you can't get a Minivan with Power operated sliding doors, leather etc for less than 30k.

[BDawg]

Originally posted by: LeadMagnet
My wife drive the Ford Expedition "aircraft carrier edition" and we get 12MPG and wish she had a minivan with electric sliding doors. A minivan would be soooo much better that the oil tanker she is driving now.

This monster SUV sucks when you have very young children you have to pickup and climb into the the vehicle just to put them in a bayseat located in the middle.

IMHO, the best thing about minivans are the sliding doors. They're far easier for putting a kid in his seat than a traditional door.

Our friends used to have an Expedition and swore they'd never get a minivan. Eventually, they broke down and bought an Oddysey. They like it miles beyond the Expedition.

Edit: Page 3 claimed for the Sienna!

 

[TreyRandom]

Originally posted by: JLGatsby
What's the advantage of a minivan over an SUV?

Minivans drive and handle like a sleigh.

And you certainly won't look very "hip" rolling up in your "minivan."

My 2004 Toyota Sienna minivan certainly doesn't drive or handle like a sleigh. In fact, it's got a very tight turning radius. I can get the Sienna into parking places that I'd have to pass by in my Altima. Stability is just fine when making turns at speed. The posters who said that you are doing yourself a disservice if you don't test drive a Quest/Sienna/Odyssey are exactly right.

Regarding the >$30K cost issue, I bought my minivan used about a year ago. Why buy something brand new that's going to depreciate the moment you drive it off the lot? So my minivan was between 1 and 2 years old when I got it, and it had about 20,000 miles - still under factory warranty. Cost: around $22K + tax - with a '98 Cavalier trade-in and $6000 down, I ended up having to finance $15K... which is about to be paid off.

I don't have leather seats, but I don't *want* leather seats with kids. I *do* want power sliding doors, however, and so I've got them. When you're holding two kids and a diaper bag, you're thankful when you can push a button and drop stuff right into the van.

Gas mileage is great - I get around 28 MPG on average, calculated automatically for me by the van's digital readout.

Yeah, I could have kept squeezing the kids into our '99 Altima... but it's so much easier to carry around 2 (and someday, perhaps more) children, a diaper bag, toys, a single stroller and a double stroller in a minivan. Until you've got kids... you just don't know. Taking a vacation in the Altima with 2+ kids is a nightmare in itself, if you've even got enough room in the trunk.

And as far as it looks when I'm driving it... I look pretty damn cool with my beautiful wife and 2 beautiful kids. That's all that matters to me.

Edit: Page 3 claimed *twice* for the Sienna, BDawg.

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: TreyRandom
Gas mileage is great - I get around 28 MPG on average, calculated automatically for me by the van's digital readout.

What size engine is in it?

 

[dman]

There's a minivan in my very near future.

I haven't bought a minivan yet, but, I have rented one for a vacation (Chrysler Town and Country with ALL the bells and whistles) and also rented numerous SUV's on trips for work (Toyota Highlander, Ford Expedition, Explorer, and another I can't remember).

The 3rd row seating in the SUV's I drove is pretty much unusable for a 'family'. You can use it for occasional trips but if you had to fold the seats down everytime you get in and out for a family of 5 that would be a royal PITA. Especially with Car Seats in the middle row, you'd have to remove them first.

Of course, there are likely a few SUV's with captain's chairs in the second row allowing people to fit through to the back without having to fold down seats, but the climbing up and over is a bit more hassle as well. I believe those models are the full size SUV's which would be a bit worse on gas and probably more $$$ than a comparable Minivan.

I also don't really care what others thing about Minivans vs SUV social status. Now I just have to save up for a down payment on the Honda or Toyota model that we decide we like better.

 

[BDawg]

Originally posted by: TreyRandom
I don't have leather seats, but I don't *want* leather seats with kids.

Kid puke is easier to clean off leather than cloth.

Yeah, I could have kept squeezing the kids into our '99 Altima... but it's so much easier to carry around 2 (and someday, perhaps more) children, a diaper bag, toys, a single stroller and a double stroller in a minivan. Until you've got kids... you just don't know. Taking a vacation in the Altima with 2+ kids is a nightmare in itself, if you've even got enough room in the trunk.

QFT!

And as far as it looks when I'm driving it... I look pretty damn cool with my beautiful wife and 2 beautiful kids. That's all that matters to me.

I happen to think it's pretty cool to be sitting in the 3rd row with my feet propped up on the 2nd row folded seat, playing video games or watching a movie.

 

[vi edit]

My wife contends to the death she'll never be caught dead in a Minivan.

But that's what she said about a station wagon, and she warmed up to that. When we eventually wind up with 2 kids, a dog, and all the crap needed for a few day trip that goes along with all that, a Minivan will be in our future.

 

[TreyRandom]

Originally posted by: KK

Originally posted by: TreyRandom
Gas mileage is great - I get around 28 MPG on average, calculated automatically for me by the van's digital readout.

What size engine is in it?

V6 3.3L

 

[RKS]

My wife and I discussed this for a few months before we bought out last car. We narrowed it down to the TL or G35 Sedan but in order to be future-proof we changed our minds to a mini-van.
We liked the power of the Quest, interior of the Sienna, and the reliability of the Honda (last gen). We test-drove all three and decided on the Sienna.

We went into the dealership to make the purchase but I had epiphany. I told our salesperson that I just couldn't justify spending $10k let alone $36K on a car that I was not beaming about. Everytime I pulled up to a light with a guy driving a mini-van by himself I felt sorry for him. I never wanted to be that guy. I didn't want to walk out to a parking lot and say 'that's my new car'; I wanted to say that's my new car'.
Our salesperson said we were not ready for a mini-van and we left.

Sure SUVs are relatively smaller interior-wise than like sized mini-vans, yes we made a decision based on image rather than convenience, gas mileage is not great, we may be shallow, etc. but we are glad we have an SUV rather than a mini-van.

Now we have lots of room up front. Plenty of adult-sized room in the second row with the reclining seats and even with the third row of seats up we have room for luggage. Usually we fold the 3rd row down and our dog has all the room he needs to enjoy the ride.

It is amazing how much 'gear' is needed for a short trip with two kids and a dog but our SUV handles it with ease and my fragile ego doesn't have to suffer.

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: RKS
My wife and I discussed this for a few months before we bought out last car. We narrowed it down to the TL or G35 Sedan but in order to be future-proof we changed our minds to a mini-van.
We liked the power of the Quest, interior of the Sienna, and the reliability of the Honda (last gen). We test-drove all three and decided on the Sienna.

We went into the dealership to make the purchase but I had epiphany. I told our salesperson that I just couldn't justify spending $10k let alone $36K on a car that I was not beaming about. Everytime I pulled up to a light with a guy driving a mini-van by himself I felt sorry for him. I never wanted to be that guy. I didn't want to walk out to a parking lot and say 'that's my new car'; I wanted to say that's my new car'.
Our salesperson said we were not ready for a mini-van and we left.

Sure SUVs are relatively smaller interior-wise than like sized mini-vans, yes we made a decision based on image rather than convenience, gas mileage is not great, we may be shallow, etc. but we are glad we have an SUV rather than a mini-van.

Now we have lots of room up front. Plenty of adult-sized room in the second row with the reclining seats and even with the third row of seats up we have room for luggage. Usually we fold the 3rd row down and our dog has all the room he needs to enjoy the ride.

It is amazing how much 'gear' is needed for a short trip with two kids and a dog but our SUV handles it with ease and my fragile ego doesn't have to suffer.

i don't think anyone here was bashing SUV buyers, we were just bashing JLGatsby for basing minivans and minivan buyers.


you have the right to make that decision but the people that buy minivans should also have their decisions respected.

 

[RKS]

mini-vans are great for everyday use especially with kids and/or pets just wasn't the right thing for us.

edit: as far as JLGatsby's comments; I sure he doesn't even know how children are created let alone have to deal with transporting them from place to place.

 

[Aquila76]

Originally posted by: JLGatsby
Honestly, I maybe a SUV is more likely to roll over, but I just don't enjoy the feeling of my vehicle being a "track," and not being able to manuver it as sharply.

Maybe it's just me. I just felt "trapped" when I drove the minivan I drove (late model Caravan about 5 years ago). I felt like I could not control it very well, although that feeling was really based on the fact that it felt "stuck" to the ground.

Where I live, there is a corner, that goes up hill then down with a small bump on top. If I hit that corner fast enough, I can get the back drivers wheel off the ground. I like that. Makes me feel like the car is "versatile." But maybe I'm an idiot too. So I guess whatevers your style.

... I'm an idiot ...

You could've just said that instead of wasting your precious supermodel fingers typing that post.

EDIT: Dammit, fbrdphreak beat me to it. Ah well, at least it's on this page, too, now.

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: RKS
My wife and I discussed this for a few months before we bought out last car. We narrowed it down to the TL or G35 Sedan but in order to be future-proof we changed our minds to a mini-van.
We liked the power of the Quest, interior of the Sienna, and the reliability of the Honda (last gen). We test-drove all three and decided on the Sienna.

We went into the dealership to make the purchase but I had epiphany. I told our salesperson that I just couldn't justify spending $10k let alone $36K on a car that I was not beaming about. Everytime I pulled up to a light with a guy driving a mini-van by himself I felt sorry for him. I never wanted to be that guy. I didn't want to walk out to a parking lot and say 'that's my new car'; I wanted to say that's my new car'.
Our salesperson said we were not ready for a mini-van and we left.

Sure SUVs are relatively smaller interior-wise than like sized mini-vans, yes we made a decision based on image rather than convenience, gas mileage is not great, we may be shallow, etc. but we are glad we have an SUV rather than a mini-van.

Now we have lots of room up front. Plenty of adult-sized room in the second row with the reclining seats and even with the third row of seats up we have room for luggage. Usually we fold the 3rd row down and our dog has all the room he needs to enjoy the ride.

It is amazing how much 'gear' is needed for a short trip with two kids and a dog but our SUV handles it with ease and my fragile ego doesn't have to suffer.

Sorry, but I just don't understand that "logic". No offense intended, but what difference is there between driving an SUV and a minivan? To me they're both big, slow, bulky, rather unattractive vehicles.

1) They're usually about the same in price class for class - high-end SUV's being more than high end minivans.
2) Neither handle well but minivans are generally better.
3) Neither ride great but minivans are generally better.
4) Neither get great gas mileage but minivans are generally better.
5) Both carry more passengers/luggage than the average car but minivans are generally easier to get in and out of.

If all that's true (and in my experience as driver and passenger it is), what's the point of owning an SUV over a minivan? Other than the small % of SUV owners who need to tow something or drive in harsh weather where a big vehicle and 4WD are needed I don't get it. I live in FL and I see H2s, Excursions, Expiditions, Suburban, etc with yuppie dudes and soccer moms driving them. They'll never go offroad and we don't see snow or ice to worry about. What's the point of having a 3 ton vehicle to transport the kids too and from school?

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: Robor

Originally posted by: RKS
My wife and I discussed this for a few months before we bought out last car. We narrowed it down to the TL or G35 Sedan but in order to be future-proof we changed our minds to a mini-van.
We liked the power of the Quest, interior of the Sienna, and the reliability of the Honda (last gen). We test-drove all three and decided on the Sienna.

We went into the dealership to make the purchase but I had epiphany. I told our salesperson that I just couldn't justify spending $10k let alone $36K on a car that I was not beaming about. Everytime I pulled up to a light with a guy driving a mini-van by himself I felt sorry for him. I never wanted to be that guy. I didn't want to walk out to a parking lot and say 'that's my new car'; I wanted to say that's my new car'.
Our salesperson said we were not ready for a mini-van and we left.

Sure SUVs are relatively smaller interior-wise than like sized mini-vans, yes we made a decision based on image rather than convenience, gas mileage is not great, we may be shallow, etc. but we are glad we have an SUV rather than a mini-van.

Now we have lots of room up front. Plenty of adult-sized room in the second row with the reclining seats and even with the third row of seats up we have room for luggage. Usually we fold the 3rd row down and our dog has all the room he needs to enjoy the ride.

It is amazing how much 'gear' is needed for a short trip with two kids and a dog but our SUV handles it with ease and my fragile ego doesn't have to suffer.

Sorry, but I just don't understand that "logic". No offense intended, but what difference is there between driving an SUV and a minivan? To me they're both big, slow, bulky, rather unattractive vehicles.

1) They're usually about the same in price class for class - high-end SUV's being more than high end minivans.
2) Neither handle well but minivans are generally better.
3) Neither ride great but minivans are generally better.
4) Neither get great gas mileage but minivans are generally better.
5) Both carry more passengers/luggage than the average car but minivans are generally easier to get in and out of.

If all that's true (and in my experience as driver and passenger it is), what's the point of owning an SUV over a minivan? Other than the small % of SUV owners who need to tow something or drive in harsh weather where a big vehicle and 4WD are needed I don't get it. I live in FL and I see H2s, Excursions, Expiditions, Suburban, etc with yuppie dudes and soccer moms driving them. They'll never go offroad and we don't see snow or ice to worry about. What's the point of having a 3 ton vehicle to transport the kids too and from school?

yup. now that i agree with. we should make driving SUV's unpopular the way some people think driving Minivans is unpopular.

if enough people start to feel about SUV's what a lot of people feel about minivans now and vice versa, voila we effectively change the way people buy.

 

[JulesMaximus]

My Sister rented a Toyota Sienna when she was out visiting around Thanksgiving and it was the perfect vehicle to fit my entire family + her entire family in. Try fitting 7 people in most SUVs, you'll be struggling. It was no problem in the Sienna.

Minivans are also safer than SUVs. Lower center of gravity=less chance of rollover.

Anyone who bashes someone for buying a minivan is an idiot.

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold
yup. now that i agree with. we should make driving SUV's unpopular the way some people think driving Minivans is unpopular.

if enough people start to feel about SUV's what a lot of people feel about minivans now and vice versa, voila we effectively change the way people buy.

I don't know what it is - marketing maybe? I remember an SUV commercial where they made an announcement like, 'will the owner of the minivan please...", and the guy who owned it didn't want to acknowledge it was his.

Meh, to each their own. I just don't see the point of getting something that's far less practical just to avoid this weird mini-van stigma image thing. Perfect example... When my bro and his wife got pregnant they started looking for something to replace her Saturn. They started looking at SUV's and I told him they should look at vans. She's a good looking woman and has friends with kids and they all have SUV's. There was no way she was going to be the minivan mom. Well, after looking at SUV's he convinced her to at least look at a van and once she did she realized how much more practical the van was. Now she's driving a Honda Oddessy and *loves* it.

 

[WT]

I'm driving a Kia right now that still has the sticker in the window, retailing for 30,155. Its absolutely loaded, but I am returning it as I did not get what I anticipated for my trade-in. We can still swing a deal, and with only $300 difference to agree on, its close enough to say its agreeable to both parties. Even so, I am paying 24,300 after rebates (plus trade in) for a leftover 2005 with 300 miles on the odometer.
Its simple economic math ... prices go up ... I remember reading an article back in '99 that had the average cost of a new car at $17,850. The more we want every creature comfort known to exist in our cars (heated seats, heated side mirrors, DVD players) the more we will pay for them !!

The Kia gets returned in about three hours and I will then let the dealer sweat it out for a week, but its the smart purchase right now for me.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Originally posted by: JLGatsby

Originally posted by: EatSpam
Why? Some of us need to haul kids, stuff, and don't want to pay $40K for a glorified pickup truck.

What's the advantage of a minivan over an SUV?

Minivans drive and handle like a sleigh.

And you certainly won't look very "hip" rolling up in your "minivan."

What an idiot, minivans drive and handle much better than SUVs.

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: TreyRandom

Originally posted by: KK

Originally posted by: TreyRandom
Gas mileage is great - I get around 28 MPG on average, calculated automatically for me by the van's digital readout.

What size engine is in it?

V6 3.3L

That's pretty darn good, my windstar with a 3.8 is lucky if it'd get 22.

 

[BDawg]

Originally posted by: KK

Originally posted by: TreyRandom

Originally posted by: KK

Originally posted by: TreyRandom
Gas mileage is great - I get around 28 MPG on average, calculated automatically for me by the van's digital readout.

What size engine is in it?

V6 3.3L

That's pretty darn good, my windstar with a 3.8 is lucky if it'd get 22.

I'd be surprised if he got that in reality. My computer says something similar, but from the ammount of gas I put in the tank, I get about 21/25.

 

[TreyRandom]

Originally posted by: BDawg

Originally posted by: KK

Originally posted by: TreyRandom

Originally posted by: KK

Originally posted by: TreyRandom
Gas mileage is great - I get around 28 MPG on average, calculated automatically for me by the van's digital readout.

What size engine is in it?

V6 3.3L

That's pretty darn good, my windstar with a 3.8 is lucky if it'd get 22.

I'd be surprised if he got that in reality. My computer says something similar, but from the ammount of gas I put in the tank, I get about 21/25.

No, I'm really getting that in reality... double checked myself to be sure. Unless my odometer's completely out of whack, that's what I'm getting.

 

[dwcal]

Originally posted by: RKS
We went into the dealership to make the purchase but I had epiphany. I told our salesperson that I just couldn't justify spending $10k let alone $36K on a car that I was not beaming about. Everytime I pulled up to a light with a guy driving a mini-van by himself I felt sorry for him. I never wanted to be that guy. I didn't want to walk out to a parking lot and say 'that's my new car'; I wanted to say that's my new car'.

Think about it this way if you're considering minvan vs. suv. You could spend the same for less room in an suv or you could spend $10,000 more for a large suv with the same room. $10,000 is a lot of money to play with. You could buy bikes, jet-skis, vacations to Hawaii or maybe a fun used car for when you're driving alone.

I understand about the $36K though. That's a lot to spend on a boring, practical car. If it was my money, I'd spend at most $24K on the car and the rest on fun stuff. I know you get some money back when you sell or trade in but not a lot.

 

[PlatinumGold]

bought the sedona minivan. read OP for details.

 

[PlatinumGold]

oh ya btw, felllas, the kia has 244 hp 256 ft/lbs torque.

it has some giddyup and go for a 4200 lb car.

 

[HomeAppraiser]

Good luck. What options did you end up with.

My wife really wanted one with a built in DVD player for, gag $2,000 extra! I got a Targus laptop carry bag that fits between the seats combined with an adapter to run the audio through the vans speakers (balanced to the rear) and saved $1,350. The 14.1" widescreen really kicks ass and we can plug in the DeLorme GPS that only cost us $89 if directions are needed. That saves another $2,000 over an in dash system. Got the Compaq v2000z laptop deal a few months back. We haven't messed with games in the van since it is hard for three boys to share.

 

[SampSon]

Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie

Originally posted by: JLGatsby

Originally posted by: EatSpam
Why? Some of us need to haul kids, stuff, and don't want to pay $40K for a glorified pickup truck.

What's the advantage of a minivan over an SUV?

Minivans drive and handle like a sleigh.

And you certainly won't look very "hip" rolling up in your "minivan."

What an idiot, minivans drive and handle much better than SUVs.

You're talking about JLGatsby, no thought goes into his posts.
On top of that he's an SUV driver, because he thinks it makes people like him.