which Minivan or SUV should i lease?

[jagr10]

We're looking at leasing a new minivan or SUV, but don't want it to be too expensive so the vehicle itself should be no more than $35,000 canadian. (preferrably $25,000 canadian). Anyways, which minivan's or SUV's have you test driven and what were your experiences? I want to hopefully eliminate some before i test drive. I'm probably pushing it as far SUV's are concerned since they're more expensive, but maybe i'll find a steal. I'm leaning towards a dodge caravan or ford windstar, but i've read bad things about ford so i'm thinking twice.

Any opinions would be great. (Ford escalade and Navigator are dream SUV's but are out of the question).

 

[Rallispec]

i'm assuming the honda odyssey is out of your price range (not sure though, canada dollars mess me up) however, i have nothing but great things to say about them. Great minivan.

 

[bunker]

We just rented a Pontiac Montana for a trip....stay the hell away. The ride was horrible, seats were a pain to move, engine was anemic, plus a lot of little things that were just annoying.

 

[guapo337]

is a murano too much?

look at a honda cr-v as well..

 

[DDCSpeed]

Depends on how many people...if 4-5 I would suggest the Honda CRV. It is a firm ride and tall...but beware that it is not fast.

 

[jagr10]

Thanks bunker, i'll be sure to stay away from the Montana then. The honda Odyssey does look nice and is a little out of the price range, but if it's that much better i'll look into it. Honda CRV is a little small i think.

 

[UberDave]

try a mountaineer?

 

[LordThing]

Originally posted by: Rallispec
i'm assuming the honda odyssey is out of your price range (not sure though, canada dollars mess me up) however, i have nothing but great things to say about them. Great minivan.

If my conversion rates are right, $25k Canadian is $17-18k American. In the current car market, your options for an SUV or Minivan are VERY limited.

Either you gotta buy used(2000 or 2001 with some miles on it might be ok) or stick with the super cheaps and stripped down models. At that price range for a lease, you might want to look at Kia

 

[BigSmooth]

I must admit I don't know a lot about minivans but I have noticed that the Kia Sedona has gotten some pretty good reviews considering it's one of the cheapest minivans available.

 

[Rallispec]

nissan xterra would probably fall in your price range. They're a good SUV, pretty roomy, decent amount of power and a comfortable ride. Bigger than the small SUV's, but not too huge.

 

[jagr10]

Thanks guys, i'll check out what you mentioned.

Lordthing, i've seen some ads in the paper with some brand new vans at $25,000, zero down, zero interest. Of course we're gonna put something down to reduce the monthly payments, but there are some deals out there. I'll check out the Kia to see how good they are.

 

[Hankerton]

Originally posted by: Rallispec
nissan xterra would probably fall in your price range. They're a good SUV, pretty roomy, decent amount of power and a comfortable ride. Bigger than the small SUV's, but not too huge.

I would definitely agree. Within your price range the Xterra is a solid ride. Plus, they're sporty looking (don't look too much like a pansy fam. car) they have some pickup, and are quite roomy. You can definitely get a new one for around $20k. Good luck

 

[Dracos]

Although it might be outta of your price range. I test drove the new Honda Pilot...its getting good reviews. Beautiful riding vehicle has room for 8, although the 3rd row is kinda cramp really only for kids under 10.

Also check out the larger Kia SUV the Sorento...test drove that as well very nice vehicle. But the next vehicle I'm gonna buy is the Honda Pilot..

 

[BatmanNate]

'89 Turbo Caravan.

http://www.turbominivan.com

 

[Thegonagle]

If you're leasing, put down as little as possible (generally, that's gonna be tax, registration, and first month). Why would you give them more than you have to up front, except to qualify for better, usually promotional, lease terms?

Just FYI, Hondas lease very well compared to most others because of their high residuals, so don't let their sticker prices eliminate them.

 

[jagr10]

I just briefly looked at Consumer Reports and they seem to praise the Honda Oddyssey and Toyota Sienna. I guess i'll have to add those to the test drive list. I'm gonna check out the suggestions above on suv's too.

 

[jagr10]

Originally posted by: Garfang
If you're leasing, put down as little as possible (generally, that's gonna be tax, registration, and first month). Why would you give them more than you have to up front, except to qualify for better, usually promotional, lease terms?

Just FYI, Hondas lease very well compared to most others because of their high residuals, so don't let their sticker prices eliminate them.

Good point. I realized that for every $1000 you put down you only save about $20 on the monthly payments. Not really worth putting much down for a lease.

 

[radioouman]

Kia Sedona is getting really good reviews, and a guy at my workplace owns one and likes it.

My parent's Caravan is a good van too.

 

[Dracos]

I started off wanting a minivan but when I found out that my wife-to-be has no interests at all driving a minivan and that I would be screwed on long family trips. I decided on a 3rd row seat SUV instead. In the past month I've driven...

Suzuki XL-7 4x4....nice vehicle but not enough shoulder and hip room. $19,000 - $22,000

Buick Rendevous CX FWD....nice but they wouldn't let me test drive without running a credit check first. Haven't had the time to go to another dealer to test drive it. $27,000 - $33,000

Kia Sorento EX 4x4......not bad for a Kia but doesn't have a 3rd row only thing keeping me from looking further into buying one. $19,000 - $22,000

Honda Pilot Ex FT 4WD......nice ride....smooth acceleration and its a honda. Around the same price as a FWD Buick Rendevous. $27,000 - $34,000

 

[prontospyder]

The 2004 Toyota Sienna CE is $30,000 CAN according to www.toyota.ca.

 

[jagr10]

Now why is it that no minivan comes in Black? Isn't that like a standard colour for a vehicle? I thought black, silver/grey, and white were pretty much the basic colours that every car came in.

 

[BigSmooth]

Originally posted by: jagr10
Now why is it that no minivan comes in Black?

I just checked a few websites... the Kia Sedona and Chrysler Town & Country are both available in black, and I'm sure others are too.

 

[jemcam]

We have a 98 Town and Country and it's been a great vehicle. It has more bells and whistles than my wife's old Mark VIII had.

The Dodge Caravans are identical, and they come nicely optioned. We have had little troubles with ours. I think the fact that there are so many on the road says a lot.

 

[sohdahere]

the Oddyssey is the best minivan, not sure about SUV's...

 

[UNCjigga]

Kia Sorento? (is that their SUV or their minivan?) I've heard good things about the KIA SUV, but don't know much about the minivan...