We`re on the market for a new vehicle.... - we`re thining used....

Hillbilly Housewife wrote: We want something 7 passenger, we don`t know what - and we`d PREFER it not being a mini-van... lol but we`ll sacrifice our thoughts towards minivans if that`s all we can find... lol

We can`t afford a very high payment, and we definitely can`t give up large sums of cash at once.

What would you look for in a used 7-passenger vehicle? Would you buy privately, or through a dealership?

mckayleesmom replied: Well..since you will probably need 2 back row seats to fit all the carseats I would suggest a minivan... . Or else you will have to find something that will safely fit all 3 kid seats..kwim. Maybe some kind of station wagon or a suburban type suv. Can you possibly go new? Sometimes payments are cheaper when they are newer. Suzuki makes a 3rd row seating suv. I forgot what its called.

booey2 replied: We only go thru dealers when it comes to cars, but with that being said we have bought one from DH's dad. I really really want a mini-van and am leaning toward the Dodge Grand Caravan with the stow and go seating or the Ford Freestar. Dh hates them but there will come a time when I get my Minivan.

NummyMommy replied: I know theres a SUV that has 7 passenger seating because I was drooling over er... I mean looking at it online. However it might have been a 2005 so I doubt you'd be able to get it used. I'll look for the site.

NummyMommy replied: Heres the addy...Full size SUV's...hope it helps

CantWait replied: If you or dh know a lot about cars, go private, otherwise if you go through a dealership you'll be paying a few thousand extra.
Good Luck!

kimberley replied: what about an Uplander? we were looking at one of those. i prefer dealership because of the warranty. i have the worst luck with cars.

Hillbilly Housewife replied: The only reason we`re thining used is that other than a minivabn, we can`t seem to find anything for under 26 000$ (remember this is CANADIAN FUNDS!!! )

Everything else is like 35K US.... much MUCH too much!


We can afford about 600$ on payments if it came down to it, but I`d rather not pay that much... I`d prefer to spend it on other stuff - or even pay off our credit cards.....

booey2 replied: I have heard about all kinds of sales and incentives like employee prices and stuff. Make sure you look around, if you can wait a little I am sure the 2005 will be going on sale real soon as they are going to be starting to bring out the 2006 lines. You may even be able to get a new/used model that was used to for demos and stuff cheaper. Good luck.

3xsthefun replied: Suzuki XL-7 has 3 row seats, and they are usually pretty reasonably priced. My mom and dad have a XL-7 they've had about 3 years now and they love it. It is only 2 row seat though.

Ford Explorers also make 3 row seats but they are hard get to. I'm sure it is same way with just about any SUV with 3 row seats.

TANNER'S MOM replied: Well I am a mini van momma.. I didnt wanna be.. But I am now.. and I love it.

I can take all my kids and friends..etc

Everyone is comfortable...still have luggage room in the back..

I think if you drove one you might like it...

The space is alot bigger than the SUV....maybe not quite as fun.

Boys r us replied: I would DEFINITELY buy private..but that means going to a bank and getting preapproved and stuff.

There are a lot of nice SUV's that will seat 7, but as you know SUV's can be pricey!
I don't knwo what your budget is..but...

We have a Tahoe that we love, love, love! We're looking at the new Volvo SUV's which also seat 7! I really like those, htey've been making them since 2003 so you might be able to get one in your price range if you get a used one. The toyota Highlander SUV's actually seat 8 people.
Uhmm..I don't know..the dode durangos..but I don't like those.

My2Beauties replied: SUV's tend to be gas hogs and with gas prices right now - I wouldn't even bother buying one. Girl you might like a minivan if you tried it! I hope you guys find something!

MyBlueEyedBabies replied:
I have a 2001 Durango and it seats 7 and I LOVE IT!!!!!

the regular back seat can fit 3 carseats or you can put the big kids in the 3rd row and baby in the middle row. I think my car was 15,000 for 4 wheel drive and all the upgrades Dodge puts on a car ( I bought it in January)

kit_kats_mom replied: I love my Dodge Grand Caravan. I get 18-24 MPG and It has plenty of room. It's my mobile command center. We have a diaper changing station there (the ones in the public restrooms gross me out), a potty seat for K's emergencies, snacks and extra toys. That's just everyday. LOL

We got a 2005 used in Feb 05. It had 15000 miles on it and had been a leased vehicle.

Hillbilly Housewife replied:
Yeah that`s the only reason we`d get a minivan.... to have all the extra space you don`t necessarily get in a wagon or something smaller.

I`d LOVE to get one of those extra long SUV`s.... but they`re way way way too expensive for us, we`d NEVER get approved. We have a lot of debt already. (yet we keep spending money?! ) We can cut back on costs and pay out a decent chunk of money....

I`m thinking we`ll probably just go to the dealer where we got our current car (2002 cavalier) and see what they can offer us. Our lease is over next year - whether we exchange it or keep it, we still have to pay the months remaining, so might as well keep it if we have to pay for it.

gr33n3y3z replied: Yeah I have a tahoe also and its a gas hog but I would never get rid of it for safety reasons and it fits out familys needs at this time.

But even if you got one thats 2 or 3 years old they are still very high in price bc they dont lose value like a car does.

chloe&tysmommy replied:
you sound just like me!!! All last week me and dh were looking at the minivans b/c with the employee pricing it was a good deal..I just couldn't convince my dh to get one


we have an suv with the third row seating and it's a nice vehicle but hard on gas!! I hope you find something you like soon...