Want to help us pick our new car?

[MSWR0319]

Definitely check out cost of insurance before you purchase, just so you're aware. With two new drivers, your insurance will go up. Especially with boys! DS just got his drivers license a few weeks ago and our insurance doubled just adding him. The cost would have been a little less if we had older cars. Unfortunately, two of our vehicles are 3 years old and DH had to get a new one the same week DS needed his license. So because we have newer cars, it's even more for him to drive because of the age of our cars and the fact that we need comprehensive coverage on all of them. We hadn't planned on getting DS one so new but the deal was right, and we couldn't pass it up. I love the idea of the kids driving your mom's car if that's an option.

[bisous]

Ok. Love posting here and hearing about all of you that have older cars too! I was thinking about my fears of continuing to drive these cars and I think the biggest are that my last two cars died at (both of them!) 213K miles. So one car is over and with the rate that DH is driving the CRV we'll get there very soon! We do have a great mechanic and currently everything is in very good working order, for now.

So interesting that none of you suggest a "road trip" car for us as a new one. That fits more with my inclinations, like I don't really WANT to invest in a large car because I don't enjoy driving one?? But so many suggested a fuel efficient car for DH. I do think that could work well for us. His work has plug in stations available for employees. Another piece of info to add in is that DH used to ride the train into work every day prior to 2020 and COVID. He's considered going back. There are huge pros--he can work on his trip into the city and decompress on the way home, he can also leave earlier often because he has to make his train ride (though that can be a con too!). But the lack of flexibility is tricky and it breaks down more that you might expect. TBH I think DH would love a different job, but as Niccig pointed out, there is a lot of disruption in his industry right now and we're grateful for the stability of his current job! It just has a long commute for sure. If DH DOES start taking the train, the kid that wants his car will just have to be responsible for transporting him to and from the station (4 miles away). Seems fair?

DH also pointed out that adding teenaged drivers will be expensive. So we'll have to keep that in mind for sure.

My mom's car is something we've thought a lot about. On the one hand it makes so much sense BUT she does go absolutely crazy whenever she sees a car that looks like hers. Even just any other random Camry. Though I'm honestly not sure how long this phase will last. Her cognition is getting worse! If we do end up using my mom's car, we'd buy it from my parents as they need all the money they can for her care! Not sure who will end up driving it. It is newer and lower mileage than any of our current cars but also not really the size or configuration that either of us wants, lol. Like believe it or not the CRV is smaller and narrower but the Camry fits the same number of people?

My sister sourced backup cameras for me and I was stunned at how cheap they were! DH is hesitant to "invest any money" into the van, but honestly I think this is where I can push back a bit since I'm the one driving it and it makes a huge difference. We do have sliding doors!

So. If DH takes the train, we would then have two cars available for kids again. My only issue that remains is a safe enough car for a road trip. DH is hesitant to rent a car for a road trip. I think if we just did two planned trips a year I'd be fine with factoring in that kind of expense? I think what's hard is our precedent for weekend trips. Can't imagine anything worse than breaking down in 100 plus degree temps in the middle of nowhere but honestly even a newer car could do that?

Final wrinkle. DS1 wants to go back up to school. He's done with grunt work construction, lol. We told him we support him but want to see some progress in independence first. I think if he had a car up there it would be a game changer. Maybe that's where grandma's car goes?

[georgiegirl]

Back up cameras are very cheap. Back when DD started driving, DD and I installed one ourselves on the old Subaru she was driving.

I would definitely look into renting a van for your trips. I know a couple of people who do that. There is nothing better than a minivan in terms of pass gear space, cargo size, and convenience for a family. People who claim large SUVs are better either need 4 wheel drive or want something more ?cool? or ?fun to drive.?


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[SnuggleBuggles]

I wouldn't necessarily make the 4 mile drive to the train be a responsibility for someone. That sounds like it could be a timing hassle. If it is convenient timing wise, great. Otherwise, the Uber/Lyft option won't be that expensive (cheaper than gas), carpool with someone else taking the train or ride a bike to the station (if viable).

For road trips, you could take 2 cars. That's what we did on our last summer trip and it was fantastic to have 2 cars at our destination.

[AnnieW625]

I would get a new smaller 3rd car. You can always rent a car for a road trip, if you are nervous driving your older car on it. Would cost a lot less.
I hate buying cars, especially if you are replacing something that might not really need to be replaced. Those cars are workhorses. If you are in the financial position to get a new Ody, sure. Go for it. But I wouldn't keep the old Ody for someone to drive around. So, if you still need a 3rd car then that sounds like you have to get 2 cars, not just 1. That's why I would just get a new smaller 3rd car and keep the older cars you have chugging along.

Yes to this. I would rent a car for a road trip. I would keep your current cars and add a small hybrid, plug in hybrid chargeable EV that your DH can charge at the train station or at his work. FWIW there are a lot of CRV hybrids on the market right now (a friend just bought one last week and I was looking at stock and there are a ton of them out there right now?. at least in the IE).

FWIW we will join the three car family sometime in the next year as Dd1 will get the Subaru Outback full time. It will also be the cheapest car to insure her on because it is the oldest. I will probably end up with a small SUV hybrid or plug in hybrid. For me I am not sure I want 100% electric because I don?t drive enough for it to make sense even though I could essentially not have to pay to charge it (Dh's work has free charging, but I would still install a charger at home) and I rarely drive more than 200 miles per week, but my DH is still concerned about the lack of warranty protection available on 100% electric vehicles (there is none; he does vehicle warranty regulations for the State).


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[essnce629]

You likely have good charging infrastructure in CA but I would crunch the numbers on that daily commute and charging needs. And then consider charging opportunities. That's a pretty hefty daily commute and if charging isn't convenient, I could see it being a hassle. We have an EV and sometimes the planning that goes into longer trips is a pain. We made a last minute decision to take it on a 2 hour drive and dh had let it get pretty low on the battery % so we started our road trip by sitting at a charging station. For the right driver/drive and set up though, EVs are really nice.

I would buy a car still in production since OP likely will keep it a long time. I'd hate for it to be a pain to get service, parts, support...

Another good option out now is the new Prius Prime plug in hybrid. It's a good entry EV type car- less stress of needing to be charge dependent.

I definitely wouldn't ever get an electric car without having a charger at home. We've had 3 different electric cars over the past 10 years and have always charged at home. In 10 years we've paid for charging 3 times on the road (2 different road trips). DH also worked for an electric car company for a few years and had free charging at work. We drive to volleyball tournaments 45 miles away frequently and always take the electric car. As long as we charge the night before it's never been an issue. I would NOT consider a non-hybrid/electric car if I had that kind of commute and it's exactly the reason DH got an electric car in the first place. He was driving from the valley to south bay every day and only having an electric car (fully electric or hybrid) gets you in the carpool lane now.

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[twowhat?]

We're in a very similar boat, haha!! We have a 2008 Odyssey and a 2005 Subaru Forester, both old but both do have less than 100K miles on them. We just spend a good chunk of change to fully work up the Odyssey and make sure it's safe for a road trip. We also have a Tesla and I was also going to suggest you keep your current cars and add an EV or smaller hybrid for city driving/commuting. We waffled with getting a new minivan but opted to keep the old one for now - our kids can use it to practice driving a larger car, and the Subaru that they are currently learning on would go to them.

Can your DH can park at the train station? If parking at the train station isn't an option, then Uber/Lyft/carpool. I would waaaaay much rather ride the train then do a 55 min x2 commute every day and you will put less wear on your car (and less stress and wear on him!!). And with a 3rd car he will have to option to drive to work on days that it's necessary.

Very funny because my MIL also has an old Camry and we considered keeping it for the kids and replacing it but after some thought there's no way - she is very comfortable driving it, and dealing with new bells and whistles would be more unsafe for her than driving her current car.

When we need to replace the Odyssey, we will 100% be getting another minivan, it's just too damn practical and can do all the things we need it to do - people, dogs, cargo - while still being fuel-efficient and easy to drive. I keep hoping for an EV minivan that seats 8 and with removable second row seats to turn into a cargo van to move the occasional couch or bed but that's not happening anytime soon, so we will hang onto our Odyssey.

Anyway all that's to say I vote for keeping both of your cars and adding a third. If you feel unsure about a long road trip, rent a minivan/3-row SUV for that road trip (which we literally were just waffling with but decided to get our own van a good checkup and new tires/alignment and go ahead and drive it instead of renting).

[WatchingThemGrow]

I can't give good advice about all your logistics as I struggle with my own. However, I CAN tell you that we love renting a different van for trips. We rent them one way and fly back home. It's a game changer in terms of the dreaded drive back from wherever.

And...I do love our CRV Hybrid. We got the Sport L model with leather seats, not the highest trim. It is truly awesome and goes so long without needing gas.

My kids were fine driving the van for a bit, but it was a pain to park in the school lot, and it was expensive to fix the random things like broken sliding doors and tailgate.We sold it last month, and it's a relief to not have it in the driveway. That being said, we've only got 4 people at home currently. We are thinking of adding a 3rd car, and it's so tempting to get another hybrid CRV. I also wish there was an affordable hybrid Mazda.

I would just get YOU a new CRV. I don't know about Hertz car sales, but I see they have some.

[echoesofspring]

However, I CAN tell you that we love renting a different van for trips. We rent them one way and fly back home. It's a game changer in terms of the dreaded drive back from wherever.

This is such an interesting idea, I would have never thought of it and now I'm really intrigued how it might work for a road trip!