What kind of family car, 3 kids, would you buy?

Question

I'd love some answers from some of you who "know" cars, IF you were buying a minivan/SUV what kind would you buy? We just had our car totalled due to a wreck. We are in the sudden position of buying a car. First, we can't decide whether to go new or used. Also, we have a baby on the way and will have 3 kids very soon- so we'd like ROOM! But, the minivans are SO expensive! We are not rich, so money is definitely a concern. We just want to get a reliable/good value vehicle.

Answer 1

a chevy van you dont want a ford fix or repair daily

Answer 2

I personally would recommend the Mazda5. I have a friend who had similar concern. She wanted something that could sit about 6 people, but wasn't about to spend $25K on a minivan, yet wanted something new as well. Granted, like any vehicle, the Mazda5 has it's pros/cons. For her, she would have appreciated a little more engine power from the 4 cylinder engine, then again, she was used to a Mustang which was her previous vehicle, so having said that, she was just spoiled in that dept.

And there's a few hard surfaces in the interior that would be nice if they were padded or of better material, but considering the Mazda5 can be had from $19K, and hers was the fully loaded one at $21K, it's not bad at all. It has sliding doors on the side, but drives very much like a car, yet the view and sitting position is upright.

Supposedly the Mazda5 has been selling well, and reliability has been good in general otherwise, so I would put this on your shopping list.

Next one up is the Ford Freestyle. It's built on a Volvo platform, so you have great crash safety. It has 3 rows of sitting, with also a fol/dissapear 3rd row seats like the Mazda6, and the V6 makes good gas mileage at 21/28MPG...goes for $24-31K. There's a new one debuting this year with more power and safety gadgets, and renamed to Taurus X. These are available with AWD which is a Haldex system. You could possibly pick up a Freestyle for a good price when the new Taurus X debuts.

Although don't expect Ford to give you huge discounts on these vehicles, they are selling well and it has low depreciation levels, so you won't pick one up for a steal either. Realiability has been above average overall, and has been rated highly by a few reliability research firms.

So there are 2 choices I've seen good results in that I suggest you should take a look at...wish you luck.

Answer 3

I have three kids ages 11, 6, and 3 and I recently purchased a Mazda 6. Before the mazda I had a chevy trailblazer and the kids actually enjoy riding in the Mazda much better. Now the back seat is tight but no more than any other car. The Mazda 6 has excellent safety features, are not that expensive, get good mpg (think 32+), and are a very sporty. My mazda rides very smoothly and I am very satisfied. I looked at the toyota camry, honda accord, and nissan altima before buying my mazda. The honda will hold its resale value and will run for 200000+ miles but the parts are foreign and can cost you lots of money if something tears up. I bought my Mazda when they had a rebate and paid a lot less that what I would have for a new or even used camry, accord, or altima. Hyundais do not get very good reviews. My friend had a hyundai and she had mechanical problem after problem. This is why they offer a hugher warranty because problems are expected.

Answer 4

When buying a car a good thing to know is a brand new car almost half's its value over the first year, so buy a car that is roughly a year old, that will save you a few thousand straight away. Skoda Octavia, with its low running cost (does up to 50mpg) and its high rely-ability, its a great car to own. However with a large family i would recommend a Zafira. I had 2 and the one I'm driving at the moment I've had for 5 years and its just as good as when I bought it. Because of the extra 2 seats at the back it has been a life saver when my mum and dad wants to tag along with the family. The back seats also fall completely flat to the ground so its great when you've been out on a big shopping trip or if you need to fit in the double-buggy!!! And they are cheaper than you might think - I got mine for just £8000 being only 1 year old and only having 4000 miles (from Frosts). Hope this information has been useful!!

Answer 5

Okay, I think the most reliable choice would be a Honda CR-V or a Toyota Rav4. If you are looking into a minivan, I have heard good things about I think it is the Toyota Sienna. If you are on a budget, you can often times find a Honda CR-V or Toyota Rav4 with 50-70,000 miles, but the cost will be reasonable, and you can guarantee that it will last another 100,000 miles. I am actually looking for a Toyota Rav4 or Honda CR-V and some are very reasonably priced and run very well. Good Luck

Answer 6

How much money is too much money?

You might consider a used domestic minivan. The reliability on ...all of them...has been mediocre, but some of them are quite comfortable and are quite nice to drive. (My favorites are the Ford Windstar and GMC Safari...I regularly drove a Safari at work, and I lived in a Windstar for 3 weeks...literally) They depreciate really fast, so they're cheap to buy...just expect that it will need repair sooner or later.

Toyota and Honda minivans depreciate slowly and are therefore more expensive, but you still might find one in your price range.

Otherwise, there's the Subaru Outback/Legacy and Forester. They might be pushing it a little on room, but my family could fit 3-4 6-footers in one. They're also VERY safe, very reliable, and not too expensive to buy used. Just don't get a 97-2001or2002-ish 2.5 liter and you'll be fine.

You might also consider a Ford Crown Victoria/Mercury Grand Marquis/Lincoln Town Car. Fuel economy could be a bit of a concern if you live in a major city, but the highway mileage can actually be pretty good. (High 20s if you know what you're doing, mid 20s if you don't) They're quite roomy, quite reliable, and quite inexpensive used.

Also if you need passenger space, but don't need to go too heavy on the cargo room, consider a Scion xB. CAVERNOUS interior for a vehicle that size, but a lot of that comes from trading cargo room for passenger space. Good crash ratings in Japanese tests, including for side impact (even without curtain airbags)

Answer 7

STAY AWAY FROM THE KIA'S! you get into another wreck you'll be oweing the ins company money. crappy resale value. i have 3 kids and another on the way and i drive a tundra double cab and they all fit great. i had the toyota sienna and that was a kick *** van. the odysessy is also great. the rav4 and crv sizes you'll find TOO SMALL for 3 kids. you'll want a van an SUV like a Honda Pilot or Toyota 4runner or a double cab truck. Try leasing, save on money.

Answer 8

As far as money is concerned, go to shopping.com Yeah, i know, the web address seem so simple but i stumbled upon it one day and i never left. It's anything and everything you desire at the lowest possible price and for vehicles, it's great, new or used. I also see no problem in getting a used vehicle because you can find a great deal on a used vehicle at this site, with great mileage and still in awesome condition and again, at the lowest possible price. Hope all ends well for you.

Answer 9

Hyundai's are less costly and have great safety rateings. Try a Hyundai sante fe, tuscon, or entourage. and they've got great warrantys!

Answer 10

with three kids i would get a mazda cx9, honda crv or a toyota matrix (sporty wagon with lots of space) but if you want something less expensive, try a kia sorento.