Which car should I keep?

[peter78]

My parents just bought a new mini-van this weekend. The dealer was going to give $450 for their old van so I kept it to sell myself.

(By the way, don't buy from Hennessy Honda in Woodstock, they gave my parents a price and I called up to verify, we then went out and they went up $1,700 after being there 3 hours. Needless to say we did not buy from them.)

Now that I have the old mini-van I started thinking, always a bad habit, I have a third car, a 88 Acura Integra and my parents had a 91 Toyota Previa. So, I am thinking of keeping one as a third car and selling one. Any opinions???

--------------------
88 Acura Integra
188,000 miles
5 speed
major tune-up done 20,000 miles ago
4 new brake pads 2,000 miles ago
Air conditioning SUCKS
CD / radio
fun to drive
31 MPG

---------------------
91 Toyota Previa
131,000 miles
automatic
new bakes & tires
Air conditioning works great, front & back
radio doesn't work
Can hold 158 cubic feet in the rear, 12 more than my parents new Honda mini-van
20 MPG

-----------------------

I could use the van for camping, carrying stuff, but that was why I bought the 4Runner. The van should last longer, I expect to keep the Integra for only 3 more years, but I could keep the van for 6 more years or so. I drive the Integra to work sometimes and I would probably drive the van once in awhile too. Hey, I wish I had more descisions like this one.

 

[peter78]

Another view. Boy that Previa is a big sucker.

 

[Mark86]

I would sell the van. What could the van do that the 4Runner can't? At least you could have some fun in the Integra and do some camping or off-roading in the 4Runner. I wish I had that choice to make.

 

[Kanab]

I would keep the Toyota, it can haul a lot of stuff and with the mileage on it should last awhile. Plus some kid will pay more for the little Acura. Not a bad problem to have.

PS you know you need a good air conditioner in Hotlanta!!!

 

[momo.75]

I would keep the Acura. Since the gas prices don't seem to be going anywhere but up, the Acura could help you save a little money.

 

[SteveM]

Or, sell them both and buy what you really want.

 

[jharris2]

Peter -

Have you run a value for each at kbb.com? That will tell you what you might get on the open market for them. That could help you decide which to keep or to follow Steve's advice.

Also, are your kids going to be driving soon? If so, then you might have your answer already for their first car.

 

[peter78]

Peter -

Have you run a value for each at kbb.com? That will tell you what you might get on the open market for them. That could help you decide which to keep or to follow Steve's advice.

Also, are your kids going to be driving soon? If so, then you might have your answer already for their first car.

Yes, I ran the numbers at Edmunds, the Previa is worth a bit more. As far as selling both, I like the idea of a third car and both cars were bought new, so I know what has happened to them. Selling cars, you never get what you want, so I think I should choose what I want.

Yes, my kid will be driving in a few years, but niether car has air bags, I guess I'll get them something better. Of course my Son wants my 4Runner when he gets to drive.

So bottom line, do I want driving fun, lousy air, great stereo, good mileage or great carrying capacity, less miles on rig, good air and not much driving excitement. To be honest I am split down the middle, I could use either and their advantages and keep some mileage off my newer cars.

 

[GatorGreg]

I drove a '89 Laguna Gold Integra LS for many years, great little car but I got rid of it after about 180 ?? something thousand miles when I got my first real job and traded it in. As I recall it was getting rather expensive to maintain with that many miles on it. So, if I had to keep one I'd probably sell the Integra and use the money to fix the radio and pay for the extra gas in the Previa - plus your son could probably put the van to good use when he turns 16 :naughty:

 

[peter78]

Up-date

Thanks for your responses. I first decided to go with the Integra, but my Wife and the hot Summer changed my decision to the Previa.

I sold the the Integra for $1,100 and bought the Previa from my Parents for $1,200. The person who bought my Integra really liked my maintiance records and up-keep, plus when he took it on the Interstate and went 90 and wouldn't get off, I knew he was going to buy it.

One thing of interest is the Previa gets a little worse mileage than the 4Runner. The Previa gets 16 to 19 and usually gets 18 MPG. The 4Runner averages 19.5 MPG and on the highway it always gets over 20 MPG. The trip we took on the Previa (all highway) was 19.3 MPG. It was a little surpising since the Previa is a 4 cyl. and weighs a little less than the 4Runner. Also the Previa handles, well like a van and the 4Runner handles much better, in steering, braking and so on. I know the 4Runner is 10 years newer, but the 4Runner is a much better riding car and better mileage.

Here is a picture of my vehicles. Not bad if you like "WHITE".

 

[Derek]

I think you made the right decision, and I love your choice of color vehicles

 

[EDGE]

sell the previa it did horrible in the Insurance Institute Offset crash test http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/96022.htm

 

[peter78]

sell the previa it did horrible in the Insurance Institute Offset crash test http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/96022.htm

Now you tell me......:chair: :wtf:


Actually the page you noted showed a 94 to 97, my Previa is a 91 and it doesn't even have a air bag like the ones shown in the picture. So I would assume mine is even worse. It does make sense since your left leg sits along side of the front wheel cover and there is no engine up front to stop something, heck there is nothing up front. I have never seen the engine, this week I am going to change the oil, it will be the first time I will see the engine.

THANKS FOR MAKING MY DAY

 

[94yotarunner]

Don't worry about it... I mean, are you gonna be drag racing the van or so forth? I know that things just happen, but its rare and very odd for it to just happen to you. Just drive safely in the van, remember its not a runner, and avoid night driving (when people are bound to drink and drive) and other avoidable times (4th of July weekend, etc). That way you minimize the chances of any problems like the low crash test ratings.
I'm driving around in a 10 year old, soon to be 11 year old runner with no airbags and few safety features and I just try to not look for problems like I know some people do. I don't race, I only do 5 over the speed limit, sometimes none. I avoid main streets when its night, I even avoid driving at all when my local brewery is having discounts or when the bars all get out at 2. Being safe minimizes the chances of problems.

My friend and his car after driving under the influence and trying to race.... (Last years RA in the dorms actually, lol)

http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/t/r/trs202/pic/12Gs.jpg