October 18, 2008
I drive a 1993 Dodge minivan. I bought it for $2,300 over five years ago, when it had 125,000 miles. It now has 186,000 miles. I spend about $1,200 a year on repairs, including tires.
It gets good mileage on the road: 25 mpg. In town, it probably gets 18 mpg. I don't track it.
The car is larger than most, so it is safer in an accident.
It has high seats, which I need because of lower back pain. I can drive it all day long. I can't in a car with bucket seats.
It has space for hauling cargo, especially my dogs.
It will not get stolen.
Minivans sell cheaply these days because they have a bum rap about poor mileage. People think they get poor mileage. They don't. My wife's 1999 Chrysler minivan gets comparable mileage: 25 mpg on highway.
With concerns over gasoline these days, consider a minivan as a second car. Check with Kelly Blue book (www.kbb.com) and Edmunds (www.edmunds.com) before you buy to find out how much you should pay.
I always buy from private parties. I get a better price for cash this way. They want cash. They will take a discount from dealer cost to get it.
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