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To Fix or Buy a New Green Car. Only the Rump Knows

August 1, 2011 By: Anna2 Comments

One of our many road trips in the 2005 Sienna

One of our many road trips in the 2005 Sienna

Last weekend my beloved Toyota 2005 Sienna died on the highway.  Was it simply a stroke or a fatal heart attack?  Right now she is in the ICU suffering from a broken transmission and differential in addition to having slight arthritis in the sliding power door and a broken rear windshield wiper.

Right now I am in limbo car mode.  I have literally driven 10 plus cars this week.  My back hurts, I am confused, and still I am in  the same place as when I started.  Do I fix my car or get a new one?   Plus, my life has changed since 2005.  Two kids are in college and the other two are home.  Am I ready to make the leap back to a car? Become a Big Girl?  Boy, can I use help.

So, I broke up this post into two parts to give you a flavor of all the cars I drove and my thoughts about them.

The Argument to Fix the Sienna

The argument for fixing the Sienna:  But she was and still is a great car.  What a trooper.  She never complained as my 4 cavemen trashed her, road tripped with us to 14 colleges for Son #1 (what was I thinking?) and never once said that she was bored (unlike the other cavemen.)  When it came to snow, she was like a mama bear on a mission to safely trudge through mountains of unexpected winter snow without a single whine or peep. (Again, unlike the cavemen crew.)

Was I heartbroken?  Yes, especially when I was delivered the news that it would cost me $7500 to fix her.  She just turned 100,000 but spire as a cat. Her mine was as sharp as ever. She is my transition car.  Some day (in five years) Son #4 will be going to college and I can put down my chauffeur’s cap.

Not the First Time at the Car Crossroads

Many of you may remember when I hemmed and hawed in 2008 about should I buy my Sienna out of its lease or buy a new greener car.  I tried several different cars and felt like Goldilocks.  This car seat was too uncomfortable (Camry.)  This one felt like a truck (Honda CRV.)  This one’s spoiler was in the middle of my vision (Prius.)   And the biggest issue:  how could I go to a small car when I had such a big family:  4 Cavemen and the hubby?

I opted to buy my Sienna out of lease since I felt in my circumstances it was the greenest thing to do. Why did I need to buy a new car?

Forced into the Situation

Well when the mechanics tell you that your car needs $7500 worth of work, and its value is somewhere between $9000 to $13,000, what do you do?  I decided to explore getting a new car.  In the last week, I have driven my fair share of cars and then some.

  • Toyota Camry
  • Toyota Sienna
  • Toyota Pruis
  • Toyota  Highlander
  • Toyota Venza
  • Toyota RAV-4
  • The Subura Outback and the Forester
  • Hyundai Sonata
  • Sat in the Hyundai VeraCruz and Santa Fe
  • Ford Fusion
  • Ford Edge

If you own one of these cars,  let me know what you think.

My Criteria

Shopping for a car is a kin to yanking out a permanent tooth.  I hate change as much as I hate an uncomfortable seat.  So here was my wish list in no particular order:

  • Comfortable Seat (Okay, I am lying to myself.  This is the number 1 priority.  If my back and rump are happy, then I am happy.  If I am happy, then the hubby is happy.  Got it?)
  • Good gas mileage
  • Could carry at least 5 people comfortably but not too big of a car.  Is this possible?
  • Had some bells and whistles.  Navigation since I get lost going down the street.  Hands free phone in case any of my children need to call me. (And, boy do they call me.  Sometimes, I want them to forget my name.)  I don’t like to have a phone attached to my ear.
  • All wheel drive car.  I need all the help I can get in the snow.
  • Would like large trunk to haul more plants for my garden.  (A garden girl has to dream, right?)

Sounds like a do-able list? Or am I shooting for the stars?  Read Part II for my thoughts on the above cars.

Join the conversation

  • Have you replaced your car recently?  If so, what did you buy?
  • Would you fix my car and wait out the five years?
  • How do you feel about driving a mini van? Hate it or love it?
  • Any experience with the above cars?

Similar Posts:

  • Buying a New Green Car is Like Yanking Out a Permanent Tooth.
  • Ford Fusion 2013 Green Year Lineup: Gas, Hybrid, Electric/Hybrid.
  • Ford Escape Hybrid, A Big Ride with Green Ties
  • The Search for the Perfect Eco-Car
  • Ford Mustang say “F” the Minivan. Kiss Away 25 Years.

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About Anna

Anna Hackman is the editor of Green Talk, and owner of The Naked Botanical and a avid (okay obsessed) gardener. She also loves video and podcasting and hosts Green Talk TV and Green Talk Radio. Her most important role is being a mother of four boys.

Chat with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest , and Google+.

Comments

  1. 1

    Condo Blues says

    August 5, 2011 at 1:03 pm

    I was in a similar situation. The engine block on my old car cracked and cost way too much for such an old car. I wasn’t prepared to go car shopping at the time. Edmunds.com has independent reviews from car people (instead of consumer reviews such as: I like this car because it matches my eyes!) and helped us weed a lot from our list. The choices were between a new Ford Focus and a used Ford Focus. The new car guy’s sales style didn’t mesh with us and he was more interested in moving his inventory cars than helping us buy or order a Focus that suited us. The used car was a former lease with low miles and we ended up going with that.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Ford’s Green Cars: Building them Fuel Efficient, Smart and Safe — Green Talk® says:
    January 13, 2012 at 4:29 am

    […] third stop was the driving lab where the team works on the seat configuration. In my opinion, how comfortable is the driver’s seat is my top priority in choosing a car.  No one likes an uncomfortable […]

    Reply

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