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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

#3576 of 3643 Re: Long Term Costs - look at fuel efficiency... [kbella3] by ateixeira Jan 13, 2009 (11:38 am)
Replying to: kbella3 (Jan 12, 2009 6:02 pm) Let's see, I believe the LE model EVP #2 has power sliding doors.   I would go aftermarket for the DVD player. I got a 12" Jensen (installed) at Circuit City for $900. The factory one is only 9" and costs a lot more, but one is available if you really want that.   My mileage is excellent. Full disclosure - I do take it easy, and drive in the most efficient way possible, but I get 21-24 even around town. I've broken 30 on some trips, though I kept speeds below 60mph to do that. I still usually get 27-28 mpg on trips, even at 65-70 mph.
#3577 of 3643 Buying a new Minivan by rewjlw Jan 20, 2009 (4:39 am)
I am planning on buying a new minivan. I amlookoing for some advice about the best/most economic minivan. Replies to this message: thegraduate (Jan 20, 2009 7:55 am)
#3578 of 3643 Re: Buying a new Minivan [rewjlw] by thegraduate Jan 20, 2009 (7:55 am)
Replying to: rewjlw (Jan 20, 2009 4:39 am) Could you be more specific about your needs, preferences? There's not really a bad one out there!
#3579 of 3643 by swampfox28 Jan 20, 2009 (8:13 am)
Truthfully we suffered when trying to choose between a Sienna and an Odyssey in late '04, but we chose the Odyssey because we felt we got more "bang for the buck". I love Toyotas, but I love Honda, too, and I just want to feel like I got a fair deal (or, as fair as possible, considering how expensive vehicles are/can be!!)   We decided on the Odyssey and the ONLY bad thing I could say is that they're not as quiet as Toyotas generally are. I wish Honda would spend whatever trivial amount it would take to make them a bit quieter; but it's in no way a "deal breaker" for us. We LOVE our '05 Ody and actually were drooling over an '08 just the other day; now that we've gotten an Odyssey, I don't think we'll ever get another kind of van. It just suits us - we LOVE it!!   -Sarah Replies to this message: kbella3 (Jan 23, 2009 12:04 pm) jpf (Jan 27, 2009 12:16 pm) hause7 (Jan 27, 2009 1:04 pm) ateixeira (Feb 03, 2009 1:15 pm)
#3580 of 3643 Toyota Sienna by kbella3 Jan 23, 2009 (12:04 pm)
Replying to: swampfox28 (Jan 20, 2009 8:13 am) Just wondering Is there a particular year Sienna that has less issues, etc. I'm looking at used 2005+. Although just found a used 2004 that has everything we want. Has about 44k miles. Replies to this message: jpf (Jan 27, 2009 12:16 pm) hause7 (Jan 27, 2009 1:04 pm) ateixeira (Feb 03, 2009 1:15 pm)
#3581 of 3643 Re: Toyota Sienna [kbella3] by jpf Jan 27, 2009 (12:16 pm)
Replying to: kbella3 (Jan 23, 2009 12:04 pm) You'll probably want to check out the oil sludge problem that affected Toyotas of a few years ago. They may have an extended warranty on these vehicles. Replies to this message: hause7 (Jan 27, 2009 1:04 pm)
#3582 of 3643 Re: Toyota Sienna [jpf] by hause7 Jan 27, 2009 (1:04 pm)
Replying to: jpf (Jan 27, 2009 12:16 pm) It only affected the 3.0L V6 on the 1998-2003 Sienna's plus it only occured to a few owners not everyone. The 2004-2006 use the 3.3L V6 and the 2007-present use a 3.5L V6.   We had a trouble free 04 Sienna Limited AWD that we traded in with 90,000 miles for our now 07 Sienna XLE FWD because we didn't need the AWD here in California.   If you are gonna buy a Sienna an 05-newer are rated excellent in consumer reports. Try and find an 07 in your budget. It uses a Timing chain instead of a belt, has a lot more power, and gets the same if not better gas mileage then the 3.3L.   Just my .02 Cents
#3583 of 3643 Re: Toyota Sienna [kbella3] by ateixeira Feb 03, 2009 (1:15 pm)
Replying to: kbella3 (Jan 23, 2009 12:04 pm) hause7 beat me to it, but I was going to suggest a 2007 for the same reason - no belt to change, more HP on the 2007 and later.   Just took ours to Florida and back (I'm in the DC area) and it was a great utility vehicle, carrying people and luggage all over the place. Our group had 17 people!   The funny thing is all the kids wanted to come with me in the van because I had the 12" movie playing all the time.
#3584 of 3643 What to get???....need help by kiams Feb 05, 2009 (4:06 pm)
I have posted this question elsewhere, but now that I found this thread, I might as well re-post it here.   I'm on the verge of becoming a "van-Dad", albeit unwillingly, and I have been fielding different views on which van to get. My initial purchase is $10K, with no desire to do financing...I want outright owneship of the vehile...and with this 10K burning a hole in my pocket, I need to locate a van before too long.   What I'm looking for is dual power sliding doors, and possibly power lift gate. I have a toddler who will need a wheelchair, so the less we have to fumble with the doors the better.    In another forum (not edmunds), someone recommended Mazda MPV since apparently, their reliability had improved dramatically since 2000 MY redesign. I took a test drive in one this afternoon, and I liked it. A quick survey in Autotrader (within 100 miles of Boston) revealed 2 choices    1.) 2004 Mazda MPV LX with 12K miles --> asking $12,500. Has clean carfax, 1-owner and is at a mazda dealership    2.) 2004 Mazda MPV LX with 63K miles --> asking $6,900. Has clean carfax, 3-owners and is at a GMC-Pontiac-Buick dealership    What to do now??...buy high miles half price and save the moolah, or buy low miles and add 3K to the budget....aaarrgh! I am getting a headache    Drum roll now is on 2004 Sienna (high miles) v.s. 2004 MPV (high miles for $7K) v.s. 2004 MPV (low miles for $12.5K) Replies to this message: jchan2 (Feb 05, 2009 6:24 pm) thegraduate (Feb 05, 2009 7:51 pm) yatesjo (Feb 05, 2009 9:55 pm) ateixeira (Feb 06, 2009 10:06 am) hause7 (Feb 06, 2009 2:33 pm) ateixeira (Feb 09, 2009 10:31 am)
#3585 of 3643 Re: What to get???....need help [kiams] by jchan2 Feb 05, 2009 (6:24 pm)
Replying to: kiams (Feb 05, 2009 4:06 pm) Get the low miles MPV LX, try to negotiate it down to $11,000 flat.   3 owners for any car with only 70K miles is trouble; try to get as few owners as possible on a used car.

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