Vehicle help please

[7rider]

<Knot sits back in her leather armchair, puffs her pipe, adjusts her bifocals, smoothes down her tweed jacket, and waxes pedantic...>

Picking a car is like picking a bike. It's all about fit, function, and true love. Ride (I mean drive) a lot of makes and models, choose the components (I mean trim lines) that meet your needs and budget, and test drive, test drive, test drive.

And wear lycra...

I would also recommend for CWR - if a criteria for purchase is that your bikes fit inside, by all means...bring your bikes along when you shop! Pop open the hatch, fold down the seats, and put them inside! If you buy from a dealer, they shouldn't bat an eye. If you buy private sale, well....try to make sure the bikes are clean, first!

[KnottedYet]

I would also recommend for CWR - if a criteria for purchase is that your bikes fit inside, by all means...bring your bikes along when you shop! Pop open the hatch, fold down the seats, and put them inside! If you buy from a dealer, they shouldn't bat an eye. If you buy private sale, well....try to make sure the bikes are clean, first!

I did that with my dog! The dealerships were totally cool with it. They had Tyvek mat-things in the backs of the various cars, so he couldn't get them dirty.

[chickwhorips]

didn't think of that. thanks!

i looked at the Rav 4 but it doesn't seem like it has much room. i remember my friend's and it seems kinda small.

[chickwhorips]

i bank through wells fargo just because they are everywhere. i also have an account with a credit union down in arizona, not much good it does me now. i called and to get a loan through them, would be no less than 2 weeks. ouch!

so now the question is: do i get a loan through wells fargo whose rates seem to start at 7.59% or close my credit union in arizona, and go through one up here that starts at 6.81%.

my credit: i've gotten a loan when i was 20 for the alero that my dad co-signed on. i paid every bill early (besides being terrified of my dad and his threats if i didn't pay it, he also pounded into my head good credit) and sold the car when i moved here. that is my only car experience, i had that loan through GMAC and at 6% interest. otherwise i would guess my credit is good, if not excellent. hopefully this means i won't have to have someone co-sign on a vehicle again after having that one for about 3 years i think.

i feel so lost!

[xeney]

The RAV4 is little if you need to transport more than two people (including the driver). But the older models (before last year) have rear seats that come out completely, and then you have a ton of room.

We tend to leave the seats out for months at a time.

[Pedal Wench]

didn't think of that. thanks!

i looked at the Rav 4 but it doesn't seem like it has much room. i remember my friend's and it seems kinda small.

I'm chiming in a little late, I know... The new Rav4 is significantly larger than the pre-2006 models. If your friend's was older, it's about 14 inches shorter! The new ones seem perfect for a few bikes, but I'm open for opinions. (Shopping too...)

[chickwhorips]

i would like to thank all of you for your help.

i purchased my vehicle last night..... drum roll please........ i got a..... '05 Honda Element. it is a blueish/silverish. i will get pictures. it was a little more than i wanted to spend, but its a great vehicle and i got a good deal. i couldn't find anything else that would match what i got in the price range that i got either.

[Mr. Bloom]

Congrats. Good choice. I'm jealous

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Yep- welcome to the Honda Element club...where you can just load two full size road bikes right into the back, standing up back there, without taking off any wheels. We LUV ours, and we sleep in the back while camping!