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Minivans - Domestic or Foreign

3798 messages,  Last post on Mar 31, 2013 at 5:37 PM

You are in the Vans & Minivans Forum.

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

Messages Page 379 of 381

#3774 of 3798 Re: Buying first minivan and need advice [ateixeira] by momneedsavan

Aug 17, 2011 (2:14 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 17, 2011 12:39 pm)
Thank you for the replies. A few more questions. Along with reliability, I am also concerned with lifespan. Could we expect to drive a Honda or Toyota for longer than a Dodge/Chrysler/Kia? What advice would you give for the most cost effective option for the long term? In other words, will spending more now, save us in the long run? I expect that we would keep the van until it was more costly to fix than it was worth.

#3775 of 3798 Re: Buying first minivan and need advice [momneedsavan] by ateixeira

Aug 17, 2011 (4:37 pm)

Replying to: momneedsavan (Aug 17, 2011 2:14 pm)
That generally used to be the case, but Kia's engine and trans are new, so reliability is unknown. But remember, you have the 10/100 powertrain warranty to address any teething issues.
 
Same with Dodge - they put in the Pentastar V6 and a new 6 speed trans as well.
 
Toyota is arguably using the most proven powertrain - the 2GR V6 has been reliable and used in the Sienna since 2007, plus other models longer than that. The 6 speed trans was new in the Sienna for 2011, but it's been fine so far.
 
Ody has been good also, especially post 2004 or so, with the improvements to the trans. 2003 and prior had trans issues to I'd avoid those, if you shop used.

#3776 of 3798 Re: Buying first minivan and need advice [momneedsavan] by sebring95

Aug 17, 2011 (6:45 pm)

Replying to: momneedsavan (Aug 17, 2011 2:14 pm)
I really can't speak for the Kia's but IMHO I think they can all be reliable for a very long time. The big boost you get with the Honda/Toyota is resale which at some point doesn't add much to the equation if you're keeping it a very long time.
 
You can easily get into a 2010 Chrysler with sub-30k miles for $20k. A similiarly equipped Honda/Toyota will be $5,000 more easily. That pays for a lot of repairs many years down the road.
 
As I mentioned earlier, find something you like and go with it. Driving something that's super reliable that you end up hating is far more annoying than buying something that has a few problems but overall you like it.

#3777 of 3798 Re: Buying first minivan and need advice [sebring95] by ateixeira

Aug 18, 2011 (7:53 am)

Replying to: sebring95 (Aug 17, 2011 6:45 pm)
Used vans from Honda/Toyota fetch absurd money, so I'd stretch to get a basic model else look for better values elsewhere.
 
When the new Sienna came out, prices went up, so used prices followed. For a while there 1 year old used models were priced same as new had been a year before.

#3778 of 3798 Re: Buying first minivan and need advice [momneedsavan] by loucapri

Aug 18, 2011 (9:06 am)

Replying to: momneedsavan (Aug 17, 2011 10:09 am)
My feedback is based on your price point.
 
For $20K, forget about new van. You are not going to get anything new at this price. I would say at least $25K for anything based model if you really want NEW. So let's look at used van.
 
$20K actually get you some pretty good used vans. I was looking for one myself a while back. I could get a 06 Limited Sienna (leather, sunroof, headed seat, HID headlight... with 53K miles or 2010 LE (pretty basic, not as fancy but still under warranty) for that prices, just an idea.
 
Used van sure has better value. I like the 04-2010 sienna better then 2011+ . I owned an 04 AWD sienna before and compared to 2011+, there are many dislike on the 2011+ Sienna IMO.
 
Just remember used car do have problems so check out service history and if you able to find a clean, well taken care of used sienna, I think it is better then reaching out for a new based model sienna. Good luck

#3779 of 3798 Re: Buying first minivan and need advice [momneedsavan] by tifighter

Aug 18, 2011 (12:15 pm)

Replying to: momneedsavan (Aug 17, 2011 10:09 am)
The Mazda 5 can definitely be had new for $20k. Whether the size works for you or not only you can determine, but it works for lots of families in Europe and Asia.

#3780 of 3798 You CAN buy a new van for $20K (approx) by grrldriver

Sep 02, 2011 (7:12 am)

I have been offered brand new Kia Sedona LX vans for $19,999 (NE Ohio area). Also someone mentioned the Mazda 5, but that is not truly a van but a station wagon with sliding doors; it is VERY small if you are used to a regular minivan.
 
The problem with the Sedona LX is that at the base level, they have stripped out everything that makes them nice -- no alloys, cheap plastic hubcaps, cheap peach fuzz upholstery, fewer cupholders, no fog lights, etc.
 
Also: several dealers have informed me this is the LAST YEAR Kia will make the Sedona. Hyundai has already discontinued it's sister van, the Entourage. It is not clear what they will replace the Sedona with, if anything. It was a poor seller for them -- they won't even lease you a brand new loaded Sedona because of the model's severe depreciation problems.
 
You can of course buy a used van for $20K -- I've seen 2009 Nissan Quests with 30K miles for that price. But you can't touch a Honda or Toyota; they sell for hyper-inflated values because of the name. Good vans, but seriously overpriced.
 
The biggest thing is to look for a van with low miles; they are hard to find. Most people buy a van to run it into the ground, and if they have kids, the van can look like trash in a year.
 
Today it is common to see Japanese vans asking $20-25,000 with 90K and not even clean condition. People will pay anything for that Honda/Toyota nameplate.

#3781 of 3798 Re: You CAN buy a new van for $20K (approx) [grrldriver] by ateixeira

Sep 02, 2011 (7:42 am)

Replying to: grrldriver (Sep 02, 2011 7:12 am)
Keep the stock wheel/tire set as your beater/winter tire, and get a set of alloys with tires mounted, probably a grand or so.
 
That's dirt cheap, is that with the new engine? Not a year-old model? Bargain, I say.
 
Buy the kids each an iPad, another grand.
 
Add a portable GPS.
 
For about $22 grand you have all that you really need, with a warranty that goes until 2021!

#3782 of 3798 Re: You CAN buy a new van for $20K (approx) [grrldriver] by themanindbox

Oct 13, 2011 (9:51 pm)

Replying to: grrldriver (Sep 02, 2011 7:12 am)
Let me start with this, before i end up getting everyone on here jumping on my back.. I drive about 100-150K miles a year. I work in the IT field as a tech that needs a van to carry equipment around. I tend to buy minivans because they are easier to see out of then wagons, get better MPG then SUV's and are easier to park then cargo vans.
 
With that said,
I have owned 23 cars in 12 years.
Dodge caravan 2002 model died a fire related death after 3 transmissions at 175K miles. (Owned for a little over a year)
Kia Sedona 2004 died at 140K miles with a warped head from over heating, even though the temp gauge never moved.. (owned for 6 months)
Honda Odyssey, which i will say was my favorite looking van was an awesome van, but suffered from a transmission issue at 130K miles then had electrical issues at about 160K, i sold it at 200K miles.. It still ran good, but the newer transmission was starting to slip.. Again.. (owned for almost 3 years)
Toyota Sienna 2001 model which i currently have, i have had this and a Nissan quest 2005 model for about a year. I bought the Nissan to replace the sienna, but have decided to keep the sienna. The Nissan is hard to see out of, its also burning oil at 75K miles.. (owned the Nissan for about a year, but have driven it about 25K miles)
The Sienna is not my first Toyota.. It is not perfect, it is bland, the interior is hard plastic and the fit and finish, i feel is not as good as some of the other vehicles i have owned, i guess they are made that way, because they know you need to be comfortable waiting for a tow truck.
 
So while i will say, No.. Toyota does not make anything exciting.. They are really, really bland.. What i will say, if you pay more now, you will pay less later.. As long as you take care of it.. Oil changes every 3k miles.. etc..
 
Best of luck to all those who have bought a Dodge.. I would suggest buying a fire extinguisher and keeping it in the van at all times. Or at least a lawn chair and a beer to watch it burn...

#3783 of 3798 Re: You CAN buy a new van for $20K (approx) [themanindbox] by marine2

Oct 13, 2011 (11:45 pm)

Replying to: themanindbox (Oct 13, 2011 9:51 pm)
Well I have a 2005 Dodge GC. I have had pickups for years, but when I discovered this Dodge had fold away seats, I traded in my truck for this mini van. I found out with my Brother's Dodge minivan, we could get as much or more in it as I could get in my truck. Except he hated having to take the seats out of it. I will have this van almost 6 years in Dec. and so far have had no problems with it and it has all kinds of electrical stuff on it. The only time it wouldn't start was when my Die Hard Platinum battery gave out after only two years.
 
Yes you will pay more for that Toyota new. You will also pay more to have it serviced, every so many months. While it might be worth more in two or three years, there won't be much difference when you compare what you paid for it, even if that Dodge might need some repair. The only way you really make out over the Dodge, is if you trade it in after only a few years. I plan on keeping mine at least another couple of years.
 
But I bought mine so that I can carry things in it. I am always buying stuff or moving things for my kids, so I didn't buy it as a people mover. I'm glad you like your Toyota. But don't judge all Dodges by your one experience. I don't hear of many of them burning up.

Messages Page 379 of 381

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