I already have two cars, but...

[Meike]

I need a new one.

I own a great running 02 Chevy Venture Minivan for the family, but my wife will be driving this car to bring the kids to school and daycare and to her job.

Our other car is an 96 Dodge Intrepid (which we inherited), a useless piece of junk without tags and inspection. I tried to fix this car, but it is just not worth the money I need to put into it.

The question is: What car would be a wise dicision in my position?
I cannot buy cash, have no credit and I drive mostly highway to work.

I would love to drive a Jeep Cherokee (or Grad Cherokee), but am otherwise not interested in SUVs.
I have considered a small pickup, but I think most of the time I'd drive unused weight around.

So yeah, I am picky and am trying not to spend more than 5k.

['97ventureowner]

You say you are interested in a pickup, is that for use in carrying things around on occasion? For the price range you are interested in you might find something along the lines of an older S10 or similar type truck. I have some friends who have full size pickups that they use in their jobs, (mainly construction-type) and they weren't getting good gas mileage. Some switched to a S10 because they got better mileage. They use their full sized trucks only occasionally now as whatever they are hauling permits, and use the compact truck most of the time. Other vehicles in your price range include such vehicles as minivans, ( Astro/Safari, another Venture perhaps, hey I've owned 2 at once or even a station wagon such as the Chevy Caprice/Buick Roadmaster, or Ford LTD Crown Vic.) You say you have no credit, does that mean you have "bad credit" or no credit history whatsoever? Even people who have bad credit can get a loan, albeit at a higher interest rate. Check with your local banks or even credit unions, as they seem to be a little more lenient with their loan approvals. If you are only interested in around $5,000 you tend to be a better "risk" to them with the lower amount.

[Meike]

Well, I only mention pickup because we have to do a lot of remodeling in our house and might be moving soon, too. (I refuse to use my venture, the interiour is to nice to haul anything else than people.)
But I have a 30 minute commute, and getting a pickup for 2-3 "pick up" jobs a month or less it doesn't seem like a smart choise, or does it?

I mean, here's the deal:
Pickups don't make sense unless you are hauling a lot. SUVs don't make sense unless you go out mudding or towing.
And a car like a corolla does nothing else but driving from a to b without other use at all or space to speak of.

I just don't know:
-A small pickup that eats more gas but that is useful after work?
-A Jeep that eats even more gas that I could use for hauling but not as well as a pickup BUT could fit a couple of people in that I can take woth me to lowes and stuff.
-A compact car that I collects a lot of miles for no other use than getting me to work.

Any idea which pickup has the best gasmilage?

And I have NO credit history because I just recently moved here from Europe.

And thanks for your answer and time

[sickcallawayc12]

You could look for a base 2WD compact pickup. Cheaper and better on gas vs. 4x4 because of less parts/less weight. Here is a recent post from "Car Comparisons" about pickup options. i listed most, if not all, available pickups from the 90s and fits your situation if you got 5k max.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=692280

A base, 2WD manual reg cab wouldn't get horrible mileage, i'd estimate the low to mid 20s range for highway. My 98 Blazer is 4x4 with 4.3 V6, only real extra weight is (roughly) an 80 lb sub box in back, i weigh 120 lb., probably 50 lb for miscellaneous stuff and i get around 22 on the highway.

Definitely research wagon options also, look for good cargo space with seats down in particular. Tons of options, from early 90s Subarus to the good 'ol full size family cruisers.

[alphalanos]

Your in the same situation as my mom. I keep telling her to get a wagon that way she can haul her kyaks and stuf around but still get good mileage and have decent handling. Subaru wagons are pretty nice. But if you want an all out money saving car, go with one of the smaller econoboxes like civic, accord, integra. Very easy to work on and dont break very often.

[buick_wheels]

The pickup is a ood idea if it will be useful for your job, I guess.


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george
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