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Why do you need to drive 6? You, DH, DS1, DS2, SDS. That's 5 right?
Given your prior posts about $ (assuming things haven't changed) I really encourage you to make do until the cars are paid off.
I drive a 2004 Highlander... mine doesn't have it, but I know third row seating was an option during this body style (2001 - 2007? guessing here). You would just need to check each one. FWIW, I'm not sure that 3rd row has tethers or not... so you may have to put RF or boosters there, or opt for no tether, which isn't as safe. With the right seats though, you can fit 3 across in the main middle row. I must warn you though, gas mileage is bad... like 15 miles/gallon. Mine currently has 135,000 miles and going... only problem I've had is with the window motors and A/C (which is an electrical problem).
If you're going to do it (and give Dave Ramsey a stroke, lol ) then I would go into it with a few assumptions:
1. You will drive this car until it is paid off; due to credit issues and negative equity. Take that into consideration when looking at mileage and the state of a vehicle. You will have this a minimum of five years. Also, consider how big your kids will be in 5 years. A small child who fits in the 3rd row now, might not in that length of time. Crawl into the 3rd row and see how an adult size person might fit.
2. Your interest rate might prevent this from happening. Rolling a considerable amount negative equity into a used vehicle may amount to a terrible interest rate that would result in sky high payments.
3. I would really only consider a 2006+ Kia Sedona or Hyundai Entourage (Sedona clone) or an earlier model Toyota Sienna. (The early Odysseys have transmission issues). These would provide the greatest capacity, reliability, value and gas savings.
Good luck!
Forgive me for continuing to brainstorm other options, but after listening to Dave Ramsey for a while, yeah. Buying a new car with 2 upside down makes me twitchy .
How do SS's pick-ups go? Is there a reason you all have to go get him? I know when I was growing up, my dad often came to get us by himself due to step-mom's work schedule or just because she had things to do, and then we spent all weekend together. It seems to me that it would make the most sense for DH to go get his son and bring him to your house, then yall decide what to do. If you all go somewhere and need 2 cars, fine, but you could choose more local things.
I would be considering something like this. But you will have to see hoe much negative equity they will let you roll into the new car. I searched the state where I believe you are... But this one came up... Don't know how far it is....
http://m.autotrader.com/cars-for-sa...ds=15&firstRecord=1&zip=64101&searchType=used
I would definitely keep an open mind about a minivan. When I was in high school, money was tight. There were 5 licensed drivers in the house, all adult sized, plus one more tween/teen. My dad took his sedan to work every day. Back then, minivans weren't really a thing; we had a monstrous full size conversion van. We certainly didn't have the option for a 3rd vehicle.
My dad was self employed, often working long hours, weekends, evenings, you name it. So guess which vehicle was around for errands, dropping siblings off at work, etc.? I pretty much learned to drive on that thing. We made it work.
Today's options are obviously better than the conversion van, in just about every measurable way: price, gas mileage, safety, comfort. I'm no expert on the specifics of your financial situation, but aside from the actual volume of space taken up by a minivan, there's not much logical argument in favor of a new-to-you small SUV over a minivan. And the physical space only matters if you do a lot of tight parallel parking or have a really tiny garage or something.
Thank you. Truthfully I also held out some hope we could find an suv with a manual shift, that's definitely not happening with a van but it likely wouldn't with an suv either. I'm so used to driving a compact car!
How about a Mazda MPV? Smaller than traditional minivans but still offers 7 seats. Price is low enough that you could pay off your current vehicle without rolling it into this one.
http://m.autotrader.com/cars-for-sa...featureCodes=&premiumFeatureCodes=&keywords=&
True. I went through an "I need a manual transmission!" phase myself, but when it comes down to situations like this, I think back to that conversion van, complete with non-optional CB radio. It wasn't ideal by any stretch, but nothing was, so we went with what was manageable. I'm trying to remember why you need a 7th seat? You might be able to find a manual transmission Mazda 5 (6 seater) in your price range.
ETA: ah, I see in your original post that you mostly just think it would be a good idea to have that extra seat in case you need it. I suppose that's true, but then again if you can make the 5 work with your needs 99% of the time, it sounds like it might make you happiest.
FYI, the Hyundai Entourage is the twin to the Kia Sedona. I think the base model of the Entourage has more extras than the base model of the Sedona, but they're essentially the same car with two different names.
We feel it's better to deal with that now rather than scramble again.
I agree that if you get a new-to-you vehicle, it should be a 7-seater. However, this may not be the best time to get a new vehicle. If you do get pregnant, you'll have nine months to make arrangements. If you are planning on getting pregnant soon (or not planning on NOT getting pregnant), pay down one of the vehicles as fast as you can so you can trade it. For now, make do and pay down.
I agree that if you get a new-to-you vehicle, it should be a 7-seater. However, this may not be the best time to get a new vehicle. If you do get pregnant, you'll have nine months to make arrangements. If you are planning on getting pregnant soon (or not planning on NOT getting pregnant), pay down one of the vehicles as fast as you can so you can trade it. For now, make do and pay down.
I agree.
I've been in a situation where I had to roll negative equity into a loan (on a dependable new car with warranty and maintenance plan). There was no other option due to divorce. But there was a light at the end of the tunnel with regards to finances. I quickly got out of the situation. I would have a hard time doing what you are talking about without any indication that finances will improve and with a car of unknown history (without any money for repairs/maintenance).
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