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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 2 of 5

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

Dec 26, 2007 (11:05 pm)

Replying to: sramamur1 (Dec 14, 2007 1:14 pm)
As an owner of a 2006 Sienna LE, I would recommend the 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan SE...but it would have to have the separately controlled temperature for the driver and front passenger that was optional on the 2007 GC SE models.
 
Our daughter's 1999 GC SE now has almost 106,000 miles with very few problems. My sister's 1986 Caravan SE had 170,000 trouble free miles when they sold it to a friend because they needed a more powerful vehicle to pull a trailer.

#12 of 42 Re: 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan (Stow 'N Go) vs 2005 Sienna LE vs 2003 Mazda M by marine2

Feb 21, 2008 (12:05 pm)

Replying to: hansienna (Dec 26, 2007 11:05 pm)
I think you really need to know how your going to use your minivan before choosing what to buy. Do you ever carry up to eight people? Honda would be a goood choice here.
 
Will it just be used primarily as a people mover? Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, or most any of the others would fill the bill quite nicely.
 
How long you want to keep it is another factor. Toyota and Honda hold their value better if your only planning on keeping it a few years. Although it also means you'll pay more for a used one.
 
I bought mine (new) because I use mine not only to carry people, (family and grand kids) I use it as a working van and after having a truck for 15 years, I wanted some place to hide my tools, battery cables, storage blanket, tape, etc. I was tired of having them laying in the floor or on the rear seat of my club cab. I also wanted some place to stow the grand kids stuff. I also use my van to carry a lot of other stuff. I use it to move my kids and siblings. I buy a lot of things to fix up my home and I don't like paying delivery charges. I use it to carry my Mother and Sister's electric wheel chair and electric scooter when they have to go places that require a lot of walking. So mine is not only a people hauler, but a working minivan. For that reason I saw only one choice. The Dodge/Chrysler minivans, with stow-n-go. They are cheaper to buy as they don't hold their value as well as Honda or Toyota, but if your going to keep it for more than a few years, that shouldn't be a problem. You've already saved much of that by buying it cheaper. If your buying a model that is newer than the 2000's, reliability with the Dodge/Chrysler should be no problem, although stow and go didn't come in till 2005.
 
But before you buy, figure out how your going to use your van and how long your planning on keeping it. That could make a big difference, or very little difference.

#13 of 42 Re: 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan (Stow 'N Go) vs 2005 Sienna LE vs 2003 Mazda M [marine2] by bobber1

Feb 21, 2008 (6:14 pm)

Replying to: marine2 (Feb 21, 2008 12:05 pm)
Good objective post Marine2. I've often though you wear Chrysler underwear, but you did a good job on this one.

#14 of 42 Re: 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan (Stow 'N Go) vs 2005 Sienna LE vs 2003 Mazda M by maryh3

Feb 21, 2008 (7:49 pm)

Replying to: marine2 (Feb 21, 2008 12:05 pm)
I'm glad someone understands why I prefer a sedan with a trunk over a hatchback. People think I'm nuts for preferring this but I like the idea of storing things in a trunk which you cannot see from the outside. In a hatchback you could always see what was back there which tempted thieves. Besides, if your trunk is a mess nobody knows.,

#15 of 42 Which used minivan should I buy? by jazkillingjoke

Aug 22, 2008 (1:38 pm)

Replying to: bobber1 (Feb 21, 2008 6:14 pm)

#16 of 42 Long lasting and safe van? by jazkillingjoke

Dec 30, 2007 (3:48 pm)

Replying to: bobber1 (Feb 21, 2008 6:14 pm)
Hi
 
We are looking at purchasing a van. We are either looking for an older model in the $3000-$5000 range for a few years or go for a newer one(used) in the $10000-$14000 range that will last for a long time.
I want a really safe van to replace my small Ford escort and would like one that can take high mileage.
I see a lot of used van that have 150k to 190k and I wonder how much more they can take?
Do Japanese ones are a better bet for high mileage?
How about safety, I think the Ford windstar and freestar along with the Kia Sedona are quite safe, aren't they (I checked iihs.org and safercar.gov)?
We are a family of 3 with a dog and are in Atlanta and love to drive to Florida (No snow or ice).
Good gas mileage and anything you might think of will help.
 
Thanks a lot
 
Patrick

#17 of 42 Re: Long lasting and safe van? [jazkillingjoke] by hansienna

Jan 05, 2008 (7:56 pm)

Replying to: jazkillingjoke (Dec 30, 2007 3:48 pm)
The BEST used minivan can be one of any brand. Proper maintenance and driving habits of prior owner (owners) is more important than which company built it.

#18 of 42 Thanks by jazkillingjoke

Jan 06, 2008 (5:21 am)

Replying to: bobber1 (Feb 21, 2008 6:14 pm)
Thanks for the answer hansienna!
 
Patrick

#19 of 42 Help - Where to Begin? by theier

Jan 28, 2008 (9:51 am)

Replying to: bobber1 (Feb 21, 2008 6:14 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?

#20 of 42 Re: Help - Where to Begin? [theier] by hansienna

Feb 05, 2008 (5:05 pm)

Replying to: theier (Jan 28, 2008 9:51 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.

Messages Page 2 of 5

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