Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
SUVs SUV vs Minivans
1826 messages, Last post on Nov 29, 2009 at 12:33 PM
You are in the SUVs Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
|
We're shopping for a new family car. Have a van now (mazda MPV FWD) and love a van. But we need better rough weather (snow) control. We're looking at the Sienna AWD van but now thinking about going the SUV direction. Does anyone have info on the difference between AWD and 4WD? Thanks
|
|
|
Replying to: smusich (Nov 02, 2008 5:38 am)  4WD & AWD systems explained You'll find some details about the Sienna's AWD in the Toyota 4WD systems explained discussion. If you aren't using winter tires on the MPV, you may want to research that. I drove FWD cars in snow country for a couple of decades, including minivans, and did pretty well with studded tires. They aren't legal everywhere, but winter tires like Nokians may work for you. |
|
|
Replying to: smusich (Nov 02, 2008 5:38 am) There is no room for a spare because the driveshaft takes up that space (FWD models have it underneath). I own a Sienna, and I'm a fan of AWD, but I passed. Get FWD and snow tires, or get something else. |
|
|
Can someone please help me! I have a 2001 Dodge Caravan SE, 3.3L 6 cylinder engine -- with 133K miles, but drives like the day I bought it. The most reliable car I've ever owned. I can find no suggested replacment schedule for the "timing chain" (not "timing belt" like the 4 cylinder engines have). If I ask the dealer, they'll probably just tell me to replace it. But does it really need replacing? And when do I do it?? Thanks so much
|
|
|
Replying to: bjudge (Nov 06, 2008 5:03 pm)
|
|
|
Replying to: steve_ (Nov 06, 2008 6:45 pm)
|
|
|
Replying to: bjudge (Nov 08, 2008 9:11 am)  Ontario, Canada |
|
|
Replying to: autowrite (Dec 28, 2008 8:07 pm)
|
|
|
Replying to: ateixeira (Dec 29, 2008 10:08 am) Biggest service expense we've had was a transmission that needed rebuilding at 140,000 miles. That cost $1500, and the transmission has now lasted almost another 100,000 miles since the rebuild and still working fine. All other problems were sometimes irritating, but relatively inexpensive and easy to fix. Two O2 sensors, 1 Manifold Air Pressure sensor, and a couple of window regulators. (did the window regulators and the MAP sensor myself). In 45 years of driving all kinds of vehicles, there is nothing like a minivan for all around usefulness. Hauls an amazing amount of stuff and/or people, and in great comfort. Great for long distance trips, or short runs around town. Hauled kids to all their activities as they grew up, then moved their stuff to college, apartments, etc. Hauls lumber, including 4x8 sheets of plywood for home improvement projects, and many other bulky materials. Cannot see any rational reason for a family getting an SUV unless you need to tow something big or if you live in snow country and cannot find a minivan with AWD. (of course, these days, they call a minivan with AWD a Crossover...) --jayhawk
|
|
|
Replying to: jayhawk70 (Feb 01, 2009 11:23 pm) I don't carry equipment around as often as I used to but we will still always have one minivan in the fleet. 
|
|
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2007 Dodge Caravan
2010 Ford Explorer
2009 GMC Envoy
2011 Honda Odyssey
2010 Nissan Pathfinder
2011 Toyota Sienna
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
