With another on the way, the wife is pushing for a minivan?

Question

We bought a new (used) car a little over a year ago, and haven't really made a dent on the principle of the loan. If you read some of my other questions, you'll find I'm not exactly happy with it, but don't want to overextend myself financially.

So, we find out last week that we're pregnant again. This is our 3rd (unless twins), and presumably last child. our current vehicle seats 5, but since our oldest is still in a booster, and our 2nd is in a child seat, it may become a little cramped. My wife is lobbying that we take it to a "pay off your trade..." dealer, so that we can get into a minivan.

My thinking is, that the 7 year old (by the time #3 is born), although recommended to be in a booster seat, doesn't necessarily have to be, and that will alleviate some of the space issues. I really think that doing this will be too expensive, and impractical, but she insists that it may become necessary. Am I right?

Answer 1

why discuss your personal problem in public? if you cannot convince your partner it's your problem.

Answer 2

WHEN YOU ARE 4, 5, 6, 7, OR 8 LESS THAN 4’9” (57 INCHES) TALL BELT-POSITIONING BOOSTER SEAT (NO BACK) OR HIGH-BACK BELT-POSITIONING BOOSTER SEAT IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR.

MINIVAN FOR SURE>>>>>>>>>>>

Answer 3

Are you guys a family of traveling salemen? What is the need for the whole family to be in one vehicle so often that you need to buy a van for that?

Van are big and use a lot of fuel and they pollute much more than an average sedan, so it's very environmentally damaging to drive and buy a minivan.

Your question is about what's best for your family and what your family is more comfortable with (buying a new vihicle or not), so it's indeed all up to you two.

I bet the wife isn't working and it's all going to come from your income?

3 kids can easily fit in the back of a passenger car.  

People in US try to maximize their comfort to the extreme. Just look at the rest of the world. Question like this would not even arise.

Answer 4

This might be more of a financial question than a car question.  We made due without a minivan when the children were smaller.  You won't be keeping up with the Jones and a minivan is more convenient but it has to do with how you think and feel about money.

My wife and I didn't think it was wise to borrow money to buy a depreciating asset like a car.  So we didn't for years until the late 90's when we got a 1% interest loan.  And we traded in a station wagon to buy a minivan.  And y'know, even with a 1% interest rate, it really bugged me to make that payment every month when I was able to pay it off but knew I shouldn't.

And now the children are grown and driving the minivan.  

So I would consider the financial implications and if there is a good deal that wouldn't create negative financial impact, I would certainly consider it.  If you're going to take a bath on the current car and are thinking about rolling it into an even bigger car loan, then I would defer the purchase.

All this doesn't take into account how important it is to keep your wife happy.  Hopefully your wife is more frugal than you are, if she isn't, well, your problems are going to be much greater than a minivan.

Good luck and congrats on the new baby on the way.

Answer 5

Okay...here's my thoughts on mini-vans....they're for nerds and soccer moms...no real man would be seen in one. If any "real" man reads this and has a mini-van IMHO you're a wuss...*wink*