Buying a mini-van - advice needed...

[wartknight]

I call my T&C my truck because when I stow the backseats I have a big area to haul things in. Brother in law has a big SUV and they have borrowed our minivan several times to haul things.
One poster earlier mentioned Chrysler products having transmission issues and this is something they have cleared up in the last 10 years. Our first one was a '99 Grand Caravan and we got 190k out of that beast before the tranny went out.
Neighbor has a big SUV for his wife and 2 kids and his car has to be parked outside since there's no room in the garage.
Other neighbor has 2 minivans both in the garage.
Having dual doors is key with 3 young kids. 2 screens (3 when in park) and headphones for the DVD player have probably saved my sanity.

 

[iowa_wildcat]

My advice is to listen to the used car guy. He is right on except maybe on when to buy. When a dealer has both 2012s and 2013s on the ground is when you will typically get the best deal on a 2012. If you buy the Chrysler do not complain about the trade value when it is time to move it. It will be worth less than you owe on it until it is virtually paid for. Do NOT even think of trading it 3 years into a 5 year loan.

 

[carvers4math]

352,000 miles? Was it a diesel?


Ummm... I just realized that Wilson Toyota Is a sponsor of our free site and would like to retract all Odyssey comments and focus on how amazing the Sienna is. They are the best now.

Might as well have been a diesel. That thing hauled Boy Scouts all over North America.

My sister hung onto her Previa forever before switching from Toyota to Honda, uh . . .but don't worry Wilson Toyota, she's an idiot.

 

[jonnyb21]

My advice is to listen to the used car guy. He is right on except maybe on when to buy. When a dealer has both 2012s and 2013s on the ground is when you will typically get the best deal on a 2012. If you buy the Chrysler do not complain about the trade value when it is time to move it. It will be worth less than you owe on it until it is virtually paid for. Do NOT even think of trading it 3 years into a 5 year loan.

We will likely have it for the long hall (6+ years) so trading it in before our loan is paid off is not a concern. Our current vehicles our 11 and 7 years old, respectively, and although I would love a new car every few years, we feel we can spend our money on better things.

 

[mac4cy]

We just recently bought a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan. With 3 little ones; 7, 5, and 2 it is very nice. Sadly to say I will be a minivan driver for the foreseeable future.

 

[ISU_phoria]

Won't give a recommendation, but here' my experience: I bought a new Chrysler T&C in 2008. We had it for three years and had to take it in to the shop at least a dozen times (probably more). While everything was covered by the warranty, it was still a huge pain to bring it in, get a loner, (or just wait for two hours on "quick" fix item). Especially when you have to drag the kids along in the middle of winter to do so.

After the three years, we had the Chrysler paid off and promptly went and bought a used Toyota Sienna (also a 2008). We've had that van for nearly two years and have had no problems.

While our T&C had better options and a nicer interior (IMO), the Sienna has been a better van overall. I won't ever get another Chrysler vehicle.

That said, we looked at both the Nissan and the Honda vans too. My wife hates the looks of the Nissan and the Honda seemed like a great van, we just liked the Sienna a little more (more because we found one at a great price)

Happy Shopping.

 

[Knownothing]

I can't tell you what kind to get. Here is my advice though. All mini van drivers know these rules. First rule. Make sure you get the stick figures for the back of your window. I think they give them to you when you sign the papers. Second rule. When you are driving on the interstate, make sure to drive next to a mini van driving around 50 MPH. That way nobody can pass you. All mini van drivers know this move. Make sure to look straight ahead so you won't notice someone is trying to pass you. Just continue to drive forward making sure the other mini van is right next to you. Third rule.. Take corners at 1 MPH so the guy behind you almost rear ends you. Mandatory. 4th. Alway try to keep it between 10-15 MPH under the speed limit. If you can do all of these things. You are then mini van ready. Also might want to have your wife cut your nuts off just so you fit in with the rest of teh male mini van drivers.

 

[brokenloginagain]

this is a hilarious thread.

i recently went through the same process, even as a kid who's family went through 3 dodge caravans, I was thinking do I really want a minivan with "only" two kids? Then i looked at a tahoe - $55k, a sequoia $58k, the infiniti JX (with a completely useless 3rd row, btw) also $55k.

went with a CPO sienna for half that. with little ones its terrific. heck, you plop the seats into the floor in two seconds and it hauls all kind of crap that would've never fit in my old SUV.

all the automatic sliding doors and controls from the drivers seat, the rear DVD, all that can't be beat.

i'd be careful with the dodge or chrylser T&C - they depreciate like crazy. siennas and odyssey's are the way to go - you could sell it in no time and not take much of a loss.

 

[Let's Go State]

It's hard to link with my iPad, but has anyone seen the Wilson Toyota Sienna "swagger wagon" video on YouTube? (not affiliated with Wilson, but I have to give props to the supporters)

Edit - Here you go!

[video=youtube;ql-N3F1FhW4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql-N3F1FhW4[/video]

 

[Agkistrodon]

I've always made sure to get the extended warranty on Chrysler van products, particularly for the transmissions.

This. A thousand times, this.

I used to work in an auto parts store. Every transmission we sold fell into one of two categories:
1) Transmission sold to someone restoring an old GM or Ford muscle car (~30%)
2) Transmission sold to someone with a Chrysler/Dodge minivan (~70%).

 

[cyinne]

Anybody here have had any experiences with the new Volkswagen Routan?

 

[xr4ticlone]

BTW...we had a 2008 Sienna and loved it.

Got 3k less than we paid for it 3 years and 30k miles later. On top of that the wife had put $800 worth the body damage in it as well.

My brother used to tell me..."I can't afford a Toyota"...I told him "You cannot afford to NOT own a Toyota". Resale and reliability are second to none.

 

[BTYamsac]

I help run a Ford/Lincoln dealership in southwest Iowa and I highly recommend to you that you go crossover. You'll have the same room as a van with the ability to tow alot easier. MPG is usually better with a crossover then a mini van also.

 

[MNclone]

Not a minivan owner myself (yet) but when we were looking a couple years ago and really liked the Mazda 5. It is smaller than most, which should be ok with just the 2 kids. It has the same engine and frame as the Mazda 3. You dont see a ton of them on the road but i think they are worth a look.

 

[Let's Go State]

I generally agree with you, but ford killed the room in the explorer. If they would update the expedition I would own one today.

 

[CRcyclone6]

We have a 2007 Town and Country. It is great for the 3 kids, roadtrips, tailgating, and tons of room. I wasn't sure when we got it new, but I admit it is pretty awesome. Of course my wife drives it most and it worked out great when she locked me out of the house a couple weeks ago. I slept in it that night.