Wow, truck almost paid off. Tiem to get rid of it!

[IHateMyJob2004]

Edit:
This is not a financial planning thread. Can you please stay on topic? Great. Thanks everyone.

ORIG:

Family of 4. Kids 8 and 11. Looking to spend under $32.5K. Really, 30K but the extra $2.5k can go a long way.

Want new or used. If used, it has to be a 2014 or newer model and have under 20K miles.

(UPDATE 1: Road noise is a deal breaker for me. It's the first thing I look.)

This is going to be our road trip vehicle. And I need to be able to toss a hitch on if needed (getting rid of the truck). Also need to move up to 4 mountain bikes with it. Either a hitch or roof rack. (UPDATE 1: We wouldn't be bringing mountain bikes on road trips often enough to make it a concern. And the trailer is probably not going to happen. I just want the path available)

This is also my wife's primary when we get it. Fuel economy is a concern but a lesser one. So better fuel economy preferred but not required. (UPDATE 1: My wife does not want a van.)

Right now, a new or slightly used Honda CR-V (2nd highest end trim) has me smiling the most. Seems to be the best bang for the buck option. I wouldn't mind a large sedan (Toyota Corollas look small to me) or slightly bigger SUV though. (UPDATE 1: CR-V reportedly has road noise isues. It's off the list)

UPDATE 1:
Some updates above in relevant areas.

So, the CR-V apparently has road noise issues. While my top pick, road noise is the first thing I look at when buying a vehicle.

Thoughts?

 

[NutBucket]

How much do you need to tow? A CR-V might tow 2000lbs.

 

[Leyawiin]

Have you ever thought about not having a payment for a bit to see how it feels?

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Ya, i might wait 6 months and use the money to take some trees down.

The truck isn't right for us anymore. Time to get rid of it.

Ya, 2000 pounds is an amount that i hope to not hit in the future.

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Have you ever thought about not having a payment for a bit to see how it feels?

Mortgage, kids, food bills. . Trust me, we eont notice that the payment is gone.

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

 

[Evilviking]

Have you ever thought about not having a payment for a bit to see how it feels?

This. $600+ a month can go a long way

 

[SparkyJJO]

Mortgage, kids, food bills. . Trust me, we eont notice that the payment is gone.

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

Until it is actually gone then you realize how nice it is to have one less bill per month.

Seriously, unless there is something wrong with your current vehicle just keep it and avoid the payments for a while. I had no payments for 4 years and it was glorious. I'm back with payments again as I couldn't afford to pay cash for my next vehicle which is a bit of a bummer.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

2015+ CRV is a fine choice. They hold there value really well and a fully loaded AWD Touring should be right at $32,500. Cut the options to a FWD EX with cloth and no Nav and your looking at $26K.

I really like the all new Tucson from Hyundai. A well optioned base model will set you back $22,500.
The Santa Fe Sport is also a great choice as its larger than the CRV by a fair bit. $25,500 for a well optioned FWD 2.4L.

If AWD is a priority I'd look at an Outback Wagon or Forester from Subaru. The CRV system is pretty terrible and not worth the money.

The best bargain out there would be Grand Caravan - plenty of room for bikes and kids - but I assume you have no desire to drive a minivan. After a recent camping trip I'm ready to buy a Ford Transit Connect Titanium, the utility it would provide trumps the looks at this point.

 

[tortillasoup]

Yayyyyyy.

Family of 4. Kids 8 and 11. Looking to spend under $32.5K. Really, 30K but the extra $2.5k can go a long way.

Want new or used. if used, it has to be a 2014 or newer model and have under 20K miles.

This is going to be our road trip vehicle. And I need to be able to toss a hitch on if needed (getting rid of the truck). Also need to move up to 4 mountain bikes with it. Either a hitch or roof rack.

This is also my wife's primary when we get it. Fuel economy is a concern but a lesser one. So better fuel economy preferred but not required.

Right now, a new or slightly used Honda CR-V (2nd highest end trim) has me smiling the most. Seems to be the best bang for the buck option. I wouldn't mind a large sedan (Toyota Corollas look small to me) or slightly bigger SUV though.

Thoughts?

If you go with a CR-V, get one with the automatic transmission, not with the CVT. I'm not sure if a 2014 has the standard automatic vs. the CVT. Regardless, don't get a CVT anything unless it's a newer hybrid.

 

[Subyman]

I don't understand wanting to be in a perpetuate state of a car payment. I can understand if you need a new vehicle due to a change in lifestyle.

What is your truck? Is it a crew cab? If so, then I don't see why you'd want to get rid of it. that is PERFECT for a 4 person family. Plenty of room in the cab for everyone, tons of room in the bed, and plenty of towing.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

This. $600+ a month can go a long way

Didn't come here for fiscal advice. . Can we get back on topic.

And we don't need the truck anymore. We need something that will work with teenagers. This will be the last car hopefully till college starts.

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

 

[tortillasoup]

Didn't come here for fiscal advice. . Can we get back on topic.

And we don't need the truck anymore. We need something that will work with teenagers. This will be the last car hopefully till college starts.

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

With a user ID such as I hate my job, everything you do seems to indicate that you actually like your job. OP, you come to a forum asking for advice. People who are smart tend to ask questions. One of the questions is, why do you need a new vehicle? State your vehicle and its purpose. Otherwise, this looks like an unnecessary purchase by the sound of it.

 

[Dice144]

I agree with Tortilla. Unless you are maxing your 401k and funding an ira/kid college. A new vehicle is a pretty bad decision.

That being said, I always want a newer vehicle but one less bill a month does wonders for the budget.

Sent from my ASUS_Z00AD using Tapatalk

 

[KentState]

With GMreplacing the Lambda platform vehicles, you may be able to find a good deal or a used one. Can you up to 5500lbs and seat 6.

Or get rid of the kids which is a better financial decision according to the forum ��

 

[Jumpem]

An Outback Premium with EyeSight should come in under your preferred budget.

 

[NutBucket]

If you go with a CR-V, get one with the automatic transmission, not with the CVT. I'm not sure if a 2014 has the standard automatic vs. the CVT. Regardless, don't get a CVT anything unless it's a newer hybrid.

Why? There's nothing wrong with it. Plus they added DI so you get 20ft-lb more torque along with better fuel economy.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

I'm not worried about my kids college. Engineer and teacher. . Can we move on.

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

 

[leper84]

With GMreplacing the Lambda platform vehicles, you may be able to find a good deal or a used one. Can you up to 5500lbs and seat 6.

Wouldn't do it. Tons of engine/ transmission problems with those.

 

[NutBucket]

2012+ seems to have the major issues fixed. It only took them about 4 -5 years to work out all the bugs

 

[gorcorps]

If you go with a CR-V, get one with the automatic transmission, not with the CVT. I'm not sure if a 2014 has the standard automatic vs. the CVT. Regardless, don't get a CVT anything unless it's a newer hybrid.

Is there any reliability reasons for this response, or personal choice? I've heard personal opinions about it but haven't seen anything official about cvt problems

 

[michal1980]

mini van.

caravan with tow package can pull ~3600lbs

any mini van will be a better road trip car then a stupid smallish suv, that you are just buying to try to look 'cool' or something like that, because that's what the current trend is. If you actual use logic to purchase a family car you'd get a mini-van.*

*the fordflex is probably the most mini-van like suv if you really cannot stand the words mini-van in car.

 

[pauldun170]

Edit:
This is not a financial planning thread can you please stay on topic great thanks everyone.
Yayyyyyy.

Family of 4. Kids 8 and 11. Looking to spend under $32.5K. Really, 30K but the extra $2.5k can go a long way.

Want new or used. if used, it has to be a 2014 or newer model and have under 20K miles.

This is going to be our road trip vehicle. And I need to be able to toss a hitch on if needed (getting rid of the truck). Also need to move up to 4 mountain bikes with it. Either a hitch or roof rack.

This is also my wife's primary when we get it. Fuel economy is a concern but a lesser one. So better fuel economy preferred but not required.

Right now, a new or slightly used Honda CR-V (2nd highest end trim) has me smiling the most. Seems to be the best bang for the buck option. I wouldn't mind a large sedan (Toyota Corollas look small to me) or slightly bigger SUV though.

Thoughts?

2014-2016 Toyota Sienna
20K-30K depending on mileage and trim.
You'll never outgrow it.
Will serve you faithfully until the kids graduate High School and you'll use it to bring their crap to college campus.

 

[tortillasoup]

Why? There's nothing wrong with it. Plus they added DI so you get 20ft-lb more torque along with better fuel economy.

CVTs aren't that strong/reliable and towing with one is just asking for trouble. I don't like anything with belt CVTs. I'm not against the CVT concept which is why I like hybrid CVTs but belt CVTs have been known to be high maintenance and prone to failure. Towing is the worst thing you could do with such a setup.

 

[Demo24]

Best I could find is the crv can tow 1500lbs, which probably doesn't account for much inside the vehicle. So I'd be concerned about putting 4 adults and a trailer on it. If looking at this size, give the Mazda cx5 a look as it drives better and can tow up to 2k.

However, why not step up to a pilot? More appropriate size for that many and it can easily tow double (and more) what a crv could. The new model pilot would be preferable if could swing that.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I agree with Tortilla. Unless you are maxing your 401k and funding an ira/kid college. A new vehicle is a pretty bad decision.

That being said, I always want a newer vehicle but one less bill a month does wonders for the budget.

Sent from my ASUS_Z00AD using Tapatalk

My own philosophy has always been to buy new and drive it into the ground and that is what makes buying my next car so difficult - do I splurge on something nice (BMW, Lexus, Cadillac) or go more utilitarian (Honda, Chevy, Kia)? I tend to think utilitarian is the way to go. I've been reviewing a few threads recently so maybe it is time to post one and get some thoughts on that question.

Anyway, regarding car payments, I haven't had a car payment in almost 11 years and it feels GREAT, but the time has come to replace my Grand Prix and I am sad at the prospect of a payment, but at least I'll qualify for one of the 0% offers.