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What is the best used van?

28 messages,  Last post on Aug 23, 2009 at 1:05 PM

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What is this discussion about? Dodge Caravan, Chrysler Town and Country, Ford Windstar, Chevrolet Venture, Honda Odyssey, Mazda MPV, Nissan Quest, Toyota Sienna, Plymouth Voyager, Car Buying, Van

#19 of 28 Help - Where to Begin? by theier Jan 28, 2008 (8:51 am)
Replying to: bobber1 (Feb 21, 2008 5:14 pm) We're shopping for a minivan. We want to spend $8000-$12000. Reliability is much more important to us than any fancy features.   Our cars have been Hondas and Toyotas for years, but it looks like their minivans are going to be out of our price range, unless we really want to go up in mileage.   Any suggestions? Replies to this message: hansienna (Feb 05, 2008 4:05 pm)
#20 of 28 Re: Help - Where to Begin? [theier] by hansienna Feb 05, 2008 (4:05 pm)
Replying to: theier (Jan 28, 2008 8:51 am) My sister has a 2003 Toyota Camry LE that she loves but she bought a nice, used 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan SE last year because her 1986 Caravan SE had NO problems. (Her husband drives the Camry and she drives the GC).   She got the 1986 Caravan SE as a used vehicle in 1987 when it had 10,000 miles on it. It had no problems and she sold it to a friend when it had 170,000 miles with no problems.   My daughter's 1999 Grand Caravan SE now has over 105,000 miles with very few repairs. She likes her old 99 GC SE better than our 2006 Sienna LE because it has more nice features and has been VERY reliable.
#21 of 28 Re: Long lasting and safe van? [jazkillingjoke] by marine2 Feb 05, 2008 (9:44 pm)
Replying to: jazkillingjoke (Dec 30, 2007 2:48 pm) For $14,000.00 you should easily be able to buy a 2005 Dodge Caravan with stow-n-go. It's a perfect van for a family with a pet. I have a 2005 and I keep one middle seat stored so the dog has someplace to lay. The storage in that van is great for putting stuff out of sight. Stow and go is great for hauling just about anything. I got rid of my truck when stow-n-go came out and have never regretted it one bit.   Going on a trip? Pop some pillows and blanket in one of the storage bins and when the kids get tired, drop the rear seat and let them go to sleep in back.   My Mom can no longer walk any distance. So I bought a ramp for my van and load her electric scooter in the back. I can also get an electric wheel chair and scooter both in at the same time and still seat one person in the back. Love stow and go and all that storage.
#22 of 28 Which used minivan? by kmsandrbs Aug 21, 2008 (9:26 pm)
Replying to: bobber1 (Feb 21, 2008 5:14 pm) Hey all-   Interested in opinions on our particular situation.   Currently, we own a 98 Ford Explorer (180,000+ miles, no major issues, but a good number of minor ones). Our initial plan was to own this until we drove it into the ground. Then we had a 4th child. Right now, we have to take two vehicles everywhere when our whole family goes. We do not want to do that anymore.   We are also working hard on keeping to budget, so we are not going to finance anything. Our goal is to replace our Explorer with another vehicle, hopefully one that will last, again, for a good long time, providing our family with safe, reliable transportation (we do not plan on having more children ).   Essentially, we are looking at minivans (along with people, we occasionally will want to use it to haul “stuff”). Mostly for Mom and daily errands, but the occasional long family trip.   Some of the main things we are looking for:   -Reliability (we are looking for something we hopefully will not have to do major maintenance on or replace soon … I know, any car is a gamble, but we’d like one that is less of a gamble) -Safety (it does not have to be the safest, though, or have all of the safety features, but should have at least the basic ones). -Resale value is not important, but longevity is. -Flexibility (we will normally carry 6, and are not worried about getting one that carries 8 [or more] because we have a second car for those rare situations … we like the idea of a 40/60 3rd row, because we might be able to leave one part down on a regular basis … we like the ideas of Stow-and-Go … but flexibility is not the top need) -Access (definitely want to have rear doors on both sides, preferably power doors) -Roof Rack (we love to camp, and already have our roof rack storage container which we use on the Ford) -MPG (well, it is part of the equation) -We live in So Cal, and will probably be here for a few years (may then move to the Northwest) -Bells and whistles are definitely appreciated, but not absolutely necessary (this is a tough one … essentially, we’d like them, but if it means having to go with significantly lower quality on the above items, then we don’t need them … but it seems that in used vehicles, the options do not tend to change the cost nearly as much). Bells and whistles around functionality and comfort are more important than those around style, fun, entertainment.   -For consideration, it seems as though, with the right deal, we could get either a 2002 Odyssey EX, with about 100,000 miles, or an 05 DGC SXT with about 40 – 50,000 miles and a good number of options. Originally I was leaning toward (and had many family friends encouraging to go toward) the Odyssey, because of Honda reliability. Then I read about the transmission issues (and the major costs to fix those). I read an earlier post (from a year ago) where most people suggested the DGC in a similar comparison (warranty and mileage stood out). But wanted to give the specifics of our scenario to see if that changed recommendations. Or if folks would strongly suggest other options.   Thanks! Replies to this message: akw11 (Aug 23, 2009 12:47 pm) lroy (Aug 23, 2009 1:05 pm)
#23 of 28 Used Van by imariquinn Aug 22, 2008 (11:52 am)
Replying to: bobber1 (Feb 21, 2008 5:14 pm) What is your maximum price?
#24 of 28 by kmsandrbs Aug 22, 2008 (12:38 pm)
Replying to: bobber1 (Feb 21, 2008 5:14 pm) $8500 (I had the wrong year on the DGC ... it was the 2004). I can be patient, though, and wait for the right deal (for cars that are normally a little above this).
#25 of 28 1997 Nissan quest, rear window wipers motor keep rumbling by lroy Feb 05, 2009 (10:27 pm)
Rear window wiper motor keeps wiper rumbling. Sounds like a heavy vibration noise. Use to happen when I start my engine, but now it's happening more frequently when I'm driving. When it only happened at start up, I would get out of the car, and go to the back and set the wiper on the windows and not on the car. Now it rumbles on the window too.   I bought it to a Toyota Dealer, and they told me it would be too costly to fix, and wasn't covered under warranty.   Any ideas as to what to do. I wouldn't mind disconnecting the wipers, as I usually don't use my rear wiper. Was concerned that would botch up something else.   I have approximately 174,000 miles on my van.   Also, my heating gauge is showing hotter,...starting to smell, if I have my air conditioner on, and am idling while driving in the city. I checked my coolent, but it is okay.   Thanks for your help and advice.
#26 of 28 1997 Nissan quest, rear window wipers motor keep rumbling by lroy Feb 05, 2009 (10:30 pm)
Rear window wiper motor keeps wiper rumbling. Sounds like a heavy vibration noise. Use to happen when I start my engine, but now it's happening more frequently when I'm driving. When it only happened at start up, I would get out of the car, and go to the back and set the wiper on the windows and not on the car. Now it rumbles on the window too.   I bought it to a Toyota Dealer, and they told me it would be too costly to fix, and wasn't covered under warranty.   Any ideas as to what to do. I wouldn't mind disconnecting the wipers, as I usually don't use my rear wiper. Was concerned that would botch up something else.   Thanks for your help and advice.
#27 of 28 Re: Which used minivan? [kmsandrbs] by akw11 Aug 23, 2009 (12:47 pm)
Replying to: kmsandrbs (Aug 21, 2008 9:26 pm) I am wondering what decision you ended up making and if you are happy with your decision. I am in a similar situation now. Replies to this message: lroy (Aug 23, 2009 1:05 pm)
#28 of 28 Re: Which used minivan? [akw11] by lroy Aug 23, 2009 (1:05 pm)
Replying to: akw11 (Aug 23, 2009 12:47 pm) I brought it to a mechanic and he disconnected the wiper. It stopped the rattling. I don't know how he did this, but he did not charge me.

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