Car experts wanted…

[BarbaraKobzik 0]

Hi there,

I have to look for a new car, my 1995 Odyssey with 285,000 miles and a broken a/c (not good in summer in Florida) is on it’s way to retirement. That I ended up with the Odyssey was kind of a coincidence. What I like is, that I can keep my bike in there, have a mattress in there so that I can sleep in the car at the dropzone. Also great to haul things that are not really made for a normal size car, like lumber, kayaks, or whatever. I know, everything can go at a rack on a normal car, but that is too much effort for me, I like this size of car.

Due to a new job, I have to drive quite a bit to work, so gas mileage is a big issue, pretty much the biggest. And reliability – don’t need a car that always has something.

Minivans don’t look great, somebody recently joked about my “soccer mom car”, and I have to agree. So something looking a bit nicer, probably more like an SUV, would be great, but definitely not if that means bad gas mileage.

I plan on buying a car that is 1-2 years old, so that I still have at least one year of the usual 3 year car warranty. So, any recommendations here?

Thank you very much,
Barbara

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It's nice to be important, but it's much more important to be nice.

[PikzeeVikzen 0]

Just based on size what about something like a Honda Element?

I'm the twist that turns your key....

[Gawain 0]

Look for a used high-end late model Odyssey, EX-L or Touring. They have cylinder management, and you'll get 26+mpg on the highway, and keep your favorite soccer mom van.

Or, if that's out of reach, then the Honda CR-V is an excellent alternative. As is the Element.

Don't give up your Honda reliability, you'll find plenty to choose from. Autotrader.com has about 50 Odysseys for sale in the Orlando area.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[BarbaraKobzik 0]

Thanks a lot. Anybody else with experiences? Good / bad or whatever? Need to look for a car very soon, so any hints would be much appreciated. So guys and girls, please... !

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It's nice to be important, but it's much more important to be nice.

[sundevil777 102]

I have a '96 Odyssey. I think it is great - normal car type doors, ability to sleep in it with the middle seats out, but not too big. Tents suck compared to being able to sleep comfortably in your vehicle, especially in bad weather.

You can find another 1st generation Odyssey ('95-'98) with around 100k miles for about $4-6k. I bought mine a year ago, so I'm sure that they are also around in your area for that much. The later generation Odysseys are great, but more expensive, larger, and still carry the soccer mom image. Personally, I think sliding doors are more trouble than they are worth. I don't let the minivan image get in the way of utility - my ego can take the hit.

Other Honda options that allow sleeping in it include the Element (4 seater) and the Pilot (8 seater). The seats don't even need to be taken out to sleep in either. The Acura MDX is another option, although more expensive. The Honda CRV is great, but not big enough to sleep in, and the seats don't fold flat like the Element and Pilot, or remove easily like the van.

People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

[chriswelker 0]

Lincoln Town Car '03 thru '07.

I have been selling Cadillac and Lincoln Hearses and Limos to funeral homes for over 6 years.

I just got back from a 29 hour round trip drive from Memphis, TN to Minneapolis, MN with a 2006 T/C that got 27.2 miles to the gallon. The car has a huge trunk and true luxury car ride.

Saw a 2006 in the paper this weekend with 16K miles for 25K.With good care and maintenance, will go over 200K miles.

Chri$ Welker

[DFWAJG 4]

go to edmund's www.edmonds.com they'll tell you consumer's top picks, their top picks, attached to autotrader.com. Let you know how much the car you are buying is worth. etc, etc.

[iambeav2 0]

I'm a Chevy fan/expert, and I bought a Cobalt just for gas mileage (actually the SS/Supercharged edition, so I can get gas mileage and have fun too) but that was before I started jumping. I can pack that car slam full for 2 people, UNCOMFORTABLY, but I'm suggesting and looking into the Chevrolet HHR's. They are like a chevy, boxier looking PT-Cruiser, but they CLAIM 30+ miles on the highway, and I know you've seen the commercials. That's my suggestion, but the element and even the CR-V are good proposals, and I'm not even a honda fan.

...it's not the fact that you don't appreciate what you have until it's gone...it's the fact that you don't appreciate what you have until someone appreciates it for you!