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What is the best used van?

42 messages,  Last post on Apr 17, 2013 at 3:01 PM

You are in the Vans & Minivans Forum.

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

Messages Page 1 of 5

#1 of 42 Minivan shopping(used): Low TCO by leesanray

Jul 13, 2007 (4:05 pm)

We prefer to purchase our vehicles used in order to get a lower TCO (total cost of ownership).
 
We expect to keep our vehicles until they are 10 - 12 years old.
 
We are not slaves to TCO. We won't keep a vehicle past the point where we consider it to be dependable. We also are willing to pay up somewhat for a more comfortable/reliable vehicle.
We never need to carry more than 4 people, so we will probaly take out the third seat.
 
We are retired. We only put about 7500 miles/year on our minivan, so we are not afraid of purchasing a vehicle with higher miles if the price is right.
 
We currently have a 98 Windstar with 136k miles. We bought it in 2001 with 81k miles. It has been a fine vehicle for us.
 
We are approaching the 10 year mark for our windstar where we begin to consider the replacement possibilities.
 
Anyone have any thoughts/suggestions?
 
Thanks,
 
Lee

#2 of 42 Too many variables by hansienna

Jul 13, 2007 (7:09 pm)

LUCK is the most significant parameter in TCO for any used vehicle.
 
Reliability can vary significantly within any one brand. The Ford Windstar has cost more in repairs than any other brand for the people I know but you have had excellent service from yours.
 
IF you like the Windstar and the place that has serviced it, buy another Windstar.
 
I bought a NEW 2006 Toyota Sienna LE and am not as impressed with it as I was with my 2002 Chrysler T&C LX. CR and Edmunds both recommend the Odyssey or Sienna (New or Used). I am disappointed with my Sienna because it is NO better than the less expensive T&C....contrary to the glowing write ups in CR and Edmunds.

#3 of 42 Re: Minivan shopping(used): Low TCO [leesanray] by masterpaul1

Jul 13, 2007 (9:45 pm)

Replying to: leesanray (Jul 13, 2007 4:05 pm)
It is really hard to calculate TCO on any new or used vechicle. There are a lot of factors that will come into play. You have weather conditions where you live. What type of roads being driven on mostly. How much city/hghy miles are being put on each year. (These all have an effect on reliability on any vechicle.) Regular Maintenance schedules and repairs. Doing it yourself or paying someone else to do the repairs. (You can get a general idea by using Edmunds TCO, but it is not dead on.)
 
We have an 01 DGC EX that we bought used in Sep. 03 w/37K. We now have over 89K and have had some minor things needing replaced in our almost four years of ownership. We've had both power window motors and regulators Front suspension sway bar, links and bushings. (The bushings will need to be replaced again, two years later, because of clunking over bumps. I've heard these parts don't last very long. I will replace them myself, this time with better parts.) Latch on power cargo door. (All of these were covered under warranty.) Things not cover under warranty that had or have to be replaced: thermostat housing bolt that broke. (I fixed this myself.) Emergency brake pedal or cable broke just recently. Our water pump might need to be replaced in the future because of a small leak that was found during a recent coolant flushing. For us, our van has been very reliable. We've never been stranded. None of the repairs stopped us from driving or put my family in danger. All of the electronics, motor, trans. air conditioning, etc. work as they should. Time will tell, if I change my mind about our van being reliable. She's 7 yrs old and close to 100K mark.

#4 of 42 Re: Hello to new and long time Town Hall members of the Vans message board... [drew_] by sramamur1

Dec 14, 2007 (1:20 pm)

Another newbie to the vans forum from Ontario, Canada. Looking to buy a used minivan, 2007 Dodge grandcaravan (19k, 19000 km) vs 2005 Sienna LE (15.5k, 117000 km) vs 2003 Mazda MPV DX (11k, 100000km).
 
Life expectancy is critical for me considering I would like to keep the van for seven to eight years. All vans are in good condition and recently fully serviced.
 
Any suggestions?
 
Thanks, Sridhar.

#6 of 42 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan (Stow 'N Go) vs 2005 Sienna LE vs 2003 Mazda MPV by sramamur1

Dec 14, 2007 (1:14 pm)

This is my first post (from Ontario, Canada), hence please bear with me.
 
I am looking to buy a used minivan, details are as follows:
 
2007 Dodge Grand Caravan SE (Stow 'N Go), 19,000 km, $19,000
 
2005 Toyota Sienna LE, 117,000 km, $15,500
 
2003 Mazda MPV DX, 100,000 km, $11,000
 
Each van is in very good condition, all from dealers, Car Proof says no accidents, claims etc.
 
Each has their merits and drawbacks (e.g. high km for Sienna).
 
Any suggestions considering that I would like to keep the van for the next seven to eight years.
 
Thanks, Sridhar.

#7 of 42 Re: 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan (Stow 'N Go) vs 2005 Sienna LE vs 2003 Mazda MPV [sramamur1] by cccompson

Dec 14, 2007 (4:30 pm)

Replying to: sramamur1 (Dec 14, 2007 1:14 pm)
High miles shouldn't be much of concern on a Toyota and (if you can knock the price down a bit) it would be my choice here.
 
I know prices in Canada are higher than the States, but if you're interested in a Chrysler, can't you buy a new one for about that much or a little more?

#8 of 42 Re: 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan (Stow 'N Go) vs 2005 Sienna LE vs 2003 Mazda MPV [cccompson] by sramamur1

Dec 14, 2007 (8:16 pm)

Replying to: cccompson (Dec 14, 2007 4:30 pm)
Thank you for your comments. New Chrysler costs about 5K more than the 1 year old model. Our budget was ~ 15k$, hence I was considering Sienna.

#9 of 42 Re: 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan (Stow 'N Go) vs 2005 Sienna LE vs 2003 Mazda MPV [sramamur1] by siennami

Dec 17, 2007 (7:33 pm)

Replying to: sramamur1 (Dec 14, 2007 8:16 pm)
I would go with a Toyota if I were you (of course I do own a Sienna!). If I'm not mistaken, even a 2005 should have stow-n-go, so you're covered there. I've always heard that Toyotas last forever. I never got the chance to find out with my 1GR Sienna, as it was stolen about 1/2 way through my lease! I'm planning on keeping this one a good, long while.......

#10 of 42 Re: 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan (Stow 'N Go) vs 2005 Sienna LE vs 2003 Mazda MPV [sramamur1] by jpf

Dec 18, 2007 (5:00 pm)

Replying to: sramamur1 (Dec 14, 2007 1:14 pm)
Although the Toyota is a good van, you're buying it right about the time that it will likely need its first major maintenance. At 117,000 km, it probably needs a new timing belt, tune up, and tires. If the vehicle has had the timing belt done and the tires are in good shape, then the Toyota is a good way to go. If you choose the Chrysler, see if it qualifies for the 100,000 mile warranty. Recent Chrysler vans are more relaible than past models but compared to the Toyota you will likely see electrical repairs (e.g. power window motors frequently go in Chrysler vans) and possible transmission repairs. Thus, the warranty is very important if you choose the Chrylser. I own a 2006 base model Dodge Caravan, with 26,000 miles. I've owned the van for over a year and bought it brand new. I haven't had any warranty claims to this point. Good luck.

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