!@#$!%$^ Cars !!@$%$&^

[mdlbear]

Have just learned from the flower_cat that her/our 8-year-old minivan needs $4k worth of engine work (broken engine mounts, coolant leak, water pump, ...). So, instead of anything else we might have wanted to do this weekend, we will be shopping for a new vehicle. Grrrr.

Comments

[lisa-marli.livejournal.com]

Not just the hassle of finding the right car, but the expense! ARRGH! You have my sympathies. Big Harold ended up spending the $4k because he liked his car too much.

Honda's minivans are supposed to be the best, but Toyota also does a good job. Shame there isn't a hybrid minivan out there yet. Nearest thing is the Toyota Highlander or the Ford Escape SUVs. I don't think there is much, if any, of a waitlist for the Escapes. The Escape is the one that uses a hybrid technology very much like the Toyota (the better of the systems out there).

A small SUV might be safer for Colleen. They aren't so high (especially in 2 wheel versions) that they are hard to get into. The rear deck is usually high enough that it would make loading and unloading easier on the bad backs in your house. Don't know how often she uses the third row seating though. Adding the option does cost $$.

Good Luck!

[mdlbear]

We looked at the hybrid Escape, plus a lot of other SUV's. All too high, and not really enough cargo space. Ended up with another minivan. See next post.