Mini-van recommendations
- Thread starter Texas Aggie
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I had an '01 Odyssey and an '05 Grand Caravan. My experiences and thoughts:
Odyssey (3.0L V6)
* Ran great
* Road noise (maybe better now, but a Honda trademark)
* Nondescript stereo, weak (maybe better now)
* Sh*tty cupholders in front (maybe better now)
* FE not that great, around 20mpg mostly highway
* No mechanical problems up to 95K, then traded
Grand Caravan (3.3L V6)
* Very smooth and quiet, tight
* Shifted great
* Good stereo
* Engine performance was decent
* Gas mileage poor 18-19 mostly highway
* Get the 3.8L if you do buy one
* Lots of mechanical problems, such as:
-- EGR Valve bad, replaced
-- O2 Sensor bad, replaced 2X
-- Steering Rack went out
-- Brake Module was going out when traded
-- Ate brakes for lunch
-- Power door lock motor/relay went out
-- Traded at 38K before anything else went out
Odyssey (3.0L V6)
* Ran great
* Road noise (maybe better now, but a Honda trademark)
* Nondescript stereo, weak (maybe better now)
* Sh*tty cupholders in front (maybe better now)
* FE not that great, around 20mpg mostly highway
* No mechanical problems up to 95K, then traded
Grand Caravan (3.3L V6)
* Very smooth and quiet, tight
* Shifted great
* Good stereo
* Engine performance was decent
* Gas mileage poor 18-19 mostly highway
* Get the 3.8L if you do buy one
* Lots of mechanical problems, such as:
-- EGR Valve bad, replaced
-- O2 Sensor bad, replaced 2X
-- Steering Rack went out
-- Brake Module was going out when traded
-- Ate brakes for lunch
-- Power door lock motor/relay went out
-- Traded at 38K before anything else went out
I really wanted to like the Dodge, and really did as far as how it drove, smooth and quiet. But I just had too many mechanical problems with it. Not saying they're all that way, but ours gave us lots of problems. May have just been a lemon, and would get the 3.8L if I had it to do over again.
-- Edit: The Odyssey had the 3.5L, not the 3.0L...sorry, no edit function.
We just purchased a Mazda 5. It is a little smaller than your average minivan, which means it is easier to drive, better fuel milage, and less expensive. The 4 cyl engine is delivering 30 mpg for us. My wife likes the way she can navigate thru parking lots, and we got it nicely equipped for under 18K with Fords A plan. Condider it. Consumer Reports just did a nice article. Philip.
To the people with kids:
At what point did it become worthwhile to get a minivan? Was it when the second child came along?
I am wondering because we have just had our first, and my wife's TL seems to be doing the job just fine. I plan my car purchases a few years out, so I'm wondering a what stage a minivan will become necessary in everyone's opinion.
At what point did it become worthwhile to get a minivan? Was it when the second child came along?
I am wondering because we have just had our first, and my wife's TL seems to be doing the job just fine. I plan my car purchases a few years out, so I'm wondering a what stage a minivan will become necessary in everyone's opinion.
How many more kids are on the horizon? ;-) That is, I have five and a Suburban is the only vehicle that suits us now. I'm just saying it may make sense, if you're not "done".
But if you're done or have just one more, I'd go Toyota or Mazda. I rented a Sienna once when we all needed to fly for a vacation, and it was a good vehicle.
Good luck! Once you have three, THEY outnumber you. Life will never be the same!
But if you're done or have just one more, I'd go Toyota or Mazda. I rented a Sienna once when we all needed to fly for a vacation, and it was a good vehicle.
Good luck! Once you have three, THEY outnumber you. Life will never be the same!
For me it was roughly 6 mos. after the second child. After I stuffed all the khrap we had just bought at Sam's club into the Neon, there was no room for wifey & kids. So I took the khrap home and came back to pick them up. That was when we knew that something had to be done.
If my family were buying another minivan tomorrow it would be a Dodge (or Chrysler).
We've had a Windstar for some time and, although it's been decent overall, there are a whole lot of little quirky things about it that make it unpleasant to own (it's loud as #@$%!, sensor problems, etc)
I stay away from GM vans as a general rule. I don't like their drive-trains and they've only recently developed a sense of style.
Toyota and Honda typically get good ratings (the Odyssey is pretty much considered the top model) but they tend to be far more expensive than their domestic counterparts. Also, as has been mentioned, Honda was known for tranny problems in their vans.
We owned a '96 Caravan that went 240,000 on the original 3.0 and only one replacement transmission. Style-wise it was way ahead of its competitors and Dodge has a reputation for innovation in the minivan department. Earlier models did have transmission issues in general, but as far as I know they were improved upon as the years went by. If you're looking for something newer (2000+) then I bet the reliability goes up.
There's a reason why they're the best-selling minivan of all time.
We've had a Windstar for some time and, although it's been decent overall, there are a whole lot of little quirky things about it that make it unpleasant to own (it's loud as #@$%!, sensor problems, etc)
I stay away from GM vans as a general rule. I don't like their drive-trains and they've only recently developed a sense of style.
Toyota and Honda typically get good ratings (the Odyssey is pretty much considered the top model) but they tend to be far more expensive than their domestic counterparts. Also, as has been mentioned, Honda was known for tranny problems in their vans.
We owned a '96 Caravan that went 240,000 on the original 3.0 and only one replacement transmission. Style-wise it was way ahead of its competitors and Dodge has a reputation for innovation in the minivan department. Earlier models did have transmission issues in general, but as far as I know they were improved upon as the years went by. If you're looking for something newer (2000+) then I bet the reliability goes up.
There's a reason why they're the best-selling minivan of all time.
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For me it was roughly 6 mos. after the second child. After I stuffed all the khrap we had just bought at Sam's club into the Neon, there was no room for wifey & kids. So I took the khrap home and came back to pick them up. That was when we knew that something had to be done.
It's been downhill ever since.
I tell myself if I only had three, I'd like to just have a big car... something like a Crown Vic. (If you look at my vehicles, you see I have a certain preference for solid V8 rear drive platforms...) But... you'll find that your kids aren't in fact perfect, but they're territorial. This one WON'T sit by that one... and they can't go on a trip without a whole bunch of khrap to keep them entertained. They also need the khrap near them, that is, not in the trunk. Anyway, at some point you reach the "high point" (i.e. Suburban) of your vehicle needs, and then it finally starts going back down as they grow up and leave home. I'll be sad when that happens.
Anyone with perfect kids who don't have any issues can, "throw the first stone".
In the meantime, there are some things more important than saving five bucks a week in gas. Most of the repairs that people are talking about cost a whole year's worth of gas. Not to mention the cost of the vehicle itself. I've had the Suburban for almost four years and nothing has gone wrong with it (KNOCK ON WOOD
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.
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.
Have 139k miles on my '99 Odessey and it runs and drives like the day we bought it (doesn't smell as good though). Other than a recalled tranny that got replaced at 85k miles for free (my buddy with the Dodge got to pay for his), I 've had great service and don't see any reason to get rid of it. Better depreciation, and I see why...
Maybe bad hootch ......... take your pick of either type .
One thing that happens when you get everybody together - with the kids and grandkids etc is you find out real quick how darn near useless many of those 3rd rows in "midsize" SUVs etc really are .
Don't doubt your experience on the TC - if I count all "the flocks" (shorter term) and neighbor/friends ownership experiences (Town&Country , Voyager , and Caravan) its been like that as well .(All thru the 80s and early 90s they were untouchable on utility and fuel) .
Saw some kind of 2008 at the show , and outside of certain aspects of exterior styling ( conservative/"international") - looks to be a real winner . If I have it right there will still be 2 wheelbases - I can see either one over here depending on which group we're talking about .
Personally ,I wish somebody would bring back something like the original size wise - its part of why we keep passing the 95 ODY(1st gen/4 regular doors) around - same idea size and driving wise .
We end up renting alot of mini and full size vans , and Suburbans etc just to get a good third row but sometimes we end up hauling something somewhere and the current Mopar 2nd row fold down is quick and easy - very handy .
On a different note one thats been a favorite rental is the Nissan Quest probably for "comfort" although certainly not for fuel economy or tight parking .
All in all , if somebody would do the old sizes or maybe blow up the Mazda 5 just a LITTLE (and on that one include a 5/6 at or 6 mt
Throw in a decent diesel that could easily run on BIO one way or another and somebody would sign up for sure .
(Of course by then we will finally have a diesel Wrangler which is where I truly want to go next) .
Then there is the possibility of maybe something like a smaller Enclave - also with diesel etc , etc .
One thing for sure - outside of the dedicated "Euro" slots going to give the domestics first look with all of it , and if necc. Kia/Hyundai second .
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Sliding doors keep small kids from slamming them into the car next to you.
I agree, but that is a tradeoff I'm willing to make.
My parents never had a van - my brother and I never slammed the doors into other cars. We may have done it once or twice, but lets just say....we learned our lesson.
We are also expecting our 3rd child. Went shopping for minivans a couple weeks back and we were not impressed with what you get for the price. On top of that, we're really not minivan people. In the near future we will be getting a Nissan Pathfinder (comes standard with a 3rd row). A simple flip of a switch on either side of the 2nd row, flips the seat up and forward for easy access into the 3rd row. My 5 and 3 year-old boys were excited about getting into the 3rd row of seats. On top of that you get 4WD at a price equal to or less than a comparably equipped minivan. I realize minivans have their place, but just not for us.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Yep, it was after #2. The Nissan Sentra wasn't cutting it anymore with 2 car seats and gear. After Child 3 the virtues of a MV really shine. You really appreciate them on long road trips where you have to make multiple stops. MV's are easy to move around in, get in/out of, etc.. Loading/unloading kids from a car or SUV with a 3rd row sucks. Sliding doors make shuffling kids easy and are way easier in the garage. Remove the seats and you have one heck of a cargo hauler on top of all that. Yeah, I wasn't a "minivan person" at a point in my life as well!
Joel
"Loading/unloading kids from a car or SUV with a 3rd row sucks."
It would suck if they were not old enough to strap themselves in. I couldn't imagine putting any sort of baby seat in the 3rd row. Since my 5 year-old can get in the back and buckle his own belt, my job is easy.
It would suck if they were not old enough to strap themselves in. I couldn't imagine putting any sort of baby seat in the 3rd row. Since my 5 year-old can get in the back and buckle his own belt, my job is easy.
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