Last week Sarah called me on her way to grad class to tell me that she thought the car was overheating. As much as I wanted to run out and deal with that particular issue that night, I was home with Sawyer. Thankfully she was able to get the car pulled in a Dairy Queen parking lot, and then get a ride to class with a friend. Following class she had the car towed to a mechanic, so they could look at it the next morning.
The mechanic calls the next morning to report that the radiator was bad, and there were $3500 worth of other work he recommended we do as well. We spent the rest of the day debating whether to pay for the service or just have the car towed away for scrap. After much deliberation and Jerry taking a look at the car, we (Jerry and I) decided we should just try replacing the radiator ourselves and then if the car doesn't work we could have the darn thing towed away for parts. Replacing the radiator only cost us $300, which is a far cry from the $4000 the mechanic wanted.
So far, so good. The car has worked just fine, and we are beginning to wonder what we are going to do when Jerry isn't around to help fix all of the expensive things. (He has previously saved us the cost of a central air unit when he helped replace the motor.)
This also means that we are now faced with the very real possibility of having to purchase another car. I hate shopping for cars, or as I like to call it "performing the dance of deceit." The dealer lies to you about the car, you lie about what you are willing to pay, and then you go back and forth over and over.
OR
We have really narrowed our choices to the Toyota Highlander or the Honda Pilot (vehicle for our road-trip with the Huddleston's). I really don't care which one as long as the darn thing doesn't breakdown anytime soon. If you have an opinion on either, great. We need all the help we can get!
5 comments:
I like the look of the Toyota - but don't know much about either of your choices. They've got to be pretty good since they are Honda/Toyota!
I vote for the Toyota, I have been really happy with mine!
Ok- I am all about the TOYOTA! We love our 4Runner. Here is the official word from the latest consumer reports car issue:
2008 Pilot (CR recommended car)
8 passenger, crash tests are very impressive with stability control and 3-row curtain airbags standard (big plus). Price $27,595-$35,645
2008 Highlander (not CR recommended this year due to redesign so reliabity is unknown) 3rd row is tight and does not fold 50/50, $27,300-$39,950. The hybrid gets 24mpg and can go on electric at low speeds.
Owner satisfaction and owner cost are the same on both. Since you want to compare both you can go to Classic Toyota-they have both on the same lot. Talk to Mohammed Merchant. Awesome salesman (really) will not pressure you at all-trust me on this.
Let me know if you need any more reviews!!
Thelma
Hi Sarah! And Baker and Sawyer, too. I love looking at your pictures and reading about your family. I think about you often! I know several people in MN that have the Pilot and love it. Two of the families are on their second Pilot having loved the first so much. Good luck, buying cars is definitely not as fun as shopping for clothes and shoes!
Love and miss you!
Abby
I say choose a VW Toureg :) If I were closer I'd help you out with all the car stuff. 4k is waaaaay too much for a radiator replacement. Hope you don't have to deal with too many slimey dealers.
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