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Vans & Minivans Minivans - Domestic or Foreign
3643 messages, Last post on May 20, 2009 at 6:32 AM
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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? 
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Replying to: blueolive (Mar 29, 2009 2:10 pm) 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 :=)
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Replying to: hjc1 (Mar 30, 2009 4:52 am)
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Replying to: kbella3 (Mar 30, 2009 4:58 am) |
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Replying to: hjc1 (Mar 30, 2009 4:07 pm) I don't think the Dodge/VW vans come in an 8 seater, either. The only two 8-seater options are the Odyssey and the Sienna. In the Ody I think you have to get the EX or higher, and then you get a little bridge that goes between the two captain's chairs in the middle row, so you can squeeze an 8th passenger between the other two. To be honest, I wanted an 8 seater also, and for me the Sienna 8 passenger was the best by far, because the middle seat is adult-sized, about 20" wide. What Toyota did was they set the outboard seats farther apart to make room for a real, adult-sized chair. You do give up the arm rests on the outer chairs, but the middle chair folds so you still have inner arm rests. The catch is it's only on the CE and LE models, so you can't get a loaded up 8 seater. That should be OK, the LE packages offer plenty of equipment. We're happy with ours. The engine is the most powerful in the minivan class and still returns very good MPG, and there's room for us, our 2 kids, and up to 4 friends plus cargo. Hard to beat combination. Here is a big photo of the 2nd row, the middle seat can even be moved forward, for easy access to a toddler when needed: http://www.toyota.com/img/vehicles/2009/sienna/gallery/full/2009-Sienna-15.jpg Here is the Ody's 2nd row. As you can see, your back actually rests on the folded arm rests, not ideal but I suppose it works in a pinch for short distances: http://media.photobucket.com/image/odyssey%202nd%20row/firemomof3_photo/2ndrowod- - - yssey.jpg |
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Replying to: ateixeira (Apr 03, 2009 10:42 am)  Having ridden in that middle row to dinner across town, I can say it isn't bad. Same seat cushion feeling (not a hard hump like some sedans) as the other captains chairs so your rear doesn't get numb! |
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Replying to: ateixeira (Apr 03, 2009 10:42 am) I do know that the Sienna LE 8 is a better option if you're looking for a proper 8-seater when compared to the Odyssey EX; wife, & I are on the fence if we should get a 7, or 8 seat configuration.
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Replying to: fmichael (Apr 04, 2009 12:40 am) |
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Replying to: fmichael (Apr 04, 2009 12:40 am)  I measured at one point and the outer chairs on the 8 pass. Sienna are 22" wide, while the center chair is 20" wide. My office chair is less than 20" so I consider all 3 of those adult sized, even for long distances. What you give up are the arm rests, but the middle chair would not fit between them if an armrest was there, so you can't have your cake and eat it. All 3 chairs recline and are IMHO very comfortable. We took the van to Florida and drove for hours at a time. One very nice feature is that the front passenger chair folds flat, so you can recline the 2nd row and put your feet up on it. It's almost like a bed. I drove with my brother for 7 hours and we each took a 3.5 hour shift driving, the other half virtually lying down and watching a movie on the 12" DVD screen I had installed. So 3.5 hours driving, 3.5 hours watching two movies. Now that's a road trip.
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Lets say I agree that the Honda and the Toyota are the best vans. Don't they cost $10,000 more then the Dodge or even the Kia? I say for the biggest bang for the buck you can't beat the dodge with the 3.8 or the 4.0 motor and I love those stow & go seats, its the only van that does that. After the Dodge i'd say the Kia is the best buy for the money? comments..........
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