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Minivans - Domestic or Foreign

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

You are in the Vans & Minivans Forum. Your Host is Karens

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


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#3604 of 3643
siennachat.com is the new siennaclub by slowforthecone
Feb 24, 2009 (4:17 am)
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siennachat.com is the new siennaclub website. sad to see it all go down but there is a new domain replacing the old site.
#3605 of 3643
Caravan by lavrishevo
Mar 10, 2009 (9:06 pm)
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Replying to: 442dude (Mar 04, 2008 4:03 pm)

My 06 Sedona was in the shop for a new bumper and the insurance company gave me an 08 Grand Caravan as a rental for a week. I was sorely disappointed.
 
What I did not like
 
1: The van was fairly underpowered and the tranny shifted rather poorly but I am not sure hot badly it was abused being a rental. Still, the engine was loud and unrefined as well as underpowered as I mentioned before.
 
2: The interior layout was very poor. Everything was super cheap inside and the sight lines are terrible for reverse parking.
 
3: Seats were another fail. Quite uncomfortable and material was cheap.
 
4: The van was virtually new, an 08 with 12 K on it and already the fender panels were raised from the corresponding body section. If i pressed hard it would go into place for a few hours before popping back out of place. Something weird from the factory.
 
5: The standard features lacked big time compared to my Sedona.
 
6: The only good think was the MPG was decent in the city due to the undersized engine.
 
Overall I was not impressed at all and I could not wait to get my Sedona back. For those who are thinking about the Grand Caravan or any of its cousins I would suggest test driving the Sedona or Entourage as an alternative.
#3606 of 3643
Caravan by dave594
Mar 11, 2009 (9:59 am)
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What the insurance gave you was a rental vehicle with the cheapest minimal options which doesn't really represent what most people purchase. It's sorta comparing apples to oranges.
#3607 of 3643
Re: Caravan [dave594] by stush
Mar 11, 2009 (2:07 pm)
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Replying to: dave594 (Mar 11, 2009 9:59 am)

That may be true about the Caravan just being a base model, but, with a base Sedona or Entourage you still get about 75 more horses under the hood and traction & stability control, standard.
#3608 of 3643
Re: Caravan [lavrishevo] by ateixeira
Mar 12, 2009 (10:33 am)
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Replying to: lavrishevo (Mar 10, 2009 9:06 pm)

The 4l V6 is quite fast...quicker than the Entourage in a C&D test (8.0 vs. 8.7 to 60mph). Also more fuel efficient - 18 vs 14 mpg as tested.
 
Spring for the big engine, at least. You sampled one of the weaker base engines.
#3609 of 3643
Re: Caravan [stush] by aaron_t
Mar 17, 2009 (6:15 am)
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Replying to: stush (Mar 11, 2009 2:07 pm)

2008+ Chrysler/Dodge minivans have traction and stability control standard. They do offer powertrain options, though. The 4.0L/6-spd is quite quick and responsive. The engine is a little louder than I think it could be.
#3610 of 3643
First Minivan by blueolive
Mar 29, 2009 (2:10 pm)
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Hello. I'd like advice on the purchase of a minivan. My wife will likely drive it while I take her Volvo. We have one toddler and another on the way. We live in Canada, so winter driving is a factor.
 
She drives far less than I do because she takes the train to work and a year of maternity leave is on the way also. There will be times when we need to transport eight people, so a larger minivan would be nice.
 
I don't care much for bells and whistles, but I think we've had the Volvo for so long that my wife won't want to settle for less (e.g. leather would be nice). We'll probably buy in a few months, possible toward the end of the year.
 
What models should I look at? What other requirements would be helpful for me to give?
#3611 of 3643
Re: First Minivan [blueolive] by hjc1
Mar 30, 2009 (4:52 am)
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Replying to: blueolive (Mar 29, 2009 2:10 pm)

The first thing I would suggest is to read the various blogs on the Minivans you have some interest in. Although informative you must remember that these blogs are biased because people seem to complain more then the satisfied owners.
Looks like GM and Dodge minivans won't be in business much longer so that might not be a wise choice at this time. That leaves Honda, Toyota, Ford (Flex) and Hyundai
Price and value needs to be considered. I live in Wisconsin and ended up buying a 2008 Hyundai Entourage. I test drove all the vans and this one offered all the good stuff at a much lower price and a 10 year warranty ........ We have had twice the normal snow this year and had no problems driving through this stuff :=)
#3612 of 3643
Re: First Minivan [hjc1] by kbella3
Mar 30, 2009 (4:58 am)
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Replying to: hjc1 (Mar 30, 2009 4:52 am)

Don't forget Kia. I have an '08 Kia Sedona and simply LOVE it.
#3613 of 3643
Re: First Minivan [kbella3] by hjc1
Mar 30, 2009 (4:07 pm)
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Replying to: kbella3 (Mar 30, 2009 4:58 am)

OOOPPs forgot about sister company.......Both great cars :=)

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