My sister is looking for a fairly new minivan, and I have not bought one in 15 years. So what is good, what is bad? What should she stay away from? She is looking for a van with 3 row seating, decent gas mileage and of course reliable.
Mini vans? What is good?
- Thread starter CyCloned
- Start date
I'm not sure there's really a "bad" choice. People will rail against Dodge/Chrysler and for Honda/Toyota, but our family (parents and now my family) have never had any problems with our Grand Caravans/Voyaguers. I know people who love their Kia Sorento. Most vehicles are very reliable now. No matter what you buy, you aren't very likely to have significant issues before 100,000 miles. You may want to look at expensive maintenance issues like timing belts etc since that's a guaranteed cost.
My boss has had whatever the Toyota van is for as long as I've known her (5 years) no problems that weren't normal like door open and battery died or minor bumps.
My parents have had the Chrysler Town and Country since 2006 with only a couple little things like running into a deer. Obviously not the car's fault.
My parents have had the Chrysler Town and Country since 2006 with only a couple little things like running into a deer. Obviously not the car's fault.
We are on our second Honda in 13 years and have never had a problem. Our first one is still going with still no issues. They are reaching about 200,000 on the first.
Just bought a new Odyssey and love it. Looked at them and a Sienna and my wife liked the looks of the Odyssey so we bought that.
Never thought I'd like a van but with 3 kids under 5 its pretty convenient. We liked the Odyssey and Sienna because we can put all 3 girls in the middle row. All American minis have bucket seats in the middle.
Obviously, I feel like a total bad *** driving it to so that helps.
Never thought I'd like a van but with 3 kids under 5 its pretty convenient. We liked the Odyssey and Sienna because we can put all 3 girls in the middle row. All American minis have bucket seats in the middle.
Obviously, I feel like a total bad *** driving it to so that helps.
Hate minivans with a passion and hate how they're driven...always some lady driver on a cell phone or not paying attention or distracted or getting t-boned. the alternative? retired people buy them and drive like crap
Most think they're four-wheel drive in snow, when they end up in a ditch. False sense of security by drivers and passengers, where a major accident nevers ends well
Never use their turn signals, tailgate other drivers cuz they need to get to junior's soccer game, and they don't use their headlites
awful vehicles that should be BANNED
with that said..the Honda or Toyota are the only ones I'd EVER consider
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i try not to let you down
I'm against everything a minivan stands for. Haha.....
why would anyone want one.
And I wonder why the 5'0" milf's need a fricking huge Tahoe or gigantic 1500, or Suburban? why? black or white with spinner wheels.
And the funniest? (I know a couple guys personally) The dudes who are 5'2"--5'4" tall range and somehow need the biggest full-size pickup on the market
to overcompensate their diminuitive size...talk about insecure
And the funniest? (I know a couple guys personally) The dudes who are 5'2"--5'4" tall range and somehow need the biggest full-size pickup on the market
to overcompensate their diminuitive size...talk about insecure
Yeah, I'm not too big of a fan of boats. But if you are going to buy a boat, might as well be a van as they are the most practical of that category.
We have a 2006 Grand Caravan with 107000 miles on it, and only the normal maintenance. Well, other than both electric doors no longer work. Hate minivans but easily the best investment I ever made with 2 kids and 2 dogs at one time. I like to cruise the loop with the sunroof down, arm hanging out and Ice, Ice Baby playing at full volume.
seriously, I think all the major brands you can't go wrong with.
seriously, I think all the major brands you can't go wrong with.
Have a 2010 Sienna I bought as the last new 2010 on the lot in 11/11. It is AWD, and although I went from a Highlander to that (large jump in vehicle weight), the Sienna gets around better in snow/ice than the Highlander unless it's a ground clearance issue. Overall, I love it, no fighting to get into the swinging back doors vs. slider.
One huge thing I'd say more than anything...if she's really thinking about a 'fairly new' minivan, check new prices as well. I swore I'd never buy a new vehicle because of depreciation. At least at that time (and that was a unique time for vehicle prices), you could get a brand new 2010 for about 3K more than a used 2010 with like 20K miles on it.
That's the thing with Minivans...they're kid haulers...the miles can be very hard miles on the interior.
One huge thing I'd say more than anything...if she's really thinking about a 'fairly new' minivan, check new prices as well. I swore I'd never buy a new vehicle because of depreciation. At least at that time (and that was a unique time for vehicle prices), you could get a brand new 2010 for about 3K more than a used 2010 with like 20K miles on it.
That's the thing with Minivans...they're kid haulers...the miles can be very hard miles on the interior.
I've had two mini vans. Got a new Chrysler T&C in 2008. It had great features and was very well designed for kids. But, we had so many problems, the thing was always in the shop. Though it was warranty work, it was a huge pain. I won't ever by a Chrysler again.
We the bought a used Sienna about 2 years ago. While I missed some of the features of the Chrysler, the Sienna never had any problems.
Then 5 months ago, the triplets were born (adding to the three we already had), so now I'm the owner if an enormous 9-passenger Chevy conversion van......nothing like getting 10mpg. But it does have a 27" TV, so I've got that going for me! Ha
We the bought a used Sienna about 2 years ago. While I missed some of the features of the Chrysler, the Sienna never had any problems.
Then 5 months ago, the triplets were born (adding to the three we already had), so now I'm the owner if an enormous 9-passenger Chevy conversion van......nothing like getting 10mpg. But it does have a 27" TV, so I've got that going for me! Ha
