getting a new one at 0% financing.


Thanks, I'll do research on those model.
 
I had a 2008 Journey as a rental for a week. I hated every minute of it. Very uncomfortable driving position, cheap inside, gets dirty very easily.

I would rather drive my 20 year old Mitsu Mirage than Journey.

Make sure to take it out for a long test drive.
 
Last edited:
Yes

Probably the fleet version, I am sure the RT is decent.



Originally Posted By: Ursae_Majoris
I had a 2008 Journey as a rental for a week. I hated every minute of it. Very uncomfortable driving position, cheap inside, gets dirty very easily.

I would rather drive my 20 year old Mitsu Mirage than Journey.

Make sure to take it out for a long test drive.
 
Originally Posted By: SLCraig
Nothing wrong with a Caravan if you get it with a 3.3L engine. They are rock solid reliable and for some reason have a bad reputation.
They are gutless however, so beware of that.


I agree that the 3.3 is solid but a bit underpowered. It makes a lovely racket when you mash the long skinny pedal on the right, but not much actually happens. It's pretty well sorted out, it cruises on the freeway pretty well without having to mash the pedal too hard.

My wife's AutoStick 41TE (PT-GT) has over 70,000 now It puts down all 245 ft-lbs torque when I drive it and it still works flawlessly. The only thing I don't like about it is that after driving my 6-speed auto, the 4-speed takes too long between shifts and is lacking those last two upshifts
lol.gif
It's actually a pretty intuitive well sorted transmission. Responds well to throttle inputs. Does 1 downshift or 2 when it should.
But it is a sketchy transmission. When I worked in a transmission shop I could guarantee that at any one time we would have a car with an A604/41TE AND a variant of the Ford F4EAT (Ford/Mazda/Kia) at all times.
 
How about a new MAZDA 5 ? Looks like there are plenty of 2010s' available . Should be able to get a 5 for under $20,000. Good luck on your search .
 
Mazda 5 comes up one seat short. I already suggested that.

It's still the best choice IMHO.

The Sienna 4cylinder isn't as slow as I thought it would be 0-60. I think it can actually manage it in less than 10 seconds. not quick but not Smartfortwo slow either.
 
All,

The search has ended today. I just bought home 2008 Kia Sedona with 38k mile for $13,800 LX plus tax. It has 2 years 4 month/ 22k miles warranty left (5y 60k miles warranty). Hope the car last a long time. I chose between Kia and Dodge but I don't like Dodge's second row seats. They are not solid as other brands (due to fold flat function).
Thanks for all you comments.

Terry
 
Cool!

I wanted to hate Kia but a co-worker's experience had an impact on my opinion.

Every little problem his Sorento had, the dealer took care of. Nothing that would ever leave you stranded. Stuff like the switch on the power seat broke (not stopped working, it broke off), squeak behind the dash...etc... He would show up for work in the Spectra loaner one day and come in the next in his Sorento. Problem solved. No sweat.

And again, no real mechanical problems. I've seen Silverados seat switches break off like that early in their lives. Usually means the driver just has the seat pre-set to him only
lol.gif


I hope your Sedona and dealer treat you as well as my cow-worker's treats him.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

O
Which truck would you buy
2
Replies
39
Views
1K
Fordiesel69
rstcso
Out with the Audi & In with a Pilot
2 3
Replies
54
Views
2K
CKN
A
2018 Tiguan 6 year report
Replies
14
Views
5K
D60
C
Are dealer courtesy cars usually titled?
2
Replies
20
Views
3K
csandste
Bailes1992
'08 Volvo XC70 D5 AWD
2 3 4
Replies
60
Views
2K
Bailes1992
Back
Top Bottom