Old vs New Vehicle

1stTimeDad

New member
In a nut shell...would you rather be driving your kids in a newer minivan (2013) with side curtain airbags and all the latest safety features or an older (2001) Dodge ram pick-up truck extended cab (the smaller backseats). DD1 is FWD facing in a Britax marathon and DD2 is rear facing in Britax Marathon. We leased the van 18 months ago but money is getting tight and I am thinking about transferring the lease to save the monthly payment. The truck is paid off and runs fine.
 
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bubbaray

New member
Definitely the van. Older trucks were not designed to current safety standards. Watch a few crash test videos with the older trucks and you will see what I mean. Also check out IIHS ratings.
 

1stTimeDad

New member
Thanks for the input. Just to add to the story what if it were just one trip per day. We also have a 2008 Honda pilot which would be the primary transporter. Just checking. I just keep thinking its a 500lb truck and a 4000lb van. Ill check the videos and the ratings. Thanks
 

aeormsby

New member
My kids regularly ride in 3 vehicles - a 2005 Dodge Dakota, 2007 Saturn Outlook & 2014 Mazda3. I don't feel they're particularly safer in one vehicle over another. The truck doesn't have side airbags but they're both in HBB's in that one due to low/no headrests so that makes me feel better about that aspect.

If money is tight do what you need to do, how old is your older DD? Would it be possible to RF her again if you moved her to the truck?
 

Dillipop

Well-known member
A 2013 vehicle is going to have more safety features than an older truck. As you pointed out in your original post- it has side curtain airbags and all the safety features.

However, you have a 2008 pilot that presumably also has those safety features and the children primarily ride in that vehicle.

Since finances are not going to allow you to continue your lease- are you turning in the van or will you be rolling it into a less expensive lease on a smaller vehicle?

If getting rid of the 2013 entirely, then properly using the children's car seats in the truck will be fine. Many people do it. Just make sure that the forward facing car seat is tethered and both seats are installed properly and the children are seated in them properly. If dd1 is small enough to rear face in your seats, I'd consider turning her rear facing as well, since it is so much safer than forward facing. Having the children restrained properly will make a big difference overall.

If you're changing the van for a smaller car, then I'd use the smaller car for transport if possible. It will have all those safety features, even being smaller. There is a crash test video somewhere showing an old volvo or other large vehicle taking on a small current vehicle, like a fit or something. The smaller vehicle cam away with less intrusion and injury criteria than the big old hunk of metal. Bigger doesn't always mean safer when you're talking 15 years old (with 15 year old technology) versus 2 years old with newer technology.
 

DawgDad

New member
So you have a 2001 Dodge Ram (paid for), 2013 Honda Odyssey (lease), and a 2008 Honda Pilot (not paid for)?

Is the Ram your everyonce in a while car and the Odyssey is your weekend car while the Pilot is the "to and from" vehicle during the week?

What people said about safety is true. The standards of safety are much more in the newer Odyssey than the older Ram truck. Plus, it is much easier to get kids in an out of the Odyssey than the Ram.

What about getting rid of the Pilot since there is more room and convenience in the Odyssey? Would that put you over the mileage of the Odyssey? Is the Ram needed for anything or is it just a transportation vehicle?
 

Dillipop

Well-known member
So you have a 2001 Dodge Ram (paid for), 2013 Honda Odyssey (lease), and a 2008 Honda Pilot (not paid for)? Is the Ram your everyonce in a while car and the Odyssey is your weekend car while the Pilot is the "to and from" vehicle during the week? What people said about safety is true. The standards of safety are much more in the newer Odyssey than the older Ram truck. Plus, it is much easier to get kids in an out of the Odyssey than the Ram. What about getting rid of the Pilot since there is more room and convenience in the Odyssey? Would that put you over the mileage of the Odyssey? Is the Ram needed for anything or is it just a transportation vehicle?


He didn't say what kind of van it is or of the pilot is paid off or not. If it's a dodge, I'd keep the pilot...
 

1stTimeDad

New member
Thanks for the replies. The crash test pictures of the 01 ram were disconcerting to say the least. Sadly I refinanced the 08 pilot to make room for the van so it has another year before its paid off. The van is a 2013 quest. We have a year and a half left on the lease. We might just suck it up. My wife is a teacher and by the end of the lease both girls might be at her school. She'll have the pilot and I just might drive myself to work in the old truck. For now with babysitting and dropping off and all we need two "family" cars so that's why we decided to lease the van. Thanks again.
 

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