Hi guys /gals,
      I've got a delema... Do I sell my 99 2dr Tracker thats paid-off or do I sell it and get a bigger car (been looking at Dodge Stratus and Chevy Malibu)

Here is the deal.... We've got a 96 Blazer that has 165K and no trans right now(will be fixed with income taxes) so we've been stuck either using the Tracker or borrowing other peoples cars to do food shopping.

Right now it's tight with My wife, our 1 1/2yr old and myself, but we are expecting our second child in July so it will be 4 in the Tracker if need be. The Blazer will be the family vehicle and the Tracker will be second in line.

Do I keep the Tracker(which my wife can't drive(its a 5spd) and hope we don't need to use it for an extended amount of time or do I just say (bye bye) to the Tracker and get a 4dr mid-size car?

PLEASE HELP!!!!

i say keep the tracker, and hope for the best 

That's a toughie.  Depends how long before you get that blazer fixed.  If you can hold out 'til then, you're back to fine.

Have you considered selling the Blazer and getting the wife a new, lower-mileage (odo) car that gets better mileage?  She might like that.  Those Malibus are nice, especially the Maxx.

Why not get a 4 door tracker or GV?


But I can see your dilemma.

If you get a 4 door midsize car, you'll have more room, you'll get better gas mileage, but you'll lose the 4wd. Do you really need the 4wd anyway? Your Blazer probably has 4wd, right?

Your family is most important. Do you want you need to.

It's gotta be used and I have to take the $ from whatever I sell and use it to buy a new vehicle. I can't get a loan otherwise I wouldn't be in this predicament.

I don't (need 4wd) but it's nice. and a 4dr Tracker/GV is still no room.

It, gulp, sounds like the Tracker gets the hook.  The Blazer's getting old enough where you really should have a backup, and since a) the wife can't drive the stick and b) 4 people in the SWB leaves zero room for strollers etc., the Tracker can't really handle the duties.

Well,

unfortunately, the depreciation values on our vehicles suck. It looks like KBB rates a private party value on your 2 door of between 3-4k.

I don't think you'd want a used stratus or malibu for that price. I guess if you had no problems with getting an older vehicle than your current tracker, then it's probably ok.

If you do go older, you should look at getting something foreign, like a honda accord or toyota camry. They just tend to last longer. 

 The Blazer's getting old enough where you really should have a backup, and since 4 people in the SWB leaves zero room for strollers etc., the Tracker can't really handle the duties.

Thats what i'm thinking is gonna happen

KBB retail in exc. condition for mine is $4350
KBB Private party good condition  $2705<---- this would be mine  :'(

KBB retail in exc. condition for mine is $4350
KBB Private party good condition  $2705<---- this would be mine  :'(

On the plus side, in a year or two when you're ready to come back into the fold, KBB will soooo be working for you!

hey i know you! 

the Dodge Stratus and the Chevy Malibu dont offer much
(i used to rent them out all the time)

id say get a van (previas R cool)   



but in any case... you have a 2door tracker with a family of three
a 4 door auto tracker is a wonderful addition and it will hold two carseats
in the rear with extra storage with the back door
(plus they dont cost THAT much)

sell both and buy an auto tracker for her and  a sammy for you ....problem solved!

I wouldn't buy a mini van , there death traps. unless you don't care about the wife and kids .  mini vans should be outlawed. just beause there cheap , dose'nt make them safe.

my family rig is a 97 4 door sport sidekick. it has loads of room. me the wife, two kids and the dog in the back. i put a safari type basket rack ont eh roof for campinggear and it is great. mines a auto and the 1.8L. can't be beat.

sell both and buy an auto tracker for her and  a sammy for you ....problem solved!

I agree. I love the added space of the 4dr.
back seat folds up for more goods.

Well, for what it's worth, we did ok with our two small kids in our 4 door Tracker, it was a little tight though, but then when the baby came along we needed more room, that's where the XL-7  really came in handy.  Hope you do the right thing.  Like Heather said,  your family comes first.  You really need to do the right thing for them.  Dave