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Article Comments: 2006 Minivans Comparison Test

49 messages,  Last post on Dec 28, 2007 at 10:46 AM

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What is this discussion about? Chrysler Town and Country, Dodge Caravan, Kia Sedona, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Nissan Quest, Van

#20 of 49 Re: Why test the 06 model? [rorr] by jipster Nov 16, 2006 (1:24 pm)
Replying to: rorr (Nov 16, 2006 12:09 pm) Sure I was aware Edmunds just wrapped up a one year long-term study of the 05' Touring. But, since socalawd said there wasn't any issues with the Ody, and there was, I assumed he was referring to the 2006 minivan comparison.   I will agree with Edmunds that the Ody Touring has one of the most beautiful luxuruous interiors I have ever seen in a minivan. But, in no other areas does it stand out IMO.   That Motor Trend and Edmunds long-termed the 05' Ody is very interesting. Very few "issues" reported in the Edmunds long term test. But, there were some significant issues with the Ody in the MT long-term test. Sometimes it just pays to be lucky when choosing a vehicle. Replies to this message: rorr (Nov 16, 2006 1:43 pm) jipster (Nov 16, 2006 4:55 pm) socalawd (Nov 19, 2006 10:09 am)
#21 of 49 Re: Why test the 06 model? [jipster] by rorr Nov 16, 2006 (1:43 pm)
Replying to: jipster (Nov 16, 2006 1:24 pm) "But, since socalawd said there wasn't any issues with the Ody, and there was, I assumed he was referring to the 2006 minivan comparison."   Well, I'm certainly glad you set him straight.   Of course "issues" reported by the Edmunds long term test consisted of......one tire with a slow air leak. Alert the media.   "But, there were some significant issues with the Ody in the MT long-term test. Sometimes it just pays to be lucky when choosing a vehicle."   Yep. Of course, since the norm is more along the lines of what Edmunds reported (damn those slow air leaks all to HECK anyway!), rather than the issues reported by MT, I suppose it would be accurate to say that sometimes it just doesn't pay to be unlucky when choosing a vehicle.     Replies to this message: jipster (Nov 16, 2006 4:55 pm) socalawd (Nov 19, 2006 10:09 am)
#22 of 49 Re: Why test the 06 model? [rorr] by jipster Nov 16, 2006 (4:55 pm)
Replying to: rorr (Nov 16, 2006 1:43 pm) since the norm is more along the lines of what Edmunds reported rather than issues reported by MT   LOL, based on who's source of information... socalawd's? Most of the reports I have read on the Honda Ody board and Consumer Reports reliability studies mirror, and are much closer to, those found in Motor Trend.   The air leak(low tire pressure = danger) in the Pax tire was a big issue to those people who needed new tires and were unable to buy one due to unavailability. Maybe, you would have suggested they "alert the media" to give them a tow? Replies to this message: socalawd (Nov 19, 2006 10:09 am)
#23 of 49 Re: Article Comments: 2006 Minivans Comparison Test [KarenS] by Nov 16, 2006 (5:12 pm)
Replying to: KarenS (Nov 14, 2006 10:02 am) This write up is just one more biased, slanted, example that resembles "tabloid journalism". We expect it from " NOT Recommended for purchase" Consumer Reports but some of use thought Edmunds just might have more objectivity.     Useless categories like "Personal Rating" and "Recommended Rating" are gimmicks that enable the writers to skew the results to fit their pre-conceived biased opinions .     As others have written, WHY doesn't Edmunds do some Smart Shopping and that has some value? Why did Edmunds buy an AWD Sienna that adds weight and price? Why didn't Edmunds buy either a Grand Caravan SXT or T&C Touring to keep the price down and still have most of the features many consumers want? Replies to this message: alpha01 (Nov 17, 2006 7:49 am)
#24 of 49 Re: Why test the 06 model? [ew3074] by briancam Nov 16, 2006 (6:43 pm)
Replying to: ew3074 (Nov 15, 2006 3:05 pm) I don't really think the reliability diff between a Honda, Toyota, Nissan is notable. Fun to drive in a miniva IS important b/c while the ODY is fun for a minivan, it's also the one van that offers most reasonable combination of ride, handling and acceleration - don't think of FUN the same way you'd think of fun in a sports car.   The T&C is not only UN-fun but downright frustrating and miserable to drive. Replies to this message: cpsdarren (Nov 19, 2006 7:17 pm)
#25 of 49 Re: Article Comments: 2006 Minivans Comparison Test [] by alpha01 Nov 17, 2006 (7:49 am)
Replying to: unknown (Nov 16, 2006 5:12 pm) I can't speak for everyone, but I think your post is confusing, and I'm not sure what exactly is your point. But, I got a good kick out of you calling CR 'tabloid journalism'. Please ease off on the excessive use of the emoticons, because they also blur your meaning.   ~alpha
#26 of 49 Re: Why Mention Sticker Prices? [alpha01] by goatrope Nov 18, 2006 (7:42 pm)
Replying to: alpha01 (Nov 16, 2006 10:53 am) You are looking at the table in the back of the comparison report. It doesn't jibe with the Kia detail: http://www.edmunds.com/new/2006/kia/sedona/100692858/specs.html Where did the extra weight come from (one extra Oprah with Rosie O'Donnell sitting on her lap?) Yes, I am serious about the difference between the Kia and Hyundai interior. Compare the two side-by-side, and test drive them both. The Hyundai has better materials, and the difference is as significant as the Optima and Sonata. The Hyundai is more plush; it's quieter, too.   And MSRP is useless when the vehicles aren't sold for that amount. I know that Sienna Limiteds sell for a full $5K under MSRP. (Here is a no haggle dealer's proof: http://www.fitzmall.com/carfind/search.asp?lstMake=HYUNDAI) Don't use theoretical numbers (MSRP, EPA) when the real world figures are significantly different. Replies to this message: samtheman1 (Nov 20, 2006 6:37 am)
#27 of 49 Re: Why Mention Sticker Prices? [goatrope] by actualsize Nov 19, 2006 (8:44 am)
Replying to: goatrope (Nov 16, 2006 7:23 am) Also, why was the Kia tested rather than the Hyundai Entourage? The Hyundai has a significantly nicer interior, a quieter ride (better door and window seals and more sound deadener) and more features. Since you were testing the high end vans, why didn't you go for the high-end Korean van?   Really? Who told you that? I used to work for the company, and that last part about seals and sound deadener wasn't the case. Trying to obtain several test cars at the same tim is no easy trick. Since Edmunds already had a Sedona in its Long-Term fleet, the Kia got the nod.    Also, the story mentioned the "Sedona's portly 4729-pound curb weight", yet the Edmund's specs page (from the Sedona EX) lists it as having a curb weight of 4,387 lbs. Where did the extra 342 lbs. come from? Is it indeed the heaviest van in the test, or the lightest?   The numbers on the Edmunds spec page are base curb weight figures supplied by the manufacturer. When a car is tested, it is weighed and that figure is reported in the story. This Sedona was loaded to the gills, so the as-tested weight reflects that.
#28 of 49 Re: Why test the 06 model? [jipster] by socalawd Nov 19, 2006 (10:09 am)
Replying to: jipster (Nov 16, 2006 4:55 pm) LOL, based on who's source of information... socalawd's? Most of the reports I have read on the Honda Ody board and Consumer Reports reliability studies mirror, and are much closer to, those found in Motor Trend.   Grinding brakes that are replaced under warrenty, with newer higher quality ones seem not to be much of a issue along with noise from windshield those are the main issues reported. For a first year model 2005 this dosen't seem to be that bad. Of course I own one and have had no unscheduled trips to the garage. I have never heard of a power door being stuck open on the problem board, expect on the DCX board. So what mirror are you looking in??   The air leak(low tire pressure = danger) in the Pax tire was a big issue to those people who needed new tires and were unable to buy one due to unavailability. Maybe, you would have suggested they "alert the media" to give them a tow?   I'm happy I didn't buy the Touring because of the tire as with all new technology there is a learning/repair problem. FYI I DO NOT CONSIDER THIS A ISSUE WITH THE CAR IT IS A TIRE ISSUE!! Did the car need atow are you just saying that for effect. I like my Ody and have had no real issues unlike my DCX van, is that my fault??
#29 of 49 Re: Why test the 06 model? [briancam] by cpsdarren Nov 19, 2006 (7:17 pm)
Replying to: briancam (Nov 16, 2006 6:43 pm) "I don't really think the reliability diff between a Honda, Toyota, Nissan is notable."   According to Consumer Reports figures, it isn't all that notable for Honda, Toyota and DC. It works out to about 1 more problem over 5 years for a 2005 Odyssey compared to the Sienna, 2 more problems for the T&C/GC. Of course, the cost and severity of the problems are not given. The Nissan, on the other hand, was in the worst and unbounded relaibility category and would probably work out to have many more problems.   IMO, if it comes down to reliability making the difference in your choice among these vans, you've really glossed over a lot of other performance and feature differences. Besides, CR is about the only remotely objective measure of reliability and even they provide no information to judge how statistically significant their results are. I certainly wouldn't trust their reliability numbers enough to sway my opinion from one model to another model, unless perhaps it was one of those like the Nissan that was way off the charts in the well below average category...

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