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Minivans - Domestic or Foreign

3643 messages,  Last post on May 20, 2009 at 6:32 AM

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

#3556 of 3643 05 Sienna v. 08 Sedona? by jw1127 Oct 11, 2008 (8:32 pm)
I'm planning on purchasing a used minivan in the next month or so for about $17k. For that I can get either an 05 Sienna or an 08 Sedona, both with similar options and certified factory warranty. I'm torn because I like the reliability of the Sienna, but appreciate having more years of warranty with the Sedona.   What do you al recommend? Replies to this message: jpf (Oct 12, 2008 2:28 pm) ateixeira (Oct 14, 2008 11:22 am)
#3557 of 3643 Re: 7 vs. 8 passenger seating? [wendyc5] by thegraduate Oct 12, 2008 (12:09 am)
Replying to: wendyc5 (Oct 11, 2008 8:16 pm) With boys that old and growing every day, I doubt you'll want them sitting three across in the 2nd row. The eight year old and twelve year old would probably want to be on different rows anyway. With seven passenger models being easily found (the Odyssey does have an 8th seat, but it isn't a full-size seat and should probably be treated as a 7 passenger vehicle "PlusOne" in a pinch for short trips). The standard 7-passenger Sienna would be similar, except that it has an optional 2nd row with 3 full size seats; they aren't as comfortable as the regular 7-pass model though, because they lack armrests.   All in all, I'd look at 7 passenger models; put the 12 year old and the 4 month old in the second row (the 4mo in the baby seat of course) and let the 8 year old have the third row assuming he can buckle in his booster well. Legroom is sufficient in the third row, even for me at 6'5", assuming the 2nd row seat is adjusted slightly forward. It should be fine for the 12 year old as well.   Hope this helps! Replies to this message: wendyc5 (Oct 12, 2008 12:58 pm)
#3558 of 3643 Re: 7 vs. 8 passenger seating? [thegraduate] by wendyc5 Oct 12, 2008 (12:58 pm)
Replying to: thegraduate (Oct 12, 2008 12:09 am) Thanks for the sage advice---you've helped tremendously!
#3559 of 3643 Re: 05 Sienna v. 08 Sedona? [jw1127] by jpf Oct 12, 2008 (2:28 pm)
Replying to: jw1127 (Oct 11, 2008 8:32 pm) Prior years Sedonas have not been very reliable. Plus the resale value is horrible. Go with the Toyota. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Oct 14, 2008 11:22 am)
#3560 of 3643 Re: 05 Sienna v. 08 Sedona? [jpf] by ateixeira Oct 14, 2008 (11:22 am)
Replying to: jpf (Oct 12, 2008 2:28 pm) IIRC the 100k warranty is not transferable, so you only get a 5/60 warranty.   That could be one reason used ones depreciate so fast.
#3561 of 3643 Re: 7 vs. 8 passenger seating? [wendyc5] by ateixeira Oct 14, 2008 (11:26 am)
Replying to: wendyc5 (Oct 11, 2008 8:16 pm) I'm going to offer a different perspective - I would definitely recommend the 8 seater.   We got one, and when there are 5 of us you don't need the 3rd row at all. That means you can carry 5 and still have 99 cubic feet for cargo, more than any other van, even with 5 comfortably accommodated.   For the small child, the middle seat can slide forward about 8 inches, so mom can reach the infant. It's short-term, sure, but you'll love it for the first 2 years or so.   Plus, that offsets the seats, so the 12 and 8 year old will have their shoulders behind the middle seat.   We have a nanny, plus 2 kids, so we drive around with 5 in the car quite often. At other times, we put the dog in a crate and he sits in the middle, between the kids.   That 8th seat is incredibly useful. In fact we use it much more than all seats in the 3rd row combined. Easily. Replies to this message: yatesjo (Oct 14, 2008 4:34 pm) thegraduate (Oct 14, 2008 7:40 pm) yatesjo (Oct 15, 2008 11:40 pm) ateixeira (Oct 15, 2008 7:09 am)
#3562 of 3643 Re: 7 vs. 8 passenger seating? [ateixeira] by yatesjo Oct 14, 2008 (4:34 pm)
Replying to: ateixeira (Oct 14, 2008 11:26 am) I have to agree with ateixeira on this one. The Sienna 8th seat is very useful. It is wide and comfortable enough that a large adult can sit comfortably even between two car seats for extended trips. The front and center position is excellent for taking care of infants. While the 8 passenger model doesn't have captain's chairs with arm rests, if no one is sitting in the center seat it can fold forward to make a good armrest and table.   For me the luxury of captains chairs was no where near the value of having an eighth seat. I can have all three children ride in the van with none banished to the wayback. I have a huge space available behind the second row most of the time. Other times we can take another family of three with us in the same vehicle- a real bonus when we have friends and family come to visit.   By contrast, the plus One seat in the Odyssey is a neat idea but I found it too small and uncomfortable to use on a regular basis and when it isn't in use it is in the way. Replies to this message: thegraduate (Oct 14, 2008 7:40 pm) yatesjo (Oct 15, 2008 11:40 pm) ateixeira (Oct 15, 2008 7:09 am)
#3563 of 3643 Re: 7 vs. 8 passenger seating? [yatesjo] by thegraduate Oct 14, 2008 (7:40 pm)
Replying to: yatesjo (Oct 14, 2008 4:34 pm) For me the luxury of captains chairs was no where near the value of having an eighth seat. I can have all three children ride in the van with none banished to the wayback.   Eh, when I was "children-sized" ( ) I know I enjoyed having some space from being crammed up against some of my cousins when we'd go in my Uncle's Suburban. I could have been beside them where they bothered me and had no window to escape to, or I could have the third row and not be banished to the middle.   Unlike the Suburban though, the Odyssey and Sienna can have the 3rd row split folded, so that you don't lose the whole cargo area. Just have the seats in place that you need. In my aunt's Odyssey last year, we had one 2nd row chair, and the one-seat portion of the third row up. We then had lots of room for our cat's big kennel (big enough that her litterbox and bed fits in it). Nice to have the versatility of a minivan these days isn't it? Replies to this message: yatesjo (Oct 15, 2008 11:40 pm)
#3564 of 3643 Re: 7 vs. 8 passenger seating? [yatesjo] by ateixeira Oct 15, 2008 (7:09 am)
Replying to: yatesjo (Oct 14, 2008 4:34 pm) Ody's plus-one seat is neat but indeed, very small, plus the 3-across width is a lot less.   In the 8 seat model, the Sienna's outboard seats are set farther apart. The middle seat is a full 20" wide, I actually measured.   I haven't measured the Ody's middle seat but I'll take a SWAG - it appears about 7" wide. So basically if you sit in the middle you crowd the outboard seats.   I don't even think a big infant seat would fit between an 8 and 12 year old. Just use the 3rd row if that's the case. The plus-one seat would be OK for quick trips, though.   Like I said, we love having 5 real, adult-sized seats (22", 20", and 22" wide) and 99 cubic feet of storage. Can't be beat.
#3565 of 3643 Re: 7 vs. 8 passenger seating? [thegraduate] by yatesjo Oct 15, 2008 (11:40 pm)
Replying to: thegraduate (Oct 14, 2008 7:40 pm) Kids change as they get older and wouldn't be surprised if my sons later fight about who gets to sit in the third row. But for now we have a two y/o and a three y/o that want and need to be in easy reach, particularly to make sure they are properly buckled in to their seats. The infant in the center seat moved forward is not only in easy reach for parents, but also out of easy reach of bored and sometimes jealous older siblings to either side.

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