Help with Vehicle decision

[carloco]

I would like some input in my vehicle conundrum.

Back about a couple years ago my 1990 honda needed the rack and pinion replaced for $700.  I thought that it was a little too much to pay for a car that may not  be worth that much so I sold it and bought a different car.  I had read that if you were planning to keep the car more than 10 years it was worth it to purchase new.  I agonized with the decision, test drove a few used cars. and for the price decided to buy a brand new VW wagon.  I seems that I got a good price.  I had a couple of dealerships compete for the best price.  Anyway, I thought that this way I could pay this baby before we need to replace the wife's vehicle.  The interest rate is only 2% but it eats $311 of my cash every month.  Even before I started reading the blog I was considering biking to work, but because of distance and time constraint it doesn't seem feasible at the time.  I bike to work, just not every day.  Thus, I enjoy driving the wagon.  I looked for a standard transmission that it is something that I enjoy driving.
There is another issue I also have an VW Eurovan that we use mostly on trips.  It is a 2001 model with just over 100K miles.  I drive about 12K miles a year.  If gas is $3.5 a gallon, the wagon would cost about $1200 a year and the Van $2100.

My question is if I should sell any of the vehicles.  or just keep them...
2013 VW wagon, 33 mpg, 19K miles 
           pro: it has been reliable, I enjoy the car
           Cons: car payment, wife cannot drive due to transmission KBB value $15K (owe: $9K)
2001 VW Eurovan, about 20 mpg, 103K  (I think I could sell this thing for about 10K)
          pro: great vehicle for traveling, I enjoy driving it, the wife can drive it if necessary, It's paid for.   
          Cons: some repairs can be pricey.   We don't seem to be traveling as much anymore.

My wife drives a 2004 chevy Malibu with 130K that has no issues; I hope it lasts several years.  In general I have had bad luck after cars reach 130K miles for some reason. 

Anyway, just looking for ideas and suggestion.

[RichLife]

Since you have a new car that you are paying off already, I'd keep that one, especially since it uses less gas. If you hadn't bought it yet I'd have told you just to keep your van but too late for that now. Still it is silly for you to have two vehicles. Sell your old one and get your wife to learn how to drive the other so in the case that hers breaks down she can drive yours.

[Murr]

I would without a doubt sell the eurovan and use the proceeds to pay off the wagon.

[gimp]

You definitely do not need a car that you just use for trips. Sell it. I don't think at this point it's worth selling the newer car, but definitely sell the older car.

Also, teach your wife how to drive stick. Yes, it might cost you a new clutch, but the amount of money you'll save by buying a manual next time she replaces her car is significantly more than a single clutch.

[DangleStash]

You definitely do not need a car that you just use for trips. Sell it. I don't think at this point it's worth selling the newer car, but definitely sell the older car.

Also, teach your wife how to drive stick. Yes, it might cost you a new clutch, but the amount of money you'll save by buying a manual next time she replaces her car is significantly more than a single clutch.

I second this - spend an hour or so scanning online best ways to teach/learn stick, then just take her out in a parking lot to understand clutch engagement etc.  That was how I learned (admittedly I'm serviceable, not by any means an expert yet but don't own a stick vehicle).  biggest lesson for me was truly feeling where the clutch started to grab in a no pressure environment.

[carloco]

uff, I feared that the days were numbered for my beloved Eurovan.  It is a fun car to go on trips.  I really enjoyed having it.  But I needed to hear it.  BTW, just typing the question made it all more evident.  Thanks.

[4alpacas]

You definitely do not need a car that you just use for trips. Sell it. I don't think at this point it's worth selling the newer car, but definitely sell the older car.

Also, teach your wife how to drive stick. Yes, it might cost you a new clutch, but the amount of money you'll save by buying a manual next time she replaces her car is significantly more than a single clutch.

I second this - spend an hour or so scanning online best ways to teach/learn stick, then just take her out in a parking lot to understand clutch engagement etc.  That was how I learned (admittedly I'm serviceable, not by any means an expert yet but don't own a stick vehicle).  biggest lesson for me was truly feeling where the clutch started to grab in a no pressure environment.

+3

Sell the van, pay off your car (or invest--ymmv), and teach your wife to drive manual.