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Minivans - Domestic or Foreign

3798 messages,  Last post on Mar 31, 2013 at 5:37 PM

You are in the Vans & Minivans Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Sienna, Dodge Caravan, Chevrolet Venture, Mazda MPV, Kia Sedona, Honda Odyssey, Chevrolet Uplander, Nissan Quest, Hyundai Entourage, Van

Messages Page 171 of 380

#1701 of 3798 Re: Family friendly minivan [dennisctc] by cpsdarren

Feb 23, 2006 (7:37 am)

Replying to: dennisctc (Feb 23, 2006 5:35 am)
I've seen a Honda salesperson demonstration stowing the 8th "seat" into it's storage area - not easy. I've removed seats from from minivans - not easy. I've reintalled seats - not easy. I've slid the seats together on an Ody (2004) - not easy (especially when compared to the seats in a Mazda MPV).
 
It may not be easy compared to a folding seat, but storing and re-installing the Plus One is easy compared to removing the 8th seat in a Sienna. It's all relative, plus it gets easier with practice- something my salespersons didn't have when demonstrating the center seats on both the Odyssey and Sienna.
 
Similarly, Stow 'n Go is far easier than removing a captain's chair, but not as easy or quick as most current third row folding seats. I had some difficulty the first few times I tried it, but it was easier after that. Even Consumer Reports noted, "Access to the third row is good, but it's awkward to flip the second-row seats forward."
 
The Honda sliding seat is quite easy and fast once you get the hang of it. It's not quite as nice as the Mazda, because you don't have to tilt the Mazda seat back slightly to move it. On the other hand, it's easier than the 7-passenger Sienna that requires you to remove and lift the captain's chair completely before re-installing it on the other anchors.
 
Everything is a compromise, which is pretty much the point of discussing the advantages these systems have for one family but may not apply to others.

#1702 of 3798 Re: Family friendly minivan [dennisctc] by jipster

Feb 23, 2006 (7:44 am)

Replying to: dennisctc (Feb 23, 2006 5:35 am)
"especially when compared to the seats in a Mazda MPV"
 
You got that right.

#1703 of 3798 Re: Family friendly minivan [marine2] by cpsdarren

Feb 23, 2006 (7:55 am)

Replying to: marine2 (Feb 22, 2006 9:49 pm)
If I only wanted a cargo hauler, I would have kept my truck...I think...I wanted...I not only had...I had...I had...I feel I got...I think I have...If I have anything ...I'm covered...I'll be just as happy...I'll smile when...I didn't have to pay...
 
That's a lot of "I"s. No need to be defensive- I think most have made it repeatedly clear they aren't being critical of your particular choice. As you aptly said, "We'll both be happy because we bought a minivan that was right for us." Highlighting the differences and realizing they may apply differently to other buyers is the key point. artpgo actually said the same thing at the end of post 1693 (the section you didn't quote).

#1704 of 3798 Re: Family friendly minivan [dennisctc] by cpsdarren

Feb 23, 2006 (8:11 am)

Replying to: dennisctc (Feb 23, 2006 5:35 am)
"I purchased my DCX for quality, durability, safety, and performance (ohhh I know, the Ody is an amazing 1.4secs faster to 60 mph!!). It has the most flexible and easy to configure interior of any minivan. It has superior tow capacity, and much lower cost to equip with tow package (including auto air suspension - not available on Ody). It has been extremely trouble free (unlike the 250 posts in less than 2 months for Ody problems 2005+). I actually hit my EPA numbers for my van (sometimes exceed them even!) On top of all that, it was about $10,000 less then equivalent Ody EX (yeah, I'm at the extreme savings end but $5000 is easy to do!). Ohh, and the Stow N Go system is great for people with active lifestyles....like camping, windsurfing, shopping trips to outlet malls etc..."
 
I purchased my Honda for a flexible and easy to configure interior (ohhh I know, the DCX is a little easier for cargo when you need the second row space!). It has good towing capacity. It has superior quality, durability, safety, performance and fuel economy according to published comparisons like those by Consumer Reports, Motor Trend and MotorWeek. It has superior passenger capacity (including an 8th seat not available on DCX). On top of all that, it was also a great value when you consider operating costs and resale- in fact it was the best overall value according to Intellichoice. Ohh, and the stability control and standard side curtain airbags with rollover sensors and crash sensors for all three rows are great for people who want to avoid crashes and survive those that do happen...
 
OK, apologies for the satire... Again, the point is that you made the choice that was best for you. There are still differences that may cause someone else to make a different choice because their preferences may vary.

#1705 of 3798 More quibbles..... by rorr

Feb 23, 2006 (8:21 am)

I'm trying to figure out how a vehicle which offers fewer possible seating combinations (the DCX vans with sto'n'go) is more flexible?
 
Easy to reconfigure? Sure, no doubt. But if other vans offer more possible ways to configure the seating, wouldn't they be more flexible?

#1706 of 3798 Re: Family friendly minivan [artgpo] by dennisctc

Feb 23, 2006 (8:30 am)

Replying to: artgpo (Feb 23, 2006 7:00 am)
Now YOU are comparing the 2004 Odyssey to current, 100% changed model? Only because I haven't had the opportunity to slide the seats together on a 2005+ Ody, maybe there's been major improvements, maybe not? That's why I spoke to 2004. I didn't make comparisons to a 3 generation old design....hmm sorry Honda didn't have a minivan back then?? My biggest POS was a 1979 Honda Civic....SO WHAT!! Doesn't mean current Civics are crap or even other 1979s, and I really like the new Si Coupe and how they intregrated the Nav into the two tier IP!!
 
Tell me, how does one stuff that extra person into a stow and go compartment?
 
Chop em up into small pieces first!! Actually I bet more people purchased their Stow N Go van for the flexiblility than Honda buyers for 8th seat.

#1707 of 3798 Re: Family friendly minivan [artgpo] by marine2

Feb 23, 2006 (8:39 am)

Replying to: artgpo (Feb 23, 2006 7:00 am)
While it may take an extra minute to stow the "Magic Seat" it still permits an eighth person to ride belted in the Odyssey. Tell me, how does one stuff that extra person into a stow and go compartment?

 
You don't. Same way you can't stuff nine people belted in on your Ody. But So far, I haven't had even seven people to carry in my van.
 
It's the same as the one poster said, if I get rear ended and I have kids in the back seat and I have stuff to haul in the middle, there is no protection for them, none. Don't I have as much protection from the rear of my van as he would if he had kids sitting back there and got rear ended? Funny how we only seem to look at things from one point of view. My chances of having to haul eight is probably as good as your's is to haul nine.

#1708 of 3798 Re: Family friendly minivan [marine2] by sebring95

Feb 23, 2006 (8:49 am)

Replying to: marine2 (Feb 23, 2006 8:39 am)
It's clear that Honda owners have more friends so they need the extra seating Sorry, couldn't help myself with all the other ridiculousness around here!!
 
It amazes me how some folks just can't fathom someone else having a different situation/requirement over someone else. I think it's clear the DCX vans have the market locked up for swapping between passengers/cargo. The Honda has it locked up if you want a full 2nd row bench. I wanted to seat three in the 2nd row, so I bought the Honda. My elderly mother will be buying a DC van because she uses it for cargo, and occassionally passengers. Pretty simple stuff.

#1709 of 3798 Re: Family friendly minivan [sebring95] by marine2

Feb 23, 2006 (8:52 am)

Replying to: sebring95 (Feb 23, 2006 8:49 am)
I loved it sebring95

#1710 of 3798 Re: Family friendly minivan [marine2] by rorr

Feb 23, 2006 (9:09 am)

Replying to: marine2 (Feb 23, 2006 8:39 am)
"...if I get rear ended and I have kids in the back seat and I have stuff to haul in the middle, there is no protection for them, none. Don't I have as much protection from the rear of my van as he would if he had kids sitting back there and got rear ended?"
 
No, you don't have as much protection.
 
First: you grandkids are sitting in the 3rd row, closer to the rear-ending car. My kids are sitting in the 2nd row, further from the rear-ending car.
 
Second: when a car is struck violently from the rear, that car is driven forward. The laws of inertia dictate that all objects INSIDE the van (people and cargo) tend to stay in place (don't move forward with the van); which is why you see whiplash injuries from heads snapping backwards, etc.
 
Cargo in the middle of van (like a heavy air compressor or dresser) likewise tend to stay in place as the van is driven forward. In the same manner as things will fly FORWARD if you nail the brakes, the air compressor will fly BACKWARD if you get rear-ended.
 
Right back into the legs/face/torso of children in the 3rd row.
 
BTW - you might want to check the user's profile of cpsdarren. And you might want to listen when he posts items regarding cargo hauling and child safety.

Messages Page 171 of 380

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