Help Picking A New Car After An Accident

[elliebelly]

can anyone offer some quick help (i have to buy a car by tuesday )

i had a 2002 honda odyssey, which i really hated, but was sold on the safety features. sure enough, i was rear ended (drunk driver, going 55, i was at a standstill) and my dd in a britax husky at 45 lbs and 6 years came out without even a bruise. i had a minor concussion (and am still pretty spacey so i apologize if this doesn't make a lot of sense).

i need to get my new car quickly, as we dont' have another car that fits our family of four. we have ds's 14 and 12, dd is 6 (britax husky), ds is 2 (britax wizard forward facing.

what i really don't want is another minivan. but the odyssey is good, and has lots of rear storage room. i looked at the pilot and really like it, but dh doesn't like the lack of storage room. i'm concerned about how close the third seat is to the rear window. and we both wonder if the big guys will be comfortable back there.

does anyone have a suggestion? because the insurance company is concerned about the facts, i have a little money to play with. i can probably go as high as $45k. and i want something new.

i'm reseaching on the quick with about half a brain, so i would really appreciate any advice/experience here. thank you.

joyce

 

[elliebelly]

i forgot to add one other factor, which is that i'm only 5'1", which means getting something where i can have back up sensors, and even adjustable foot pedals (like the touring model of the odyssey) weighs pretty heavily.

 

[Unregistered]

Can't help with a car recommendation but want to say that you probably will need to replace your carseats as well. See www.carsafety.org/faq.html#Q27
which will give you info on whether or not your seats need to be replaced.
C.

 

[Unregistered]

The last post, from me, should have read www.car-safety.org/faq.html#Q27

Sorry, C.

 

[elliebelly]

thanks. we went out and replaced them the following morning. and in case anyone in this situation is concerned about the cost, the insurance company didn't bat an eyelash when i told them they were replacing 3 britax seats (i had two seats and a booster in the car)

 

[Unregistered]

That is great to hear! Just one less thing for you to be stressed out about. Did they offer to replace them or did you have to 'ask' them?
C.

 

[elliebelly]

i told them i was replacing the seats. didn't ask for permission--just assumed they would cover it.

 

[jen_nah]

We have a Chevy Tahoe which has been great for us but we are a family of 4 not a family of 6. We looked at the Suburban but don't need something that big just yet as we have a crew cab truck right now too. I loved the suburban we drove (2nd row captain chairs like my Tahoe) and the 3rd row was a good distance from the rear cargo door. It also would give you plenty of cargo area. My Tahoe & the Suburban had adjustable foot pedals. I also love the On Star feature in my Tahoe. If I am in a crash they know it and will notify the police & EMS. I will never own another vehicle with out On Star. I have had to use it already when my almost 4yr old locked us out of my truck in the store parking lot. All I had to do was call On Star with my cell phone & they unlocked my doors in a matter of seconds.