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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

#13 of 28 Re: 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan (Stow 'N Go) vs 2005 Sienna LE vs 2003 Mazda M [marine2] by bobber1 Feb 21, 2008 (5:14 pm)
Replying to: marine2 (Feb 21, 2008 11:05 am) Good objective post Marine2. I've often though you wear Chrysler underwear, but you did a good job on this one. Replies to this message: jazkillingjoke (Aug 22, 2008 12:38 pm) jazkillingjoke (Dec 30, 2007 2:48 pm) hansienna (Jan 05, 2008 6:56 pm) marine2 (Feb 05, 2008 9:44 pm) jazkillingjoke (Jan 06, 2008 4:21 am) theier (Jan 28, 2008 8:51 am) hansienna (Feb 05, 2008 4:05 pm) kmsandrbs (Aug 21, 2008 9:26 pm) akw11 (Aug 23, 2009 12:47 pm) lroy (Aug 23, 2009 1:05 pm) imariquinn (Aug 22, 2008 11:52 am) kmsandrbs (Aug 22, 2008 12:38 pm)
#14 of 28 Re: 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan (Stow 'N Go) vs 2005 Sienna LE vs 2003 Mazda M by maryh3 Feb 21, 2008 (6:49 pm)
Replying to: marine2 (Feb 21, 2008 11:05 am) 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 28 Which used minivan should I buy? by jazkillingjoke Aug 22, 2008 (12:38 pm)
Replying to: bobber1 (Feb 21, 2008 5:14 pm)
#16 of 28 Long lasting and safe van? by jazkillingjoke Dec 30, 2007 (2:48 pm)
Replying to: bobber1 (Feb 21, 2008 5:14 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 Replies to this message: hansienna (Jan 05, 2008 6:56 pm) marine2 (Feb 05, 2008 9:44 pm)
#17 of 28 Re: Long lasting and safe van? [jazkillingjoke] by hansienna Jan 05, 2008 (6:56 pm)
Replying to: jazkillingjoke (Dec 30, 2007 2:48 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 28 Thanks by jazkillingjoke Jan 06, 2008 (4:21 am)
Replying to: bobber1 (Feb 21, 2008 5:14 pm) Thanks for the answer hansienna!   Patrick
#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)

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