# Busy mom needs new car-used! **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [March 31, 2009, 10:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/busy-mom-needs-new-car-used/28586 "2009-03-31T22:48:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![terramama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/97f17d/32.png) [@terramama](https://community.cartalk.com/u/terramama)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2009, 10:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/busy-mom-needs-new-car-used/28586/1 "2009-03-31T22:48:30Z")
I am a single mom of three- and usually have 6 kids with me-anytime during the day. I need a “new” used car- I live in Northern Vermont, and would really like to have a four wheel/all wheel drive vehicle. Does anyone have any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2009, 10:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/busy-mom-needs-new-car-used/28586/2 "2009-03-31T22:50:43Z")
AWD Sienna? 4wd Suburban? How much $$? ---
**Author:** ![terramama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/97f17d/32.png) [@terramama](https://community.cartalk.com/u/terramama)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2009, 10:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/busy-mom-needs-new-car-used/28586/3 "2009-03-31T22:56:19Z")
not sure-about $ looking into car loans-trying to see how much a decent used car would be, probably somewhere around 10,000?-maybe more. I need lots of seating so-the station wagons are out-but I did like the way the Tribeca looked, and there would be enough room w/the 7 passenger model. ---
**Author:** ![GSN\_fan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85e7bf/32.png) [@GSN\_fan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GSN_fan)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2009, 11:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/busy-mom-needs-new-car-used/28586/4 "2009-03-31T23:29:59Z")
What is your maximum? A Sienna AWD used can be over 10K. The Tribeca could work, though. ---
**Author:** ![twotone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@twotone](https://community.cartalk.com/u/twotone)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 1:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/busy-mom-needs-new-car-used/28586/5 "2009-04-01T01:38:24Z")
Having to transport six kids probably requires a mini-van. I’d suggest one of the Japanese-made AWD mini-vans – lots of choices. Or, a very fast Audi S4 and make two trips! Twotone ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 1:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/busy-mom-needs-new-car-used/28586/6 "2009-04-01T01:50:45Z")
I haven’t tried a Tribeca- it may not have much room in the 3rd seat or storage. You’ll want to check that out. ---
**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 1:54am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/busy-mom-needs-new-car-used/28586/7 "2009-04-01T01:54:19Z")
Sounds like you need an AWD mini-van or SUV. I suggest Toyota Sienna AWD van or Honda Pilot SUV. I’ve never been in a Sienna, but I’ve ridden in the rear-most seat of a Pilot twice, and for short trips it’s OK for an adult. Kids probably wouldn’t complain at all. ---
**Author:** ![dagosa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dagosa/32/9837_2.png) [@dagosa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dagosa)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 2:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/busy-mom-needs-new-car-used/28586/8 "2009-04-01T02:15:36Z")
I would have to second the Pilot if you want a true AWD with decent ground clearance for snow travel and legit room and reliability. Honda got it right on those accounts. The new bigger 7 passenger Highlander is a competitor…we are spending lots of your money for these recommendations. I don’t like AWD vans as they compromise too many things (run flats in Toyota example) IMO. If AWD I would get something designed from the ground up to be so. ---
**Author:** ![GSN\_fan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85e7bf/32.png) [@GSN\_fan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GSN_fan)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 2:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/busy-mom-needs-new-car-used/28586/9 "2009-04-01T02:36:24Z")
Are you looking for ground clearance or space? The Sienna AWD will have more space, but the Pilot or Highlander will have more ground clearance. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 3:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/busy-mom-needs-new-car-used/28586/10 "2009-04-01T15:44:44Z")
Many of the suggestions don’t meet your cost desire. The 2006 B9 Tribeca with AWD will start at about $18,000 from a dealer; 2006 was the first year. If you really want to get the initial cost down, look at a large SUV, like a Suburban. Compare a Suburban to a Highlander based on average fuel cost and expected cost to buy and see if the Suburban can compete. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2009, 4:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/busy-mom-needs-new-car-used/28586/11 "2009-04-01T16:00:34Z")
I’d skip the Highlander - the previous model had a tiny 3rd row. Pilot would work, there’s old enough ones available in her price range.(I found 356 available nation wide on [Cars.com](http://Cars.com) for $12k or less). PLENTY of Suburbans, of course, but what a gas hog.