Comments on: Driving And Drivers (Cars, Vans, Golf Clubs)

By: Russell Barrick

Russell Barrick — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 18:27:08 +0000

We should get together and go play golf some time. I love it.

By: Livingalmostlarge

Livingalmostlarge — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 20:30:58 +0000

If you read reviews on the T & C, and car boards they often die at around 150k miles. It could need a new tranny, engine, stuff like that. That would not make it worth it in my book I like my Honda. I might lean towards the new truck and keep the honda but sell the old truck/minivan. Although if you keep the minivan, can’t you haul garbage in there? Minivans have tons of room.

By: Daisy

Daisy — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 19:51:50 +0000

Agreed, Amber. We are the original owners of a 1998 Civic. We’ve put 223,000ish miles on it, and it’s still a great commuter car. Regular tune-ups and tires, and the occasional belt replacement. We hope to put on half a million before thinking about replacing it.

Now the minivan is another story. Chryslers are not especially durable, especially once you get over 150,000 miles. That is the one I’d consider selling to get your truck, and of course selling (even just for parts) your old truck. Hold on to that Honda. New Hondas are seriously expensive and they hold their value well. If you still like it, you will probably miss it when it’s gone. Part of the reason my husband bought the Civic was because many people said to him, “I wanted to upgrade my vehicle after 300,000 miles, and I ended up missing my old Honda.”

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 19:48:16 +0000

Have you create an “after the switch” budget that includes the changes in what you pay in insurance, increased fuel costs from replacing the Honda with a larger vehicle, changes in maintenance schedules, etc.? If not, you may want to do so – given that usage on the current truck averages to less than 125 miles per month and you mentioned that you live in a very rural area, so probably a lot driving to get to work/stores/wherever. You may be frightened off of the idea after running *ALL* of the numbers.

By: Amber

Amber — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 17:17:24 +0000

120,000 on a Honda is nothing. It’s just barely stretching it’s legs. I bought my ‘93 Accord with 170,000 miles on it and it’s at about 218k right now. Still goes and goes and goes. I did the second belt replacement when I first got it and haven’t had too many major repairs (ok the front axle breaking wasn’t fun but at least it happened in a parking lot and not on the street). Anyway, I’m not saying you shouldn’t sell just that it’s still got life in it.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 16:00:28 +0000

I bet I sound like a broken record but with the number of miles you put on that truck, it sounds like you’d be a better candidate for a small flat trailer with a hitch on one of your vehicles.

We have 3 vehicles ourselves, a midsized SUV, a VW, and a motorcycle. The wife and I use the VW and motorcycle to commute with and the SUV is mostly a weekend car. The nice thing about having 3 vehicles is if one breaks down you have a spare, so I can keep the broken car in the garage for a weekend or two and fix it at my leisure (or wait to be shipped discounted parts).

Wow, clubs for nothing! Might try craigslist first, you might be able to sell them for the same price to someone local without paying ebay/shipping fees.