Best vehicle to use for visits????

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Hi!! As I posted earlier, I was debating on staying put in the hospital or returning to home health care which I enjoyed more but the company took advantage of me and I ended up quitting due to burn-out which then in turn led me back to the hospital. I am currently back in critical care working midnight 12s. My mom shocked me and told me to prepare for her to move about 3 hrs away as she is retiring early and will be moving in about 6 months. She drives my children to school as there are NO busses!!! So.....I guess my decision is going to have to be home health for flexibility:) My question is this.....I have a newer suv with 4 years left on it to pay....I'm thinking about buying an older cheaper car with better gas mileage to ensure my truck engine isnt blown before I am even done making payments....Would you advise this or do you like the dependability of a newer car?? Thanks in advance for any input:yeah:

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of course a gas effecient car would be the best,,,,BUT and it is a big one.......if you buy something "just because" and you are working the the rural areas you want somethig reliable not just good on gas. figure out what you do get for gas mileage on the SUV and maybe it really isn't that bad. i know some people have great luck, mine would be i would get stuck after the first visit and be out in the woods!!!!!!! i try to keep a newer vehicle. but JMHO

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Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.

you absolutely have to balance reliability with fuel efficiency...you cannot make money for your family if your vehicle won't start or breaks down...likewise, you clearly don't want to spend more on gas and upkeep than your mileage reimbursement can cover.

for me, that means newer but used vehicles...I buy single owner, low miles, gently tested. I sometimes buy directly from the owner. I even once bought a car from EBAY and it served me well for a couple years.

I prefer larger vehicles, mostly for safety...but I did drive a Ford focus for a spell and that was actually a nice change...easy to park, easy on gas, etc.

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Specializes in WOC, Hospice, Home Health.

I live in Buffalo, NY so all-wheel drive for winters is a must. I drive a midsize SUV and love it. Had a Chevy Cobalt prior and was sliding all over/ got stuck a lot on side streets. No problem this past year with the SUV though!

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Specializes in COS-C, Risk Management.

Your question is like asking "How long is a piece of string?" There are so many variables that it's nearly impossible to answer the question. Do you do rural, urban, or both? What is your typical driving week? Are you in temperate clime or severe? All of these things make a difference.

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I have an 11 year Honda car with 150,000 miles on it. I do routine maint. every 5000 miles and have had no major unexpected repairs for it. My mileage reimbusement more than pays for gas (it gets 35 miles to the gallon), oil changes, tires, etc. I have snow tires for winter. I plan on keeping it for at least 3 more years. I do have a second car that I don't use for work unless absolutely necessary. I suppose one could get a decent daily driver for under $5000 for work vs. beating the heck out of your good SUV. Just a thought.

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honda civics have worked great for me.

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Thank you for all of the input!! :D

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When I got into a position to be able to buy a car, I planned on getting a hybrid to save on gas. I was going to buy a Honda Civic, then got turned around at the dealership and bought an Accord instead. It wasn't until a day or so later that I read in the newspaper an article about the car and found out that although it was a hybrid, it was not going to give me 60+ miles per gallon! Well, I told myself, it was an understandable mistake on my part. The salesman didn't know what he was doing anyway, so he probably didn't even know that little fact. Lesson learned: Investigate thoroughly before you buy, what you expect, might not be what you get!

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I am driving a luxury car at the present but am currently in the market for a smaller car good on gas and good in the snow. I'm glad you started this post.

ProBeeRN, what kind of Suv do you have?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, Psych, Home Health.

I am currently driving an 07 Hyundai Sonata and I love it. Gas mileage is not the greatest (21-25 mpg) but it is in good condition. I put around 500 miles a week on it so I am sure I will be in the market for a new one in a few years.

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Specializes in Home Health.

I'd go for a hybrid!

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