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Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 9:19 pm Subject: Need to buy a van

I am planning to sell my truck but I can't sell it before I get something else. I need a vehicle.
I have a *gasp* credit card that I could use and pay that off but I don't know if it would be smarter to try to get approved for a loan instead and then try to put the money I make off my truck on the loan.
What would be the easiest way to buy a vehicle?
Not something new. Looking for maybe a 2000.

Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 9:41 pm Subject:

I would say try to get a loan. Normally credit card interest is pretty high, where has getting a loan you could probably get a percentage of 6% or so. That and they know if you don't pay for the car, they can take it back-- credit cards have less lead way with that. I seen your other post about refinancing your house. Maybe that would be a good option for you to get the van, or atleast be a nice down payment on something. Good luck!

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 4:53 am Subject:

I agree with sull, don't put it on a credit card! They always start off with a low interest rate or none but they're just sitting back and waiting for u to be 1 minute late and then BAM! They jack ur rates sky high and start charging fees!! I wouldn't put anything on a credit card again, unless i can pay it off at the end of the month!
Good Luck
Ang

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 10:44 am Subject:

Thank you Sulli and Ang for your opinions. I am thinking that a refinance on our house would be the smartest way to go. And I wouldn't have to worry about making 2 separate payments.
Also, our credit card is 0% until December so I would have to find another credit card to transfer too or just go with paying whatever percent it goes up to.
Thanks again!

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 11:30 am Subject:

You're very very welcome sul!!
Good Luck on whatever u decide to do!
Ang

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 11:34 am Subject:

I would definitely say stay away from the credit card idea, which it sounds like you already have.

Take a look around, too, before you settle on something - especially in the minivan market. Many of the late-model minivans have developed problems - and some models have multiple problems that cost you a lot down the road. Do a Google search on minivan reviews, and find a site that has actual owner reviews, not reviews done by dealers or manufacturers. Get the opinions of real owners of the model you are looking at buying before you make a leap. I did, and it has really paid off.

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 11:50 am Subject:

My husbad works on Honda and Acura's so I am plang on going with an Odyssey. That way he could get any parts cheaper then if we went with another make. He can also do the work easier.
Seems like Odyssey's have a pretty good reputation too. I am not looking at buying new because I don't want all that debt. We are thinking maybe a 2000.
Thanks for your reply!

I am so nervous about spending the money....ahhh! I wonder if that is normal.

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 12:15 pm Subject:

That is normal, anytime u make a major purchase in life, it'd be NOT normal to NOT be nervous! I remember having our house note and how in the world were we gonna do it! ha ha It's funny now! It's only 400/month! lol
And just fyi.... my sister has a Honda mini van about same year and all of a sudden the check engine light came on... she brought it in and nothing wrong... seems they had a recall on em and the light comes on for NO reason! (in the shop now being repaired)
Good Luck,
Ang

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 1:00 pm Subject:

The Honda Odessey has a very good reliability rating - I almost bought one myself, but ended up with a Toyota Previa instead (this was several years ago). They don't make the Previa anymore, but I sure wish they did! I traded mine in with 209,000 miles on it, 3 years ago after I hit a deer with it....and the person that bought it is STILL driving it.

Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 5:59 am Subject:

Ang, have her check for a transmission recall. I think there is one on that and something else. I can have my husband check her VIN if you want. Or I should say if your sister wants. She could call the dealership and ask too. I am sure they could check.

Sue, it is always good to hear from someone who really liked theirs. Honda's do seem to get a lot of miles on them. My husband is driving an older Civic right now and it has almost 280,000 miles on it.
I hope you were okay after hitting the deer. We have a lot of deer out here so I always have to be careful. We live in the country.

Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 7:17 am Subject:

Yep that's exactly what it is Sur!! It's in the shop now being fixed!
Thanks for info though,
Ang

Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 10:51 am Subject:

Thanks, Sur....I was ok - the deer hit the hood, wrapped around the side and thunked her head HARD on the front quarter panel...and then few about 50 feet off the road into the woods. About 10 minutes later, as I was surveying the damage to my van, she got up, limped across the road and disappeared into the woods on the other side. I don't know if she survived or not - I thought sure I'd killed her, as hard as I hit her.

Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 11:36 am Subject:

Sue, I am glad you were okay and the deer was okay. They seem to be pretty resiliant.

Ang, my husband talks about recalls and problems that happen to a lot fo the same model car all the time so I get it ingrained...lol.

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