Anyone drive a Mini Van?

[Kelemvor]

Well, we might be in the market for a minivan as our next vehicle. Does anyone have one that they really like or really don't like? I don't know anything about the various models or anything but the seats that disappear when you fold them down would be really cool. So would remote, automatic doors and such.

Anyway, if anyone has a minivan and either likes it or doesn't, let me know the make, model, and year and I'll keep that in mind.

Thanks!

 

[AccruedExpenditure]

haaaaaaaa

 

[meltdown75]

I don't drive one but I've always looked forward to owning one. woo hoo!

 

[tbike06]

My family has a 97 plymouth grand voyager, same as dodge caravan. 167,000 miles and going strong.

 

[BoomerD]

We had a Dodge Caravan for several years when we had kids still living at home. Not bad. Decent mileage, good performance on the highway, handled pretty good. (for a van) NOT the most styling of vehicles...definitely not a chick magnet...unless youre looking for some hottie with a herd of kids...then, maybe..

 

[RU482]

I've got an 03 Pontiac Montana.
It's not too bad. 185HP feels just as competent as the 240HP the 02 Honda Odyssey we used to own had. Get's a couple miles per gallon better than the Honda did. (27 vs 25)
The build quality isn't quite what the Honda was, but neither is the price. Buy a low mileage 2-3 year old one and it will cost about half as much as a comparable Honda/toyota. New is cheaper too, with discounts and rebates
Very comfy seats for long drives.

 

[ballmode]

lol

 

[clickynext]

I've had a few Dodge Caravans and they're good vehicles overall and very versatile, but they do have a tendency to get minor problems like doors not closing properly and stereo dying, and seats refusing to lock in after being taken out and put back in many times.

They're so cheap, though, that you could just sell it when it's getting old and get a new one, rather than keeping one car for a long time.

 

[raildogg]

Honda Odyssey is a great choice. In basically all areas, it is at the top or in 1st place. A friend I know, his family has had two Odysseys and they love them.

 

[Reckoner]

Make sure to get one with a soccer sticker, it will add 25HP

 

[PlatinumGold]

I have a Kia Sedona, great buy for the money.


compare it side by side with an odyssey and sienna, it is right up there with them for less money.

plus it was #1 in crash test rating for minivans.

 

[KK]

I have a 2001 windstar I've been happy with so far. It gets around 21 MPG, which seems low compared to the numbers redly is showing for the odysses and montana.

 

[ponyo]

I've 03 Toyota Sienna. Solid minivan. If I was to buy today I would look at Kia Sedona, Toyota Sienna, and Honda Odyssey. I don't think you can go wrong with any of these.

Nothing wrong with minivan. Cost about 1/2 or 3/4 of a fullsize SUV and usually roomier and with better ride. Not to mention better gas mileage.

 

[Umberger]

Originally posted by: raildogg
Honda Odyssey is a great choice. In basically all areas, it is at the top or in 1st place. A friend I know, his family has had two Odysseys and they love them.

my mom drives one. she loves it. i have driven it when i'm home before. rides great, plenty of power, decent stereo, plenty of legroom in the back.

at $30,000+ it's not cheap, but you get what you pay for.

 

[nakedfrog]

Very dull to drive.

 

[raildogg]

Originally posted by: Umberger

Originally posted by: raildogg
Honda Odyssey is a great choice. In basically all areas, it is at the top or in 1st place. A friend I know, his family has had two Odysseys and they love them.

my mom drives one. she loves it. i have driven it when i'm home before. rides great, plenty of power, decent stereo, plenty of legroom in the back.

at $30,000+ it's not cheap, but you get what you pay for.

Yep, but I'm sure some of the lower priced models of the Odyssey cost less than that. Or why not just buy a slightly used Odyssey with all the goodies?

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
Very dull to drive.

i was in LA this past weekend and i drove my brothers new Lexus LS 430. frankly i find my Kia Sedona to be a more interesting drive.

damn that lexus is a fvcking boat.

 

[raildogg]

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
Very dull to drive.

i was in LA this past weekend and i drove my brothers new Lexus LS 430. frankly i find my Kia Sedona to be a more interesting drive.

damn that lexus is a fvcking boat.

Toyotas in general are boring to drive, but that could change.

 

[Kaieye]

I drive a 2000 Mazda MPV and am really happy with this van. Since I live in SF, where the home's are small and parking can be a problem at times, the size of this van is a lot easier to maneuver. If I lived in the country where there is very little parallel parking, I think a Sienna would be better for my use.

 

[dman]

I've driven the following:

Honda Odyssey EXL and Touring
Toyota Sienna XLE
Kia Sedona
Chrysler Town & Country Limited

We're going to wait and get a Honda Touring model (maybe a 2007, or a 2006 when the 07's are out), but not for any specific reason. Lots of small factors that add up for me.

There are lots of reviews on KBB and Edmunds, etc. I think edmunds lets you do a column'd feature comparison of 4 models. Find the ones with the features you like and drive them.

Some Con's, not that they are bad:
Chrysler- only 4spd auto tranny / lowest gas mileage at high end model compare.
KIA - noisy environment (Drivetrain and AC were very noisy compared to others)
Toyota - comparatively rough shifting, only drove one, so, maybe bad-apple.
Honda - no MP3 player, need touring model to get rear hatch auto-close, touring has Michelin proprietary run-flat tire system (need special service after a puncture within 50miles of driving-- at limited locations).

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

YAYUhhhhhhhhh I drive a freaking 92 Toyota Previa. Proud to own a piece of crap vehicle....

 

[ni4ni]

I got a mini-van when I was a senior in high school because I got a great great deal. My friend's named it the "Shaggin Wagon." Everyone thought it was kewl because I was the only kid who could fit seven people in his vehicle comfortably.

Ahh, the good days...

 

[Linflas]

According to Chili Palmer the Oldsmobile Silhouette is the Cadillac of minivans but they don't make those anymore. My wife is still driving our 1995 Windstar but it is long overdue for a replacement.

 

[Tommouse]

When I fly home (instead of drive) I drive one of our two minivans. We have a '97 Plymouth Grand Voyager SE (the biggest one they made) with ~120k or something. Also an '03 Ford Winstar. Neither are stunning, I prefer the Plymouth to the Winstar, the Winstar really feels like a boat, but the Plymouth isn't too spectacular either. This Plymouth has had a ton of work done on it though, it breaks ALL THE TIME! I don't know if we just got a POS or if this is common among Voyagers.

I would look at the Import offerings (Honda/Toyota/etc). Have you thought about a station wagon? Would one of those meet your criteria?

 

[badmouse]

I'm a mom. I've driven Dodge Caravans for nearly 20 years. Usually buy them slightly used. Good value.

My daughter had a Caravan in high school - ditto on the "party car". No way to avoid being popular when you can always fit a few more bodies into the vehicle.