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Vans & Minivans 2008 Minivans 
1261 messages, Last post on Feb 27, 2008 at 7:47 AM
You are in the Vans & Minivans Forum. Your Host is Karens
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Replying to: tonyv1 (Sep 11, 2007 1:14 pm) 3.8L vs 3.3L engine 6spd vs 4-spd transmission Upgraded door trim materials Leather wrapped shift knob & steering wheel Illuminated front cupholders Tachometer 115V AC power outlet Dual power sliding doors (that can be manuall used instead with no extra resistence) Courtesy/map lights Rear dome light Ambient lighting Fog lights Tip start (don't have to hold key in start position during crank) Homelink garage door opener 3-zone climate control Power adjustable driver's seat 6-speakers Aluminum wheels Body colored sideview mirrors You can put whatever value you want on those items, but there is more than 20 peak horsepower, power doors and seats. |
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Replying to: dennisctc (Sep 13, 2007 8:46 am)
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Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 07, 2007 11:28 am) DFI..Direct Fuel Injection. Lexus GS & IS series have DFI engine but I haven't seen it indicated for any other Toyota/Lexus vehicle as of yet. DFI allows 12:1 compression ratio but requires a more extensive/expensive catalytic converter (oxygen in exhaust gasses). And the Sienna AWD, actually F/AWD is highly, HIGHLY over-rated. The VC, Viscous Clutch, used to somewhat "faccidly", "rubber band" (NEVER fully locked) couple the rear driveline to the front was eliminated in the Sienna some time ago, 2004? Not even the F/AWD RX350, now again equipped with the VC, is a sensible, "thinking man's" AWD vehicle IMMHO. These days, like the RX330 series, the only way the Sienna's engine torque can be routed, nay, "forced", to the rear driveline is via application of both front brakes, and that ONLY after wheelspin/slip is detected on at least one of the front wheels. The Sienna's F/AWD system, like the TC, Traction Control, mode, the braking of the front wheels will be instantly accompanied by dethrottling of the engine so as to prevent overheating of the front braking rotors should the driver (try to) persist with a high engine torque output. And there is an additional danger since tire chains cannot be safely used on the Sienna in the adverse wintertime conditions wherein their use might be otherwise an ordinary course of events. |
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Replying to: bobw3 (Sep 13, 2007 9:19 am) Also not sure how much six cubic feet would make a difference. With my stow-n-go seats, I can stack in a number of 4X8 sheets of sheet rock or plywood easily in my van and the convenience of not having to take the seats out to do it would weigh heavily in it's favor. Again, it has to do with what your going to use your van for, what kind of features you want and who your hauling, as to what you should buy. Every person has different wants and needs. I just think Chrysler covers more of them. But if your only buying it as mainly a people hauler, Honda or Toyota both would be excellent buys.
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Replying to: bobw3 (Sep 12, 2007 4:38 pm) This question is for all you minivan shoppers/posters : What's wrong w/ the newest Quest? Not much mention of it ever in these comparisons. It seems like a pretty decent well equipped minivan with avail. dual DVD's & cool Skyview roof. And many improvements have been made in the latest update. And it's interior & exterior are not the usual stuff for a minivan. So like all minivan's out there, someone will find some features not on one while on another. But again, why is there such little interest on a unique looking Nissan Quest? Is is just being overlooked? No one seems to want to volunteer info. on this van. What's up? Exterior Wheelbase 124 Overall length 204.1 Overall width 77.6 Overall height with roof rack 71.9 Interior Head room (front/second/third) without SkyView 41.7/41.7/37.6 with SkyView 40.5/42.8/37.6 Leg room (front/second/third) 41.7/42.1/39.6 Hip room (front/second/third)) 65.6/67.4/50.0 Shoulder room (front/second/third)
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Replying to: marine2 (Sep 13, 2007 3:24 pm) That why I don't see the big advantage of the StowNGo. For folks with carseats in the 2nd row, they won't use the StowNGo much. And how often is someone driving around then all of a suddent want to carry 4x8 sheets of plywood? Plus if you're able to slide in and pull out 4x8 sheets of plywood, removing the 2nd row seats should be pretty easy.
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Replying to: carcom2 (Sep 13, 2007 4:46 pm) 1) POOR RELIABILITY (brake, transmission, electrical)  2) Harsh engine noise anywhere above 2k rpm; many vibration on steering/seat/cargo 3) The 2nd row seats has a sloped floor (on the foot area) 4) lack split fold 3rd row 5) lack scroll down 2nd row windows 6) Full of rattle, even on 2007 Model 8) 3rd row is seat tiny(small cushion/seat bottom). When you seat there, your shoulder is at the top of the headrest. 9) the cargo is least in class 10)ugly Test drive one and then try sienna/odyssey, then you will know what i am talking about!
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Replying to: bobw3 (Sep 12, 2007 1:30 pm) I didn't quite say that, I said that not having enough HP means you will struggle up steep inclines when you have a lot of weight in the car. You won't make it up the hill at 80 with less than 200hp carrying a 1200 lb payload, you may not be able to hold 55mph. More HP is better IF the new engine can obtain the same efficiency as the one it replaced. The 3.5l in the Sienna did that, as it has the same efficiency as the 3.3l. It even beats the 3.0l that came before. 266hp vs. 190hp and it's more fuel efficient! Reply to post 247 by dennis: yes, plenty of competitors have backup cameras, the Ody I test drove had one and I was able to sample it. Reply to post 248 by marine2: I did list the Dodge features I knew off the top of my head, and you added a few to my list. But half the stuff you mentioned I have in my Sienna, and it's a pretty basic model. Maybe it's time to update my list, I'll try to do that.
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Back then I wrote: It might be useful for us to list what is unique about each of these 3 vans. I'll start, please feel free to add things I forgot to mention. Now let's update the list: Dodge has Stow-n-Go, Swivel-n-Go, self-leveling shocks, 2 screen Sat TV, power folding 3rd row, 6 speed auto, lifetime powertrain warranty, class-leading torque, knee air bags, battery saver, AC power, adjustable pedals, integrated booster, LED lighting, flashlight, umbrella holder, flex-fuel, myGig, remote start. Honda has VCM, rear mutli-link suspension and run-flats. Help me out Honda owners because I know there are more! Edit: add voice recognition on the NAV and power adjustable pedals, AC outlet (note: all 3 have this!). Toyota has power folding 3rd row, all-wheel drive, HIDs, run-flats, power 3rd row vent windows, 3rd row that can tailgate, 8 seat model, Bluetooth, Laser Adaptive Cruise Control, tow prep package standard, turn signal in the mirrors, telescoping wheel, auto express button moonroof, auto dimming driver's side mirror, fold flat passenger seat, 2 in glass antennae, 2 115 power outlets, battery saver, and class leading power. Same rules as last time: let me know what I missed. |
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I will by a minivan sometime in the next few months, and have read lots of reviews, but this is one of the best discussions I have seen, so thank you everyone. A couple of things I would note/ask: 1 - People here seem very quiet on the Kia/Hyundai, is this just a reluctance re: a new line that hasn't proven its worth? I have read lots of good safety/cost reviews of both of them. 2 - I am frustrated by automotive reviewers who review only mid-level or totally decked-out vehicles. I don't care about moon roofs, heated seats, cup holders, or what the top of the line engine does. I want to know how the basic models stack up against each other, I am not looking to spend as much as I can, I am looking to spend as little as I have to. 3 - Sorry if I missed it, but I now do not understand the general difference between the Dodge GC line and the Chrysler T&C - I thought the T&C was the upscale line, but with things I have seen here I am now not so sure. What is the rationale/difference between the two lines? 4 - I am a newby at buying a new vehicle - let's say I must buy one by February of next year - any insight on when the best time to buy on 08 model would be? Or is it all the same until we get to Fall 09? 5 - Fellow Toronto-area folk, I have heard Toyota dealers have high enough demand that they are not overly accomodating on the Sienna $ - anyone have personal experience with this? 6 - Last but not least, when I look at the online stock of my Dodge dealer, they seem to have an awful lot of 07 minivans left. What do people here think - go for a discounted 07, or a new 08 GC? I am a little worried that so many 07 GCs are left - I can't find any 07 Sienna's at local dealers. And most positive reviews I've read of GC deal with the 08 model, not the 07s.
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