SWMBUnderstood?

So I've been on an Astro/Safari hunt recently to replace the Jetta wagon. I found a really nice example: 2003 AWD 100000 miles. They're asking $5795. Just talked to the garage that serviced for the single owner. Was well cared for, has towing package, and is super clean.

Biggest difficulty was going to be convincing the wife to get rid of the Jetta. She actually liked the idea of replacing the Jetta with a better DD for me and a vehicle that can tow the gti, stow bikes, take on trips, and haul the 3 dogs. BUT (yeah, here's the but), she is not happy about getting a 10 year old van. She is afraid that in 3-4 years I'll be looking to replace it. She is "uncomfortable" constantly replacing cars. She's only owned new. Three new cars since '94. Me, I have no issue replacing cars, having owned nothing but used for many years. Would like to hang onto van for a while, but cannot guarantee a long ownership.

She's looking online at newer vans. She keeps asking what Savannas are! Nothing to me can fit the needs the way the Astro can. And, I don't want to spend over $5000 if I can avoid it. What do I do?

Discuss things with her. If she is going to be driving it, she has the weight of that fact on her side, and really, since she has to live with it, the choice is hers.

If it is going to be your car, advise her that this is what you really want.

What's wrong with the Jetta? What about a new Jetta (or other VW/Audi wagonish thing)? If you can't convince her of buying used and you know her pretty darn well, how the hell are we going to do any better?

Bryce

In the words of Ralphie May- "You can be right, or you can be happy".

Maybe she wants you to get a brand new Econoline before they quit making them.

She generally leaves the car stuff to me. However, she pays for her own cars. Saturn, Smart, Smart. Loves them plastic paneled vehicles. (No I am not looking at Pontiac Transports!)

Thing is the Jetta is okay, but it's got the sliptronic which recently needed the N283 solenoid replaced. That was fun! I'm concerned that the tranny may let go as the car has 130k on it. And, even with a tow dolly I'm not sure I could tow the gti to the track with tools, etc. I will ultimately be sleeping in it at the track.

Yes, she will need to drive it at some point. Can't fit the dogs in the smart at one time! I do not want a full size van, and she would never be able to drive it.

If you can't convince her of buying used and you know her pretty darn well, how the hell are we going to do any better?

Because you guys are the ultimate enablers coming up with reason upon reason why anyone should buy anything!

The Astro sounds newer than the van and the van has less miles.
If she is going to be a driver of the van, make sure she gets to drive it before buying. The Astro seating position is a bit unique. She may really like the tall seat and low side glass or she may really hate it.
From a Smart to a Savana would seem to me to be really too large.

Overall, find a way to make it her idea.

Just to be clear. I would be the driver 98% of the time. The Astro would not be a DD. I would find a 5speed 2.0 Golf to drive to work. She would keep her fortwo.

Explain to her that a well taken care of 2003 Astro is better than a newer beat to death van, which is what you're looking at in that price range. Overall maintenance costs will be lower saving money in the bigger picture. Either that or what logdog said

Take her to a dealer that has an Astro and a Savanna and have her sit in, see, and drive both. (Bonus points if the Astro is the one you want and/or cleaner than the van). She should understand the shear size differences involved and appreciate the smaller vehicle (especially coming from a smart). Explain that the Astro isn't made anymore, but is a sturdy vehicle that you can use and enjoy for many years.

3-4 years is constantly replacing?! Yikes, she would NOT approve of my car buying habits

Ah, the classic problem of people putting the car on a pedestal.

She.. she's just putting the car up on a pedestal. She's just building the car up..

What does that even mean, you ask?

Well, shes making the car into this great big greek goddess name car'alaiah, and if she keeps doing this shes just psyching herself into thinking that the car is some impossible feat!

thestig99 wrote: 3-4 years is constantly replacing?! Yikes, she would NOT approve of my car buying habits

My sentiments exactly! 3-4 years is a "long time" for me to hold on to a car.

There's an old saying that a Chevy V8 will run poorly longer than most cars will run, and I am pretty sure that the same holds true for the 4.3 V6. I too have been looking for a Safari and I regularly see them with 150,000, 200,000, 250,000 miles. For sale in good running condition.

My sister (I'd guess 5'2" and 100 pounds) drives one and loves it!

vwcorvette wrote: Just to be clear. I would be the driver 98% of the time. The Astro would not be a DD. I would find a 5speed 2.0 Golf to drive to work. She would keep her fortwo.

You'd be its primary driver, it fits your needs, it's within your budget. What's the problem exactly?

This vehicle will be a tool, not a toy; something that serves a purpose. You're buying it because you need a vehicle that will fit your things and tow your car. And if it's not daily-driven, it'll be a long, long while before it reaches the 130k-mile mark of the Jetta it's replacing.

Javelin wrote: Take her to a dealer that has an Astro and a Savanna and have her sit in, see, and drive both. (Bonus points if the Astro is the one you want and/or cleaner than the van). She should understand the shear size differences involved and appreciate the smaller vehicle (especially coming from a smart). Explain that the Astro isn't made anymore, but is a sturdy vehicle that you can use and enjoy for many years.

This may be the ticket. If she's asking you what the Savana is, I'll bet the photos she's looking at in listings isn't properly conveying the size of one of those beasts. Also, if she is going to need to drive it every once in a while, have her drive both.

She has her car of choice, so if you'll be driving it 98% of the time it should be your choice.

Javelin wrote: Take her to a dealer that has an Astro and a Savanna and have her sit in, see, and drive both. (Bonus points if the Astro is the one you want and/or cleaner than the van). She should understand the shear size differences involved and appreciate the smaller vehicle (especially coming from a smart). Explain that the Astro isn't made anymore, but is a sturdy vehicle that you can use and enjoy for many years.

If she drives a Smart daily this might be a really bad idea. I like small(er) cars and hate big ones, this sounds like a sure fire way to kill the idea once and for all.

Here's how I recently earned approval from SWMBO to procure a 3rd vehicle/future daily driver for myself:

Step 1 - present her with several options being sure that the others are more expensive than the one you really want to get

Step 2 - discuss the pros/cons of each of them in so much agonizing detail that the only factor she can remember, which differentiates the group, is price

Step 3 - agree to think about it for a while and casually bring up unrelated financial discussions more often than usual ... vacations seemed to work for me

Step 4 - allow her to make the rational decision to purchase the cheapest one

Step 5 - enjoy with a generous wedge of lemon

Anyone who can name the beer which deserves credit for that last step receives 10,000 internet points. If you cheat and googleit, you are deducted the same number of internet points.

LJD wrote: Here's how I recently earned approval from SWMBO to procure a 3rd vehicle/future daily driver for myself: Step 1 - present her with several options being sure that the others are more expensive than the one you really want to get Step 2 - discuss the pros/cons of each of them in so much agonizing detail that the only factor she can remember, which differentiates the group, is price Step 3 - agree to think about it for a while and casually bring up unrelated financial discussions more often than usual ... vacations seemed to work for me Step 4 - allow her to make the rational decision to purchase the cheapest one Step 5 - enjoy with a generous wedge of lemon Anyone who can name the beer which deserves credit for that last step receives 10,000 internet points. If you cheat and googleit, you are deducted the same number of internet points.

Logic, how quaint!

Hoping to hell my wife doesn’t read this

LJD wrote: Step 5 - enjoy with a generous wedge of lemon Anyone who can name the beer which deserves credit for that last step receives 10,000 internet points. If you cheat and googleit, you are deducted the same number of internet points.

I always drank Corona with Lime and Oberon with orange. People are always trying to pass of lemon/beer drinks as shandy these days, but that's not what I grew up with. But beer with a slice of lemon? I pass the internet points on to another.

In reply to LJD:

Tonight at dinner (our third wedding anniversary, btw) I told her I was trting to figure out a way to "Inception" the idea into her mind. Luckily she'd had a drink by then. She's slowly coming around.

Forgot to mention I am not payin gfor it on my own. She would be assisting as it is also for hauling the dogs and anything she needs for the house/ garden. Sale of the Jetta would reimburse her. Win win for her?

Adrian_Thompson wrote: I always drank Corona with Lime and Oberon with orange. People are always trying to pass of lemon/beer drinks as shandy these days, but that's not what I grew up with. But beer with a slice of lemon? I pass the internet points on to another.

I understand, but you need to try a good heffeweisen with a lemon wedge. Apparently, lemon with wheat beer was common with sailers in colonnial times to get extra vitamin C which prevents scabies.

That quote was from Shiner's excellent heffeweisen. I'm not surprised no one got it. Shiner doesn't distribute many of its best brews outside of TX. Somehow their boch, which is not nearly their best, can be found almost everywhere.

Adrian_Thompson wrote: . Apparently, lemon with wheat beer was common with sailers in colonnial times to get extra vitamin C which prevents scabies.

Scurvy if I'm not mistaken.

Someday I'll be married and looking forward to buying a minivan. Someday.

Sounds like you're already on the right track...but I'd just look at the financials.

How much depreciation will a 10 year old van take over the 3-4 years you will hypothetically own it?

How much for a new or newer purchase in the same time frame?

You may find that she's ok with this "constant" vehicle changing. You can pay for a fair amount of maintenance (or upgrade) work for the savings you'll see, I'm guessing.

Pffft..."constant." Whatever...I don't even get the two year tag option half the time I register cars. I don't know if the car will make it that long.

Granted, I'm also not even shopping up there in the $5K stratosphere that you are, Mr. Bigbucks.

Someday I'll be married and looking forward to buying a minivan. Someday.

Why wait? I love my minivan.. Boost and manual trans help.