Looking to get a minivan someone give me some pointers

[steppinthrax]

We are expecting another child. I was looking to get a minivan. These are the options I'm considering. Money is an issue. Most likely used will be my option.

Toyota Sienna
Honda Odyssey
Nissan Quest

The Nissan appears to be the cheapest of the 3. Is it a good buy?

 

[NutBucket]

There's a reason its cheaper. Have you driven any of these?

Also, see how easy it is for you and your wife (?) to actually use them. Try flipping seats, etc. Its probably a good sign if you can figure it without much trouble. Quality wise, I'm not sure how well the Nissan ranks but you can't go wrong with the other two. 90% of the decision is ease of use and price IMHO.

 

[exar333]

I don't know anyone who has a quest, but the Odyssey has been a proven winner.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Odyssey is currently the best bet in the segment. Are you sure you need a minivan? Would a wagon (like the Ford Flex for instance) be a better option to you? Perhaps a crossover like the Chevy Traverse?

The only reason I say that is because the minivan segment is locked down by high-priced players, Honda and Toyota. No one else is currently building that good of a minivan. But because of this, prices in this segment are bloated and there isn't that much separating a used one for a new one. On the opposite side both the wagon and crossover segments provide enough good competition to have more reasonable prices.

 

[DVad3r]

Don't get a minivan, go for a station wagon. But if you do it's a Honda Odyssey 100 %.

 

[SearchMaster]

The Odyssey and Sienna are virtually interchangeable IMO. I don't know much about the Quest, but from reviews it seems not quite as polished as the other two but reliability is good and a solid choice if the price is right.

 

[LTC8K6]

A VW Routan is a Chrysler so don't get one of those.

 

[brblx]

traverse a crossover? it's an effing eight seat SUV.

if you don't need the size, look at a mazda 5, maybe. and if you have to buy a van, you've definately got the right idea going used. minivans depreciate like crazy.

 

[darom]

After owning a Mazda MPV and working on that tucked away, hard-to-reach engine, I swore that I would never own another minivan. For some reason, these vans are nose heavy. The front brakes wear out very fast, the tires don't last long and have uneven wear even after alignment. I don't know how Honda's model drives, but I never felt that my MPV was a sporty handling vehicle on the road the way Mazda advertised it years ago (mine is 2002).

I'd pay due respect to my van - it has been reliable, versatile and comfortable to take on long trips. 3.0l v6 engine has plenty of power to go over Grapevine (I-5). Heck, I even loaded my 383 engine in the back when I took it to my engine class at a local college.

 

[desy]

Honda - sportier and powerful, cabin ergonomics often reviewed as the best
Toyota - AWD option I think, and quieter cushier drive and better FE if I remember right
Nissan - a league lower, bout equal to the Dodge or Kia

 

[ViviTheMage]

Minivan's and wagon's are hideous vehicles, think about a hatchback? Like the GTI, or A3/A5?

 

[exar333]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
Minivan's and wagon's are hideous vehicles, think about a hatchback? Like the GTI, or A3/A5?

I don't have kids, but I can tell you a 2-door car for multiple kids + 1 or 2 adults is not ideal. Did you read the OP's post at all?

My sister has a Ford Fusion, and with two kids in carseats, it is already pretty cramped. I couldn't imagine anything smaller (or with less doors) being used other than for occassional trips around town or short trips.

 

[mshan]

My parents have a Honda Odyssey (I think it's a 2003 model year one) and it's actually a lot of fun to drive.

Seems to have a very nice engine and the automatic transmission seems to work well with the engine.

 

[Pantoot]

I have a 2007 Odyssey, and I wouldn't call it fun to drive, but the power sliding doors are what puts this way over any hatchback or wagon.

 

[Vette73]

If money is an issue then look at the...

Kia Sedona (decent ratings and very good price point for what you get)

Chevy Traverse (Minavan style but with 4 reg. doors instead of a slider)

 

[DesiPower]

Honda and Toyota are comparable, Nissan belongs to a different league. You can go for either of them and you wouldn't make a mistake. Honda is a bit cheaper and flimsier but better ride, Toyota had better quality interior and plusher ride. Toyota also has lesser road noise. Honda will give you more bells and whistles for the same price.
Which city are you in? I can run a fair price comparison for the base and top end model for both of them.

 

[fleabag]

How many kids do you have and why exactly do you need a minivan? I grew up in a family with 3 other siblings and we've NEVER had a minivan, we were taken to school and whatnot in our 4 door sedan so unless you have more than 4 kids, I don't really understand why you need a minivan. There is no need to plan for things that aren't guaranteed to happen, you should ONLY EVER buy a vehicle when the need for one arises.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Originally posted by: fleabag
How many kids do you have and why exactly do you need a minivan? I grew up in a family with 3 other siblings and we've NEVER had a minivan, we were taken to school and whatnot in our 4 door sedan so unless you have more than 4 kids, I don't really understand why you need a minivan. There is no need to plan for things that aren't guaranteed to happen, you should ONLY EVER buy a vehicle when the need for one arises.

OP I think you should get a 1996 honda civic instead of a minivan. You can even put 100 psi in the tires and fill it one gallon of gas at a time to get 60 mpg. You'll have to drive like a douchebag but screw them.

 

[waffleironhead]

Are you thinking new or used?(sorry missed it in your post)

Beware of the second gen odyssey, they had major transmission problems.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: fleabag
How many kids do you have and why exactly do you need a minivan? I grew up in a family with 3 other siblings and we've NEVER had a minivan, we were taken to school and whatnot in our 4 door sedan so unless you have more than 4 kids, I don't really understand why you need a minivan. There is no need to plan for things that aren't guaranteed to happen, you should ONLY EVER buy a vehicle when the need for one arises.

I guess you never had any friends or family to bring along....

And really, what's so bad about a minivan? They are infinitely more useful than SUVs. You can haul 4x8 sheets of plywood without breaking a sweat. You can fill them with tons of cargo for moving. There's plenty of room to pick up people from the airport. The list just goes on and on. And, they're really not a whole lot more expensive than a sedan and get similar MPG compared to midsize V6 sedans. So what am I missing?

 

[fleabag]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: fleabag
How many kids do you have and why exactly do you need a minivan? I grew up in a family with 3 other siblings and we've NEVER had a minivan, we were taken to school and whatnot in our 4 door sedan so unless you have more than 4 kids, I don't really understand why you need a minivan. There is no need to plan for things that aren't guaranteed to happen, you should ONLY EVER buy a vehicle when the need for one arises.

I guess you never had any friends or family to bring along....

And really, what's so bad about a minivan? They are infinitely more useful than SUVs. You can haul 4x8 sheets of plywood without breaking a sweat. You can fill them with tons of cargo for moving. There's plenty of room to pick up people from the airport. The list just goes on and on. And, they're really not a whole lot more expensive than a sedan and get similar MPG compared to midsize V6 sedans. So what am I missing?

I'm just feeling for when that kid grows up and ends up having to drive that minivan which is what usually happens, they get the "old family car" and in this case it's going to be a minivan. At least with a sedan, it not only looks nice and can be practical for a family, when that kid grows up and starts driving, driving that sedan won't be a drag like a station wagon or minivan would be.

You can seat 5 people in a sedan and six if you've got one with bench seats (do they even have those anymore?). Like I said, how many fricken kids is this op going to have? Two? Three? Four?

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Originally posted by: fleabag

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: fleabag
How many kids do you have and why exactly do you need a minivan? I grew up in a family with 3 other siblings and we've NEVER had a minivan, we were taken to school and whatnot in our 4 door sedan so unless you have more than 4 kids, I don't really understand why you need a minivan. There is no need to plan for things that aren't guaranteed to happen, you should ONLY EVER buy a vehicle when the need for one arises.

I guess you never had any friends or family to bring along....

And really, what's so bad about a minivan? They are infinitely more useful than SUVs. You can haul 4x8 sheets of plywood without breaking a sweat. You can fill them with tons of cargo for moving. There's plenty of room to pick up people from the airport. The list just goes on and on. And, they're really not a whole lot more expensive than a sedan and get similar MPG compared to midsize V6 sedans. So what am I missing?

I'm just feeling for when that kid grows up and ends up having to drive that minivan which is what usually happens, they get the "old family car" and in this case it's going to be a minivan. At least with a sedan, it not only looks nice and can be practical for a family, when that kid grows up and starts driving, driving that sedan won't be a drag like a station wagon or minivan would be.

You can seat 5 people in a sedan and six if you've got one with bench seats (do they even have those anymore?). Like I said, how many fricken kids is this op going to have? Two? Three? Four?

You're forgetting about the shit that goes along with the kids as well.

 

[StageLeft]

It's too bad the mpv isn't made in north america anymore. iLOVE my minivan. functionally it blows the hell out of anything else for anything in the same price range.

among the top three premier imports you have them and the quest is cheaper. reliably wise it would be hard to say it's much worse than those. I would definitely consider it if i was going to buy a new minivan.

it's too bad ford also doesn't make a minivan right now. crossovers and station wagons are useless if you're really interested in hauling volume. the mazda 5 is good for its price but quite small, like a micro van.

kia and hyundai still have iffy quality although they are cheap and worth looking at. dodge caravan is ok if you get used to take advantage of the resale hit.

After owning a Mazda MPV and working on that tucked away, hard-to-reach engine, I swore that I would never own another minivan.

i agree there, it's a huge pita to work on.

After owning a Mazda MPV and working on that tucked away, hard-to-reach engine, I swore that I would never own another minivan.

you can't carry jack sh*t in those things. a minivan will take an 8x4 sheet of ply inside it for pete's sake, very few suvs will even do that.

I grew up in a family with 3 other siblings and we've NEVER had a minivan, we were taken to school and whatnot in our 4 door sedan so unless you have more than 4 kids, I don't really understand why you need a minivan.

once you have one, you'll understand. i didn't either but it would be tough to go without one now, they are just awesome for family moving, even if it's not a big family. even if it's a trip to home depot and a bunch of wood in the trunk, i never regret having one.

for virtually every suv on the road you have a person who would objectively do better in a minivan but lacked the self-esteem to buy it

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Might also what to look into:

Chrysler Pacifica (4.0L engine preferred)

Dodge Carvan or Chrysler Town & Country. The 2008+ vans are the best of the bunch right now as minivans go. Not the sportiest but the most features for the $.

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
Might also what to look into:

Chrysler Pacifica (4.0L engine preferred)

Dodge Carvan or Chrysler Town & Country. The 2008+ vans are the best of the bunch right now as minivans go. Not the sportiest but the most features for the $.

Asking OP to consider American vehicles is like asking Muslim to eat pork.

Without a budget this is a worthless exercise.