Question

Ladies.  I really need your advice as I don’t want this to become an argument for my husband and I!Ladies. I really need your advice as I don’t want this to become an argument for my husband and I! We are car shopping! He is pretty set on a new 2018-2019 Chrysler Pacifica. They look way nice for a Van! I however am really not concerned about how it looks and more so how it runs and the cost of it. The one we are looking at is at the top of our budget and will add 400 ish a month. I want to buy something about 4-5000 cheaper which will move it down about 100 dollars a month. We are planning to move into a house (rent) in a couple months and I feel like I would rather use that 100 toward rent or just something else. I know it doesn’t seem like a lot but it does to me where we have been on such a tight budget for so long. He is getting a better paying job after being on unemployment since October and I just want to be making the best financial decision. I hear/read Pacificas have a lot of engine issues? Caravans have a lot of issues as well? How do you guys budget? My brain tells me- Buy a cheaper vehicle and with the money saved put into a car maintenance fund. ( We haven’t been able to do one yet since we have been so broke). I have been so lucky in the car department, and I have always chosen reliability over looks. I don’t want to just bull dose over my husband and let him feel like he didn’t pick the Van.  I am the one who does all the finances so I naturally have more worries than looks. Any help on how to approach the situation and any advice on vans! What you have that has been a good reliable affordable vehicle is so appreciated!  

Answer 1

Toyota, Honda, Subaru, Mazda, Hyundai. Toyota and Honda have a higher trade back value as well. The Subaru’s are looking nice. Price point Hyundai but I’m not sure about there cars. Only driven Toyota x2 and now an Acura.  

Answer 2

Honda or Toyota. Dodge and Chrysler don’t last half the time

Answer 3

We have a Honda Odyssey and it has lasted us all long with minimal issues

Answer 4

Stick to honda/Toyota If you’re purchasing. I’m in the car industry and Chrysler sucks.  

Answer 5

If you would have told me that I would’ve bought a Kia I would have laughed you out of the room!  it! I was a Pontiac girl for a LONG time.  

Answer 6

Consumer Reports has a car guide app. Present it to him and let him discover the issues with the van.  

Comments

Consumer Reports electronic-only membership is not free, but will save you money.  

Answer 7

Get a Honda for sure! My little beater drove me past 200, 000 miles. I finally got a new 2019 CRV when that one died and I love it so much. Honda’s are super reliable and they age well, I’m sure you can find one within your budget that looks just as good

Answer 8

Ok! update! Can I just say thank you guys. I read your comments to my husband and he finally was like I understand why your anxious, especially because we are just getting our head out of the water! So! We are researching Honda’s and Toyota’s. Found a deal in the next town over. Gonna go peak at it today and possibly test drive it tomorrow! This one is 14950 and 60, 000 miles! Honda Oddysey. I think I got him out of the it looks nice mind state. I’m a really strong personality and I just didn’t want to make him feel like his opinion didn’t matter!  

Comments

@lisabethlisan6 you will get well over 100, 000 miles more out of that Odyssey!  

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@disorderly I hope so! I am really happy I asked this group. I was feeling so anxious!  

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@lisabethlisan6 that is a much better idea. Get something like that. I dont think you'll regret it my parents 2 odysseys have over 200k.  

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I thought I would have never recommended a Kia. However my mil had an 11 Sedona. She put 250k miles on it with very minute problems(once and oil pressure sensor started to leak, $200 fix) outside of general maintenance. We just found and bought her a newer one. She would still have the old one except she puts a lot of miles on and it was starting to cost the same as a payment a month to keep it going(needed struts, shocks, tie rods, etc).  

Answer 9

This van is NOT carseat friendly!  

Answer 10

I would ask him for more time to do more research. I have only owned a town and country which was used when we purchased it. it was an amazing van for us while we had it. it got totaled when I was in a head on accident. You honestly couldn't tell from first look but because it dropped the transmission it was totaled.  

Answer 11

Do not buy a Chrysler. Never ever ever will I own or drive one. The car will have so many troubles and the corporation will fight you saying it doesn’t. I won’t get into how many thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours we spent dealing with this God awful company

Answer 12

Don’t buy a Chrysler. Honda, Subaru, Toyota are your best bets

Comments

@yogi we have a Toyota and Subaru and have had a really decent experience with them! Nothing major but maintenance.  

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@lisabethlisan6 we have had a Honda for 13 yes now and our Subaru for 18 years. Would buy again

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@lisabethlisan6 I’ve had three Subaru’s, they hold their value really well in case anything happens and you need to sell or get an insurance pay out. They are very reliable if you keep up with regular maintenance and their in house financing is pretty good if you have good credit.  

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@yogi agree 100%

Answer 13

We had a Ford and just purchased a 2019 Toyota Corolla for 14, 999.  

Answer 14

Subaru is awesome

Answer 15

If you have kids or want kids be very careful which minivan you buy. A lot of them are not car seat friendly.  

Answer 16

Hondas are the best! I have a 1998 Honda Accord. She’s freaking amazing! ❤️ I call her Betty White!  Plus they are easy to work on!  

Comments

@torrefy39443 agree

Answer 17

I bought a used Toyota sienna for 5k and it's been fantastic. You can find something reliable and used I would think- especially if you look in the 10-15k range to get a lower payment. Also get preapproved with a credit union. Mine just pre approved me for a used vehicle at 3. 2% because we are looking to switch our truck payment.  

Comments

@rimester Toyota's are the best

Answer 18

My husband really really wanted a new truck. So I asked him how much he can contribute monthly to start saving for it. He said never mind lol. I got him a Dave Ramsey book and we have been slowly changing our spending habits. Hasn’t been easy. It’s definitely not easy to say No to him. So I don’t. Not in that way.  

Answer 19

Carfax one car owner search, should help. I purchased my van, 4-5 years ago and this was a big help.  

Comments

@spiker unfortunately car fax isn’t always accurate. I saw a documentary about the hurricanes in Louisiana and this guys truck was flooded and totaled by his insurance company. He found his SAME truck 3 months later looking to replace the one that was totaled. VIN numbers matched but carfax said one owner and NOTHING about it being flooded or totaled.  

Answer 20

From experience. I’d avoid a Chrysler Pacifica. Worst vehicle I’ve ever owned.  

Answer 21

Transmission troubles all the time I would say no

Answer 22

I’m not sure the cost because my friend looked it up for me. If you can, purchase Consumer Reports. She did research for herself and me when buying a new car. They had a really good breakdown of the different models and any recalls or issues they had.  

Answer 23

My hubby just said they have the same engine ‍♀️ personally I don’t think minivans hold any value . I have a mid size SUV

Answer 24

I think you’re on the right track. I would definitely let this be a business decision not an emotional one. Once the “newness” wears off, you’ll be glad you did. That’s my opinion anyway.  

Answer 25

Toyota & Honda are cheapest to maintain and will last the longest, IMO. Subara is also good.  

Answer 26

We’re into Toyota for quality. Had it since 2015 and barely any money spent (new tires & oil) on it other than the monthly payments. They hold their value well too

Answer 27

I would not buy a Chrysler. My husband is a car guy and says they are no good. But also, if you are still going to wind up spending that $100/month on repairs & maintenance, you aren't really saving anything by buying an older car. In fact, you're adding stress of repairs or breaking down to your plate. If you get something just a few years older with under 50k miles, that would be fine. But you probably won't save much on the sticker price between that and a new one. Everyone says Honda Odyssey are the best minivans.  

Answer 28

I have a 2017, TONS of transmission problems and they are the worst about helping you to get it fixed. They suck

Answer 29

Things may have changed but I bought a Pacifica when they first came out, before they were a van, and the gas mileage was HORRIBLE!  

Answer 30

We have a 2019 Chrysler Pacifica. Love it. It had under 400 miles on it. We have had zero problems in the almost year of having it. Do what fits your family. We had a GMC Acadia. It was a money pit. It needed more work done then it was worth.  

Answer 31

Do not buy a Pacifica! I as well as a friend have them and we wish we wouldn’t have bought the van. It took me driving the service department crazy for over a year to get mine fixed because they couldn’t figure out what was wrong even though it was a common problem with Pacificas. Good luck!  

Answer 32

My mom has an older Pacifica and the only reason she’s had the issues that she’s had (which is only about 3 times in the past few years) is because it has well over 300, 000 miles on it. But my dad is quite handy and they hate car payments. So they will drive it til it falls apart bad enough that dad can’t do anymore magic tricks to it.  

Answer 33

Okay! I found two we are gonna test drive tomorrow! We went and looked at them just barely and decent price for negotiation and extremely good condition. Honda Oddysey and a Sienna! They are in perfect condition and hit so many of my wants that I’m happy I talked with you guys ♥️ Nothing wrong with my husband but he doesn’t talk about these things as much as I do. I’m an over thinker and it’s so helpful to have a community that thinks like you! Thank you so much!  

Answer 34

Honda or Toyota are great reliable Van's, and they look good too!  

Answer 35

We love our Sienna

Answer 36

I’ve had my 2006 Toyota Sienna for 14+ years and have never had a problem - they’re amazing!  

Answer 37

No matter what model you get I'd be sure not to get that new, that adds sooo much to the price. We just bought a 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan that was like new and it's so beautiful with all of the bells and whistles we didn't even know we wanted. ETA: I'm not saying you should buy a Dodge, just that a few years older can be just as nice and save you thousands.  

Answer 38

You could get the plug in version of the Pacifica because then you would save on gas to make up for the payment. Also the more you put down the lower the payment so you could wait a couple months and save a bit more

Answer 39

My neighbor bought a Pacifica last year and has had nothing but issues with it. If I were to buy a van (never going to happen) I would get a sienna or an oddysey. I would steer clear of Chrysler and dodge vans if you have more than 2 children because the 3rd row is basically useless for front facing children unless you use a specific booster seat.  

Answer 40

Not much advice on the Pacifica here as I’m not a van person myself but my advice would be to not go above your means as a new job may seem like an opportunity to spend more, just make sure that it’s a long term thing. Only saying so because I got a job a long time ago and bought a car right away (one above my budget) a year in, I couldn’t stand working where I was anymore and found a new job I enjoyed more but pay was way less and I struggled every month with that car. All I’m saying is don’t get too excited with extra money and buy something that you’ll be paying for for 7 years as you don’t know what the future holds - especially if it’s the top end of your budget. I’m not trying to be a downer at all! I just wish I had gotten that advice back in the day  goodluck!  

Answer 41

I love my Pacifica buuuut I have only had it a year and it has 16, 000 miles on it so I don’t drive it all the time (I have a work car) but I love it

Answer 42

We bought a used- Chrysler town n country. It’s awesome- fancy to me (luxury van) and only cost $15k.  

Answer 43

I would go with a Toyota van. Dodge vans transmissions are known to go so are Honda vans especially if you live in a hilly terrain. I would really take that into consideration. I would opt for a 3rd row suv vs a van just because of the transmission issues we have had with mini vans. But if you were to go with one I would say Toyota all the way.  

Answer 44

This may sound harsh - but if you have been “too broke” for a car maintenance fund or savings, i would not be looking at purchasing a 2018/2019.  

Comments

@cosmorama0 Not harsh! I totally get it!  

Answer 45

I got a 2016 kia sedona 28k miles for 19, 000 out the door-shop around, cut deals, and don't buy the first thing you see!  

Answer 46

I had two they are awesome but they don’t hold in value I just got a Sienna and was super upside down. The warranty is so good because I was always in the dealer with it. But it is beautiful. So if you have the time to always be in the dealer getting things fixed and not worried about being upside down go for it. The first one we had to do the lemon law because the door fell off and they had to give me a new one. I stayed with it because it’s a beautiful van it’s real luxurious however and doesn’t hold its value at all.  

Answer 47

Purchase the car that fits in your budget right now. Do you absolutely have to buy it now? Can you save more and pay cash? Taking on more debt along with the other things you mentioned sounds like slot of stress.  

Comments

@rotative unfortunately we do. We had our third baby and drive a Toyota Camry. Two littles in car seats and our 6 year old in a booster is TIGHT! And when we move our baby to rear facing the booster seat won’t fit anymore. We found one that we are gonna test drive a Honda Odyssey that is well in our budget so fingers crossed it checks out!  

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@lisabethlisan6 sounds like a larger vehicle is warranted for sure. I hope he listens to you because it sounds like the new car truly isn’t in your budget. Another talking point should be the tax liability of the cars you are looking at. Taxes are based on the value of the car. I don’t know about the state you live in, but we are billed for taxes directly from our town twice a year, it’s not rolled into the car payment. A brand new car could be a couple thousand in taxes. Good luck

Answer 48

My mom owned a Chrysler Pacifica and it was a piece of junk from day one. She had engine and transmission issues along with various other problems

Answer 49

Buy a certified vehicle and you wont have to worry about big repairs. I cant speak on the brand/model, but we love our crew cab Ram and my sister has had 3 chevy traverse that she has loved too. We rented a traverse and really really liked it but needed a pickup more so than an suv. A final thought too. Mercury is in Retrograde so if you can hold off on making such a big decision until it is out you will save yourself a lot of headache. Speaking from experience  Best of luck  

Answer 50

We have 2015 Chrysler Town and country (the older version of that) and its great. We have had very little issues with it. With proper maintenance it will last a long time. Remind you husband (in a loving manner) that buying a car about 5 years older than the current year will save a ton of money, and often has the same technology packages as he may want.  

Answer 51

I’m all cash budget when it comes to vehicles. Do you have any money saved up for the purchase? If you didn’t have a car payment you could spend that money on more important things.