ain't no shame in a minivan. though we had to look hard to stay in our budget ($6k). used, they are still commanding a decent price these days. I realize that's not a lot to pay, but it was hard to find even the dime-a-dozen chryslers in that price range here! I ended up with an 03 with 84k on the clock, right at 6k.
BUT-- I've put $700 in parts and 30 hours of my time to date repairing what the PO neglected. It's one of those--- was still good but starting to fall apart if not caught--- type of situations.
Fun to drive?
Accurate steering. The 3.8 just pulls up hills without ever coming out of lockup and is happy to loaf along at 1200 rpm. Seats are comfy and supportive. Dash illumination is fantastic, as is visibility. Corners are easy to read and I can sling it in reverse around the bend into a parking spot. Squeals the tires no problem, but being fwd there's less joy for me there. Wallows some on the hwy but new shocks are in the mail. I really like the monoleaf-sprung rear axle setup on this model. It drives well, and it tows well, if you need it to.
The image may not be as manly, but real men don't need a fancy car to be themselves anyway.
If I needed to drive this thing daily, I could.
EDIT: I had a '11 dodge caravan rental, and it was an impressive steer. rode great, the big huge side windows rolled down, i got 24 mpg with air off on my commute, good stereo, awesome dash and lighting, and that 3.6 pentastar was smooth, torquey and refined. Not sure when that generation came out but it's not bad, but methinks its smaller than the honda and 'yota.
M