Jimmyto

Hi,

My wife's Ford Windstar 2003 is getting old, rusty and beat up. She does not want another minivan like a nicely equipped Grand Dodge Caravan for $30k plus tax. We have 3 small kids. 8 mths 3 year 9 years old.

I've been looking around for SUVs new - range $35-$40k. I came across the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee used off lease 30k KMs for $37k plus tax. It may not be new like the other ones but it looks and feels and it drives with such quality. The other ones like Kia Sorento or Toyota Highlander don't come close to the Jeep.

I am making a good purchase? Value for my money although it is a 5 seven seater Laredo X panoramic roof and Navigation?

Any input? Much appreciated

ruggedscotsman

Asking this on a Jeep forum is likely to get a very biased response.

My 2 cents...

-The Kia is garbage, I wouldn't drive one if it was given to me as a gift.
-The Highlander is a 7 passenger vehicle, and does not compare directly to the other two options.
-Toyotas are great vehicles and will hold re-sale value well, although (like every brand on the market) the newer models are fairly overweight with electronics and safety gizmos.

To be honest, I'd take a really good look at the Caravan/Grand Caravan/Town and Country. Its such a good platform that when VW wanted to sell a minivan, they bought the rights to produce the platform in order to re-brand it as a VW Routan. Seriously, VW (a company which has the deepest pockets of any in the automotive industry, spends millions on R&D every year, and led all others in sales for 2011) re-brands Dodge vans because they are that well designed/built.
Although many companies will do this kind of trading, it is almost always to save on the development costs. VW don't usually skimp on the R&D (building nearly everything from the ground up themselves) and certainly aren't in desperate need of funds...so this speaks volumes to the quality of the original design by Chrysler.

If shes super opposed to a van, then I'd go with the GC or maybe a similarly priced Commander.

Dave_N

Since your kids are still young, a Dodge Grand Caravan would probably be your best option if you're okay buying a minivan. Your 8 month and 3 year old will need child-seats and a minivan will give you plenty of space, 7 passenger seating and cost about half of what the JGC costs. If you're in the market for an SUV, I highly recommend the JGC. I have a 2011 and it is the best vehicle we have ever owned. It has the best 4-wheel drive with selectable road conditions, though it only seats 5 people.