Friday, October 22, 2010

Okay...which one?!??!

We all know how GREAT it is to be on a student income. It's great! Isn't it?!??!?! I realized today I have been on a student income now for 10 1/2 years! WOW! So, while we WAIT for our newest loan to come through--PLEASE COME THROUGH!!!-- we are searching for a car--van to be exact. I decided yesterday that my Volvo is OFFICALLY A DEATH TRAP! I nearly got my head chopped off when the back hatch came slamming down without warning. Luckly some annoying soliciter SAVED MY LIFE by calling at the exact moment so I turned my head to grab my phone and WHOOSH went the door, brushing my pony-tail! AHHHH!!!

SO ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. DONE with the cars to "GET US BY" DONE DONE DONE!!!!!!!! (should I clarify that I'm DONE!!!!????)

Okay, so with our new loan (that BETTER BE HERE SOOOOOOOOOOOOOON), we are going to purchase a new-to-us van. We've narrowed it down to the Honda Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna. All reviews are GREAT of course b/c they are BOTH GREAT VANS... but lets be realistic. SOMETHING Will need to be replaced and I want to know how much it's going to cost me. The volvo is VERY expensive when something needs replacing (which has not been often) and I don't want this again. I've done as much internet research as possible on both cars (2004 is probably the year we'll be getting...it's the best we can "afford" with lower than 100K on it). So... if you're OWNED one or know someone who owned one, please let me know how costly they are to repair--much appreciated!

THANKS!!!!

7 comments:

Marilyn said...

Yeah for getting a new car soon! Someday we will get one as well! Speaking of repairs we just got ours out of the shop 2 days ago... and totally understand where you are coming from with the never ending student income. ;)

Michelle M said...

We've had our 2004 Odyssey for 2.5 years, and we haven't repaired much, or needed any exclusive/expensive parts. We've only done oil and fluid changes, plus my Dad rotated our rotors this summer (and maybe brake pads? I can't remember). And once our tail-light burned out, but that was only $5 to buy a replacement bulb that Derrick put in himself. Honda's are pretty reliable. I love my van, but everyone has different likes and dislikes.

Adam and Christine Jardine said...

We have a 2007 Sienna, with 45,000 miles on it now. We have replaced the tires, $500. The transmission fluid is expensive, $100, and of course oil changes. Other than that we have had no issues, and we got it at 18,000 miles. Maybe it's not old enough or used enough yet, but seriously we have had no issues.

SDLakerGurl said...

Jess, Call a car repair shop and ask which one the repairs are cheaper on. I would actually call 2-3 just to make sure they all have the same opinion. They will tell you.

dfamily said...

Jessica, love the pumpkin picture (plus all the others)!! Well we don't have a van, but we do have a Honda Civic, and i can tell you that yes, it is going to be more expensive then a dodge or GMC, but a couple things...1st. You shouldn't need to take it in often at all unless you get a lemon, so really ask questions about the car and it's maintenance record. 2nd. If you get a good car and maintain it properly (i.e. oil changes and belts) the toyotas and hondas are great cars that will last a long time and need little replacing of parts. I will say that in california (and this is california pricing-parts and labor) we had to fix our air conditioning, change the timing belt, water pump and a couple other little things and it was about 900 dollars.(I think you might remember our little green honda from college). BUT...this was all after we have driving it past 100,000 miles. (ours in some ways has been a little lemon though). So don't let this discourage you at all. I would get another honda/toyota again even if the parts are a little more expensive. I hope that makes sense. email me if you have "?'s". annie

Josh and Krystal said...

okay, so your picture on top of your blog is awesome! I love it. The other family pictures and the pictures of the kids are also perfect. Happy van hunting. Ah, the volvo. When we rode in it I think the tire on the verge of exploding...it has been a long time ago.
Hope you guys are doing great and enjoying fall :)

Brooke said...

We have an 06 Odyssey which we've had for about 6 months. We have yet to repair anything on it but like it's been said, the repairs may cost more than a Dodge but for us reliability won out. I would call repair shops and see though-that's a great idea.