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Need a new family car - please help me decide

41 messages,  Last post on Jul 07, 2011 at 10:40 AM

You are in the Honda Accord Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Accord, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Car Comparisons, Sedan, SUV

Messages Page 3 of 5

#12 of 41 Mini Van by bug4

Dec 27, 2007 (4:12 pm)

I have consider this question adnausium. Each family needs something slightly different. But, I'll bet the more you think about this, you make lists, compare prices to functionality, etc. etc. etc. -- you'll end up concluding that a minivan is "the bomb!" There is just no way around it. They are comfortable, extremely roomy, they get decent gas mileage, they drive well, have front wheel drive and, did I mention, they're roomy. Oh yea -- they also have LOTS of room! I have a 2yr old and a 5 yr old and, trust me, unless you buy a huge sedan, none of the cars considered in this thread are practical for fitting two car seats and an adult in one row. The new car seats just take up too much room. I've tried it in my new 08 Accord, and, while possible, its not comfortable for any extended period of time.
 
You know, if you are in the market for a mini-van, I have some advise that might be worth considering. If you can, buy a Honda Odysee. I have driven two of them and am very impressed. My ex-wife owns a brand new Toyota Sienna and, IMHO, it is no where near as nice as the Odysee. On the other hand, a minivan is something that is going to be abused. When considering family vehicles about 6 years ago, I decided to purchase a Dodge minivan with 28k miles on the odometer. I purchased it for 1/3 the price of a new Honda. Yes, it was a Dodge and had some minor problems and the "fit and finish' wasn't as nice. But, it was reliable and the fit and finish doesn't make as much difference when its smeared with ice cream and muddy feet. I decided to go "cheap" and just get something that I didn't have to stress about or worry about maintaining its shine for resale value. It had little resale value, so I drove it for 100,000 miles and never regretted the decision. You could probably pick up the prior-generation Chrysler/Dodge minivan for really cheap right now and the cost of ownership would be extremely reasonable. On the other hand, if the minivan would be your only vehicle and your image-conscious at all, perhaps you want something a little more up-scale. Just my thoughts!

#13 of 41 Re: Need a new family car - please help me decide [eoren1] by kiawah

Dec 27, 2007 (6:03 pm)

Replying to: eoren1 (Dec 26, 2007 7:01 pm)
I would obviously recommend the mini-van. I did forget to mention one thing that my daughter brought up (visibility), after they had grown up in a mini-van for 10 years. The mini-van was our daily driver for them, but also had a Suburban. I wanted to get a sedan, with the thinking that by the time that my oldest daughter would be learning to drive, that it would be the perfect 'used' car for her. So the family was out looking for a sedan, and after the test drives my youngest daughter indicated that she couldn't really see out of the windows (not really tall enough, and forward visibility blocked by closeness to the front seat), and she was afraid that she would be sick. What we hadn't realized (or necessarily given any thought to), is the great visibility that chldren have from the seats of min-vans.....as compared to sedans.
 
To me this is a no brainer. The mini-van just fits all the different stages of what you'll need during their childhood years.

#14 of 41 Need a new family car - please help me decide by viet

Dec 27, 2007 (9:10 pm)

Eoren1,
 
Based on your provided info. , I vote for:
 
1- First option: '07 Honda minivan Ody. LX (for cheaper price).
 
2-Second option: '08 Accord sedan 4 cyclinders LX or EX.
 
Either of them should fit in your budget, rear space, reliability & gas mileage. These above van/ car are rated top models in their classes. Good luck with your final decision. Please let us know your choice.

#15 of 41 Re: Need a new family car - please help me decide [eoren1] by jpf5

Dec 28, 2007 (10:12 pm)

Replying to: eoren1 (Dec 26, 2007 7:01 pm)
We are in the same situation with 2 kids and just bought the 2008 Accord. There is room for a third adult in the back seat. It is best if you have the two car seats next to each other so that the adult in back can sit near the window. Not sure why but this makes it a lot more doable.
 
We also looked at the CRV but gave it up for the same reason you mentioned. There is actually less cabin room in it. If you don't want a mini van or SUV it doesn't help for people to tell you to get one. Sure it will have more space, but it will also suck gas and be a pain to park and navigate around Eastern cities and parking lots.
 
The thing that sold me on the Accord it that it has every safety feature you could want included on all models. I like that they don't make you to buy a V6 just to get stability control.
 
All that said, if you plan to have 3 kids you may have to look at a mini van. Check out the Mazda 5 if you haven't already. It was tempting to me, but doesn't come with stability control and I'm a safety freak....
 
Best.

#16 of 41 Consider a Pilot by quattro5

Dec 29, 2007 (8:15 am)

I'd throw out a Honda Pilot. You should be able to get the VP model for a very good price, sub-$25K right now.

#17 of 41 WOW - thanks for all the replies! by eoren1

Dec 29, 2007 (9:58 am)

Thanks to everyone who posted.
I'm thinking the Honda Odyssey for my wife and the Honda Accord for me. Will test drive and let you know what happens.
E

#18 of 41 Re: WOW - thanks for all the replies! [eoren1] by viet

Dec 29, 2007 (11:53 am)

Replying to: eoren1 (Dec 29, 2007 9:58 am)
Eoren1,
 
So, now your budget for new cars has inflated to $100K+ already. Keep us posted. Honda Ody and Accord are both ranked number one in their classes.
 
Accord '08 has all fancy and safety features (VSA, traction control, ACE, big full airbags to protect torso...) that you cant resist buying it. Pricing is reasonable. Ody is ranked as a top van.

#19 of 41 Ford Taurus by thegraduate

Dec 30, 2007 (12:02 am)

Anyone interested in a large, value-packed, family car should check out the new 2008 Ford Taurus. In my area (Birmingham, Alabama) I'm getting quotes for less than $21,500 and that INCLUDES taxes and fees; it's around $20,000 before them - in other words - a large, powerful (263hp), comfortable trip car for the price of a Honda Civic EX.

#20 of 41 Re: Ford Taurus [thegraduate] by blane

Dec 30, 2007 (12:29 pm)

Replying to: thegraduate (Dec 30, 2007 12:02 am)
Grad,
 
You and Ford can call it a Taurus, but a rebadged Ford Five Hundred, that couldn't convince many people to buy it, is a possible safety hazard. Drivers may fall asleep from boredom.

#21 of 41 Re: Ford Taurus [blane] by exshoman

Dec 30, 2007 (12:59 pm)

Replying to: blane (Dec 30, 2007 12:29 pm)
I was never a big Taurus fan myself, but this latest iteration is worth looking at, especially if you're ever going to have two baby seats plus an adult in the back. It's got a huge trunk and big back seat.
 
Exciting? No, but the new 3.5 liter engine means it's no slouch any more. A lot of family cars fall into the "less than exciting" category.
 
Given the original criteria, it's worth a look. That's why I like Grad. Even though he owns two Accords, he's not blind to the fact that there are many good automobiles out there that serve the varied needs of different people.

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