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Dh and I are planning a move within the next two years. In order to do that we need to pay down our credit card, and get our finances in order. Currently we own a truck and an SUV. We are planning to sell DH's truck once he has the front end fixed. It's a gas hog, and the tires cost $400 a piece to replace. It's a lifted truck and quite frankly, a boy's toy, ya know? So we need to get something practical, and a little easier on gas. So, do we buy a used car, like a little toyota camry or chevy cavalier (something along those lines), or do we buy a small truck like a ford ranger or toyota tacoma? I just don't know what to do. My DH loves trucks, so I'd be willing to "trade" him the SUV that we currently have and drive a small car if I have to. I had a Saturn before and loved that little thing. Or....do we try to make it on one vehicle and use every dime from the sale of his truck to pay down our credit card and put the rest in savings, leaving us with one vehicle...ugh, I just don't know what to do and want to make the best decision. Any ideas?
Answer:
Does your dh really need a truck? Does he haul a lot of stuff? Does he have a job that requires a pickup? If not, then trade the truck in for a small, fuel-efficient car. To save on gas, the person who drives the most should drive the car; the person who drives the least should drive the SUV. The SUV should still be sufficient for hauling things. If necessary, you can rent a pickup if you need to haul something really big.
For fuel-efficient cars, I suggest the Toyota Corolla. It's a small car, but it's very roomy inside. It doesn't feel like a small car. It gets AWESOME gas mileage. I've only had mine a few weeks and got 33 mpg in stop-and-go traffic. I was floored.
I know that some people survive with one car, but it would make me nervous. How would you get around if the one car breaks down?
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i agree whom ever drives the most should drive the one with the most gas milage(especially with todays prices) my dh drives a saturn ls 4 door we can get all 5 of us in it if we have to one in a car seat(i found a narrow one) and one in a booster and i have one that can sit in the middle back with a seat belt.. dh's is a 2002 and he gets 36miles to the gallon on the highway and 32 in town driving. so find a good car that gets good gas milage and get rid of the truck...i personally would consider the suv as well depending on the gas mileage and how much you drive...good luck.
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DH drives a ford Ranger and other then the fact that it hauls stuff every now and then and gets him too and from work it isn't very practical. We can't go anywhere as a family in it because it is too small for fitting us and the car seat in it. I would look for a car. I would reccomend a honda accord or civic. That was my last car and it was fuel efficiant and reliable. I would still be driving my 90 accord if it wasn't for the accident last year. Still 16 years is a long life span for a car.
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We're definitely going to keep the Durango because we just purchased it last summer and it still has low miles. Our main reason for buying it was because we wanted a vehicle to travel in, and when family came to visit we didn't have enough room in my old car to carry everyone! We also want to keep one four wheel drive vehicle. The truck that we're selling is already paid off, so we'll make 100% profit on that. It's a high maintenance vehicle too. It sits very high off the ground, so I nearly split my pants every time I try to haul myself up into it! I spoke with DH briefly today about getting a small car instead of a small truck, and he said..."I'm not going to make you drive around with the kids in some tiny little car" Nice of him, but still, hopefully tonight I can state my case! Right now, I drive the least. His drive to work is 30 minutes, and my drive to DD's school is 5 minutes. I feel bad because since we've been together, I've always gotten the newer, nicer vehicle and he's always driving the old used ones.
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O.k we did the samething two yrs ago my hubby has a Z-71 chevy lifted and the hole nine yards boy he loved that truck he still talks about it to this day. He is a truck man you know what I mean! His truck was also a gas hog and we got ride og it when gas was 1.75 ( ahh the good old days ) anyway my point is he took my jeep and we bought a van he has been o.k with the SUV I would say if you put him in a car he will be so unhappy at lease in a SVU he can still dream and you know it is kind a mans car. good luck!
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If you decide to buy a car check out the volkswagon jetta. I am on my second one. I now have a 2006 jetta TDI (turbo diesel engine). It has the best gas milage I get about 42 stop and go and I have gotten as hight as 54 on highway. It takes diesel and I only fill up onece a week and some times every other week but that is useally only in the winter. The best part about my car besides the gas milage is the navigation system and my kids love the satalite radio because they can listen to radio disney.. My old one didn't have all these cool features but I liked it too. It is small but well worth the gas milage.
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I agree about the Jetta. I am in Minnesota and gas here is 3.39 today. Who can afford to drive anymore.