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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 23 of 380

#218 of 3798 Re: Exercise in futility! [veritasusa] by jipster

Jan 05, 2005 (10:29 am)

Replying to: veritasusa (Jan 05, 2005 9:29 am)
Now hold on a minute veritasusa. I think I can put you in that new minivan you're wanting.No need to age two more years to get the van of your dreams.You don't need that big minivan anymore.You need that too costly for its size Mazda MPV.
  You were correct on most of your points.But, you have been misinformed if you believe Mazda is "too costly for its size". Current rebates on the 2004 models are at $4,000(still many available)and $2,000 with the 05's.Other incentives available...also you should be able to get that rebate off close to what invoice is. Get just the options you want.Probably get that Mazda MPV that lists for $27,000 for around $20,000.

#219 of 3798 Re: Sales numbers [jipster] by macakava

Jan 05, 2005 (10:59 am)

Replying to: jipster (Jan 05, 2005 6:19 am)
Here are the explanations:
 
1.) The new 2005 Ody was out by October which created lots of interest and excitement in buying it.
 
2.) Hansienna did a great job of promoting his T & C in these forums.
 
3.) 1.) and 2.) above spelt trouble for Sienna!
 
LOL

#220 of 3798 Re: Sales numbers [macakava] by jipster

Jan 05, 2005 (11:56 am)

Replying to: macakava (Jan 05, 2005 10:59 am)
You got that right Mac.
Hans is gonna have a field day with T&C's new sales numbers.Look for Hans number of posts to go up 25% this quarter.

#221 of 3798 3 car seats by dszkl

Jan 05, 2005 (1:25 pm)

I have this exact same problem right now with my 2002 MPV. I love the vehicle, but I will not put my kids in the 3rd row because of safety and convenience. Anyone have any other ideas? Isnt there an aftermarket seat? If not, I am going to have to blow a big wad of money on a Toyota I dont even want.

#222 of 3798 re: Exercise in futility! [veritasusa] by hrngffcr

Jan 06, 2005 (10:56 am)

I, too, just recently went shopping for a minivan--our first. I really agree with most all of what veritasusa found.
 
1) The Toyota, in addition to being really proud of its vehicles, pricewise, really did have the most confusing options packaging I have ever seen (surpassed only, and barely at that, by the BCS rating system for college bowl games).
 
2) With Honda, if you want leather, you have to get a sun roof as part of that package, and the only way I, at 6' 4", could drive a full-size Honda "mini" van with a sun roof is with my head leaning over into the sun roof recess.
 
3) While the DC had the same problem with the sun roof (anyone else notice how similar the various dimensions are between the 2005 Odyssey and the Grand Caravan?), at least the sun roof is a stand alone option. My other problem with the DC is that the only interior colors offered are gray and shades of gray (borrrrrring!!).
 
4) The Kia still has roll out seats which, as someone else said, doesnt' work for me. I want at least a fold down third seat and I can live without the second row fold down seats if that is what takes away the headroom.
 
5) All the reviews of the domestic vans (except DC) talk about cheap interior materials, limited innovation, and so-so fit and finish).
 
6) My preference is still the MPV (styling, headroom, overall size) But the problem is for the approximate same price, or less, of fairly loaded MPV, all of the other vans have things like heated seats, automatic AC, dual power front seats, and some other things my wife and I have come to know and love with our VW Passats.
 
So, like veritasusa, I'll wait for a couple of years and see what changes Mazda makes in the MPV, and see if VW gets a decent van out in our lifetime.

#223 of 3798 re: Exercise in futility! [hrngffcr] by bluedevils

Jan 07, 2005 (5:28 pm)

Replying to: hrngffcr (Jan 06, 2005 10:56 am)
Kia is rolling out a new Sedona for the 2006 model year. They would be idiots NOT to equip it with a foldaway 3rd row seat. Chances are Sedona will be so equipped, possibly with a split foldaway.

#224 of 3798 No problem deciding. by marine2

Jan 12, 2005 (12:18 am)

When Dodge came out with the stow n go seats and those nice discounts, it was a no brainer. It is just great how you can work the seating on the DGC, with the split third row seats and the second row seats. It seems like no matter what you want to carry in that van, you can work the seats to do it. With all the seats up, there is gobs of storage in that van. Seems like you can carry just about anything and not have it laying in the floor or on the seats.
 
I just bought mine last week and have my tools, umbrella, window shade, blanket,pillow, inflatable bed and small 12 inch, three way power television and cooler in the van and they are all under the hidden floor.( I guess you can see my wife and I are going to do some serious traveling in this van.) I can take the cover off behind the third seat storage well and there is plenty of room to stack groceries that won't fall over.
 
Then Dodge also gives me three electric doors, radio with CD/cassette, with six speakers, with volume and tuning on the steering wheel. Eight way power seat, trip meter, outside temp/ compass, garage door opener and MPG/distance on tank of gas, overhead computer. It not only has dual front air bags, but an air bag that protects the driver's knees. Power/heated outside mirrors, even the far, rear, wing windows are powered.
 
But the big selling point was the storage space and not having to take the seats out. I don't like leaving things out that can be seen by looking through the windows. I like to keep my vehicles looking neat and clean. The Dodge G.C. lets me do all that. I just love this van.

#225 of 3798 DCX and stow-n-go. [marine2] by bluedevils

Jan 12, 2005 (5:59 am)

Replying to: marine2 (Jan 12, 2005 12:18 am)
The stow-n-go is a HUGE feature that surely will win plenty of sales for DCX based solely on that. DCX has plenty of good ideas in their minivans, but there are some areas where they still lag the competition - namely, powertrain.

#226 of 3798 Re: DCX and stow-n-go. [bluedevils] by marine2

Jan 12, 2005 (7:03 am)

Replying to: bluedevils (Jan 12, 2005 5:59 am)
"but there are some areas where they still lag the competition - namely, powertrain."
 
Not so sure. Looking at Consumer Reports, most of Chrysler's problem with their mini van's transmissions, ended in 2001. In 2003, they had above average reliability.(2004-05 are to new to report on.) They have had little complaints on their engines and both carry a 7/70,000 mile powertrain warrantee The 2005 Dodge GC and Chrysler TC are both recommended models.

#227 of 3798 Re: powertrains? [bluedevils] by hansienna

Jan 12, 2005 (10:45 am)

Replying to: bluedevils (Jan 12, 2005 5:59 am)
Odyssey, Sienna, Sedona (and others) have 5 speed AT while DC still has a 4 speet AT with OHV engines.
     However, DC minivans get mileage as good as the Odyssey and Sienna and much better than the Sedona.
     DC has a longer powertrain warranty than all but the Sedona. Sure, a 5 speed AT will provide quicker off the line acceleration if all other things were equal. However, the "old fashioned" OHV engines develop torque more quickly than OHC which cancels the advantage of the 5 speed AT and higher horsepower ratings of the Odyssey and Sienna.

Messages Page 23 of 380

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