Question for All You Minivan Drivers!

[abaker1]

We are shopping around for a mini van and have narrowed it down to our top picks, but are having a hard time deciding between them! Of course all the salesmen at the dealerships tell you that theirs is the best!! But I thought it would be nice to get someones opinion that actually drives them!!
The ones we are deciding between are the Hyundai Entourage, Chrystler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan and the Honda Oddysey.

I would greatly appreciate your opinions!! Which van do you have and why you like/dislike it! Thanks so much!!

 

[janetupnorth]

Sorry, I drive a full-size van! I think I've heard people on here raving about the Odyssey though...

 

[chefann]

My sister and my DH's buddy both drive Odysseys and love them. They also just won an award for best minivan.

 

[AnnieBee]

If you do get a minivan I would totally recommend the Toyota Sienna. I am sooo not a minivan person, but I love this one. We have the 8 passenger, which is so handy, we can get 3 kids in the second row for tons of cargo space when we need it (like camping trips) unlike most vans where with 3 kids you have to use at least part of the 3rd row, which leaves hardly any cargo space, barely enough for groceries (the town and country is terrible for this IMO).

If you are not 100% set on a mini-van, I would consider a cross-over typr too, for better gas milage. We also have a pontiac vibe and LOVE it - it is pretty small, but great for cargo/storage. The front passenger seat folds completely flat and has a hard plastic back for hauling long stuff that can go from the rear all the way to the front. It is a sister car to the toyota matrix, so it has toyota quality. We are even considering taking it on our summer trips instead of our minivan because of the gas prices, and that would be with 3 kids in the back, all in car-seats/booster seats.

 

[merego]

We have a 2008 Honda Odessey, we love Honda's, my past 5 cars have been Hondas. The only thing I wish the Honda's had were the remote powered trunk. The Siena and Dodge/Chrylser's I believe have those. Other than the trunk, I love my Honda.

 

[kathy Griffith]

I drive a Town & Country. We love it. Prior to that we had a Caravan, it was great to. We never had any problems with either van. However I love the new Town & Country, stow away seats, the option of a table for the back passengers. And dual air is a must, our Caravan didn't have that. I guess we are just Dodge/Chrysler folks, my DH now drives a Dodge Ram.

 

[abaker1]

Now that we've been seriouly looking for a new van we've noticed a lot more of the Odyssey's around! We even notice that Jon & Kate on the TLC show drive the Honda Odyssey too!

Thanks for your input! The last 2 vehicles we purchased were spur of the moment so this time we're actually taking the time to research our options!! Especially since I'll be the one making the payment with my PC earnings!!

 

[christinaspc]

I have a ford freestar and I love it and i love the features that with it i know that it isn't in your top pick but i love my minivan i was just telling hubby i couldn't imagining not having a minivan cause it holds so many things and people !!!!! I think it is a great car for any family and we get about 27 miles to a gallon which with the way the fuel is going these days it really is nice. I just feel really you couldn't go wrong with your choice just make sure it has eveyrthing you might want or do want.

 

[merego]

When we have friends over or playgroup, it looks like a Honda ODessey convention, everyone we know has one
Ours has the bluetooth, Xm radio, dual air, DVD player ( a must), leather etc... We love it, it pretty much has everything and drives like a dream
We do have a friend that has a Siena and they love , they are Toyota people.

 

[PampMomof3]

We drive an honda Odyssey and Love it and used to drive a Dodge Grand Caravan. Recommend the Honda over the Dodge anyday! LOVE IT!

 

[abaker1]

Thanks again for all your opinions!! It really helps!!! There are just so many options out there!! Most of the dealerships have been so nice--actually letting us test drive them for the weekend. My DH is telling me we need to wait until Fall when they are offering better deals on the 2008's to try to make room for the 2009's. I'm not sure if he's just telling me that so I hold off a couple more months or if we really will get a better deal if we wait!!??

 

[Jennie4PC]

We have a dodge grand caravan and I really like it. My SIL has an Odessy and she really likes hers. We bought ours on a spare of the moment decision, mainly cause I would not travel 350 miles waiting for my car to die.

 

[quiltchef]

When we were looking for our mini van, we asked some car repair folks my husband has known for a long time.
I had always driven Fords--my husband Chevy or Buick.
We were looking at Honda or Toyota.
Our friends told us that the Toyotas rarely came in for service.
And having ours now for 4 years, it is true--we drive about 70 miles each day round trip to work--we consistantly have 24 miles to the gallon--with almost 112,000
Oil changes, tires--I think one major repair in the four years is pretty good to me.
Just my $.02.

 

[Gina M]

I have a Toyota Sienna and I love it! I had to buy a new van 2 1/2 years ago when my Nissan Quest was totalled in an accident - I was ticked because it was paid off - had low mileage and I'd only had it for 6 years - however now I'm really happy to have my Toyota Sienna - it's great for long trips - lot of room - rear heating and air conditioning which can be controlled by the kids in the back as well. Love the automatic door on the kid's side. We took our family of 5 plus my mom and dad on a trip to South Dakota from Illinois last year and it served us well - we were able to fit everything in it. Definitely test drive a bunch - we test drove the Quest, Odyssey and Sienna and really like the Sienna the most (along with the price!) - good luck!

 

[EdraJayne]

Last year we upgraded to an Odyssey from an Accord. Love my van, HATE parking the bloody thing. After one year I still haven't gotten used to the fact that I can't see the front bumper and I am a horrible judge of distance. That's just my qualm with mini vans in general not the Odyssey specifically.

I do remember having three requirements when van shopping though:
1. I had to be able to see all the kids from the drivers seat.
2. Kids had to be able to easily get to the third row.
3. I wanted an 8 seater, "just in case".

Our van has the removable/stored eigth seat, I can see all the kids, and the kids can get to the third row easily. Throw in the fact that the third row folds down into the trunk for fantastic trunk possiblities and I was won over quite easily by the Odyssey.

Now if I could learn to park the thing in the garage without having to use a mattress to stop me from hitting the shelves it would be an utterly perfect vehicle.

 

[buckeyefan08]

I know this wasn't one of your choices but we bought a KIA Sadona in March and I love it! They my be worth looking into! (the MPGs are great too!)

 

[Jenni]

I have a 97 Doge Grand Caravan with 249000 miles and it looks great and runs great! Crazy right.... I do have newer Toyota Corolla that I drive now due to gas prices. But I still use the van when we are going somewhere and need to seat more passengers.

 

[katie0128]

We have a Chrysler Town & Country and I love it. We had a few non-negotiable items when we purchased ours as well...

1. Adjustable pedals - I'm 5'1" and DH is 6'2", so we are constantly adjusting the seats depending on who is driving. I despise having to move the seat up so close to the steering wheel to drive and once we found T&C had adjustable pedals, that was our #1 priority!

2. HUGE inside. DH does remodeling as a side job and wanted to be able to transport lots of supplies. He can lay a full size sheet of drywall flat when the seats are folded and can put pipes up to 9.5' long and still close the tail gate.

3. Stow 'n Go with back seat 60/40 split. With 3 kids one of them has to be in the back row, but still wanted some "trunk" space if needed. Oldest DS sits in the "40" part of the back seat and I can fold down the "60" part and have as much room as I need for just about anything.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Thanks again for all your opinions!! It really helps!!! There are just so many options out there!! Most of the dealerships have been so nice--actually letting us test drive them for the weekend. My DH is telling me we need to wait until Fall when they are offering better deals on the 2008's to try to make room for the 2009's. I'm not sure if he's just telling me that so I hold off a couple more months or if we really will get a better deal if we wait!!??

You might really get a better deal if you wait! Once the 2009's come out, they will work really hard to get the 2008's off the lot - and with the economy the way it is - I'm sure there will be plenty left to choose from!

 

[AnnieBee]

Ditto what Becky said! We got a great deal doing that for our Vibe.

 

[soccermom18]

We have a Kia Sedona that I love. We bought it new 5yrs ago and besides the maint. checks, I have not had any issues out of it. It has 90,000 miles on it. I plan on driving it untl it falls apart, I like havng no car payment!

 

[katie0128]

You might really get a better deal if you wait! Once the 2009's come out, they will work really hard to get the 2008's off the lot - and with the economy the way it is - I'm sure there will be plenty left to choose from!

We purchased our 2006 T&C van at the end of November 2006, but had been looking at them for a few months. We saved a bunch (about $3000) because we waited not only to the end of the month, but the end of the year as well... the sales people were trying to make month-end and year-end goals and the dealership was trying to get rid of inventory by the end of the year. Gee... month-end/year-end sales goals... sounds kinds familiar!

 

[cwinter474]

We have two Dodge Caravans. On is a 2002 and has 148K miles the other is a 1998 and has ..... 289K miles. Neither has ever given us any major problems. We are sold. Good Luck...

 

[paigev71]

We are shopping around for a mini van and have narrowed it down to our top picks, but are having a hard time deciding between them! Of course all the salesmen at the dealerships tell you that theirs is the best!! But I thought it would be nice to get someones opinion that actually drives them!!
The ones we are deciding between are the Hyundai Entourage, Chrystler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan and the Honda Oddysey.

I would greatly appreciate your opinions!! Which van do you have and why you like/dislike it! Thanks so much!!

I have a KIA Sedona and LOVE it. Better pricing than some of the others too.

 

[Kim1711]

I have had 2 caravans, the last one was a 2001 -- 6 months after we got it we started having problems!!! I hated every day I had to drive it, I felt like painting it yellow! 2 years ago we got a Honda pilot and love it, If I were going for a van I would go HONDA all the way!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[cathyskitchen]

Ditto what Becky said! We got a great deal doing that for our Vibe.

Hey - you just got a Vibe? I just got one over the weekend (a 2009 - there were no 2008's left anywhere!). I had to trade in my Chevy Uplander minivan since it was a lease and I was at 47,800 miles on it (limit was 48,000!!). I had to get another GM vehicle since it was part of the 'pull ahead' program (they paid 2 of our lease payments and let us get out early instead of paying the mileage penalty), so we chose the Vibe b/c of the fuel efficiency and mileage. I love my new "little" car! After driving a minivan for 7 years, it really feels weird, but now I don't have to worry about denting my fender anymore - those minivans are so huge and so hard to maneuver!!

To the OP - I have heard great things about the Honda Odyssey, too - never got one b/c my dad worked at a Chevy dealership, so I always had Chevys. He's now at a Lexus dealership, and I would have LOVED to get a Lexus, but it wasn't in the cards. Maybe next time - that'll be my "dream" car! Good luck and happy shopping!

 

[abaker1]

Thanks everyone!! It's so nice to hear all your opinions!!! We're going to keep test driving and see what we like the best!
I've come up with a couple of must haves that we'll go by!! Automatic sliding side doors & hatch, DVD player, and a rear seat that collapses into the floor! (like the stow & go in the T&C).

I'll let you know what we get!!

 

[ChefMann]

we've got an Odyssey and we LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I don't know what I'd do with a smaller vehicle and my pig pen children. (I love them very much) but with all the gear and all the kids...and the hubbie....(sigh) The Honda is a must.

Get one! (grin)
Sheryl

 

[MORFIA]

I have the Sienna--LOVE IT--
have had Odessy and Windstar-T$C on vacation====love the Toyata!!

 

[merego]

I had a Pilot before the Odessey and loved it but with 2 carseats and a teenager, the Pilot isn't family friendly. The Pilot says seats 7, but not 7 comfortably, but had not one problem with it, was sad to trade it in. we have had a civic, accord Crv, Pilot and now the Odessey. We have never had any problems with any of our Hondas. We also have had a BMW that we never had a problem with and we have a Nissan Pathfinder with over 100K miles that runs great ( DS will drive that if I let him get his license) and a 2008 Nissan Maxima, DH loves BMW's and Nissans.

 

[ChefLisa]

Definitely check out Consumer Reports. While some of the vans you mentioned can be purchased at a lower price, they may cost you more overall because of maintenance issues.

My last two minivans were Fords. However, they no longer make them. We actually purchased them because of great deals because a family member works for Ford.

In February of this year, my six year old Ford minivan was totalled in an accident. I did quite a bit of research and got down to the Honda Odyssey or the Toyota Sienna. They both were rated great, had great leg room for all seats and drove great. We ended up going with the Odyssey for a couple of reasons. First of all the Odyssey actually has a little better rating with the National Highway of Safety for rear end collisions, which are the most common form of accidents. Also, I like the access to the rear seating much better in the Odyssey. With the Toyota, you have to basically fold the middle seat forward. With the Odyssey, you just pull the seat forward.

One other side note about the Odyssey. One month after purchasing it, we had a really bad hail storm. It was so bad, most of the homes in our neighborhood are getting new roofs courtesy of our insurance companies. However, the hail did not cause dents in the van. I am not sure why, or if we would have the same results in another storm. I was just very relieved it did not dent my new car.

 

[AnnieBee]

Hey - you just got a Vibe? I just got one over the weekend (a 2009 - there were no 2008's left anywhere!). I had to trade in my Chevy Uplander minivan since it was a lease and I was at 47,800 miles on it (limit was 48,000!!). I had to get another GM vehicle since it was part of the 'pull ahead' program (they paid 2 of our lease payments and let us get out early instead of paying the mileage penalty), so we chose the Vibe b/c of the fuel efficiency and mileage. I love my new "little" car! After driving a minivan for 7 years, it really feels weird, but now I don't have to worry about denting my fender anymore - those minivans are so huge and so hard to maneuver!!

To the OP - I have heard great things about the Honda Odyssey, too - never got one b/c my dad worked at a Chevy dealership, so I always had Chevys. He's now at a Lexus dealership, and I would have LOVED to get a Lexus, but it wasn't in the cards. Maybe next time - that'll be my "dream" car! Good luck and happy shopping!

Actually, we got our Vibe in 2003, when I was very pregnant with DD #1. I especially loved how much easier to get into it was, compared to a closer to the ground seda, or having to climb up into a van or SUV (we were house hunting and in and out of our realtors SUV alot!).

We still love our Vibe though!! It was my main car until we had 3 kids, and I would have almost kept it as my car, except that my DH's ancients geo prism was on it's way out, so now he has it work work, and I got my Sienna. Which I LOVE LOVE LOVE (for a mini-van). BTW, the access to the 3rd row is pretty easy on ours (8 passenger). I would definately strongly consider the benefits of a 8 vs 7 passenger van before deciding on a brand. I know with 2 kids it's not a big deal, but with 3, I love having them all in the row right behind me. Oh, and the automatic door on the passenger side is standard.

Anyway, just adding another 2c as I was replying again!!

 

[ChefLisa]

I agree about the 8 passenger. The Odyssey and Sienna both offer it. It comes in very handy when you start carrying extra kids!

 

[jrstephens]

We are considering a minivan when my lease is up on the trailblazer in May 2009. My husband will not fully agree though b/c he vowed to never drive a van! I think with two kids it makes sense to go with something with lots of room.

If I do not get a van, we are getting either a Malibu or Impala. With gas prices I need something with better mileage than a SUV.

 

[Shawnna]

I have a Sienna too. I absolutely love it. It is a 7 passenger...easy access to the back seats and the back seats come out really easy. Mine is a 2001 and has 130,000 miles on it. It still runs really quiet and gets good gas mileage.

My husband used to work at car lots as a salesman. He says the best vehicles are Toyotas, Hondas and Chevy or Gm products. He has a lot of bad things to say about others...remember, you get what you pay for. A cheaper vehicle is not always a better deal...it won't last as long, has to be worked on more, etc. Toyotas rarely have to be worked on and they last forever.

Many years from now when I have to get a new van it will be a Toyota. The only differences I will choose from my current one is...8 passenger, stow away seating, DVD player.

If you wait a month or two you will get a better deal because the 09s will come out.

 

[SummerG]

Toyota and Honda will have the best resale value years down the road. They are also the most reliable in terms of repairs. Hyundai will have the worst resale value. You may want to also check out Consumer Reports.

 

[elizabethfox]

I have no clue how these drive as I have never driven any of them. But my mom and neighbor have the newer dodge mini vans and they LOVE them! I also would recommend dodge because when you buy a new vehicle with them it has a lifetime powertrain warranty.

 

[DebbieSAChef]

I drive a 2004 Chevrolet Venture that has 8 seats! It's very handy with 5 kids. I wish I had more space in the trunk but the back seat does collapse when I have bigger loads and no kids to carry. We got a good deal on this.
$9950 at a used dealership.

Debbie