My wife was not exactly thrilled with a few things happening in rapid succession to our minivan.
First off, the Air Bag light came on. Pretty common problem, usually a clock spring in the steering wheel causing a driver’s air bag failure. Whatever, we’ve been driving around for a couple months like that. Then she comments about how soft and squeaky it’s getting, so I check it out and figure it probably needs new front struts and rear shocks. This thing has been used for towing, even BEFORE we got our hands on it, so the factory original parts are just flat worn out. The cost of repair was pretty shocking, at about $1200. That doesn’t go into the fact that even with trailer brakes, our trailer is pushing the limits of the van’s capacity, so going up/down hills is kind of… interesting. Then the next day after we got the quote, the tabs/registration renewal notice came in the mail from the state.
So she sent me to do what I love to do when I get bored: look for cars. She wanted to get an idea of what we could get should we limp along till next spring, but what I found was something we knew we should jump for right away if we tested it and liked it/found it suited our needs.
Thusly, right now our 2007 Hyundai Entourage SE (3.8L V6, 5-speed automatic FWD) is being retired at just shy of 107k miles, to be replaced with…
A brand NEW 2014 Chevy Silverado 1500 LT (4.3L V6, 6-speed automatic 4WD). Yes, I’m aware that it’s August 2015. “New” and “2014” is not a typo. One of the local dealerships apparently had too many 2014 demo units on hand last year, and has been slowly selling them off throughout the course of this year. It has 3600 miles on it, but has never been sold or registered, thus it is considered “new” and retains the full factory warranty as well as On-Star trial period. All of this sums up to one thing: I got it ridiculously cheap. Like, cheaper than buying an equally equipped used 2014.
It’s very nicely loaded, too. It’s the “All-Star Edition” with LT Plus package, so it has height adjustable pedals, a power sliding rear window, dual zone automatic climate control, a 110V power outlet, 8" MyLink screen, integrated trailer brake controller, and back-up camera with dynamic guide lines. Among other goodies.
“But bruh, why a V6? Why not a V8? That’s un-MURICAN”
First off, it was the last new 2014 around, so I didn’t have a choice in that matter. Second, the 7200 pound standard towing capacity of the V6 model is more than enough to tow my 3500 pound trailer. Third, I like fuel economy for some strange reason.
Not that you really need a V8 when it’s got 285hp/305tq… that’s plenty. 
Good luck with it!
That little thing doesn’t get a day’s rest. Not even 2 years old and it has 30k miles on it. It fell victim to the water pump issues that early 2012 and 2013 turbos had, but that’s been fixed and it hasn’t given a lick of trouble since. Roomy for a subcompact, good economy. The turbos don’t like heat, though. If it’s 80+ degrees, it is an absolute dog off the line. Ours is the sedan, not the hatch. Trunk is big enough for the kids’ hockey bags, but not their sticks.