what kind of vehicle should we get?

**lisettelovebug** · 03-17-2008, 09:28 AM

Does anyone know how the insurance works when the car is totaled and you have a loan? Do they pay only the amount that the car is worth or do they pay the loan off? I don't know how this works. I called insurance comp Saturday and the local office will be calling me today to follow up with anything else they need but I was just curious how it worked.

Also, we have 5 people in our family and need a vehicle with some sort of third row seating. We looked at Ford freestyle and minivans. For those of you who have cars with 3rd row seating, what do you have and how do you like it?

**LexTysMommy** · 03-17-2008, 09:32 AM

I believe that you get check from insurance company for what car is worth ( not pay off amount which sometimes sucks!)

I have third row seat in ford explorer but i had to add it in, and i faced it toward back. It could face front. I love it, but I dont use for daily use with my family just with daycare. Good luck with your decision. Let us know what you decide!

**Neeley** · 03-17-2008, 09:37 AM

It depends on what type of policy you have. If you have a policy that covers only the value (minus deductible when applicable) then that is what you get. If you have a policy that covers loan amount, then that is what you get (minus deductible when applicable).

We have had both kinds in the past, depending on if we owed money on the vehicle or not.

Glad you are all ok.

**Hannahs mom** · 03-17-2008, 12:01 PM

We have an older suburban with third row seating that folds down when not in use. It really eats up the gas, but hey you can't strap them to the roof! LOL

**EarthGirl517** · 03-17-2008, 12:14 PM

I have a Mazda 5 with 3rd row seating. It is 2/2/2 so it only seats six. I absolutely love my car. It is what I refer to as a "mini" minivan. It is good on gas and also has the sliding doors like a minvan. I love that since I don't have to worry about the kids slamming the doors into parked cars. I have the touring version and it has a navigation system, a six CD changer, extra storage under the 2nd row seats, and a moon roof. I paid less than $20,000 for mine, but paid cash. If you like a minivan, but don't like the amount of gas they eat, or think they are a little bulky, you might want to look into this great family vehicle. I've attached a picture

**EarthGirl517** · 03-17-2008, 12:26 PM

I forgot to mention two of the main reasons I got the Mazda 5. I liked that it had a lower profile than an SUV or minivan. Especially with the newest reports on how SUVs do not provide enough roof strength in rollovers, but that are more likely to rollover. It also has side airbag curtains. It seemed to me to have more of the safety of a car, with some features of an SUV/minivan.

**Mom23boys** · 03-17-2008, 01:27 PM

This sounds bad, but our family has totalled two cars that had loans on them. The way the insurance worked for us was that they paid off what the value of the car was worth, not what was owed. BUT our loan company was willing to accept the payment as a payment in full, so we didn't have to come up with extra funds to pay off the loan. We were lucky in that sense.

If the insurance company doesn't pay off the entire amount owed on the loan, check with the loan company to see what they would be willing to settle for.

**leezza** · 03-17-2008, 02:50 PM

It is called GAP insurance.....it pays off the loan of the vehicle.....you pay extra for it.

leezza

**Fotobug** · 03-17-2008, 03:06 PM

My daughter recently bought a 2005 Ford Freestyle (the new ones are called Taurus X I think and are very pricey - at least by my standards!) and her family LOVES it. They have 3 teenagers and everybody fits nicely, she loves that it feels and handles like a car instead of a van and that the back seats are so easy to "flop down" for more cargo room - she lives on an acreage and is always hauling around supplies and equipment, in addition to teens!

The car that was totalled was (fortunately) paid for, so they were able to make a decent down payment with the insurance money.

**M55FF** · 03-17-2008, 03:18 PM

get what you like and can afford reasonably because a car costs a bunch of money and care no matter what kind you have so the least you can do is enjoy the ride.

I have a small SUV, I saw it and loved it and bought it... still driving it too and I still love it.
I don't buy a car I hate...
I want to enjoy my ride since it costs so much time and money to keep the thing.

**sixfreds** · 03-17-2008, 05:27 PM

We had a 1998 dodge caravan and loved it we are a family of 6 (we have 4 kids) so we needed space.
We just got a new van and it is a 2007 chrysler town and country and I didn't think I could love it any more then I did the dodge BUT I do!!!!
I love the 2 sliding doors, I think sliding doors with kids is great they never open the door into the vehicle next to you! it has the stow and go seats so the back seats fold flat into a storage space and when not folded it has that space as storage. It is also comfortable to seat 7 adults, My oldest daughter is 15 and I have had her and 5 of her friends in the car and it is comfortable!!!! Gets between 19 and 21 miles per gallon on gas.
I wanted a big suv but drove one and it wasn't comfortable to me, maybe be I am short but it wasn't comfortable at all to me.

I agree you need to find something YOU love!! I love the chrysler town and country.

Eileen

**lisettelovebug** · 03-19-2008, 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by sixfreds

We had a 1998 dodge caravan and loved it we are a family of 6 (we have 4 kids) so we needed space.
We just got a new van and it is a 2007 chrysler town and country and I didn't think I could love it any more then I did the dodge BUT I do!!!!
I love the 2 sliding doors, I think sliding doors with kids is great they never open the door into the vehicle next to you! it has the stow and go seats so the back seats fold flat into a storage space and when not folded it has that space as storage. It is also comfortable to seat 7 adults, My oldest daughter is 15 and I have had her and 5 of her friends in the car and it is comfortable!!!! Gets between 19 and 21 miles per gallon on gas.
I wanted a big suv but drove one and it wasn't comfortable to me, maybe be I am short but it wasn't comfortable at all to me.

I agree you need to find something YOU love!! I love the chrysler town and country.

Eileen

We were looking at the 2007 town and country - love the stow n go. We were originally looking at ford freestar because dh's grandma has a windstar and we like that - but in the freestar the center bench is in the middle and makes it more difficult to get to back row. So we are leaning more towards the stow n go. But the 2007 town and country runs 12,999 - 13,999 plus tags and tax at the dealership we will probably be going to - depending on mileage. Because we didn't have GAP insurance we owe some on other car, so no downpayment for this one. I guess it depends if they can keep payments under 300.

We're still going to owe about $2300 on the old car. We did have a warranty that we only had for 19 months so far. Dh is going to call this afternoon when he gets home - we should get some back from that since it was a 3 year warranty. We have about $1000 dollar in savings we can use towards that.

**sixfreds** · 03-19-2008, 04:42 PM

We got the town and country from a chrysler dealer and got an 8 yr/ 80,000 mile warranty on it. Which is cool!!

I will say we went for the town and country for ease to the 3rd row seat with 4 kids we use all rows every day and it is easy accress from both sides of the van and the stow n go's are so easy to use.

Eileen

**dianne9106** · 03-19-2008, 05:13 PM

If you can get a Honda Odyssey - it is an awesome van! I have one and love it! Also the Toyota Sienna rocks too (if a minivan can rock)! They tend to hold their value well and the gas mileage is good too. I resisted the pull of a minivan for a long time - but I am glad I gave in! We travel quite often (2 hours or more) to see my son wrestle and it is so nice that everyone has plenty of room and there is a DVD player in the back. I always said I would NEVER allow any child of mine to watch a movie on a car ride - never say never!! Also - check to see if there is an AC plug in the rear - great for when you need power on the go. I don't know much about the Chrysler T&C - but check out Edmunds for their reviews and safety information. Will the insurance company replace the car seats? Def check out used vans as well - some people trade out every year or so - perhaps you can find a good deal on. Best Wishes!
Dianne
http://www.edmunds.com/

**Iansmommy** · 03-20-2008, 10:43 PM

We got a Honda Pilot last year and I love it. It has a 3rd row that folds down, although it would be hard for an adult to get in the 3rd row. It has alot of leg room, you just have to fold the 2nd seat forward to get into the
3rd row.