I might need car shopping help.

[KBecks]

Our 2001 Acura TL with 130k miles has a bad transmisison and a $4k repair estimate. DH is checking with Acura/Honda to see if they will help cover the costs since the TLs have had a history of tranny issues. We are hoping to keep the car running w/o a huge repair bill.

However, if we are out of luck, we will probably shop for a new car, like this weekend. We have an 07 Odyssey minivan, we will have 3 kids, and I think these are our criteria:

-- fuel efficient; DH does the most driving and he makes a lot of sales calls
-- I think it should fit 3 car seats in the back in a pinch, we'll use the minivan nearly all the time with the kids
-- DH will drop DS1 off at preschool, I think we need 4 doors
-- some cargo room for DH to carry some work supplies plus golf clubs once in a while.
-- I don't drive standard transmission cars so an automatic would be best for flexiblity

I'm wondering seriously about a hybrid if we buy new. I'm normally a huge researcher but this is a short time period. I'd appreciate any suggestions!

I wonder about a Prius or Highlander hybrid. I think DH would like more of a medium-size vehicle though. I don't know what he likes!

[1964pandora]

Sorry to hear that your car may bite the dust!

How about a nice, midsize sedan? We're not in the market for a car just yet, but I know what we will buy next. I love the newest Toyota Camry. They redesigned the exterior in 2007, so I would want to buy a 2007 or 2008. I wasn't too keen on the looks of the Camry until I started noticing the latest model.

From what I've read, hybrids do NOT save you money. I'm all for hybrids for environmental reasons, but supposedly they are not more economical. Here's an article about that:

http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/...car/P37272.asp

Good luck with your car!



Susan

[kmak]

As far as size the Toyota Prius is very roomy inside. They just give the impression of being a small car. I don't know about 3 car seats though. But it has room for tall adults in the back seat with a really good sized cargo area in the back.

[ThreeofUs]

Unfortunately, the hybrids have not (yet) lived up to their promise - mainly because battery technology has not progressed the way industry experts expected. Also, battery replacement is $ouch.

Go for a 4-cylinder engine, maybe even turbo-powered if you want the power, and you will get just about the same mileage as a hybrid. I'm personally a fan of Saabs and Subarus, but these are not to everyone's taste or pocketbook.

Good luck!

[kmak]

Oh, and, in what little research we've done, fuel economy is going to still be better on a smaller gas car than a hybrid SUV. All hybrids are not the same. And, no matter how you look at it SUV's gulp down the gas. It's just the way they're designed is not fuel effecient.

[cvanbrunt]

My husband is leasing a Highlander Hybrid. We won't be keeping it because the mileage isn't great, although it's good for a car that size. We are big fans of the Volvos.

[kijip]

Honestly for a 7 year old Acura, I'd consider a $4000 repair vs. the $20,000+ cost of a new car. If the transmission can be fixed, that car has a lot more miles left to drive. If a new car is your decision, I'd get a 4 cylinder Camry for your specific needs. It will last forever.

[niccig]

We have a Prius. 2 car seats, no problems. 3 will depend on the seats used. If you check over at car-seat.org I think someone has done it. As for longevity of hybrids, it remains to be seen, but I was in a taxi Prius in Vancouver and the driver said it had done 1 million kilometers (about 600,000 miles I think) and he said no hybrid components were replaced - they did have to replace a normal 12V battery though. So I have hope that ours lasts as many miles. We got ours in 2004 and got a tax write off for it and we have a permit on it for the car pool lane and it cut 30 mins off DH's commute each way, so it was a better buy for us than any other car. I've heard that because of gas prices, there are waiting lists for Priuses and they are going for sticker, so no deals on new ones.

[1964pandora]

Honestly for a 7 year old Acura, I'd consider a $4000 repair vs. the $20,000+ cost of a new car. If the transmission can be fixed, that car has a lot more miles left to drive. If a new car is your decision, I'd get a 4 cylinder Camry for your specific needs. It will last forever.

I think that what Katie said about repairing the car is quite true. I think it's always always cheaper in the long run to repair a car, even if it's an expensive repair, (even if it continues to need repairs) than to buy a new car. I also like Katie's recommendation on the 4 cylinder Camry!

Susan

[beansprout13]

We just got rid of our 2001 Acura TL as well b/c of transmission problems too. We couldn't get Acura to pay for anything - they claim they already extended the warranty to 100,000 miles to cover potential issues. We just got a Honda Accord, which is actually slightly bigger than the TL. It is DH's car so I haven't driven it very much, but he is very happy.