Which is a better deal?

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leonie

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What do you think? Two vehicles we’re considering. We need under 5,000 and at least nine seats.

I should have written “miles on the odometer” after those huge numbers…
 
leonie said:
What do you think? Two vehicles we’re considering. We need under 5,000 and at least nine seats.
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What are the cars? As if I could answer, not. Are they new or used? You should take them both to your own mechanic. There is a way to check out used cars.
 
You need to take them to a mechanic you trust and find out exactly the condition they are in. We buy only used cars and the only time we got into trouble is when we didn’t get them inspected.
 
I voted the van because it’s 10 years newer. Even with approx the same mileage, the REST of the vehicle will be in better shape. A couple years ago we bought a 1996 car with 85000 miles on it. Engine is great, but everything else is falling apart on it! We’ve had to replace everything from the A/C to the door locks to the window openers. It’ll nickle and dime you to death to get an older car like that. Spend a few more bucks up front and get one that’s a decade newer.
 
How often do you all go together? Take that into consideration. My son and his wife have 5 children. The two young ones still require car seats. They decided on two vehicle…a Chevy Suburban and a Honda SUV. (Both used) The Suburban does hold all of them for long trips, gas consumption is more than the Honda. My son also purchased a used small car for about 3,000 to go to work and allows the teenagers to drive it as well. Look into the safety of the vehicles you are considering…where do they rate? Will you be towing??? Lots to think about…have fun shopping, good luck.

Love and prayers,

Mom of 5
 
Mom_of_5 said:
How often do you all go together? Take that into consideration. ,

Mom of 5
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We’re having our seventh in March, and I will no longer be able to take all 7 kids. We have a 7 passenger minivan and a 1994 five passenger jeep. We homeschool, and if possible, I’d like to be able to drive all the kids out without having to leave one at home.

We’ve been taking two cars to go out as a family for about 15 months since our 1991 9 passenger van died.

I’m really tired of driving old vans that break down and die. We’ve see the demise of three vans in the last three years. All were from the early 90s…We swore we’d never have another car payment, but…
 
Teakafrog said:
I voted the van because it’s 10 years newer. Even with approx the same mileage, the REST of the vehicle will be in better shape. A couple years ago we bought a 1996 car with 85000 miles on it. Engine is great, but everything else is falling apart on it! We’ve had to replace everything from the A/C to the door locks to the window openers. It’ll nickle and dime you to death to get an older car like that. Spend a few more bucks up front and get one that’s a decade newer.
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That’s what my husband says, but the limo is cheaper…
 
leonie said:
That’s what my husband says, but the limo is cheaper…
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Will you need a special driver’s license to drive the limo?
I had never even thought of a limo until someone on here posted about a friend of hers with a large family that owned one (I can’t remember what thread).
Which one will be harder to park when going out on errands?
Just some questions that came to mind…
 
I’m going with the van because it is newer and truth be told, I would NOT want to be a limo driver. I’d be sort of embarassed. 😊
 
That van has some heavy-duty miles on it.

It averages to more than 30,000 miles a year. That’s more than two times the average miles for a vehicle in a year (which is 12-15,000 miles).

Now if those were highway miles, that’d be a different story. But, I suspect that van may have been used as some kind of airport or hotel shuttle. That would mean a LOT of stop/go driving which translates into a lot of wear and tear.
 
CoolRich59 said:
That van has some heavy-duty miles on it.

It averages to more than 30,000 miles a year. That’s more than two times the average miles for a vehicle in a year (which is 12-15,000 miles).

Now if those were highway miles, that’d be a different story. But, I suspect that van may have been used as some kind of airport or hotel shuttle. That would mean a LOT of stop/go driving which translates into a lot of wear and tear.
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Good point.
 
lifeisbeautiful said:
Will you need a special driver’s license to drive the limo?
I had never even thought of a limo until someone on here posted about a friend of hers with a large family that owned one (I can’t remember what thread).
Which one will be harder to park when going out on errands?
Just some questions that came to mind…
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Actually, I have the friend with a limo. If you are using it as a family car, you don’t need a special license.

As for parking, I don’t think it would be too different, but I wouldn’t want to drive a long limo because of the turning radius. I’m not too excited about driving a big van or a limo, to tell the truth. But, what do you do when your family don’t fit in a regular minivan?

I’d love to have a nine passenger station wagon. My family had one when I was a kid, but I don’t think they make them anymore.

I’ll get used to it…🙂
 
What’s the word on safety these days with the passenger vans? I have read (don’t remember where) about rollover and general safety issues. If I remember correctly, though, the danger becomes greater with over 10 passengers aboard but you’ll have 9 at the most unless you’re taking friends.

What about an 8 passenger? We bought one when we had our seventh, which seemed foolish at the time since we all couldn’t fit, but then we have two cars and two drivers if my husband is with us. At least I can take all the kids with me if I am alone.
 
I’d be nervous of maneuvering the limo. :eek: But then again, maybe it’s not much worse than a 12 passenger van. I’ve never driven either. 🤷 😛
 
Here’s my husband’s opinion - he used to work for a livery company (limos and such) and is very good at working on cars. (He’s in charge of all our vehicle maintenance. 👍 )

He votes for the van. Stay away from the limo.

The van is 10 years newer technology/ modern fuel management system.

Limos are made by coach makers (not GM, Ford, Chrysler) therefore they are custom vehicles that have many unique problems that can’t be fixed at any regular service garage.

A 12 passenger van is built on a truck frame and will have heavier duty components.

Note: The higher mileage van will have maintenance issues such as radiator, water pump, suspension issues none of which are a huge deal, but would need to be addressed.

Hope that helps. 🙂
 
I’d go with the van as well, parts and maintenence will be easier to get and cheaper. But do get it checked out before buying.
 
Jay53 said:
Here’s my husband’s opinion - he used to work for a livery company (limos and such) and is very good at working on cars. (He’s in charge of all our vehicle maintenance. 👍 )

He votes for the van. Stay away from the limo.

The van is 10 years newer technology/ modern fuel management system.

Limos are made by coach makers (not GM, Ford, Chrysler) therefore they are custom vehicles that have many unique problems that can’t be fixed at any regular service garage.

A 12 passenger van is built on a truck frame and will have heavier duty components.

Note: The higher mileage van will have maintenance issues such as radiator, water pump, suspension issues none of which are a huge deal, but would need to be addressed.

Hope that helps. 🙂
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That helps a lot. Thanks.
 
yellowbird said:
I’m going with the van because it is newer and truth be told, I would NOT want to be a limo driver. I’d be sort of embarassed. 😊
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leonie said:
Actually, I have the friend with a limo. If you are using it as a family car, you don’t need a special license.
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I bet ya you are the one who posted it then. I thought it was so cool, haha, I had never thought of that, I told dh lol. I know I would have loved for my mom to drive with us in a limo growing up (although we were only 4 kids).

Anyways, we are looking for a larger vehicle but I decided I didn’t want a limo for me though, I didn’t want to have to drive a long car like that, plus I already have a tough time parking my lil’ ole Durango, especially in the tiny parking lot at the kids’ ped’s office.
We are going to be 6 now with our fourth, but we wanted to get something with at least 9 seats so we can grow a little. DH’s car has 5 and mine is dying, so we need something soon too!
Good luck!
 
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