What should we do about our family vehicle situation?
My husband and I have been married for 13 very happy years and we have 6 children (ages 11, 10, 8, 7, 5 & 5).
This is the situation. We're a dual military couple, and we're retiring in a few months. We will be starting college in January, and we can't afford to keep all of our vehicles. The college that we will be going to is approximately 45 miles ONE way. We need a small commuter car for our use to and from school.
We currently own the following vehicles:
2004 Volkswagen Jetta (Paid off)
2005 Ford Focus (Paid off/Inherited from a deceased relative)
2009 Ford F-150 (Paid off/Inherited from a deceased relative)
2009 Nissan Versa (Paid off)
2010 GMC Passenger Van (Paid off)
I told my husband we should trade in the Jetta, Focus, F-150, and the Nissan in, and get a brand new car just for us to commute to school in. And we should keep the GMC as our family vehicle. But he doesn't want to do that. He wants to hold on to all of the cars for sentimental reasons, but financially speaking we won't be able to do this once we officially retire from active duty.
What should we do about our vehicle situation?
Added (1). @AlCapone: We're going to going to college on the Montomgery GI Bill. We will be getting a monthly stipend, as well as our military retirement/pension. The Jetta runs ok. It's old, and it needs some work. I would rather invest in a new vehicle.
@Cliff, unfortunately a hybrid is way out of our price range atm. But I'm looking at some of the newer models put out by some of the car manufacturers.
Looks like you are the sensible one in the family. Your husband is sentimental about a bunch of cars that can't be all driven at the same time and will only decrease in value while they sit around being unused?
Your proposal makes perfect sense. Or better yet, why not keep the Jetta for school, the GMC for family and sell the others to offset school expenses?
If all you want to do is commute then i would trade in the 4 cars you said and get a prius. Other cheap sedan hybrids are good options. Toyota is the go to car company for your situation. The sedan hybrid car style will save you tons of money in gas and can haul 2 or 3 kids around easily.
Sell off your kids and keep the cars… Just kidding. I'd keep the GMC for vacationing and such and sell the rest and buy a newer gas saving vehicle.
I'd keep the van, the pickup and the Nissan. Van for the family, pickup for hauling stuff and the Versa for school.
If he refuses to sell any of these "boat anchors" then you will have to move within walking distance to the school. Because a 45 minute comute to attend a sick child after getting to school just invites "Murphy's Law" to kick in. Get a new car with a warranty and end your "problem".
USAF VET
Look for a 2009 Ford E-Series van. You can opt for a diesel engine. Diesels are more fuel efficient. Use the van for the family. As for a commuter car, look for a small but, nice car.
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