Best used minivan under $10k?

[slackerinabox]

We'd like to buy a car mostly in cash and I'm not really a fancy person (closer to 6k the less we'd finance). What's a reliable van that'll shuttle my wife and 2 kids places without much drama?

I was thinking a kia sedona or a caravan, I'm thinking there are more esoteric values out there.

 

[mmntech]

If you can get a Toyota Sienna in that price point, you're laughing. Like most Toyotas, they're bullet proof. Just don't expect a lot of bells and whistles on it. It's a utilitarian vehicle.

The Caravans are... okay. Well, okay for a Chrysler product. They still have transmission problems and the touch screen radios can be flakey. They're roomy and fairly nice to drive. The stow-and-go seats are handy for hauling cargo. You'll be able to pick up a newer one too on the used market. I'd look at leasing though.

Never liked the Kia Sedona. Always felt incredibly cheap.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I'm not saying all Kia Sedonas are crap but my friends certainly is.

 

[slag]

I think the Honda minivans are pretty nice and spacious personally.

 

[BUTCH1]

I think the Honda minivans are pretty nice and spacious personally.

But OP want's to keep it under $10K, factoring in the "Honda tax" he would probably do no better than an '07 going with Honda.

 

[slackerinabox]

But OP want's to keep it under $10K, factoring in the "Honda tax" he would probably do no better than an '07 going with Honda.

Indeed - we're in NYC so don't actually *need* a car, maybe we'll use it every weekend, at that. I'm also pretty cheap too 🙂

I mentioned the kia because 2007-2008 models are very affordable and Washington Post named it best used minivan value, but seems like you guys disagree.

The toyota's going to the top of my list - if you had to choose say a 2008/2009 kia vs. 2006 toyota, what would you do?.

In general, how old is too old? I expect 3 years out of the car before upgrading.

 

[desy]

http://tradeinqualityindex.com/

If your are looking for older models
This is how they hold up over the LONG haul

 

[slackerinabox]

http://tradeinqualityindex.com/

If your are looking for older models
This is how they hold up over the LONG haul

Vastly useful link - thank you! Hmm, the buick terraza's a left field choice based on that index. and i kinda like the ugliness of some domestic vans from that era, it's handsome in a weird way. No one will try to break in!

 

[desy]

This is the other one I like
http://www.carcomplaints.com/
If people are willing to make the effort to complain to the govt they must be pissed

 

[thedarkwolf]

Here is one everybody will love


PONTIAC AZTEK!!!!!!! lol

Ugly as hell but as a huge plus their resale value is squat so you can pick up a pretty nice one for nothing. Not exactly a minivan but close enough.

 

[Zor Prime]

If I could find a mint 1998 Honda Odyssey I'd be all over it or 1999 Isuzu Oasis which is the same thing I'd be all over that, too.

Original body style with sedan doors, only year of the body style w/ VTEC.

Had a 95. Put over 300k miles on it. Loved that thing. Miss it. Just too many dents, dings and stuff over time that accumulated for me over 300k to bother anymore. Oddly nimble for a van, guess because it was on an Accord chassis. It was a drivers van.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Indeed - we're in NYC so don't actually *need* a car, maybe we'll use it every weekend, at that. I'm also pretty cheap too 🙂

I mentioned the kia because 2007-2008 models are very affordable and Washington Post named it best used minivan value, but seems like you guys disagree.

The toyota's going to the top of my list - if you had to choose say a 2008/2009 kia vs. 2006 toyota, what would you do?.

In general, how old is too old? I expect 3 years out of the car before upgrading.

In and around NYC I'd go for the mini-minivan. Mazda5. Should be able to find an 09 with a bit of change left over. Should last at least twice your expectation without major problems.

 

[Insomniator]

Wow, that Buick is an awful, awful looking vehicle even by minivan standards. Did not know such a model existed.

 

[slackerinabox]

Wow, that Buick is an awful, awful looking vehicle even by minivan standards. Did not know such a model existed.

ha, you're right - i saw it in a thumbnail and I liked it, viewed more pics and.. yeah. i'm actually not minding the look of 2008ish kia's and the hyundai entourage twin, or the sienna. Wife also agreed to up our budget.


Someone mentioned the mazda 5. I considered it but I have two older parents with bum knees, and legroom's very important. Something like the sienna appears cavernous compared to the mazda 5. or the kia rondo, which would be perfect if we didn't need space for inlaws/carseats/luggage.