Mini-van recommendations

Status
Not open for further replies.
It was quite by accident how we aquired our van. We were supposed to take delivery of a Nissan Titan crew cab to "replace" the family car (Nissan Xterra). Dealer screwed up a couple of times with getting the vehicle so, frustrated, we were about to leave when my wife spotted the Quest. Perfect. Big sliding doors instead of a swing door and big lift up of the boy to get him in the X. Power, handling, manueverability, and most of all ROOM. Had 6 large adults (including driver) inside and no one complained a bit. Over 70K with only one issue, a squealing serpentine belt that the dealer fixed under warranty. NO other problems, nada. No rattles, nothing. Mostly city driving returns ~17mpg, highway nets 24~25. VQ35DE will smoke the tires if I turn off VDC. Nice van. After driving and comparing the Honda and Sienna after our purchase, I was convinced we made a good choice.

Now if I were doing it today, on purpose, I would give the Mazda 5 a hard look. Especially after Nissan "fixed" alot of unneccesary cosmetic "problems". They ladeled on lots of useless, ugly chrome accents outside and plastic fake wood trim inside. Nissan, if your listening, please stop sending me invites to "upgrade" to the new Quest, version 2.0 unless you return to the normal, understated but elegant look of the 04-05s. Which BTW would make a great purchase if you're looking to get into a bigger van but can't come to grips with the nearly 40K a nicely equipped Honda, Toyota, and now the Quest seem to command.
 
Quote:

While this is a pretty worthless recommendation, might not hurt to check out that Pontiac Montana SV6 (I think that's what its called). I've had my car in for service twice at the dealer, and they've shuttled me home in that Montana, its a very nice van. I really liked the dashboard layout and the quality feel.

I have heard from some people that those style vans aren't the most reliable though. Personally, I'm not a van person, I don't have a family now, but when I do, there are 3 more seats in the back of my Monte Carlo.
smile.gif


Click to expand...


Chevy Venture
Chevy Uplander
Oldsmobile Silhouette
Buick Terraza
Pontiac Montana SV6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbflUdu4cQY

Watch the video if you've considered any of the above.
 
Mini-vans are the new, cool vehicle of choice. Most people just don't know it yet. I really like our Ford Freestar. It is not fancy by any means, but it drives well, has good power, good safety ratings and I've had no trouble. I can see having a mini-van long after my daughter is grown.
 
I had a 99 Grand Caravan with the 3.8 v6. Decent enough van, handled well, but reliability..ugh. I had it 7 years 99-06 and 160 000 Kilometres. In that time, new EGR valve, both the input and output sensors on the tranny, a/c evaporator leaked (this was such a common problem, Chrysler should be warranting them all), power steering pump rusted out, leaking intake gasket which lead to spun bearing which lead to dropping a used engine in the van. This vehicle also warped rotors insanely easily.

Finally gave up and bought a 2006 Honda Odyssey. So far so good. For the naysayers regarding the trannies, the 99-01 4spd models had a problem with fluid degradation (from overheating?) leading to failure, and the 02-04 5spd models had a problem with inadequate lubrication to second gear leading to failure. By 2004 the tranny was modified internally to address this problem. The third gen 05-06 are a 3 shaft design but with more internal mods and so far no reports of mass failures. The 07-?? have the four shaft tranny from the Ridgeline, and should be dependable.
 
Last edited:
Purchased 2006 Kia Sedona LX after months of research and rebate watching. Now own the safest minivan ever tested for just under $20,000. The standard electronic stability control was a deal maker. Just had the water pump replaced on my 2000 kia Sephia under warranty, so the 100,000 mile warranty is a plus.
 
Quote:

Purchased 2006 Kia Sedona LX after months of research and rebate watching. Now own the safest minivan ever tested for just under $20,000. The standard electronic stability control was a deal maker. Just had the water pump replaced on my 2000 kia Sephia under warranty, so the 100,000 mile warranty is a plus.

Click to expand...


That statement "may apply" to the 07 models, but I can tell you that the nthsa rates the Sedona the same as the Odyssey and Sienna (all get 5 stars except 4 for rollover test). Safest in the world? A bit of an over statement perhaps.
 
Actually, help4you is correct. The Kia/Hyundai are the safest *ever tested* (he did not safest in the world). Was the "best pick" safetywise by IIHS. Got excellent scores front, side and rear. The Honda and Toyota got excellent scores front and side but not rear. And I'm not being biased because I own the Toyota.
 
Quote:

Actually, help4you is correct. The Kia/Hyundai are the safest *ever tested* (he did not safest in the world). Was the "best pick" safetywise by IIHS. Got excellent scores front, side and rear. The Honda and Toyota got excellent scores front and side but not rear. And I'm not being biased because I own the Toyota.

Click to expand...


This is for the 07 models isn't it? Not the 06. That is why I said May apply to the 07's.
 
Minivans are extremely practical and great for vacations. I am retired and can't imagine not having a minivan. Chrysler will soon be the only domestic maker of minivans, gm and ford are dropping them. I carry 4x8 plywood when needed, people and luggage for vacation. 2001 Odyssey w/95,000 mi, replaced tranny at 90,000 at no cost, mfr warranty. My BIL had a chrysler minivan and replaced the tranny 3 times. I think most minivans have tranny problems, don't know why, but chrysler's the worst track record. The Honda is the best driving van in most people's opinions that I have read, and the engine is great. I have gotten as much as 26 mpg but lately most of my driving is around town and get 18-20. The chrysler fold and stow seats are handy but very uncomfortable. I often remove second row seats and get tired of it as they are about 65 lbs ea, but don't think I would like spending any time in the fold and stow seats...
 
Quote:

at least in a minivan driving alone will get upper twentys.

:P

Click to expand...


Can you please tell me which mini-van will get the upper 20 range in gas mileage, seriously.

I have family looking for mini-vans, but the majority don't seem to average any better then your mid-size suv.

My sister has a bare bones '97 Dodge Caravan 3.0L, I think, that has over 150k miles now. Burns oil like it's going out of style, but still running strong. Very nice and comfortable, but has issues with rotors/brakes constantly - only averages 17mpg city.

She never drives it on the highway except maybe twice a year; it's so gutless on anything but flat surface, so we don't know what the highway mpg would be.

She would truly like to have a newer van if she could average at least 23mpg CITY, right now, her van is worse mileage wise then 3 of the mid-sized suv's in our family.

Can someone fill me in on a mini-van that will consistently average more then 20mpg in town - I don't know didly about mini-vans.
 
Having owned a 2002 GC with the 3.0 and now currently owning a 2005 GC with the 3.8, I can say that the 3.8 liter engine makes a big difference. In addition, I tow a camper. That is where I can really tell the difference.
I have had a few minor problems with my 2005 Grand Caravan. One thing to note for sure, I was using 3/4ths to one full quart of oil in about 1200 miles. Dodge says this is "normal". Other web sites I have visited state that this is just Dodge covering their butts.
Price wise, you will find that the basic model Honda will cost as much as the high end Dodge/Chrysler. Hondas seem to hold their value. I put about 20K miles a year so this isn't an issue for me.
Do a lot of research before buying. A couple of web sites (take their info FWIW) are www.daimlerchryslervehicleproblems.com and www.dontbuydodge.com. I am sure each make has its detractors and supporters.
Personally, my next mini-van will be a Honda or Toyota.
 
Quote:

..Can someone fill me in on a mini-van that will consistently average more then 20mpg in town - I don't know didly about mini-vans.

Click to expand...


Ramblin, what your family member's expecations for 'in town'? I think most of your MV's will do 20mpg or better with your typical suburban type driving. NYC type driving? I don't think any would do 20mpg. FWIW, the old-school essex 3.8L in my windstar consistantly averages me 21-23mpg mixed driving. No NYC type stuff.

Joel
 
See , something like this in a MV - DC - anybody - are you listening ?

Make all the allowances for this and that to have it in the US in an MV with "regular driving" - WAG worst 26-40 MPG depending on ..... too much to list etc .
dunno.gif




" -- The Hyundai Santa Fe CRDi Turbo-Diesel he was driving averaged 4.67 litres/100km (50.4 mpg)
banana.gif
, an astoundingly frugal figure for a 1.9 tonne, medium-sized AWD SUV which can seat seven.

The figure is based on the tank’s actual capacity of 83.15 litres, achievable with very patient pumping.

The trip took in five Hyundai dealer/media stops which included battling out through metro Sydney's Pacific Highway and similarly threading into and out of metro Newcastle, not bypassing it. Cruise speed on the flat was around 85—90 km/h and 100 plus downhill and when followed by press-on pantechs on single lane highway stretches. --"
thumbsup.gif

Small excerpt from Gizmag

http://www.gizmag.com/go/6594/
 
Quote:

Quote:

at least in a minivan driving alone will get upper twentys.

:P

Click to expand...


Can you please tell me which mini-van will get the upper 20 range in gas mileage, seriously.

I have family looking for mini-vans, but the majority don't seem to average any better then your mid-size suv.

My sister has a bare bones '97 Dodge Caravan 3.0L, I think, that has over 150k miles now. Burns oil like it's going out of style, but still running strong. Very nice and comfortable, but has issues with rotors/brakes constantly - only averages 17mpg city.

She never drives it on the highway except maybe twice a year; it's so gutless on anything but flat surface, so we don't know what the highway mpg would be.

She would truly like to have a newer van if she could average at least 23mpg CITY, right now, her van is worse mileage wise then 3 of the mid-sized suv's in our family.

Can someone fill me in on a mini-van that will consistently average more then 20mpg in town - I don't know didly about mini-vans.

Click to expand...


My Odyssey has been averaging 21-22 mpg (mixed) in the city and 26 on the highway.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Number_35
Van totalled in car wash
2
Replies
25
Views
3K
jeepman3071
V
Astro Van or 2nd Gen Kia Sedona?
2
Replies
35
Views
968
supton
dlundblad
Midsize truck shopping
9 10 11
Replies
217
Views
7K
mark pruett
Delta
2024 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4WD
3 4 5
Replies
88
Views
9K
meep
AZjeff
When there are no vehicles you want to buy..
4 5 6
Replies
105
Views
9K
Thermo1223
Back
Top Bottom