What kind if mini van would you recommend?

DH and I have been talking about this for about 2 months now and I am at a loss...

DH has told me that for a plethora of reasons he thinks if we are to make a minivan purchase the only vans that should be considered are the following:

_Honda Odessy (can't afford a used one unless it has 100K miles plus on it)
_Toyota Sienna 2003 or more (same thing as described for the Odessy)
_Saturn Relay (two families we know have one and have good things to say however its a young car and Saturn is now defunct)

From my internet research we could get a fairly new 2007+ Chrysler Town & Country with about 40-50K miles on it but DH used to work on the line at GM and contends they are no better than a Dodge Caravan of which he nor anyone else we know has a high opinion of.

So here's the question...Do we get a high mileage Odessy or Sienna and take our chances or do we get a newer T & C.

Do any of you own a T & C? Do you have a lot of issues?

What to do?
Lindia

 

I bought a higher mileage 2004 Sienna and I loooove it. I would stick with a Honda/Toyota if you're looking for long term.

 

Not really answering your question, but we LOVE our Hyundai Entourage. I have heard lots of good stuff about Toyota & Honda too.

 

I love my Sienna. :good:

 

I :wub: my Odyessy... We bought it new because the used were so expensive! We ended up paying only a couple thousand over a used one and we went without the entertainment package. We also got the luxory one, with leather seats and sunroof so I'm sure you can find cheaper with out these things... But it was one of the best purchases I've ever made. We have a suburban as well but it just doesn't compare when it comes to getting the kids around. Just last week when it was pouring down rain it was wonderful to jump in the backseats (with the doors closed) and get them out of their carseats and jackets on open the door and run to the store while pressing the button to automatically close the door behind me and lock it. I LOVE it!!! But it's what fit my family, so you have to figure out what best fits your family.
Good luck, it's definately not an easy decision!!

 

Yup. Another Sienna lover here! Our van is a 2006 Sienna. It had 36,000 miles or so(maybe even less...). We got a great deal on it-$17,000 for it. It has the MP3 hook up, 6 disc changer, 7 passenger seats, A/C, etc. The one thing that I would do differently? Make sure BOTH of the doors are automatic! That was an extra $5,000 we just didn't have, but gosh I sure would love it!

 

I love our Honda. We got it new but it was the previous year's model after the new ones had been out for a while. In the end, we paid the same as we would have for a used one with medium miles on it. That being said, one thing you might want to consider is the Kia Sedona minivan. It gets really high reviews (Equal to the Honda and Toyota) but costs a lot less. We would have gone that route if we hadn't gotten a good deal on the Honda.

 

I love my T&C. I love Sto and Go Seating. You can go to a large zoo and hide your valuables - or Christmas presents and then find those 8 mo later! The one thing I don't like about it is the low gas mileage - about 17 mi gallon - and I'm mainly city driving.

But, DH just saw on Consumer Reports that Honda (or Toyota - I forget) was the best in terms of very few repairs needed.

We were able to really negotiate. As they say, shop at a month/quarter/or year end as they will push better deals to just get a sale. We got ours around X-mas last year and got quite a decent deal.

 

I :wub: my Odyssey. But my sitter has a Kia minivan that she loves too... might be a little cheaper. GL minivan shopping!

 

I have a Honda. :wub: it.

 

Another Sienna lover here. :good: Mine is a 2004 and we have never had any problems with it at all.

I personally would stick with Toyota or Honda. I think they hold up much better.

 

I was thinking about this last night. We bought our Odyssey in '06. It was used an '03 model. I think we paid a little less than $20k for it, I think it had about 25k miles. I recently drove a Sienna that was a rental while the dent in my van was being repaired. I think it was an '09 but it drove better than my Odyssey, but didn't get as good gas mileage. Granted there is 6 years difference in the models. Now my van has 114k and the only thing we have done is kept the oil changed and changed the timing belt. Our mechanic says we can expect another 100k if we keep it maintained. Even if you have to go used, I think the Honda or Toyota is best.

 

Thanks for the feedback ladies...affordability is what's pointing me toward a T&C. I will continue to keep an eye out for a good deal on an Odessy or Sienna but as far as loans go I would get better terms with a newer (1-3 years old) T&C. From what I've seen so far the youngest Honda or Toyota vehicle we could afford is about 4-7 years old.

I have some time to look. I was trying to get it before the baby comes in February but it looks like we will be going shopping after she is born.

TA!,
Lindia

 

I drive a town and country and love it. I had an suv and needed something that wouldnt kill my back when i lifted the kids in and out. I havent had any problems with it. Mine just has the DVD player - no sto and go which iw ould have loved - but I really would recommend a T and C - and from what the sales man said, they just have better options and look a little bit better than the Caravan and have better suspension. if its what you can afford then i dont see why you'd push yourself to get something that you cant afford.... that's why I went with a Town and country...i would have loved a Oddesy but....dont have the money for it.