Car Question Follow Up

Smonet · January 2014

So, I posted earlier about whether to fix my '04 truck for the anticipated amount of $600. Well, I got the call and the repair was going to be $505.00. We decided to fix it, drive the truck for a while longer and prepare (for a payment, and decide what we want) for a new one.

Well, they fixed it and called with the news the part they fixed was bad, but it didn't solve the problem and the drive gear needs to be replaced too for another $1200.00. I was already committed to the $505.00 repair. DH and I discussed it and decided to repair it and drive it until we find something we think is what we want for a good deal.

I picked it up today and the exhaust pip was hanging off, like it came detached from the muffler. WTH. I brought it back to the dealership and had them yank it off and I would take it home and have DH fix it. Well, my tailgate is frozen shut because it has been so darn cold here in MN.

I'm over this truck. Its easy for DH to be on board with us keeping it because he has a top of the line brand new work car with all the bells and whistles.

MM wise, I just don't want to pay for something newer, but I'm sick of trying to lug a child and groceries and a carseat etc. in a huge pick up truck when I can't even get the gate open.

I think I'm ready to upgrade, but thinking something used with low miles to keep the $ as minimal. DH wants a Tahoe but that is so expensive.

Sorry, this is a bit of a rant. My point...do you love your car? What do you have? I need AWD or 4WD where I live but besides that I'm open to anything. I'm currently looking at used Kia Sorentos online.

Recommend your 4WD vehicle.

smerka · January 2014

Some of my family lives in the mountains of CO and they all drive Subarus. My brother almost bought a Forester recently.

cbee817 · January 2014

I second Subarus- DH has an Outback and my mom has a Forester.. they're great cars and the Forester is fabulous for car seats.

CuriousKiddosMama · January 2014

Had a kia sportage and it sucks for carseats. Before that I loved it. Now have the sedona and love it. They have been good cars for me so far.

IAmSherlocked · January 2014

I have a 2008 Honda CR-V and it does pretty well. It's AWD and does pretty well in the snow, based on the time I spent in Colorado. I can also fit my twin nieces car seats in the back pretty well when I need to. I like that it's a decent size but not so huge as an SUV. I hear that Subarus are also really reliable cars (DH's family had one for years--it was passed down to each of their kids until the youngest one recently finished high school and they decided to get another car).

vlagrl29 · January 2014

sorry about your car. I have a feeling my car would be too small for you (ford focus), but DH has a Honda Element and loves it.

Xstatic3333 · January 2014

Another used Forester vote! DH loves his but, full disclosure, he has an '04 with a Turbo (it was the best used Subaru around when we had to buy) and it has had some issues. I think the issues are only with the Turbo however, and he still adores it overall.

I'm sorry it didn't work out with your truck. It's so hard to know when to call it with old cars!

JuneMrs · January 2014

Loved our Chevy Malibu so much we just got a second. Great on gas, safe, reliable, and the price was sooooo much more reasonable than the SUV's I had originally started looking at. Oh both of ours were purchased 1 year used so they were priced 20k or less.

Wulfgar · January 2014

My relatives who have to drive up a hill on a dirt road all own Subarus and they have not had any issues in 30 years. Before that my grandparents had Jeeps.

My other grandparents living in the middle of no where northern PA near the snow belt used Dodge trucks.

mana8503 · January 2014

I have a 2009 Jeep Compass, 4WD. LOVE IT. It's great in the snow, and unfornuately I've crash tested it. A guy ran a redlight in a car and I hit him with my driverside front. They had to jaws of life to get him out, and I walked away with a banged up knee. We fit 2 adults, 2 kids (9 and 7) and a dog comfortably. Haven't tried a carseat yet, but if all goes well, we will be in Sept. I say I get around 20-25 MPG.

I've had it 5 years, and about 86,000 miles on it. Besides tires and other normal wear and tear items, I've only had to replace the thermostat on it.