What makes a good car to buy for the family?

Hobie

Hobie

We had many cars in the family, but the first car I remember was a 1964 Corvair, yes the one Ralph Nader claimed was the most dangerous car in America back in the day. It was a tank with metal so thick I could walk on the hood, roof and trunk and it didnt dent. But since it got tagged with that claim it did not have much residual value, so when it got in a accident, it was toast as the insurance gave a few hundred for it and get this, let us keep it. I tried to fix it but I was limited being only 6 or 7 years old, so we had to let it go. Think what that would be worth today as a collectors car. But as a family car it was small, had no a/c and seat belts only for the driver and front seat, the rest were on their own.

So what makes a good family car for today, as 2 door or sports cars are out. You have to get a reliable one as you cant leave the wife and kids stuck on I-95 in rush hour traffic. You cant get a truck as they are mostly too high for the wife to say nothing of the children, and you dont want a electric car which you have to gamble that it shows the true range left to go to say nothing of catching on fire and the doors wont open. And you dont want one your mechanic says to stay away from, no matter how low they go on the price...

So whats a good car for the family in everyones opinion?
 
Well, now, I have me a pickup truck, but out here in the back country, that's a necessity.

I've seen several wrecks involving SUVS and a cop friend of mine says that because they are high profile with a shorter wheel base and narrower track than the vehicle is high, they is prone to rolling over under several circumstances. Unless y'all live out in the back country, I guess a mid sized 4 door sedan might be best 'cause they are comfortable, have a good trunk space, get good fuel mileage and don't roll over easy.


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Hobie said:
We had many cars in the family, but the first car I remember was a 1964 Corvair, yes the one Ralph Nader claimed was the most dangerous car in America back in the day. It was a tank with metal so thick I could walk on the hood, roof and trunk and it didnt dent. But since it got tagged with that claim it did not have much residual value, so when it got in a accident, it was toast as the insurance gave a few hundred for it and get this, let us keep it. I tried to fix it but I was limited being only 6 or 7 years old, so we had to let it go. Think what that would be worth today as a collectors car. But as a family car it was small, had no a/c and seat belts only for the driver and front seat, the rest were on their own.

So what makes a good family car for today, as 2 door or sports cars are out. You have to get a reliable one as you cant leave the wife and kids stuck on I-95 in rush hour traffic. You cant get a truck as they are mostly too high for the wife to say nothing of the children, and you dont want a electric car which you have to gamble that it shows the true range left to go to say nothing of catching on fire and the doors wont open. And you dont want one your mechanic says to stay away from, no matter how low they go on the price...

So whats a good car for the family in everyones opinion?
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VW Jetta is a good car for a small family. It's comfortable, affordable, and economical. I have one and on long trips, I can drive 500 miles on 11 gallons of gasoline.
 
Hello Hobie;

This is the kind of conversation I would enjoy over a cup of coffee. I remember Dad and my late Mom bought a new 57 Chevy off the demo floor in 1958. When that broke down they purchased a Chevy Malibu station wagon but I don't remember the year. After that was a used 64 Skylark Buick with AC and in 1971 a new Skylark Buick with AC.

In 1976 the first car I ever bought was a '73 Dodge Monaco with a 383 engine (BOAT!)

Today my wife and I are blessed with a 2018 Honda CRV (51k miles) and 2018 Nissan Sentra (34k miles.) I don't enjoy driving long distance anymore, just around the Bay Area. No car payments and no need to purchase a new one since both are in pristine condition. Praise the Lord!

Bob
 
A '52 Nash Rambler station wagon that can be converted into a camper in a pinch (or at least has room for a tent). Make sure it has wooden siding (in case wifey gets homesick). Be careful for balding tires as you might have to change the inner tube when it goes flat, but at least you will be able to show yourself as a family hero. :)
 
crossnote said:
A '52 Nash Rambler station wagon that can be converted into a camper in a pinch (or at least has room for a tent). Make sure it has wooden siding (in case wifey gets homesick). Be careful for balding tires as you might have to change the inner tube when it goes flat, but at least you will be able to show yourself as a family hero. :)
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Good morning, crossnote;

I had actually seen Nash Rambler station wagons on camping trips. These cars are all metal with plenty of room and even gets AM radio! lol!

Did your family own one?
 
bobinfaith said:
Good morning, crossnote;

I had actually seen Nash Rambler station wagons on camping trips. These cars are all metal with plenty of room and even gets AM radio! lol!

Did your family own one?
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Yes Bob, and the experiences are true to life but it may have been an earlier model, dark green with wood siding. Lic# FEF 770
 
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We don't do a lot of camping. I do like having my truck to haul things in. We got her Jeep because it is small enough for her to be comfortable with and it has 4 wheel drive for the winter time.
 
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