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Getting an Outback or Forester, but can't decide whether to replace my 2002 Tahoe or my 2006 Odyssey.

The Right Car for Me | TrueDelta

Member6076

I am single mom with two kids (7 and 11) and two cars, both of which get pretty lousy mileage. Would like to replace one of the current cars with either an Outback or Forester to use as my daily around-town/non-hauling vehicle. I live in the midwest with lots of snow and ice. Both the 2002 Tahoe and 2006 Odyssey have similar mileage. Just put new brakes and tires on each. Odyssey will need timing belt replacement soon. I can't decide which car would be the better keeper to go along with the new Subaru. No longer have a boat to haul, which was the reason I had the Tahoe in the first place. Until this winter, the Tahoe mostly stayed in the garage, but this winter was rough and it became my main vehicle until the Polar Vortex turned back north.... Would love to hear pros/cons of keeping each vehicle. Of course, the kid votes are split on which to keep.

Will consider new cars only

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Response from mkaresh

11:26 am May 30, 2014

Neither one has been troublesome in our stats. The Tahoe is older, so there's more risk of repairs with it. But you probably also won't get nearly as much by selling it.

Does either one fit your current needs more than the other?

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Response from willied

1:30 pm May 30, 2014

Response from Member6076

3:50 pm May 30, 2014

Neither one really fits my needs better than the other--both can handle hauling my kids with a friend each, though the Odyssey definitely is more comfortable for adults in the 3rd row when family is in town. I kept the Tahoe when I got the Odyssey because it was paid for and because of its ability to handle heavy snow and ice in a way that the Odyssey couldn't. If I get the AWD Subaru with it's good ground clearance, I suspect that I wouldn't need that aspect of the Tahoe as much. Amount of return on the sale isn't really a factor, it is more a question of the second vehicle fulfilling needs that a 5-seater Subaru can't. Odyssey isn't quite paid for yet, but it has less than 1 year to go on the loan.

A scondary factor to consider is that in 5 years, one car will become the primary vehicle that my son will drive (as a new 16-year old driver). Airbags are better on the Odyssey, but the Tahoe is definitely a beast.

A friend of mine actually asked me why I didn't just go ahead and keep all three cars!!

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Response from mkaresh

5:23 pm May 31, 2014

In five year the Tahoe will be very old. Sounds like the Odyssey has an edge for utility and for safety when your son starts driving.

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Response from willied

8:56 pm May 31, 2014

The Odyssey is probably the better one to keep, but don't plan on your son wanting to drive it. :P

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Response from mwcten

1:00 pm June 11, 2014

I would sell the Tahoe since, looking at the Truedelta and kbb data, the Tahoe/Odyssey are worth within a couple thousand dollars of one another and the Odyssey is slightly more reliable with a lower cost per repair.

However, if you're looking to save money, you would be better off selling the Tahoe, driving the Odyssey and NOT buying a new car. Or vice versa, sell the Odyssey and just drive the Tahoe if you feel you need the better winter driving. You'll be paying an additional ballpark $4k a year to drive a new car plus the bigger vehicle versus just the cost of the big vehicle.

Or to save even more money, sell both the Tahoe and Odyssey and pay cash for a used Outback. No more car payments. With all the money you would save you could even rent a vehicle for when the family is in town if you really need it.

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