choices

[Float On]

We've been blessed by a financial gift from my MIL to help us buy a new car.
We'd wanted to trade in the Durango(2000) and keep the F150 (97), but the F150 was declaired a 'total loss' and we rec'd our $3700+ from the insurance company.

That check combined with trading in the Durango plus the gift from MIL ($20,000) we could buy two used. I've found a 06 F150 Lariet and an 04 Honda CR-V (both lowish miles considering age) that interest me.
DH thinks we should now keep the Durango and put everything else towards a new truck.

I've never been one to buy something brand new, but do you consider '06 and '04 too old? We're not traveling for art shows anymore but always need a truck (we do our own trash runs and I need something to haul the kayak), the CR-V would get good gas mileage for around town.

[Float On]

I should add that we don't have to rush into any decisions yet....it'll probably be 3 months or so before I'm allowed to drive anyway (broken right ankle).

[decemberlov]

I think I would definitely do 2 used as well. Honda's are great and hold their value well.
I've owned a Honda Passport and now an Accord and don't think I'll ever own a car that's not a Honda in the future.
I don't think an 04 or 06 are too old. My Accord is an 02 and in the almost 4 years I've owned it, besides regular maintenance I've only had to replace the radiator (which was kinda my fault :~)).

Good luck!

[redfox]

If a compact economy car is among your needs, consider Toyota. I LOVE my Toyota ECHO, the model now reincarnated as the Yaris.

[Float On]

compact is out of the question for a few years.
DH can't get his back into a compact without a lot of pain. The CR-V sits up high enough he can get in and out.
Plus with two over 6' boys (6 and 6'3") with size 14 and 13 feet we might look more like a circus car when we arrive in a compact.

[thinkgreen]

We have a 2002 CR-V with about 60,000 miles on it. We have owned it since new and it has been great. Comfortable for tall people, good visibility, reasonable gas mileage for a Sport Utility Vehicle. Good in summer and winter. It may last us another ten years at the current rate that we use it. The front window defogger is amazing, guest passengers always comment that their cars would still be sitting in the driveway because they take so long to defog.

We recently bought a second vehicle, also a Honda, and considered another CR-V but chose a FIT for better around the town gas mileage and lower purchase price.

Nice MIL!

[ToomuchStuff]

Looking at it differently, does the Kayak fit on a roof rack on the Durango? What else do you use a truck for? (be specific) Have you thought about a trailer? (replace a truck bed, and it might be able to be hauled with lighter trash runs, heavier ones, may require the Durango)

Throwing out some ideas to think about!

[Simpler at Fifty]

I drive a Honda CRV too. Couldn't find a new one with less than 70K miles on it in 2009 so we bought new. Never regretted it.

[SteveinMN]

I think the key to the purchase of any used car is how it was driven and maintained. A car that spent 80,000 miles commuting 100 miles on a highway each day to and from a job has seen lighter duty than a car that did 20,000 miles 3 miles at a time delivering newspapers or pizzas. Similarly, a car that has been maintained by the book or better (with proof) makes me feel more confident in its condition than one which was brought in for service only when something started making noise.

Float On, is there any way you can get the service records for these vehicles? Or at least a CarFax?

[ApatheticNoMore]

I look where the cars are coming from also, if they're coming from anywhere where they salt the roads, or where they might have rust damage they're probably going to have more damage. OTOH if they are coming from hot and dry they will probably be in better condition on average.

[ToomuchStuff]

I think the key to the purchase of any used car is how it was driven and maintained. A car that spent 80,000 miles commuting 100 miles on a highway each day to and from a job has seen lighter duty than a car that did 20,000 miles 3 miles at a time delivering newspapers or pizzas. Similarly, a car that has been maintained by the book or better (with proof) makes me feel more confident in its condition than one which was brought in for service only when something started making noise.

Float On, is there any way you can get the service records for these vehicles? Or at least a CarFax?

The second part of above, being MORE important then the first. I would rather the second car above, if they changed their oil regularly, etc. then the first car, if they changed the oil, twice, in 80k miles. I have seen people, both from my wrenching days, and just knowing people, who think that oil changes are "when I get around to it" (typically 12k miles).


Also, why do you ask if 04 and 06 are too old? Do you really believe that cars are so cra..y that you need newer? (sounds like they have done good marketing then)
One of my vehicles, is 18 years old with around 120K miles. If I didn't have so many vehicles (bought an inexpensive toy one this year from a friend, who received it in an estate), I would keep it. But the toy and the 18 year old one, get around the same mileage, and serve similar purposes. (old VW for around town, fun and non hauling use)

[Float On]

I have looked at the carfax on both and both were single owner and local - good!
We put a lot of miles on and I know both of these could handle the mile load. The truck was about to roll 320,000 at it's demise.
The kayak is hard for me to put on top of the durango alone....and I kayak alone a lot.
I've always been a truck girl (one of the reasons my husband noticed me and asked me out)
Can't imagine not having a truck.
I'm not one to think that a 10 year old car is old if well maintained.
I think I can get a better deal buying both from the same lot (and the lot, not a major dealership, has been here 40 years - good reputation).
I think I'll have DH take a mechanic friend back up there to look at them a 2nd time.

When we bought the Durango it was between it and a CR-V. We went with the Durango only because it was bigger and heavier and could haul our wholesale show product/display and kids all the way to Philly...but I really wanted that CR-V.

Yes, a very nice MIL. We've had a few years of really bad economy stuff and her offer to help is really appreciated.

I bought a doolittle trailer a few years back....couldn't get DH to haul it. I grew up hauling a horse trailer so had no problems with it. At least I got back out of it what I paid for it.

I'm so ready to say goodbye to the Durango. It's a nice, heavy duty SUV, comfy interior, but the gas mileage stinks.

[artist]

Considering the fact that we've hauled trash in the back and two kayaks on the roof of an Hyundai Accent I would suggest rethinking the truck. Or at least considering a smaller truck than an F150. Something with a V6 that will get better milage. You could definatly do everything you need to do with a CR-V. My brother has a Ford Explorer V6 and it's more than he needs for trash runs and hauling the kayaks and his speed boat. In fact he wishes he got something smaller because it's not as good on gas as he had hoped it would be. .

[Float On]

It is really hard to find a smaller truck these days.
All of them that we looked at Colorado, Frontier, etc... got the same gas mileage as the bigger trucks (F150, 1500, etc).
We had a little 87 Mazda B2000 when we first got married, simple little manual transmission with great gas mileage.
BRING BACK THE LITTLE TRUCKS!!!!

[ToomuchStuff]

It is really hard to find a smaller truck these days.
All of them that we looked at Colorado, Frontier, etc... got the same gas mileage as the bigger trucks (F150, 1500, etc).
We had a little 87 Mazda B2000 when we first got married, simple little manual transmission with great gas mileage.
BRING BACK THE LITTLE TRUCKS!!!!

That is why I haven't got rid of the little truck. I am afraid I will regret it. I personally would like a combination of features from the big truck, with the little truck (4x4, extended cab, long bed pref, 4.0 manual), for all around use. For around town, the 2.3 is fine (needs more oomph on the highway)
The value of my little truck has gone UP, since I have had it.