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F15eWeapon
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« on: June 06, 2007, 11:04:23 PM » |
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Well, the thing for me right now is this... I'm a little sick of how my Mini rides these days on 17's. I hate how much it beats me up, and I hate long trips in it. Now, I'm also craving more room in a car... I just can't do the passenger thing except for short little trips. So it's a major dilemma. I know I can make the ride a little better for myself with some 15's and maybe different springs and whatnot, but I can't do a darn thing about the room. So what to do? I have 3 vehicles in the family to get this worked out. Deb's mustang is the only car with a payment. It's about $500 a month, and the balance is 17k approximately. The Mini is paid for... and we have a 2001 Honda Odyssey EX with about 55k on the clock. (The mini has 31k, the mustang has 13k) 2 car payments are not an option. Essentially I hate the van, and would love a large sedan in it's place. I can sell the van for about 13-14k private party. I *could* sell the mini for around 17k perhaps (judging from the market, although the electric blues on ebay get snapped up quickly, so maybe as high as 18-19k) I could sell the van and pay down most of the Mustang, but then financing a good sedan (Thinking a newish Toyota Avalon) would be quite the extra payment.. nearly $600+ per month, plus I'd have to come out of pocket for the balance of the Mustang. Another option would be to Sell the Mini, pay off the Mustang, and then sell the van, and put the money down on the Avalon. (Shock, horror! )  So what do you think people? I'm thinking 99% of you will vote to keep the Mini..but that's just selfish of you! Think of the children! |
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1972Austin
My Mini is smaller than yours!
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Doing what I do....whatever that is..
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« Reply #1 on: June 06, 2007, 11:20:51 PM » |
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Sell the children with the van and pay off the Mustang....problem solved! :twisted:
Shawn
Disclaimer: Long hours and minimal sleep may lead to crazy posts and incoherent ranting!
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glassdarkly
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« Reply #2 on: June 06, 2007, 11:26:50 PM » |
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Switch out the 17s and change your suspension to soften the ride. Sell the van and the Mustang and buy a hybrid SUV like the Ford Escape. You got the MINI for the fun and softer ride and the SUV for the family.
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2005 MCS CR/B & C, MMID FLY 847, CROC#4  |
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RiquiScott
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« Reply #3 on: June 06, 2007, 11:30:40 PM » |
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Sell the children with the van and pay off the Mustang....problem solved! :twisted:
Shawn
:smt042 :smt043 :smt082 :smt044 .... and still laughing! Actually - can you hold out until the Traveler comes out? Sell the ugly mini van, the cute mini and buy the product of their unholy union! Peace, Riqui |
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F15eWeapon
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« Reply #4 on: June 07, 2007, 12:10:20 AM » |
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:smt042 :smt043 :smt082 :smt044
.... and still laughing!
Actually - can you hold out until the Traveler comes out? Sell the ugly mini van, the cute mini and buy the product of their unholy union!
Peace,
Riqui :smt046 :smt041 :smt026 Now that is a good suggestion! I'm glad you've been on more lately Riqui... your wit just made my whole day! Love me some unholy unions! :D |
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RiquiScott
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« Reply #5 on: June 07, 2007, 12:25:56 AM » |
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Now that is a good suggestion! I'm glad you've been on more lately Riqui... your wit just made my whole day! Love me some unholy unions! :D
Glad you like the suggestion - we just can't let you get out of the Mini "cult" that easy. and I'm glad I am around more often too - - trust me, would have rather been here all along! As for you loving you some unholy unions - I am adopting the military's position - DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL!!!!!! Peace, Riqui |
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RiquiScott
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« Reply #6 on: June 07, 2007, 02:06:08 AM » |
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jrudy01
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« Reply #7 on: June 07, 2007, 07:33:35 AM » |
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Win Lotto
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MPETUOS
Sean the Turd Polisher
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I'm one of "those" people that don't own a MINI!
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« Reply #8 on: June 07, 2007, 07:50:08 AM » |
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Seeing as I'm strating my workday and I'll have at least 9hours to research on the web... I need a bit more info.... how many kids?
ages of kids?
typical stuff that your kids to need to carry... dance shoes or hockey stuff?
what car brands or styles do you and your better half just hate |
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My Land Cruiser cancels out 2 Prius ... what is the plural for Prius?  |
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F15eWeapon
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« Reply #9 on: June 07, 2007, 09:24:39 AM » |
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Seeing as I'm strating my workday and I'll have at least 9hours to research on the web... I need a bit more info.... how many kids?
ages of kids?
typical stuff that your kids to need to carry... dance shoes or hockey stuff?
what car brands or styles do you and your better half just hate Just one kid, he's 8... our need to carry stuff isn't great, so most normal trunks will do fine. I'd like something that will hold 2 adults comfortably in the rear just fine, 3 in a pinch. Another issue always for us is simply that we're big people. We like lots of hip room and steering wheel adjustability is a big plus. It's gotta be an automatic, or Deb won't like driving it. So after my own homework over the past few years of looking at stuff, the list is rather short. Toyota Avalon, probably our top choice since the 2005 redesign. It has a strong 272 hp 3.5 V-6 that still gets 31 mpg on the highway, it's amazingly comfortable, surpassing even the new Caddy DTS I sat in yesterday. The backseat has a flat floor all the way across, and the seats actually recline! The styling is a bit bland, but for the most part, it's the most comfortable, most bells, best resale, most luxurious car for the dollar out there. Another option... the Chrysler 300C or Dodge Charger R/T ... not as comfy, bad resale, but it's got a whip ass V-8 and rear wheel drive... and styling is much better than the Avalon for the most part. Gas mileage sucks in comparison... Open to other suggestions, not opposed to leasing either. Have fun with this puzzle!! |
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1972Austin
My Mini is smaller than yours!
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Doing what I do....whatever that is..
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« Reply #10 on: June 07, 2007, 10:51:32 AM » |
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I like Riqui's idea, but change to sell Mustang and van and buy a Traveller. More space and 2 MINI's. I guess keep the kid for now, but think of all the free time! :lol:
Shawn
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F15eWeapon
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« Reply #11 on: June 07, 2007, 11:47:44 AM » |
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I'm not terribly interested in the Traveller/clubman actually. I don't care for the lines of the car, not to mention I don't think it'll be any more roomy than the current except behind the rear seats!
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MPETUOS
Sean the Turd Polisher
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I'm one of "those" people that don't own a MINI!
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« Reply #12 on: June 07, 2007, 01:49:59 PM » |
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Ok...... here we go..... glassdarkly Switch out the 17s and change your suspension to soften the ride. Sell the van and the Mustang ..... I agree in selling the van and the Mustang. Change the suspension on the MINI... adjustable KONIs, 16s or 17s just for autox... use 15s and a 60 series tire for the road. Soft and comfy as a daily.... stiff and sticky for autox. Inexpensive fix so you can keep the fun car. Family sedan, Consumer Reports Family Friendly Cars The Avalon rates BEST. You have picked a good one. This seems to be the easiest solution, but you will need to get the windows tinted so you'll have some style in the family sedan. Consumer Reports on Older Used Cars lists the Lexus LS 400 as a great buy but in looking at the prices they are still a bit much. IMHO I think the station wagon is the best thing on the road. Not the kind with wood on the sides..... unless it's real wood of course, but a solid wagon with a bit of style and a bit of punch in the engine bay. BMW Sport Wagon would fit the bill. Plenty of luxury and power, auto with lots of room. Volvo CrossCountry is suitable alternative, built like a tank although I do prefer the older 240 series, not quite as big, but built like a Sherman Tank. This might be a bit much but it would be fun. This would be fun but expensive to gas up. This would be a good find ,good to about a million miles, or maybe one of these million mile cars. If the lotto idea works out for you then this might be the ticket. If financing a new used car, the payment maybe a bit larger than you want, what about a HELOC or HELOAN, I know you can do the math, tax deductable interest, just keep the payments higher than the minimum to pay it down faster. Lastly, keep the kid. You may need to move in with it later in life. Better to keep them close just in case. Good luck, and let us all know what ends up moving out and moves on to the driveway. :D |
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My Land Cruiser cancels out 2 Prius ... what is the plural for Prius? |
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MiniRacer
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« Reply #13 on: June 07, 2007, 06:25:55 PM » |
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The SCION XB we picked up has been a great local family car, if we didn't sell the MINI on the deal, I would have no regrets.
Another still affordable idea would be the Mazda6 Wagon..
Don't sell the MINI!! You'll never forgive yourself..
Cheers,
Alan
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"It's not the size that counts,
It's how you use it!"
Sir Nigel Powers
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dark06mcs
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« Reply #14 on: June 08, 2007, 07:57:07 AM » |
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i'm with alan and sean here... i love love love wagons! the mazda, a volvo, a bmw, an audi (even the magnum)... also, the xb is a great little people box.
if you wind up with say a 3 series wagon (either of the previous two generations), i'd lose the mini for it myself. then you've got a fun rwd autocross wagon.
i love wagons. when it comes family time for us, we'll spend a lot of time looking at wagons.
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