Well, we're back in the midst of one of my least favorite endeavors: car shopping. A while back we bought a mini-van; I had serious buyer's remorse and so we took it back the next day. I felt completely good about that decision because at that time a) I wasn't pregnant, b) we were undecided about even having a 3rd kid, and c) I love my Pathfinder.
Well, now that I am pregnant and about 5 months away from D-Day we realized we need a bigger car. Our Pathfinder doesn't have a 3rd row and it's impossible to fit 3 car seats across the backseat. So, the searching, negotiating, re-negotiating, re-searching, etc. has begun. We have spent all weekend searching the state for the best deals and spending a ridiculous amount of time on the phone and Internet trying to negotiate the best deals.
We have negotiated two smoking deals on two different cars: a 2008 Honda Pilot and a 2007 Honda Odyssey. I am fighting the Odyssey with all the energy I can muster. I'd much prefer the Pilot, despite the fact that the Odyssey has more room and would probably be easier with 3 kids in car seats. My husband wants the Odyssey. He thinks it is the smarter choice.
So, if cost were the same, what would you do? The Odyssey is leather, has navigation, and DVD. The Pilot has none of those features. While those upgrades are certainly nice, they are not necessities to me. That's great if cars have them, but their absence wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.
Any thoughts?
3 comments:
GO FOR THE ODYSSEY! Yes, I am shouting that at you.
Take my sage advice. I was in the same position as you once. I desperately wanted a Jeep - the 4 door kind not the off road type. We got a Dodge Caravan. Extended no less. I wanted to throw up every time I drove it.
About a month later I had to bring it to the dealer for something and so they gave me a jeep to drive as a loaner. I WAS SO HAPPY TO GET MY CARAVAN BACK!
With a van you can really move around and get the car seats in and out. You can climb in and move around.
There WILL come a day that you can get the Pilot but seriously, 3 kids? get the Odyssey.
As I've never owned anything larger than a sedan, I haven't a clue! But Nancy's advice sounds spot-on ...
Interestingly I have had the same dilemma with the same vehicles. At the last minute we decided to keep our old van for a few more years but I felt the same as you. A minivan is terrible - a SUV is good. The thing is - the Pilot is just not as good as the Odyssey - the van has more room, better fuel economy, better resale value, easier access, etc. My advice is to buy the van - you'll get used to it eventually. But if you're not sure, why not rent one (or borrow a demo) of each for a week? Then you'll know for sure . . .
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