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I need some input
DH and I are considering getting rid of our SUV for many reasons, and I need a 3rd party opinion so I know we're not crazy. I hate big decisions.
We have some kind of wiring issue in our SUV that the mechanics can't find, but my interior dome lights will come on at random times while driving, and last time this happened, we had to replace the battery as well as the offending part to the tune of $900. DH asked for the extended warranty when he bought it, but they instead gave him gap coverage (he would never have bought that, but didn't read the contract closely enough apparently), so we're on the hook for any repairs from here on, as well as it needing new tires like immediately (another $1k).
We currently owe $21,500 (4.3%) on it, our payments are $388, and payoff is Oct 2016. We're getting about 14mpg overall right now. Not killing us, but it means about $130-150/mo gas. The extra space is nice, but not necessary IMO. We mainly got it for the back A/C because my Escape didn't have it, and DH was stuck on SUV's.
I'm looking at a VW Jetta for $21k (out the door). It gets 23-33mpg, and we can get the loan at 1.99%. Included is 36mo/36k miles maintenance for free at any VW dealership, so we wouldn't even have to pay for oil changes. We're looking at a payment of $357 for 5 years.
WWYD?
Re: I need some input
Get rid of the gas/money guzzler! Will both kids fit in the Jetta?
As always, I will promote the Honda CR-V or Subaru Tribeca, as they are mid-size SUVs (actually, I am not even sure if they are considered SUVs). The Tribeca has rear A/C.
How is it that my BABY is going to be 3?
BFP-2/25/11; 8 Wk U/S-3/25/11-No HB, measured 6.5 wks; D&C
I don't really have much advice but I did want to weigh in on the Jetta. I have a '10 Jetta and I absolutely love it. However, with Violet's car seat in the back, you do have to push the seat up somewhat far. The backseat is roomy, but I'd imagine with two car seats in the back, if a larger person sits in the front or drives, it's not going to be super comfortable. The trunk is very spacious, so that is a plus for the Jetta, it's really just how often you'll be using it as the family car for comfort and leg room up front.
I get pretty good gas mileage with mine, usually just under 30 mpg on a tank of half highway, half around town driving. And having the free maintenance at the dealership is great.
Thanks ladies!
We did consider the trade-in aspect, which is what kept us from doing it after all. We went in willing to give some on the new car if they'd give us payoff for the SUV, but dude wanted to be an a$$ about it. So it's a no go.
I did wonder about the space, so I put both carseats in the back to check it out. It would be my car, so I think it will work. My only concern was if we have another child (not likely but still possible), but DH said we'd likely just get a newer Escape if that happened.
My biggest reason was being able to lower our payments about $30, as well as the gas money, and still shave off a couple months from our loan. But alas, it didn't work.
Thanks for all the input. We're still going to take the SUV to Carmax to see what we can get, and we may consider selling it privately. But we're taking our time.
And to whoever asked, the 1.99% was through the dealer, so we can't refinance the SUV. We looked into that too.
"My 101 List - Updating asap, I swear!
How was the salesguy being an a$$? Did the numbers just not work? Have you looked at the kelly blue book for the car for a general idea?
Also, where did you buy the vehicle? Was it new or used? I'd check to see if that state has any Lemon Laws as well. You may have some recourse in that manner.
Hold up! I just noticed this part. What do you drive? A tank? Good lord, woman! Why didn't you take that into consideration when you bought the vehicle? If your payoff date is 2016, I'm assuming you couldn't have purchased too terribly long ago.
As for the salesguy, it wasn't him being an a$$, it was the finance dude. We brought in the kelley blue book quote as well as edmunds, and he basically told us we were idiots. We immediately got an apology from the manager, but couldn't come close enough to payoff to make it worth it anyway, so no sweat.
And yes, the mileage is crappy. Dh did the shopping and refused to go with a sedan unless it was a honda (which we couldn't make work because he didn't want one more than 3 years old, and they hold their value too well). He's learning to listen to his wife still, and I'm learning when to flat out refuse instead of trying to convince him why something is a good deal. I initially hoped it wouldn't be such a gas drain, but it turns out I drive more than I thought I did.
As for the lemon laws, there's nothing really solid that we could really fight them with, or we definitely would've already gone after them.
"My 101 List - Updating asap, I swear!