It's Sort of Like My Economic Stimulus Check Just Got Lost in the Mail

Our family has a goal to pay off our house as quickly as possible. We're in it together. Last month, Makenna asked me, "Do you think once we get the house paid off we could get a Karaoke machine?" I love that.

A good scenario would conclude the mortgage in September 2009. Today that scenario took a significant hit.

The air conditioning isn't working in our van, a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. Our friend and mechanic, Josh McCoy took it into the shop today. He found some other stuff too. Here's a run down:

• $800 for air conditioner compressor
• $250 for front brakes, rotors, etc.
• $250 for back brakes, rotors, etc.
• $150 for something else concerning the brakes
• $200 for some linking thing that keeps the front of the van from swaying too much
• $100 for leaking transmission oil

$1750 Total

The van is probably worth a little less than $3000. And we would like a new van before too long. The thing is we would like a vehicle to replace my truck too, because it is way too small to fit three kids in the back comfortably (or peacefully.)

So our plan was to eventually trade in my truck for a new (to us) van. I would then drive the old 2000 Grand Caravan.

But with the prospect of the huge repair bill staring us in the face, we had to consider our options. Here are the main ones we considered:

1. Get the necessary things fixed on the van (not the air conditioning,) trade in the truck now for a new (to us) van. Then I would drive the old van without air. We don't drive my vehicle much in the summer anyway.
2. Don't get anything fixed and trade in the van for a new (to us) van now and keep the truck longer.
3. Get everything wrong with the van fixed and still eventually trade in my truck for a new (to us) van.

Option 1:
I don't like the idea of still paying about $1000 to get the old van running, and not even having air. I think not having air, would keep me wanting something else sooner.

Option 2:
It is really not fun to pick three kids up and pile them in the back of my smallish truck with coats, backpacks and a diaper bag. I need to drive something with more room eventually.

Option 3:
Who wants to put that kind of money into an old vehicle? Not me. But it is really not the vehicle we want to get rid of. I just said in option 2 that I need to drive something with more room, well what better option than our old van? It wouldn't be my first choice for something fun to drive, but I'm really not all that concerned about looking cool.

The Decision:
We chose Option 3. I dread spending that much money getting the van fixed. But you know what would be a bigger bummer? Replacing it with a used van and having some big repair bill on that shortly thereafter. While it is a definite set back on getting the house paid off. It is the option that sets the goal back the least. And that is our goal. We're sticking to it.

Plus, as I hinted at, the old van will be a practical replacement to my truck someday. And OK, I'll admit it, I want that old van!

Our Vehicles: A Retrospective