Mini van opinions (Update pg 2)

[Roemama1]

Another Chevy Venture owner here. My new ones a 2003. But had a 1998 before that and never had any problems. I especially like my new one because it seats 8 (perfect when the DD's have friends over) and the third seat in the back folds completely flat to the floor so I have more storage space when I need it.

 

[Kallison]

Me, Mom and SIL all drive Honday Odyssey and love it. I have the DVD player.

 

[Megan's Mom]

We went yesterday looking at mini vans again. We liked the Odyssey and the Sienna. We went to the Toyota place first and the guy there was great. They only had two and we drove one and it drove like a dream. so we left to go look at the Honda's. There was one on the lot so we were looking at it and the guy comes up to talk to us. We had to ask him for keys so we could look at it and then he comes back and tells us we can't look at it because it has been sold. Then I had to ask for a book on the van so we could look at options. We were not impressed with the Honda place. On a whim we went to the Town and Country place and the guy there really wanted to sell a van. He made us an offer we probably shouldn't have refused on a top of the line with everything. We drove it and it was okay but it wasn't the Toyota. The Toyota really drove well and had all of these neat compartments and cup holders. Glad to hear that people are pleased with their toyota because that is probably what we will end up going with.

 

[dizneenut]

We have a 2001 Windstar and I LOVE it. I would definitely buy another in the future.

 

[Barb D]

I have an '02 Odyssey, and I've been happy with it. It was not my first choice, though. I would have preferred a Sienna, with the split rear seat. And if I were doing it now, I'd love the one (is it the Town & Country?) with the middle seats that fold into wells. The limiting factor for us was that in '02 the Odyssey was the only mini-van my 6'6" DH could fit in. He even fits comfortably in the middle seats, which is important to us because DS is heading on for that height.

 

[TinkBoo&ElliesMum]

Originally posted by onecoolmama


If you are looking for a comperable one to the Quest..the Mercury Villager is the exact same model. It just doesnt hold it's value as well, but again..there is nothing different about them.

My first mini-van was a 2000 Mercury Villager - I HATED it!! It needed new breaks every 12,000 - 15,000 miles, and the two times we actually had the breaks done it needed new rotors too. We drove it off the lot with 3 miles on it and traded it in with 28,000 miles on it.

I wanted to get a four door Explorer but everyone was pushing me to get another van. I was checking out stuff on the lot, my deal was if I got another van it had to have captains chairs - I was done with the bench seat thing! We ended up getting a 1999 Ford Windstar, it was originally from Canada and has a few features that the same models here in the US didn't have. It has power sliding doors and the reverse sensors (which are great unless it's pouring down rain! Then everything sets it off! )

It's been a great van so far - we haven't had any problems with it and the breaks have held up for the last 30,000 + miles!!

 

[Angel717]

I have a 2004 Toyota Sienna. We have had it for almost a year and I can't tell you how much I love this van. When we started looking, our main concerns were safety and reliabilty. We did look at the Odyssey, but after driving the Sienna, we were impressed enough that we decided to buy it (and wait for it as it was in high demand). Toyota has a good reputation for reliability, but we bought it before the crash test results came out and I was a little concerned about that. We took a chance that it would earn an acceptable rating, and I was relieved when it was rated as a good as it did and even more thankful that we decided to buy it. We do have side-curtain air bags, which wasn't an option on the Odyssey, and other safety features like traction control and stability control. It has the 60/40 split and is available in AWD or 8 passenger, too. I have gotten many comments on it and use any excuse to drive it.

I have seen the ads for the fold-flat second row seats, and while I wouldn't mind the storage compartment, I use the second row everyday and wouldn't benefit from it. I would, though, recommend a Sienna to anyone looking for a new minivan.

 

[Melora]

Well they fixed our van already...(took them about 2 hours!) turns out it was something they overlooked last time (pulley?) it was out of balance. So they replaced it just for the cost of the part and no labor charge.

Turns out what we thought was the tranny noise was the whatever part they replaced.

Jeff and I had talk and decided that since Chevy has always been good to us.... rare problems and the service people are great... (this is our 3rd one)....we decided to keep this one. We would have taken the insentives and paid cash but its SO much better not to have outlay $22K.

As much as I would love to have a new van, since its still running great (minus this one time thing) it would be silly to put out that kind of money. Jeff says it easily has another couple years in it.

Thank you all for your opinons!

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

We went back and forth between the Town & Country and the Honda Odyssey. We chose the T & C based on comfort. The seats were more comfortable to us. I drive over 3 hours a day and I need a great feeling seat!

We love the automatic sliding doors and trunk. I also enjoy the heated seats. It feels sooooooooooo good on a cold morning. The kids can be fussing but I feel like I'm getting a massage. The entertainment center is a lifesaver.

There are so many great new options available that I wish I had a new model.

Lori

 

[arminnie]

I've owned Honda's for over 20 years and cannot believe how reliable they are. I think the Toyota's are just as good but I cannot speak from personal experience.

I currently have a 97 Honda Odyssey. It's just amazing how the Honda's don't break down even when you own them for 10 years or more.

With GM products I thought it was normal to have to be towed 2-3 times per year for a car that was less than 3 years old.

 

[kadaten]

Originally posted by onecoolmama
I have asked a couple of Car repair guys what they thought and all of them have said the Oddessy. They rarely see them!

That's why I only buy Honda's! Between DH and I we're on our 7th....get rid of them due to high miles and/or not meeting our needs...never due to maintenance problems!!

We had an Accord but found ourselves needing more room on our road trips, so we traded it in on an Odyssey. Only regret....there was a 6-month waiting list for a new one, so we got a used one that didn't have the overhead DVD player. We have a portable one, but it really bites when it has to restart every time you cut the car off (like if we fill up for gas, etc.) The built-in ones don't lose their place....

 

[HollyJoy]

Whatever you do, don't buy a Ford Windstar! Or is it now the Freestar. I think they had to change the name because of how bad the van is! I have a 1999 Windstar, and while I LOVE the interior, we've had problem after problem with the thing. I'd never buy one again. Our neighbors also had a Windstar, and after a year, got rid of it and now have a Caravan. Same thing as us... problems after problems. I know one other person with a Windstar, and while she likes her van, has had several problems with it already. The Honda Odyessy is still very highly rated, even though the design is a few years old. They are coming out with a new model next year. Toyota Sienna is an awesome van! If I could buy a new one right now, it would be that one! I'd also love to have a DVD system in the car, but to be honest, you can buy better (and bigger)portable ones instead of the ones that come with the vans.

Happy Car shopping!

 

[ZachnElli]

Another very happy 2004 Toyota Sienna owner! I've had it for just over a year now and I still LOVE it!!

 

[mamajoan]

2002 Town and Country LXI

I did lots of research because I needed a minivan with alot of cargo space-enough for a electric w/c lift and a powerchair.
The Town and Country was the only minivan out there that would fit the bill. I do like Toyota's for performance and value.

I really like the T&C. People always comment how quiet the ride is when they are in the T&C. The only thing I do not like is the cup holder placement for the two front seats.
Everything else is great.

I need to keep this van for about 10 years. I hope it will last that long. I would have loved to get a 2004 model with the folding seats.. those look great.

 

[Annette_VA]

I've got a 2002 Chrysler Town & Country LXi and I absolutely love it. I want a 2004 one, though so I can get those Stow & Go seats!

 

[KarenC]

Originally posted by Megan's Mom
On a whim we went to the Town and Country place and the guy there really wanted to sell a van. He made us an offer we probably shouldn't have refused on a top of the line with everything.

We have 2003 T & C Limited with the DVD player and a moonroof. We have 16,000 miles on it and so far, no problems. It is so comfortable on long roadtrips. Last March we drove straight through from Orlando to Chicago (21 hours?) and weren't any worse for wear. When compared to the trip I made in my kids' Honda CRV to Minneapolis (6 hours) and my back hurt for days, the ride in the T & C is amazing. It's very well insulated so its a really quiet ride too. If the Toyota is not less expensive than the T & C, I'd think again about the Chrysler.

 

[piglet too]

Originally posted by Annette_VA
I've got a 2002 Chrysler Town & Country LXi and I absolutely love it. I want a 2004 one, though so I can get those Stow & Go seats!

Actually it would be a 2005. My DH was in a Stand By Your Van contest at the Chicago Auto Show where he could have won a 2005 Town and Country or a 2005 Grand Caravan. The Stow n Go seats are real cool. We are hoping to get one soon, as he just fell in love with them after standing next to one for close to 60 hours. (He was "fourth" BTW, the winner lasted less than 12 hours more than him, but hey, he was given a $500 gift card to Best Buy and got a nice new TV, no van but better than nothing I guess)