Minivan - help choosing?

[paqman]

I just wanted some opinions on minivans. We're going to be purchasing one in the next 10 to 12 months, and would like your opinions on a few. And before we get started, if you're going to say, "Why don't you try this crossover x, or that SUV y?" I'll just say that my wife is pretty sold on the minivan because of the ease of getting kids in and out of the thing. All her friends say they hate their SUV's and crossovers for the reason that it's so hard to climb in and out of the things to get the kids in and out.

Ok, now that that's out of the way, here is what we like. We love the stow-and-go type seating. It doesn't need to be ALL the seats, cause we know that limits our choices, but it seems that most of them are doing it in the back bench now. And we want it to seat 7, so the Mazda is out. That's pretty much it. We want a late model, would like under 30k miles, and want to stick around $16k. And we want it to last a long time.

What would you recommend? We really like the Toyota Sienna, and the Honda Odessey is nice too. How about the Nissan Quest? Those are pretty much what we're looking at, sticking to the imports. If you want to recommend others, go right ahead! Just looking for honest opinions!

[autoinsureusa]

I would go with either the Toyota Sienna, or the Honda Odessey. From personal experience, once you start looking at Nissan, you need to open up your pockets more. For a lower price, you can get a Toyota or Honda, both of which have proven to be outstanding cars for years.

PS. I agree with your wife and getting the minivan. You won't regret it!

[paqman]

Originally Posted by autoinsureusa

I would go with either the Toyota Sienna, or the Honda Odessey. From personal experience, once you start looking at Nissan, you need to open up your pockets more. For a lower price, you can get a Toyota or Honda, both of which have proven to be outstanding cars for years.

PS. I agree with your wife and getting the minivan. You won't regret it!

Thanks! That helps solidify our decision with the Toyota. She really likes that one, and I do to. Seems to be the only one that come with AWD. We're still going to check out the Honda as well. Nissan I almost threw out simply cause of that huge butt end! Talk about junk in the trunk.

[wafrederick]

The Chrysler Minivans are another to look at,Cheaper to fix than the Toyota for repairs looking at one with a 3.3 and a 3.8 engine.Both engines hold up very well.The transmissions do hold up too.

[paqman]

Originally Posted by wafrederick

The Chrysler Minivans are another to look at,Cheaper to fix than the Toyota for repairs looking at one with a 3.3 and a 3.8 engine.Both engines hold up very well.The transmissions do hold up too.

Yeah, she likes those too, mostly cause of the stow-and-go seating all around. Not sure about buying companies that have gone under. Thoughts?

[whatugiv]

I would go with the Toyota Sienna for reliability, safety, and dependability.
I have a few friends that have owned the Sienna for some time.
Its a great ride, even in the back seats.
The kids love the entertainment system.
They are pretty darn good on gas which is great for your wallet.
You could pick up a 2006 for well under 19

[paqman]

Originally Posted by whatugiv

I would go with the Toyota Sienna for reliability, safety, and dependability.
I have a few friends that have owned the Sienna for some time.
Its a great ride, even in the back seats.
The kids love the entertainment system.
They are pretty darn good on gas which is great for your wallet.
You could pick up a 2006 for well under 19

Thanks! yeah, we see many of those ones in the price range we like. Now if only we could find one fully loaded in our price range that didn't have a ton of miles. I've been keeping track of prices we've been seeing in a spreadsheet, so I'll know when we see a really good deal.

[whatugiv]

anything I can help with let me know. Great idea keeping a spread sheet!

[eurocars_mb]

i'm in the market too. Basically narrowed it down to Odyssey, Chrysler and Sienna.

So far....
Odyssey - good solid ride, reliability, comfy seats
Chrysler - good ride, expecting good reliability since we've had one since 96 to problems, stow seats not so comfy since they had to make them thinner to fit stow.
Sienna - soft ride, reliabilty but concerned about engine sludge that I read in this forum.

[akboss]

I'd pick up a Chrysler, with the money you save (on a decent van) you can fix any problems that may or may not occur. Chrysler invented the minivan, and from what I hear in review sites they know pretty well what families are looking for.

What about buying a brand-new Dodge Journey?

[eurocars_mb]

Originally Posted by akboss

I'd pick up a Chrysler, with the money you save (on a decent van) you can fix any problems that may or may not occur. Chrysler invented the minivan, and from what I hear in review sites they know pretty well what families are looking for.

What about buying a brand-new Dodge Journey?

no, no, no. No crossovers or suv's. I'd love to pick up a Chrysler but I am quite disgusted with their pricing. I don't expect them to give it away but they still are playing games and marking it up like nothing's wrong with Chrysler. I am up to here with these salespeople.

[Zrayner]

I would personally just take a 12 gauge shotgun and blow my balls off...
But since they're your balls/kids/wife, id say Honda Odessy is the best overall quality.

[subaruwrx96]

Originally Posted by paqman

I just wanted some opinions on minivans. We're going to be purchasing one in the next 10 to 12 months, and would like your opinions on a few. And before we get started, if you're going to say, "Why don't you try this crossover x, or that SUV y?" I'll just say that my wife is pretty sold on the minivan because of the ease of getting kids in and out of the thing. All her friends say they hate their SUV's and crossovers for the reason that it's so hard to climb in and out of the things to get the kids in and out.

Ok, now that that's out of the way, here is what we like. We love the stow-and-go type seating. It doesn't need to be ALL the seats, cause we know that limits our choices, but it seems that most of them are doing it in the back bench now. And we want it to seat 7, so the Mazda is out. That's pretty much it. We want a late model, would like under 30k miles, and want to stick around $16k. And we want it to last a long time.

What would you recommend? We really like the Toyota Sienna, and the Honda Odessey is nice too. How about the Nissan Quest? Those are pretty much what we're looking at, sticking to the imports. If you want to recommend others, go right ahead! Just looking for honest opinions!

well the type of mini van i would buy if i were you i would prodly look on craigslist classified and click cars trucks and vans.... input your price range but the type of van i would is a dodge caravan ....good gas saver cheap and a good family car