Five Bargain Family Vehicles by CBS Moneywatch
As we've already reported, prices have risen sharply this year on used cars with high gas mileage. But if you're looking for a larger vehicle to carry the family - or a lot of cargo - there's some good news: Prices for thirstier SUVs have fallen 1.3% this year through July, according to auto shopping web site CarGurus.com. If you can handle the weaker gas mileage, CarGurus has put together a list of well-priced, haul-worthy 2008 and 2009 SUVs and minivans.
The CarGurus editors picked models selling for $25,000 or less - a reasonable price in this category. They looked only at large vehicles that could seat seven or more. And with the emphasis of family buyers on safety, they included only models that had received "Top Safety Pick" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The typical models have been driven between 40,000 and 50,000 miles.
"SUVs, crossovers and minivans are often the only fit for large families with busy kids and the associated carpooling responsibilities," says CarGurus founder and CEO Langley Steinert, who previously also was a co-founder of travel site TripAdvisor.
Here are some of the highlights of the CarGurus list. The prices they cite reflect current and recent online listings (many of which are dealer asking prices) for base models, although many of the better-equipped models are also under $25,000.
2009 Chevrolet Traverse
2009 Ford Flex
2008 Honda Odyssey
2008 Honda Pilot
2008 Hyundai Veracruz
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