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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

#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.
#3566 of 3643 Re: 7 vs. 8 passenger seating? [wendyc5] by hansienna Nov 04, 2008 (1:39 pm)
Replying to: wendyc5 (Oct 11, 2008 8:16 pm) Get the 7 passenger Odyssey because you will have MORE comfortable seats for ALL 7 people in the van when you have only 7 people but still have seating for an 8th person if necessary.   Very few people would be satisfied sitting in the 2nd row of the 8 passenger Sienna where there are NO armrests. Putting the arm rests down is the FIRST thing everyone does when they sit in a 2nd row seat in our Sienna...even before they put on the seat/shoulder belt.   IF maximum cargo space is required when 7 people are in the vehicle, get the Sienna 7 passenger because the Sienna has THE MOST cargo space behind the 3rd row seat of any minivan. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Nov 05, 2008 12:21 pm) hansienna (Nov 10, 2008 7:03 pm) ateixeira (Nov 24, 2008 1:52 pm)
#3567 of 3643 Re: 7 vs. 8 passenger seating? [hansienna] by ateixeira Nov 05, 2008 (12:21 pm)
Replying to: hansienna (Nov 04, 2008 1:39 pm) You really ought to put "in my opinion" before what you say because a lot of us disagree with you.   That's all I'm going to say. Replies to this message: hansienna (Nov 10, 2008 7:03 pm) ateixeira (Nov 24, 2008 1:52 pm)
#3568 of 3643 Re: "In my opinion"? [ateixeira] by hansienna Nov 10, 2008 (7:03 pm)
Replying to: ateixeira (Nov 05, 2008 12:21 pm) The phrase "in my opinion" applies to almost EVERY post in CarSpace. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Nov 24, 2008 1:52 pm)
#3569 of 3643 Re: "In my opinion"? [hansienna] by ateixeira Nov 24, 2008 (1:52 pm)
Replying to: hansienna (Nov 10, 2008 7:03 pm) It should be a default Sig file.
#3570 of 3643 Used or new by kbella3 Jan 11, 2009 (6:23 pm)
We're planning on buying a minivan within the next couple months. Not worried about resale value as we keep our vehicles a long time. Our price range is 20-22K max. We've been looking at Kia Sedonas, we like the warranty and the price. Can't really buy a NEW equally equipped van in T&C or Sienna (and not really crazy about what I've read regarding the new T&C anyway). Though we could buy a used loaded Sienna for the price of a new mid-range Sedona. But we keep going back to that 10 year warranty.   This is going to be our first car payment in a while, so want to make the right decision. Posting here to see if I could get some other opinions. All are welcome. Replies to this message: hause7 (Jan 11, 2009 10:28 pm) thegraduate (Jan 12, 2009 7:24 am) eandlcubed (Feb 07, 2009 8:27 am) hause7 (Feb 07, 2009 1:57 pm) stush (Jan 12, 2009 5:44 pm)
#3571 of 3643 Re: Used or new [kbella3] by hause7 Jan 11, 2009 (10:28 pm)
Replying to: kbella3 (Jan 11, 2009 6:23 pm) I would go with a Sienna. We owned an 04 that was very good to us and now own an 07 and it is awesome. Drove both and see what you like. The Sedona was rated low reliability wise and the Sienna was rated number one(according to Consumer Reports).   Right now in my area you can get an LE model Sienna equipped nicely brand new for $22-23K. Replies to this message: thegraduate (Jan 12, 2009 7:24 am) eandlcubed (Feb 07, 2009 8:27 am) hause7 (Feb 07, 2009 1:57 pm)
#3572 of 3643 Re: Used or new [hause7] by thegraduate Jan 12, 2009 (7:24 am)
Replying to: hause7 (Jan 11, 2009 10:28 pm) If you are limiting your list to these two (Sedona or Sienna) I'd go with the Sienna, even if you get a low-miles used one. The Hyundai/Kia minivans aren't doing so hot in the reliability ratings. Honda's Odyssey drives the most like a sedan (firmer/sportier) if you are used to a car, you might test-out one of those, as their reliability is notably better than the Hyundai/Kia, and slightly behind the smoother Sienna.

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