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Minivan: newer domestic or older japanese?

S

slackerinabox

Lifer
My dad's 1994 minivan (only 60,000 miles on it - he's retired and rarely drives) is basically corroding from the inside out - it's time to move on! He doesn't have a large budget ($8,000 absolute max, he's hoping close to $7,000) and has found 2006 dodge's or 2002 toyota's/hondas for that budget. Is it wiser to go with the newer american car or the older, more reliable Japanese cars?

Also, starting from scratch, what would you guys recommend minivan wise in that budget?

Thanks!
 
I think he should buy my '02 Honda Odyssey EX-L. My wife wants to downsize now that the kids are driving themselves everywhere! :sneaky:
 
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does he need a minivan? what does he haul around?


i remember fitting a bunch of 10' pipe, 4'x8' plywood, etc. easily in a 2000 odyssey, even more if you take out the 3rd row
 
PottedMeat said:
does he need a minivan? what does he haul around?


i remember fitting a bunch of 10' pipe, 4'x8' plywood, etc. easily in a 2000 odyssey, even more if you take out the 3rd row
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People 🙂 He wants to lug around all the grand kids plus their parents and their luggage. Tried to convince him to go the station wagon route but he's insisting on a minivan.
 
After owning a few, my vote goes for Chrysler minivan. A 2006 is near the end of that gen van so while it doesn't have some of the newer amenities of the new model, most of the bugs were worked out and it should be very reliable. Our '98 went 175k miles before we sold and it still ran great at that point.
 
Chevy Astro/GMC Safari are probably the most reliable as far as the drivetrain is concerned, but these vans are lacking in features and comfort and it's RWD/AWD so I'm not sure they can be called a mini-van. Finding one in your budget shouldn't be a problem, in fact I doubt you'll find one that isn't in your budget.

Reliable and mini-van don't really go together, even when discussing Honda and Toyota. Between a Chrysler van and an import, it's a toss up, it sounds like your dad has had good luck with his '94, a newer van shouldn't be worse, if he's comfortable driving a Dodge and you can get a good deal on one you might as well buy another Dodge. It sounds like your dad drives very little, I'd take a van with less rust and fewer miles, if resale value isn't a concern I'd ignore the badge on the hood.
 
Maybe worth considering Korean? Hyundai or Kia might be able to get newish at decent price. A couple of my friends got Kia vans for their wives and kids.... They don't seem to mind them too much.
 
Howard said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Odyssey_(North_America)#First_generation_.281995.E2.80.931998.29
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I'm not sure what a link to a wikipedia article is supposed to mean, but compare an Odyssey to any other minivan at www.carcomplaints.com they're all pretty comparable. The site timing out on me right now so I can't post specific comparisons, but I've done it before. Mini-vans are not as reliable as many mid-size sedans or full size pickups as far as the drivetrain is concerned.
 
Carcomplaints.com is working again, looking at the 2005 model for both an odyssey and caravan (not a spectacular year for either) they have similar numbers of complaints, the caravan having only 10 more complaints total. Dodge had a huge problem with power door locks, a major pain in the butt, but not something that will keep anybody from getting from point A to point B, if you remove the power door lock problems the numbers favor Chrysler products. Chrysler vans had significantly fewer problems with the drivetrain and the power steering pump.

Odyssey:
http://www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Odyssey/2005/

Caravan:
http://www.carcomplaints.com/Dodge/Caravan/2005/electrical/

I'm not sure how popular either model was in 2005, I know Chrysler vans, in the past were the #1 selling mini-van, but by 2005 I don't think Honda could have been too far behind since Chrysler was having some tough times at that point. I wish the numbers were expressed as a percentage of all vehicles sold as that would give a more accurate reference. Still Honda has had and continues to have just as many problems as Chrysler which based on resale values should be considered a lemon.
 
The Grand Caravans are still a really decent vehicle. Where I work, we stock them and the Toyota Sienna for rent. Caravan is hands down the better ride. More power, feels sturdier, more bang for buck. Probably the only Chrysler vehicle worth buying IMO.

That aside, what does he use the minivan for anyway? If it's a 1994 with only 60,000mi on it, that's barely broken in. Unless he's hauling, I'd be looking at a car or compact SUV. He can get a much nicer vehicle for his budget if he goes the car route. It will also be far better on fuel.
 
mmntech said:
That aside, what does he use the minivan for anyway? If it's a 1994 with only 60,000mi on it, that's barely broken in. Unless he's hauling, I'd be looking at a car or compact SUV. He can get a much nicer vehicle for his budget if he goes the car route. It will also be far better on fuel.
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Depreciation on mini-vans is horrible, you might be able to find a better deal on a sedan or SUV, but the deal won't be a whole lot better. A mini-van is much more practical than a compact SUV, more cargo room, better seating, typically with comparable fuel economy. If you don't need to haul cargo or passengers get a sedan, but the OP already stated a preference for a mini-van. Finding a newer van with less mile in better condition than the old van (aside from the rust) may be a problem.
 
kornphlake said:
Depreciation on mini-vans is horrible, you might be able to find a better deal on a sedan or SUV, but the deal won't be a whole lot better. A mini-van is much more practical than a compact SUV, more cargo room, better seating, typically with comparable fuel economy. If you don't need to haul cargo or passengers get a sedan, but the OP already stated a preference for a mini-van. Finding a newer van with less mile in better condition than the old van (aside from the rust) may be a problem.
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Thats because they haul around the most dangerous, destructive, hazardous cargo known to mankind.

Snotty. Little. Kids. :sneaky:
 
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