Thanks for all the replies and advice. We have put a for sale sign on our car and will try to sell it locally. We might buy something used and have it paid for completely while still trying to sell our car. It would be great to not have a car payment. I could take that extra money and apply it to credit card debt. I'll let you know what we decide!

We have a 99 Grand Caravan that we got new. It has high miles now and has never had anything but routine stuff done to it. I really like it. Personally, I would trade in the car, way less hassles than trying to sell it yourself.

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~Happiness is a large family~

I agreee with everyone. Any time we need a car we went to CARMAX first. they we really good about what things cost. so we wouldn't get taken.

I have a 2005 Toyota Sienna and LOVE it! If you are in no rush to buy, shop around. We searched for a used Sienna with low miles and after 9 months found a great deal (we were in a postion where we could wait). The deals are out there if you can wait.

Good luck!

If there is a CarMax in your area I would suggest trying them first. They will almost always give you what the car is worth(blue book). My Dh and I have done this several times and they have always given the blue book value.The price their willing to give is guaranteed for 7 days or 250 or 500 miles. In October we took our 2005 Toyota Camry(having 2 kids it was a tight fit) to Carmax because I wanted a Honda Odyssey. They gave us 12,000, which was blue book and then I put that money towards my Odyssey. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would be the owner of an minivan, but I am so pleased with my purchase. My parents have always had Hondas and I knew the Odyssey well rated. Just having the blue book value will help you if you decide to sell privately, so you won't get ripped off. Hope this helps. Good luck!

hard decision sure you will make a great choice

I have a 2005 Toyota Sienna and love it, I would definatly recommend it.

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We buy things we dont need,
with money we dont have,
in order to impress people
we dont like?
(Ramsey, D)

I highly suggest test driving different vans. Each one drives and feels different. When we bought our van last summer I was able to test drive them for a couple of days, not just a quick drive around the block. I have had two Chevy Ventures(we leased them) and now I own a Montana. I love it. Chevy now has the Uplander which I don't recommend for safety reasons. The Kia is a great option for safety and options at a good price. The Honda and Toyota are great too if you can afford them. I say test drive them and check in the paper and online for your best deal. Happy Hunting.

a 1998 Oldmobile Shilouette, I LOVE my van. We paid 6000 for it in 2005, it had 90k miles on it. Leather, the whole nine yards. They don't make these anymore but I have seen some of the 2000-2003 go for about 10-12k, not bad. I have only had "hand me down" cars the first part of my life, most of them were HORRIBLE, and you couldn't pay me to have a ford product, have had WAAYYYYY too many issues with Ford products, Kia is made by Ford. Every Ford I have known has had numerous issues. Chevy Ventures have safety issues also according to the consumer reports and other vehicle safety people. Anyway, my point is do your research and decide what you like in a vehicle and go from there, Test drive the different models you like before you decide to buy one. Go visit like a Carmax or something that has multiple makes and models and go from there, you don't have to buy anything from them, they'll try but play hard ball. I have to decide what I want and try them before I put money on it. We got our financing from bank of grandma then paid it off when our house sold. I am contemplating selling our truck and getting another one, but haven't decided what I want yet.


Karen


Karen

I would pay off the one car and then sell the car if you do not want it and use that is a down payment. You do not want to have 2 car payments. Go tyo CArmax and see what they will give you and then go to 1-800- we buy cars because they will beat carmax, they did for me by $200. If you do sell privately make sure you know the local laws on transfering titles, go to your local motor vehicles webpage and find the proper forms. AND if you have a local craigslist.org use it to post your car for sale and to look for a new car. $7000 will get you a pretty good minivan, the caravans are great car and value. I am not a minivan mom, I prefer my Honda Pilot but I did research the caravans and they are everything that you need.

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Elizabeth, Isabela, Tomas