Used Cars

[craww]

Looking for something for the wife right now, and getting really frustrated. She wants something with a 3rd row, I want something that won't kill us on fuel. She would do a van (two kids), but I'm not ready for that yet. Not trying to spend much north of 13k, but the pricing on used cars has gotten crazy since the economy tanked and every quit buying new. I dead set on the Acura MDX, theres a few here locally with the right/miles and price. After doing some research, I see that they only recomend 93 octane. We also liked the volvo XC90's, but the dang parts are outrageous (shocks are $400 I'm told). I love Honda, but the asking prices for their SUV's (Pilot) are ridiculous. I know "Its a Honda", but dang.

Any ideas? I've owned an explorer before, and honestly it was one of the most dependable vehicles I've owned. There are some 3rd row seat models out there at decent pricing. From what I gather, on a used SUV the explorers give you pretty good value.

Any advice or thoughts?

[clayton86]

get the mini van..........................................

[nick76]

Have you looked at a good used Chevy Trailblazer. I have owned one for 10 years and don't regret it at all. I can do most of the work on it if something has needed to be fixed and runs very nice. Fuel economy is between 17-19 for city travel. I can get up to 23 on the highway. Plenty of power to tow with as well. Just my 2 cents.

[craww]

I had kind of ruled out trailblazers/envoys cause id heard all around mpg was 16-17 from a few owners.Hmmm. I can work with 18-19 all around but anything lower than that iss out.

[OHIO]

You aren't gonna find too many big SUVs that get good gas mileage.

You could get an Explorer or Mountaineer. They're big and get decent gas mileage for their size.

I've got a couple family members who have Highlanders and they like them a lot.

You can easily get 25 mpg and they aren't small.

Why do you need third row seating?

[craww]

Its the wifes idea. She can haul neighbor kids to church and other events. Good idea on the highlander, that could work!

[Sam]

STAY AWAY FROM VOLVOS!

Try to find a private seller on Craig's list or in your newspaper or Auto Trader publication.

With three seats the vehicle will be larger than any "economy" sized vehicle you could consider.

My wife wants to trade in her Jeep for a Highlander as the Toyota has three seats. One for us; one for the the two grandkids; and the third for the grandog.

I say one for us; two for grandkids and grandog. A Jeep is a good vehicle.

[preach4bass]

Just suck it up and but the minivan. If you call it a "fun bus" it really isn't that bad.

[outdoorsman110]

If I'm not mistaken Ford Escape has 3 rows and our mint 2005 Ford Explorer cost only $14,000 at Carmax. I'd go for an American Company. Especially Ford. They didn't take the bail out money and they helped themselves.

[craww]

Sam- Im all over craigslist and the web. Trying to be patient, I know a few car lot owners and I hear theres somewhat of a used car shortage right now. Everyones gotta tax return to spend. Ive met up with and looked at 5-6 cars that didnt work out. We were really liking this nissan, looked good, rode good, etc., I felt led to crawl under it and the entire drivetrain and front axle looked like it got dropped on a sherman tank. Honestly getting frustrated.

Preach- Haha I like that. Their so convenient I totally get why people have them

[OHIO]

What area do you live in?

I'm sure that some of us would help find some good used cars for you to look at.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Looked at a 4runner yet? They keep their value, are roomy, and last forever and a day.

[OHIO]

If I'm not mistaken Ford Escape has 3 rows and our mint 2005 Ford Explorer cost only $14,000 at Carmax. I'd go for an American Company. Especially Ford. They didn't take the bail out money and they helped themselves.

Don't get me wrong, I love Ford, but they did take bailout money.

[craww]

What area do you live in?

I'm sure that some of us would help find some good used cars for you to look at.

Central Va. Funny u should mention it, but the region does seem to make a difference. I noticed when I was building sites in WV 4x4's are forsale cheap everywhere. Here not so much. I dont really have the time to travel though, gotta full plate with work,school, and ministry stuff.

[craww]

Looked at a 4runner yet? They keep their value, are roomy, and last forever and a day.

I have been on the lookout but people seem to keep them until they have a ton of miles round here. One with decent mileage is overpriced. Theres a few on CL From 00-02 for 10-12k. I know their good trucks but man its gonna be 15 years old when paid for, plus 10k on a vehicle that old aint no joke.

[tipptruck1]

My grandma has a ponitaic Montana van. That thing will get almost 25mpgs. I have driven a few times. Its not a bad van. There is plenty of room for at lest 6 full grown adults. She has had nothing major wrong it in 90k miles.

The bad for me it is way to soft in the ride. I am use to low profile tires and stifter shocks. The seats are not the best for trips longer then a few hours. I fell like my bucket seats are better then the captain seats in her van. It cost a lot to fill up. The tank is has big has a trucks tank.

[Jake P]

I have been on the lookout but people seem to keep them until they have a ton of miles round here. One with decent mileage is overpriced. Theres a few on CL From 00-02 for 10-12k. I know their good trucks but man its gonna be 15 years old when paid for, plus 10k on a vehicle that old aint no joke.

An over priced Toyota? Not a chance man. They are priced high because they are worth every penny. If all of the correct maintenence is properly done on time a Toyota will outlast anything IMO. We recently went through a hail storm which totalled my car. So i feel you on finding a decent used car for under 15k. Its not easy. My mother in law has a 00 4 runner that she has literally taken perfect care of and it looks like it rolled of fthe showroom floor, and runs the same to this day.

If your looking at a toyota of any kind, even down to a Camry, for around 13k, Its going to have 80+k miles and be an 05 or older. Highlanders are expensive and 4 runners are even more. Again, your sacrificing age for quality. It just depends if your willing to drive something a little older. Go on autotrader and search 3 makes and models and put the top price at 13k, this will give you an average price/mileage/year of the evhicles in your area.

3rd row seems a bit much for a family of 4. I have 2 kids as well. I would suggest forgetting the 3rd row. Just my opinion though, it might make it easier to find something in yalls price range!

Good luck!

[Daniel My Brother]

My wife drives an '08 Sienna mini-van. Gets about 19-20 mpg. Very smooth on the highway and roomy, even by mini-van standards. We could fold down and flip up the seats and sleep in the back if we wanted to. If you can get past the stigma of driving a van, you might actually like it.

I do love my 4Runner, but if we're going someplace as a family, I'll take the Sienna any day.

I've also heard good things about the Highlander...and of course the Ford Explorer has a great track record as well. I hope you find a good deal on whatever it is you decide on.

[South FLA]

I would stick to your original choice of MDX, do a cost calculation of how much you will actually spend over the lifetime by using higher octane gas vs. the cost savings of buying lesser brand vehicles. Also remember that higher octane gas sometimes give you better MPG than lower octane.

Have you considered a Nissan Pathfinder?

I have an 2009 Pathfinder that we use as our family transporter and it is great, I get about 17-19 MPG depending on conditions and it has a 3rd row seat.

[MyKeyBe]

After doing some research, I see that they only recomend 93 octane. We also liked the volvo XC90's, but the dang parts are outrageous (shocks are $400 I'm told).

Just because Acura recomends 93 octane does not mean you have to use it. Here in Ohio where I live it's pretty flat and I would guess I could get away with running 87 or 89. I know your going to have to deal with more hills but 87-89 octane may still work for you. Maybe find an Acura or Honda forum and ask what other owners are using. If you don't get knocking or pinging under load you really don't need a higher octane fuel.

As for the Volvo, yeah, it's European. Parts are going to be expensive just like a B.M.W. or a Porsche. Heck I picked up a Cadillac Catera a few months back. Guess what? It was made by Opal and parts are expensive.

Good luck with your search.

[craww]

Just because Acura recomends 93 octane does not mean you have to use it. Here in Ohio where I live it's pretty flat and I would guess I could get away with running 87 or 89. I know your going to have to deal with more hills but 87-89 octane may still work for you. Maybe find an Acura or Honda forum and ask what other owners are using. If you don't get knocking or pinging under load you really don't need a higher octane fuel.

As for the Volvo, yeah, it's European. Parts are going to be expensive just like a B.M.W. or a Porsche. Heck I picked up a Cadillac Catera a few months back. Guess what? It was made by Opal and parts are expensive.

Good luck with your search.

Due to the compression on the motors you need 93 or so octane. Elavation can have an effect on that. The MDX owners on a forum I checked claimed they do in fact ping and get considerably less economy on the lower test stuff. I used to own a few preludes that reccomended mid grade, and would do okay on 87. But the MDX doesnt seem to be the case.

[VolFan]

I have a 08 4 Runner currently, and drove an Exploder before that. The 4Runner is an infinitely better car, but you're going to have a heck of a time finding one with a third row seat in your price range. But that with a 2WD V6 should get you in your mileage and probably price range.

I would also consider a Hyundai Santa Fe from the 2009 vintage. Should be economical, get you in your price range, and they're actually nice vehicles for the purpose you're describing.