Minivans!!! Ford vs GM vs Mopar

[Stites]

Hey all.

I once again in the market for a van to haul medical patients with... I hit a deer with our Windstar and totalled it. Which brings me to this... as far as drivetrain reliability goes, which brand would be better suited for all-day operation with little or no downtime during the day?

Thanks in advance.

[bluevp00]

Well are you just looking at American companies, or are you considering other companies too?

Motor trend just did a huge test on minivans, and the Honda Oddessey came out in first. The Kia Sedona came a close second. These are both 2006 models btw.

As far as used cars go, the Odessey is probably the best for reliability goes above all others. On the American front, none of the minivans are really that reliable, sorry but it's the truth. But IMO the Dodge Caravan is better than GM or Ford's offerings. I have a `98 caravan with the 2.4L engine, and it's quite a relaible car so far (86K miles). I've heard the V6 engines on the caravans are not so good though. So if you're looking for one with a V6, the lower miles, the better.

[Stites0518]

Hey, thanks for the info. This is the same guy , just on my wife's ID.

If we were able to go new, I'd be after a Sedona or an Odessey REAL quick. Really don't mind where it's made, either. I just didn't think about other names at the time. Whatever we get is gonna get a LOT of miles on it in a short time due to the nature of medical transport. If nothing checks out with minivans, we might just start looking for a full-size diesel van... pull a Super Wal-Mart off the foundation and get 30 mpg to boot.

[del]

the chrysler vans ride really well IMO. the foldaway seats are also a nice feature. but yeah, i'd also consider an odyssey or sienna. they're tops in the class.

[BlackGT2000]

The only problem is the price of an oddysey starts at the top price of a caravan and goes all the way to 11000 more.

[BLU CIVIC]

Originally Posted by BlackGT2000

The only problem is the price of an oddysey starts at the top price of a caravan and goes all the way to 11000 more.

the older ones are cheap...seen some for like $6000...but if you have to go american...i'd say caravan...

bluevp00 - i have that magazine here with me...had no idea Nissan Quest was like $40k

[BlackGT2000]

I was talking new, when it comes to used prices will always vary.

[BLU CIVIC]

Originally Posted by BlackGT2000

I was talking new, when it comes to used prices will always vary.

as far as 2006 model go the base model Honda Odyssey is only $915 more than the base model Caravan and the Honda Odyssey EX is is a suprising $605 more than the Caravan SXT...who knew but that's not including dealer mark-ups

but you can get a 2006 Kia Sedona starting out at $23,665...i myself personly prefer the older Mazda MPV's

[stamar]

um

ya i like the older sienna actually and the way older oddesey

Then I like the more recent mpv. Im ranking in terms of reliability and handling.