Here is my dilemma. We have eight people in our family. We own two paid for vehicles, a 1997 minivan and a 2004 Suburban. Over the past several months we have noticed that the kids are really cramped in the Suburban.
What should we do? Do we keep the status quo for as long as possible?
Do we replace one of our vehicles with a 12 or 15 passenger van?
If we are replacing a vehicle which one do we replace? Our minivan is probably worth about $2000 or Suburban is worth about $18,000 or more.
If we buy a van do we buy a 12 or 15 passenger?
What do we buy a Ford or Chevy?
I might add, we only pay cash for vehicles. We don’t have a lot of money saved towards a vehicle, but could have it by the end of the year.
Any help, thoughts, or ideas appreciated…
our crowded suburban
Excellent picture…you can’t really tell whose body is whose?
LOL that is so funny!!!
I would go for a Ford over a Chevy.. but that is JUST ME!!! LOL
I would love it if you would stop by when you come to WV. Oh and can you send me your email address? I don’t have it
I’d start with taking that big kid with the sunglasses and make him sit in the front seat!
Sorry, I have to disagree with Stephanie above. We just got rid of our Ford (took it to a junk yard, if that tells you anything) and it nickle and dimed us to DEATH! We now have a Kia Sedona which we love, the engine just purrs. Now, so far we only have three and we desire more, if that is God’s will so I would go for the 15 passenger van, if the finances were available. It would give your family room to grow as well as space plus room for luggage if you do any travel. I would get rid of the Suburban because you would get more for it and I don’t know how many driveways would hold a Suburban AND a passenger van LOL I know ours wouldn’t. The mini van would be good for quick runs when you don’t need to bring the whole crew.
God bless,
Sarah
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/OhioSarah
I probably would replace the Surburban, because with going to a 12/15 passenger van you would end up with two major gas guzzlers. I know that minivans are not that great on gas mileage either but they are better than 2 big vehicles like a Surburban and 12/15 passenger van. You also could get more $$ for the Surburban which would help the bottom line price of the 12/15 passenger van.
As for whether to get a 12 or 15 passenger…I would lean towards a 15 passenger if you are expecting to have more kids or do LOTS of traveling together as a family. The 15 would potentially give you more space with having all the carseats as well.
As for brand, I really don’t know in that regards. I probably would take a look at both and make a decision as to what would suit your family needs the best.
HTH!
I also would say sell the Surburban for the same reasons as above and agree with Sonshine on the rest of the questions.
I love finding someone else who pays cash for vehicles!
I swear some of our friends think you HAVE to have a car payment. (rolling my eyes)
18,000 beats 2,000 any day! If it’s like our area though, there’s a glut of gas guzzling vans and suvs for sale used. If they’re both paid for I’d tell the kids to suck it up! We lived thru riding in the backseat all together!
well… Drive dodge LOL.. so… if that tells ya anything hee hee
finally, something i may know a little about! i have a 12 passenger ford econoline van. i love it! we have 5 kids, but i also watch kids and carpool, so we needed a bigger vehicle. we went to gulf shores one year with our van, and we also rented a 15 passenger chevy van (big extended family vacation) and our ford beat the chevy in regards to comfort, and space. the chevy didn’t have hardly any room in the back for stuff, and no room under the seats.
i have had my van since 2004 and absolutely love it. i wouldn’t trade it for anything (well, maybe a bigger van;)
my husband is a carsalesman and wasn’t too happy about getting the “big red bus”, but it was the best deal.
and the gas mileage does stink! at most i get 12 miles to the gallon.
“big kid with the sunglasses”…that’s good!