Does anyone have experience with both vans?
Sienna vs. Caravan?
- Thread starter tomcat27
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Sienna from what I'm told is the most unreliable of toyota products. I happened to look at one just out of curiosity, and I found the interior more than lacking compared to just other toyota vehicles. I'd say worse than the avenger int erms of materials. Caravan is supposed to be a somewhat decent vehicle, though still not exceptionally reliable. Better to stick with a good crossover like the Edge, Equinox/Terrain, or Traverse/Acadia, at least in my opinion.
+1 on Odyssey
From an engine point of view the 3.3 v6 Chrysler is the longest lasting out of them all.. We see very few 3.3 coming in for rebuilds under 200,000 miles
Chrysler all the way.. They invented them!
Originally Posted By: tomcat27
Does anyone have experience with both vans?
Well, yes, and the only positive thing I have to say about the Caravan is that the stow n' go seating is pretty neat. Beyond that you'll find that the vans have no power, the worst transmissions known to mankind (this is from a brand new 2007 model, don't know about any newer than that..), terrible fuel economy...
Does anyone have experience with both vans?
Well, yes, and the only positive thing I have to say about the Caravan is that the stow n' go seating is pretty neat. Beyond that you'll find that the vans have no power, the worst transmissions known to mankind (this is from a brand new 2007 model, don't know about any newer than that..), terrible fuel economy...
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Check the reliability ratings in consumers reports, JD Powers, most any site. The Toyota is much more reliable. The chrysler minivan automatic continues to be an expensive source of frequent repairs. Chrysler products also depreciate rapidly.... although that may be a good reason to consider a used one.
checks www.truedelta.com it's free. It gives you reliability report from actual consumers. It relies on owners to post repair costs and other things related to overall reliabilty
I agree with the suggestion for a crossover like the Traverse/Acadia/Enclave. If it must be a van, what about a used Kia Sedona or Hyundai Entourage?
Minivans depreciate like crazy, and the kids are just going to leave crayons on the seats to melt in the sun, bounce hockey pucks and soccer balls off of it.
Minivans depreciate like crazy, and the kids are just going to leave crayons on the seats to melt in the sun, bounce hockey pucks and soccer balls off of it.
Originally Posted By: fsskier
Check the reliability ratings in consumers reports, JD Powers, most any site. The Toyota is much more reliable. The chrysler minivan automatic continues to be an expensive source of frequent repairs. Chrysler products also depreciate rapidly.... although that may be a good reason to consider a used one.
Keep in mind the Odyssey also has a terrible auto transmission repair rate also, it might actually be worse than Chrysler.
Check the reliability ratings in consumers reports, JD Powers, most any site. The Toyota is much more reliable. The chrysler minivan automatic continues to be an expensive source of frequent repairs. Chrysler products also depreciate rapidly.... although that may be a good reason to consider a used one.
Keep in mind the Odyssey also has a terrible auto transmission repair rate also, it might actually be worse than Chrysler.
I'm actually a Subaru fan. Check out the Tribeca. It looks somewhat similar to the Sienna since Toyota assisted Subaru with the design. You also get AWD, which could come in handy in the rain and snow. The H6 motor is also very reliable.
Interesting comments from all. thx. yes, I have a neighbor who just replaced the transmission in their odyssey. and all 3 friends who have odysseys have probs with the electric doors. and I love hondas - but cant afford one right now. thats why I have an echo instead of a civic. also, why spend 30k+ on a minivan when I dont like them? I'd rather spend big money on something that I am proud of - and that I like.
the MV is not for me and will be purchased (slightly) used. I love the Acadia - but dont wanna spend the coin on it - at least not as a daily driver for the S.O. who makes 20 trips a day of 1 or 2 miles. besides, she is actually ASKING for a MV. ?!?!?!? amd she really likes the toyota.
we have a Durango hemi and also a Ram for the heavy hauling -
personally, I can pick up a dodge MV cheap - and the 3.3 is bullet proof. and I also know that mopar quality isn't great. but my 12 year old ram with 99k on it has required less than $200 in maintenance (exclusing oil) since new. dont ask about my intrepid. gold-plated parts. no fun to work on.
the MV is not for me and will be purchased (slightly) used. I love the Acadia - but dont wanna spend the coin on it - at least not as a daily driver for the S.O. who makes 20 trips a day of 1 or 2 miles. besides, she is actually ASKING for a MV. ?!?!?!? amd she really likes the toyota.
we have a Durango hemi and also a Ram for the heavy hauling -
personally, I can pick up a dodge MV cheap - and the 3.3 is bullet proof. and I also know that mopar quality isn't great. but my 12 year old ram with 99k on it has required less than $200 in maintenance (exclusing oil) since new. dont ask about my intrepid. gold-plated parts. no fun to work on.
Originally Posted By: Marukai
I'm actually a Subaru fan. Check out the Tribeca. It looks somewhat similar to the Sienna since Toyota assisted Subaru with the design. You also get AWD, which could come in handy in the rain and snow. The H6 motor is also very reliable.
aw man.... now I gotta go scope out a subie! ok... as long as they seat 6 or more.
I'm actually a Subaru fan. Check out the Tribeca. It looks somewhat similar to the Sienna since Toyota assisted Subaru with the design. You also get AWD, which could come in handy in the rain and snow. The H6 motor is also very reliable.
aw man.... now I gotta go scope out a subie! ok... as long as they seat 6 or more.
There is nothing wrong with Sienna AFAIK. It is based on Camry V6.
Plenty of room, quiet, smooth and grat fuel economy. Did I mention comfy. Great for long haul.
I have a 03 that has never been in the shop with about 40k miles on it. Everything in it is still original.
Plenty of room, quiet, smooth and grat fuel economy. Did I mention comfy. Great for long haul.
I have a 03 that has never been in the shop with about 40k miles on it. Everything in it is still original.
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From 1992 thru 2009 I owned Dodge Grand Caravans. Other than having to replace the transmissions at around 135,000 miles I had no issues other than normal wear and tear.I also found the
easy to work on.
If I had younger kids again, I would buy another dodge.
Whatevery brand you buy, make sure you do a transmission fluid
change/exchange every 30,000 miles. The transmissions are small
and do alot of work shifting a big heavy minivan.
easy to work on.
If I had younger kids again, I would buy another dodge.
Whatevery brand you buy, make sure you do a transmission fluid
change/exchange every 30,000 miles. The transmissions are small
and do alot of work shifting a big heavy minivan.
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