OT: Minivan shopping

MUTTS · Post by **MUTTS** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 12:32 am

The wife and I are going to look at minivans (insert remark here). Any good forums to discuss pricing/cars/etc?

thanx-

Tony

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 12:43 am

I don't know any forums, but we just bought a Honda Odessy (sure I spelled it wrong) this last week. Got the Full DVD/Nav package with Touring options. It is a wonderful veichle, handles similar to my Acura MDX and has the same NAV system which was a plus. It is on the pricey side (was 39k OTD) but I really enjoy riding in it and of course so do the kids.

MUTTS · Post by **MUTTS** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 12:48 am

We are getting either the Honda or the Toyota. Its pretty much a toss up between these two in all the reviews Ive read.

Thus a forum discussion might help me decide which way to go.

Tony

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 2:05 am

Just buy the Honda Odessey...best mini van by far. Almost all of the guys I know in their 30's with kids roll with one.

Airdog · Post by **Airdog** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 2:55 am

Odyssey, you bastards. Ever read any Homer?

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 2:59 am

We have a Rav4 for the family outings but with the baby, we've been thinking about upgrading to the minivan too. Consumer reports pick the Odyssey and Sienna as top of the line, followed miles behind by the Caravan.

AcemanPR · Post by **AcemanPR** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 9:12 am

We have a Honda Odyssey too. Absolutely love that vehicle.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 9:38 am

Tony:

The Frau and I bought a year-old Chevy Venture From Romano Chevy a year ago and really like it.

But we would have bought the Honda Odyssey if its price wasn't too steep for us. You own a Honda and dig it, right, so I think your best bet is the Odyssey. We've owned two Hondas (CRX and Del Sol before kids), and they were bulletproof.

Take care,
PK

GameSeven · Post by **GameSeven** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 11:58 am

Airdog wrote:Odyssey, you bastards. Ever read any Homer?

D'oh!

But, yeah, the wife and I are looking to get the Honda later this year.

-G7

fatheadX · Post by **fatheadX** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 12:13 pm

We bought the first year of the latest Sienna (2004) and it is a very good minivan. The new Odyssey had not yet been introduced and the old model felt old, so it was an easy decision for us. If I had to buy today, I would most likely go with the Odyssey as we've been Honda people for a long time (our previous car was the first gen Odyssey, Civic before that). The only thing I don't like about the Odyssey is the weight. It is a beast (4600+ lbs), four hundred pounds heavier than the Sienna, which shows up in the fuel economy. Of course, if you get the high-end Odyssey with the cylinder cut-out, the fuel economy disadvantage is negated.

Our Sienna is an LE, with a power door on the passenger side, but a manual door on the driver's side. Also, the driver's seat is manual rather than power. Our van was $27K out the door, but I would highly recommend the power options as we miss them almost every day. I also wish we had a power liftgate, but I think you have to get the top-of-the-line model of Odyssey for that, and that's getting into some real money, as mentioned before.

If you are on a budget, take a look at the latest Kia Sedona that is just now being released. The old model was very heavy and behind the times, but from what I'm reading, the new one has nearly caught up with the market leaders and is a lot cheaper. Of course, when you take resale into consideration, it still may not be a great deal to go with Kia. Yet.

fatheadX · Post by **fatheadX** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 12:18 pm

Oh, I forgot to mention SiennaClub.org as a good forum for Toyota discussion. You'll have to wade through a lot of biased, still-justifying-my-purchase fanboyism, but there is some very good info and sometimes you'll even find an even-handed discussion of the Sienna vs. the Odyssey. I believe there is a similar Odyssey forum, but I don't have one of those anymore.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 12:37 pm

Airdog wrote:Odyssey, you bastards. Ever read any Homer?

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 12:43 pm

townhall.edumunds.com

Not for minivans specifically but in general for car discussions of all kinds.

Hate the forum software they use tho.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 2:20 pm

Might also want to check out the Nissan Quest. I love the look of them and they're less expensive than the Hondas and the Toyotas.

We bought a Dodge Caravan last year, and while it drives exceptionally well, we've had several issues with it where we've had to bring it in for service. Therefore, I would not recommend it.

DChaps · Post by **DChaps** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 2:24 pm

We looked at the Honda and the Toyota Sienna and went back and forth. After several test drives and discussions with friends, I went with the Sienna. I liked the way it drove and handled just a bit better than the Honda. To be honest, I don't think you can go wrong with either one. Every weekend when we take the kids to the park, it is filled with either Honda Odysseys or Toyota Siennas and most of them are silver by the way.

sportdan30 wrote:Might also want to check out the Nissan Quest. I love the look of them and they're less expensive than the Hondas and the Toyotas.

We did too, but there is a lot less room in a Nissan Quest. In fact, our twins car seats would not fit in the Nissan Quest without them actually removing part of the front driver and passenger seats.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 2:27 pm

sportdan30 wrote:Might also want to check out the Nissan Quest. I love the look of them and they're less expensive than the Hondas and the Toyotas.

We bought a Dodge Caravan last year, and while it drives exceptionally well, we've had several issues with it where we've had to bring it in for service. Therefore, I would not recommend it.

Word of warning: The Quest, at least 2005 and earlier models, has scored near the bottom of every reliability rating for minivans. They look cool, but apparently they don't run as well as they look.

Interesting news about the new, lighter Kia Sedona. The Sedona interested me when I was shopping for minivans 14 months ago due to its price and warranty, but its girth apparently caused it to chew through brakes like a teething toddler chomping on animal crackers.

You can't go wrong with either the Toyota or Honda. If forced to choose, I would go with the Honda. My sister and brother each have an Odyssey and LOVE them. Consumer Reports just named the Odyssey as its top minivan of the year, replacing last year's top pick -- you guessed it -- the Toyota Sienna.

Take care,
PK

WillHunting · Post by **WillHunting** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 3:17 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:Just buy the Honda Odessey...best mini van by far. Almost all of the guys I know in their 30's with kids roll with one.

I researched, test drove various brands back in July of last year... I really did not want to buy the Odyssey only because I didn't want to pay the extra $$. Well, after trying Mazda MPV, Nissan Quest, Toyota Sienna and Dodge Caravan (what a POS that one is), I ended up at a Honda dealer and bought an Odyssey sight unseen.

It was an easy decision, I didn't pay that much more either (especially once I start to add some options to the other brands, which come standard even in the LX (lowest) model of Ody). I did buy one higher model up for some of the nicety but it was totally worth it.

check out www.odyclub.com forum (abit biased, but still it has a ton of good information) I registered as "Lastblade" there.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 3:17 pm

To those who have friends with kids. I'm sure there is at least one couple friend who refuses to succumb to buying a minivan. I honestly will never understand their reasoning. Their answer is always "There's no damn way I'm driving a minivan". I do think it has something to do with prestige possibly.

Until you drive one and understand how practical they truly are, you'll never understand. We had a SUV prior to our minivan and I swore up and down I'd never drive one. Now, I can't phathom ever buying another SUV. Crazy how your thinking changes.

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 3:21 pm

sportdan30 wrote:To those who have friends with kids. I'm sure there is at least one couple friend who refuses to succumb to buying a minivan. I honestly will never understand their reasoning. Their answer is always "There's no damn way I'm driving a minivan". I do think it has something to do with prestige possibly.

Until you drive one and understand how practical they truly are, you'll never understand. We had a SUV prior to our minivan and I swore up and down I'd never drive one. Now, I can't phathom ever buying another SUV. Crazy how your thinking changes.

I am single and have no kids but I will never buy a Minivan unless I had more then 2 kids which I don't plan on having. Why have a Minivan if you only have a family of 4?

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 3:25 pm

sportdan30 wrote:To those who have friends with kids. I'm sure there is at least one couple friend who refuses to succumb to buying a minivan. I honestly will never understand their reasoning. Their answer is always "There's no damn way I'm driving a minivan". I do think it has something to do with prestige possibly.

Until you drive one and understand how practical they truly are, you'll never understand. We had a SUV prior to our minivan and I swore up and down I'd never drive one. Now, I can't phathom ever buying another SUV. Crazy how your thinking changes.

I bought the wife a 2005 Jeep Liberty rocky mountain edition. She was cramped in her honda civic with our two boys, plus they are just getting bigger everyday anyway. She didn't want a minivan so we looked at several SUV's before deciding on the jeep liberty. So far i'm very happy with it, based on price and performance.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 3:27 pm

A lot of SUV drivers are guys holding out, in denial about growing old and thinking SUV still makes them better than the minivan drivers. Minivans have better protections than SUVs so they would take less safe vehicles for their families to feel better about themselves.

It's too bad station wagons aren't as popular as they used to be, although some enthusiasts go for sporty models which have station wagon options or something like the Audi A3, which has some station wagon utility while being sporty.

MUTTS · Post by **MUTTS** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 3:28 pm

Some good info here. Thanks guys.

I currently drive my second Camry which replaced the first car I ever owned- a 91 Camry. That car lasted 11 years and survived a flood. I own an S2000- which with 2 kids I never drive but Ive never had any problems with it.

The 9 year old Explorer that we are replacing has been a curse since day 1. 3 transmissions and numerous other repairs.

We drove 1100 miles roundtrip in a rented 05 Sienna back in November and were very impressed. The Honda option packages are much easier to sort thru thats for sure. I'm sure itll be a win win situation either way although I dont like to spend $$$$.

Any thoughts on in van DVD players---factory vs after market addon??

Any of you boys game in your minivans??? Had to ask.

Tony

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 3:29 pm

If they still made the old Pontiac station wagons, my dad would surely be driving that over his Avalon. He was so disappointed when they did away with the wagons.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 3:32 pm

Without a doubt, I'd go with a factory DVD player. We went with an after market addon, and it's a pain in the arse! It cycles through the 6 disc changer whenever we start the car. Blech!

WillHunting · Post by **WillHunting** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 3:39 pm

Zlax45 wrote:I am single and have no kids but I will never buy a Minivan unless I had more then 2 kids which I don't plan on having. Why have a Minivan if you only have a family of 4?

When we bought the van, it was only my wife and I. We love the room, plus, we can haul so much stuff, it is not even funny (we travel back and forth from NY to Boston all the time). Plus, she does some trade shows and what not so my old Accord Coupe (god bless that car it is so great) just cannot hold that much.

Now that I have a small dog, it is even better to travel everywhere with his kennel. We plan to have kids but honestly, the van doesn't bother me at all. The Odyssey handles great, sure, it is not fast off the line but it has plenty of passing power in the highway and it doesn't even drive like a van (at least not like those crappy vans).

And going from a coupe to a van totally changed my opinion of the van, it is awesome, versatile and for 90% of the folks who buy a SUV and not go offroad, the van is actually a far better choice for roominess, versatility, safety and mileage.