Mini-van recommendations

[Ramblin Fever]

Brogy mentioned that he was aware of some mini-van's that averaged the upper twenty's with typical city type driving; just curious as to which mini-van's he may be referring to.

My sister would like to find a mini-van that could average at least 22mpg in town consistently; highway mileage is not important to her as it will not see much highway use. They hardly ever go more then 50 miles in any direction; if they do, it's usually in their Xterra.

They don't need/want a big fancy van, just the standard size minivan with some luxury's not too extravagant. She'd go back to a Hyundai Elantra 5-dr hatchback, but her kids are getting to be too tall, and they need more then a 5 seater.

 

[SrDriver]

I would go for the Hyundai/KIA. Great warranty. Highest safety ratings.

 

[thrace]

"My sister would like to find a mini-van that could average at least 22mpg in town consistently"
Gas mileage is not the reason to get a Honda Odyssey.
My 2002 Honda Odyssey gets 16-18 mpg in mixed suburban driving. No downtown driving. I have only reached 24.9 at most on a freeway. The EPA rating was 18/25. 2007 Odyssey rates 18/25 or 19/25. So don't be fooled into thinking that just the Honda name will get you magical high mileage. One of the most common complaints about cars is that they seldom meet the EPA mileage rating. Honda is no exception. According to Consumer Reports, the gas mileage of the 2005 Odyssey fell farther behind EPA ratings than most other cars by percentage.

 

[caranddriver]

My brother loves his 2006 Honda Odyssey EX.

 

[Vaca]

Brogy, would you respect someone with two children who owns a 4-wheel drive SUV and takes it onto the beach at Island Beach State Park? Don't know if you're famililar with IBSP, but you HAVE to have a 4x4 with good clearance (I've seen countless Outbacks and such stuck) to get down to the inlet. I've been doing this since the 70's when we used to go down in my friend's '71 Jeep Wagoneer. Our Trooper does a wonderful job on the beach - so long as we let the air our of the tires.

But, yes, I agree, that way too many people buy and use SUVs for silly reasons. Like Corzine driving up to the Don Imus meeting!

 

[4esorselrahc]

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I would go for the Hyundai/KIA. Great warranty. Highest safety ratings.

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Not as reliable though...and lower resale value than Honda/Toyota.

 

[SrDriver]

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I would go for the Hyundai/KIA. Great warranty. Highest safety ratings.

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Not as reliable though...and lower resale value than Honda/Toyota.

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If you will keep the vehicle for several years, then resale value will not enter into the picture. If you keep vehicles a short time then that would be a consideration.

 

[11B-33T]

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I would go for the Hyundai/KIA. Great warranty. Highest safety ratings.

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Not as reliable though...and lower resale value than Honda/Toyota.

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If you will keep the vehicle for several years, then resale value will not enter into the picture. If you keep vehicles a short time then that would be a consideration.

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Excellent point! Last new car I purchased was in 1992 and I've picked up two other 90'ish vehicles used. All are paid off

and are in good shape while still running fine with the common sense maintenance I am able to do. She who must be obeyed

was ready for a newer vehicle so I've got a new 2007 Kia Sedona EX sitting in the driveway. We took our time and researched and test drove the Sienna, Odessy, GC/TC, Quest and believe the Sedona the better deal and price. It's got all the options she wanted and I think it's cool the sliding door windows roll down as well as the back-up warning system (she's backed every #@$%! car we've had into something so she's got no excuse now..

..)

Price was great (-4k to -5k under the other mentioned fully stocked MV's) and manufacturer financing @3.5% is hard to beat.

Wife loves to drive it and comments on how it handles just like a car and the safety ratings, options like ABS, ECS, tire pressure monitoring, the list goes on give me big-time peace of mind when she'd out-n-about with the kids in there (3+ whichever of their buds needs a lift.)

BLUF: strongly believe the Sedona with warrenty is the better MV for the long haul..

 

[FordSVTGuy]

Just wanted to add my two cents. I was looking hard at the minivan segment and decided on the 07 Hyundai Entourage. My wife and I are really pleased with this vehicle. I would note that on top of the better warranty is that fact that with this van you get VALUE. All of the stuff that makes having a minivan worth it comes standard in the Hyundai. Smooth powerfull engine and transmission, dual power sliding doors, stability control, three rows of curtain air bags, traction control, power second and third row windows, tri-zone climate control with rear controls... the list continues. We have been averaging 18.5 mpg so far and that is pretty much all around town. We have only had it for 3 weeks or so, so it is still just breaking in.

 

[JTK]

The Entourage is a nice looking van. IMO- the problem with today's MV's is all the fancy electronics. In the time frame that stuff starts to break. Hyundai's wonderful warranty wont cover it. Power sliding doors would scare the heck out of me with my 3 young children, dog, etc. Power windows are bad enough with kids and pets.

Joel

 

[ds]

My wife and I just bought an 07 Odyssey EX-L RES this afternoon. Honda is selling them well below sticker price in Cincinnati. We got ours for just over $28K. Sticker price was around $33K. We liked the comperable style Sienna, but the Odyssey was cheaper and a little more fun to drive.