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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

#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.
#3586 of 3643 Re: What to get???....need help [kiams] by thegraduate Feb 05, 2009 (7:51 pm)
Replying to: kiams (Feb 05, 2009 4:06 pm) I'd stick with my budget and go from there.
#3587 of 3643 Re: What to get???....need help [kiams] by yatesjo Feb 05, 2009 (9:55 pm)
Replying to: kiams (Feb 05, 2009 4:06 pm) I'm with jchan. Avoid the one that's been through 3 owners already. If the MPV is enough vehicle for your needs, don't bother with the Sienna. Go for the MPV with low miles and knock the price down a bit. If they're smart they'll give up on the ridiculous $12.5k asking price and let you have it at your $10k budget. If not, keep looking.
#3588 of 3643 Re: What to get???....need help [kiams] by ateixeira Feb 06, 2009 (10:06 am)
Replying to: kiams (Feb 05, 2009 4:06 pm) I like the MPV and considered it my favorite van for a long time before I bought my Sienna. My friends kept telling me it might not be big enough for my needs.   I'm glad they told me that because at times I've used every bit of space in our Sienna, and today the MPV seems small to me. With a wheelchair you may want to consider how much cargo room you'll have since the chair itself already takes up some space.   I think the side-by-slide seats in the 2nd row are an industry-best, though.
#3589 of 3643 Re: What to get???....need help [kiams] by hause7 Feb 06, 2009 (2:33 pm)
Replying to: kiams (Feb 05, 2009 4:06 pm) I don't want to sound Bias. I only say stay away from the MPV because of a close family friend's personal experience. I mean they are cool looking minivans, our friend drives an 04 LX with the sport package in that Dark Green color. BUT they are on there 3rd transmission at 72,000 miles! 2 of them replaced under warranty. I don't know if it's reliability dropped because it's basically a Ford drivetrain or what, but they are looking to get rid of theirs.   Go with a used Sienna or Odyssey. You can find them for that price, probably more Sienna's because the Odyssey's tend to be more pricey used.   good luck. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Feb 09, 2009 10:31 am)

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