Jennifer Lea writes for jlogged.com, and is co-owner of 
I would rather…
I would rather do lots of things other than car shop. Things like getting a root canal, or a bikini wax from a vindictive 300 lb Swede, or both at the same time. God help us….we are shopping for a new car. The van “check engine light” came on while we were out of town. We have spent gads of money this year on van repairs, so it’s time to buy a vehicle that wasn’t manufactured before the Santa Maria. We are now looking at new mini vans, and SUV crossovers. Not brand new probably, but a year or two old.
The plan is to keep the van we have because it will be my husband’s business vehicle. It is great for moving furniture, hauling junk, and big enough for all his camera equipment, lighting, etc… I would really love to just buy a car for me and the boys since we are done having babies, but I love the comfort of a minivan and the extra seating capacity.
We are considering the following:
But the one we are heavily leaning towards is the Nissan Quest
This blog has been quite helpful in helping us make this decision.
Questions? Comments? Rude remarks?
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August 14th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
i’ve got a friend who sells cars through enterprise. he’s our worship leader at church actually
we’ve always heard that buying cars that were previsouly rentals (which is what our cavalier was) is good because they are checked and looked over so much. and what enterprise does is after a car has been rented for a couple years it will keep like the top 10% (the best of the best) and then sell those cars. if you want Jonathan’s cell number let me know and you can give him a call. it’s worth a shot! 
August 15th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Yes! I would love to call him up. I have been doing tons of research because if we are gonna go back in debt right after going debt free, by golly, I’m gonna save every penny I can and scour the Northern hemisphere for the VERY best deal
In my defense we are getting a low interest loan from our bank and gonna pay off whatever we buy quick. We just can’t keep sinking money into the two vehicles we have now, and being out of a car stinks. Several times this year we had both cars down, and had to depend on others to cart us around.
I’m hoping to get something 04+ and driving it until the wheels fall off.
August 15th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
Jen-
You probably already know about this but you can go to Books-a-million and buy a Consumer Reports Used Car Guide. It allows you to look up any make and model and see the defects and also the good rated ones. It really helped me to choose my car. I always wondered why people rave about Toyotas. They are highly rated. I almost made a huge mistake and bought a used Land Rover but the year model I was looking at has transmission problems. Another idea is XXX Motor Company in XXX. My father is a mechanic and loves the place because Mr. Dodd is honest and prices the cars fairly. Do you notice how excited I’m getting? I LOVE looking at cars! How can you not?
August 16th, 2007 at 8:45 am
Crystal, I have definitely been doing research, and the 04 Nissan Quest seem to have electrical problems. I was wondering why there were SO many for sale. Akk!
I would LOVE a honda or toyota, but they are really too expensive for our budget. If we could get away with a sedan it would be doable, but vans are much more pricey.
I love *looking* at cars, it’s the buying part that makes me twitchy with all the haggling, paperwork, etc…
August 16th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
You’ll get a better deal on a durango, but I sure love my Town and Country! It’s cheaper than the honda or toyota vans but in the same league, in my opinion. Good luck!!
August 16th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
It was funny reading the MommyProof review of the durango. I just drove it today for the first time in quite awhile to get it inspected. I HATED it! It’s so trucky and just made me love my van that much more. lol
August 16th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
I never thought I would say “I love my mini van,” but I do. I want to marry it, have ten kids with it, and call it my precious.
I drove Aaron’s Grand AM yesterday, and felt so chlaustrophobic, and small. Sorry, Pontiac I have outgrown you, but I would like to remain friends. Call me…
August 16th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
YOU SUCK! I’m still pissed my brother-in-law traded his soul for a FINANCED new mini-van that looks pretty much like an SUV. I don’t have to tell you how I cringed at how jealous that would make my husband. How my husband would immediately feel his car was not good enough. But, I thought, at least the Aaron & Jen won’t be sellouts. At least the Jen & Aaron are on the “never finance a car again” plan. That way we won’t feel like such losers who live within our means
ALONE!!!
My service engine light is permanently on you big cry babies.
Tracee Sioux
So Sioux Me
Empower Your Self
Empower Your Daughter
http://www.sosiouxme.com
August 17th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
Hahaha! Yes, but have YOU spent 4,000.00 on car repairs in the last 18 months?!! For realz Tracee, I gots to get me a new ride, and by new I don’t mean brand new…just new-er.
So, tell me how you really feel about it?
August 17th, 2007 at 4:18 pm
Oh, and I was just told today that my son needs braces. D’oh! Now we can talk about soul selling.
August 17th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
I really feel like throwing in my white flag and saying screw Dave Ramsey I’ve had enough. I’m not cut out for it.
We’re getting a new-er car too. At this point I don’t even give a crap if he finances it. Seems we’ll never be done paying stupid tax. I’m sick of the battle. Sick of the struggle. For what? Not angry anymore - just defeated. I lose - so what?
August 17th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
Well, that’s kinda how I’m feeling right now too. ((hug))
August 17th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
Hey, we just bought a Nissan Quest today! It’s a 2001 though. =)
August 18th, 2007 at 10:03 am
Nice. My van is a ‘95, so an ‘01 sounds fantastic! I’ll be looking for pics Kate
Congrats.
August 20th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
Be encouraged!! If you live like no one else now you’ll live like no one else later!!!
August 23rd, 2007 at 9:45 am
Thanks Steff. This is so true, and I needed to hear it again