YACT: Make a non-minivan, minivan suggestion

[Homerboy]

Ironically I am in the exact same boat here as the OP...

I have a '97 Maxima GLE (fully loaded) with only 65K on it and in pretty solid shape (some buffing needed, new belts needed, and a good vaccuming and shes good as new). Gotta trade that baby in and pick up a mini-van for the growing family but $$ is tight (read: growing family).

I thought of a KIA, looked at Chevy Ventures (hell I have $2k of GM credit on my old credit card)... Sure Id love a Odyssey or a Sienna but the new are too damn $$ and even the used hold their value too damn well.

Ill be monitoring this thread tightly 🙂

 

[desy]

If you don't want to buy Japanese and I know why you don't $$$
The Chev Venture or Montana is your next best bet.
Best fuel consumption of the minivans and if you stay away from the all wheel drive models and automatic sliding doors their reliablity is the same as a Japanese model.

I've researched out the same thing you have and yes I'll be getting a used one myself in about a year from now.
Venture Vans

 

[Emrys]

I agree with the station wagon people. Go with a use volvo wagon, the thing will last forever, and if you plan on hauling kids around in the 3rd row they should be fine.

 

[rayray2]

Whatever you do, do NOT buy a Chevy Venture/Pontiac Montana. These horrendous crash test results have been out for years and GM refuses to redesign the POS. :|

Do you really want to carry around your precious cargo in a minivan that's nicknamed "the orphan maker"?

 

[Homerboy]

Originally posted by: rayray2
Whatever you do, do NOT buy a Chevy Venture/Pontiac Montana. These horrendous crash test results have been out for years and GM refuses to redesign the POS. :|

Do you really want to carry around your precious cargo in a minivan that's nicknamed "the orphan maker"?

well that IS one of the reasons I didnt want a GM MV. Trust me, Ive done that research too

 

[Homerboy]

Originally posted by: Emrys
I agree with the station wagon people. Go with a use volvo wagon, the thing will last forever, and if you plan on hauling kids around in the 3rd row they should be fine.

Wagons are not minivans though...
Id rather drive a wagon (I actually think they are cool) but in reality, MVs are MUCH easier when dealing with 2+ kids, and all the crap that you need to haul around for them to various locations. Minivans are simply easier in/out for the kids too.

 

[CPA]

Have you looked at a used Conversion Van? You can usually find a 2-3 year old loaded one for 15-20K. I've had two conversion vans, and now have a minivan. I wish I had my conversion van back.

 

[desy]

Hmmm the government seems to disagree with your assements

Looks safe enough to me. . .I haven't been in an accident since 90

Vehicles nowadays are 100X safer than just 20 years ago I had no qualms about riding in a car then and I don't now.
You safety babies miss the point, one model may be slightly better than another its not a night and day difference. Fine, buy a Ford then

 

[djheater]

Originally posted by: CPA
Have you looked at a used Conversion Van? You can usually find a 2-3 year old loaded one for 15-20K. I've had two conversion vans, and now have a minivan. I wish I had my conversion van back.

Why? What benefits does the conversion van have over a minivan?

What conversion vans should I be loking at?

This will be primarily for my wife, who has driven nothing larger than a Dodge Neon in her life, I'm not sure I want to release her on the world behind the wheel of a monster conversion van, but if the price is right we'll take our chances.

The Kia Sedona and Ford Windstar seem to be leading the pack as far as suggestions. An 03 Sedona (hopefully an EX if I can find one) seems pretty nice.

More input desired.

 

[BigSmooth]

One other van you might add to your test drive list is a used Mazda MPV. Definitely look at a 2002+ model as they got a significantly more powerful engine than previous models.

Like the Sedona, the MPV is on the small side of the minivan scale, but unlike the Sedona, it's not heavier than it should be and therefore handling is among the best in the segment, and fuel efficiency is decent. It would be a very good choice for your wife if she wants a van that drives more like a car. It's a very "non-minivan" minivan.

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: djheater

Originally posted by: CPA
Have you looked at a used Conversion Van? You can usually find a 2-3 year old loaded one for 15-20K. I've had two conversion vans, and now have a minivan. I wish I had my conversion van back.

Why? What benefits does the conversion van have over a minivan?

What conversion vans should I be loking at?

This will be primarily for my wife, who has driven nothing larger than a Dodge Neon in her life, I'm not sure I want to release her on the world behind the wheel of a monster conversion van, but if the price is right we'll take our chances.

The Kia Sedona and Ford Windstar seem to be leading the pack as far as suggestions. An 03 Sedona (hopefully an EX if I can find one) seems pretty nice.

More input desired.

A Hell of a lot more room. Your wife and kids will be able to walk upright in the back (raised roof models). 13" TV, VCR/DVD, game hookup, dual radio systems, back bench that can fold down to a bed, 2nd row captain chairs (real captain chairs, insurance is usually cheaper, a lot of storage room in back, can hook up a small portable frigerator and lose no legroom, comparable gas mileage.

Disadvantages - can't park in a parking garage (raised roof model), low trade-in (though this may not matter if you're going to keep it a while), style is not for everyone.

 

[Quixfire]

What benefits does the conversion van have over a minivan?

The two major differences between a full-size van and a mini-van is size and fuel comsuption.

The conversion vans are based on a full-size van with either a large V6 or V8, which will consume more fuel to operate. But they are much larger, better soundproofed and more comfortable for large families, four or more people.

The mini-vans usually have small to mid-sized V6 engine, which are more fuel-efficient. Have less room and depending on the more may no have any soundproofing.

Based on my experience with fuel-injected engines, the full-sized Ford conversion vans with a 4.6L V8 were averaging 14-16 mpg. My wife 2000 Windstar SEL with a 3.8L V6 is getting 18-20 mpg.