Minivan

[GrnMtnMan]

We have a VW Routan, which is really a Chrysler T&C with VW name plates stuck on in a few places (might be something different about the suspension). And I mean, just a few places: open the hood and there are Chrysler symbols everywhere.

We bought it 2.5 year ago knowing it might soon be 'discontinued'. Why? Value. We got leather, Bluetooth, rear dvd system, satellite, back-up camera, power doors, etc, plus 3 years of included maintenance for $26,400....the Honda we looked at was $40,000. You could probably do better than us now since its truly been discontinued, but dealers still have some on their lot. An no real worries about parts being unavailable because its still/was a popular Chrysler model.

 

[mjkacmom]

I drive a 2003 Honda Odyssey, and plan on driving it another 10 years. Both of my parents have an Odyssey, as does my sister. All of my friends who have minivans have the Odyssey (one of them gets a new one every couple of years, and her DH owns his own auto shop). There is another shop in town that has a side business of selling used vehicles, and they now only sell Honda Odysseys.

I know you stated no Honda's, but I can't imagine why.

 

[pocomom]

I have had two Toyota Siennas, and loved them both. Only problems I had with either was the first one had a sliding door issue where it didn't open automatically anymore, which was user error due to the kids getting toys and such stuck in the tracks, and they both seem to burn through the first set of factory tires quick!
I had a massive accident in my new one. I hit a box truck head on, on the George Washington Bridge. (we were all going along ~55 mph, box truck stopped suddenly, car in front of me swerved to get out of way at last minute and had never hit the brakes, so once I could see the stopped truck I was only a couple car lengths away, there was no where for me to go but straight into him.) There is no question in my husband's little car we all would have been dead. Other than some bruising from our seat belts and an air bag mark we all walked away fine (guys in the truck were great no problems). All safety stuff worked as it should and the whole front end of the car crumpled. We didn't even have glass on us, as it shattered but stayed in the windshield. My son in his car seat actually thought it was fun and would tell me for weeks after to hit other trucks, lol.

So while I like the heated seats, the entertainment system, the AWD for our snow,the sliding doors and the way the seats fold down flat for cargo, I'm in love with my car because it did what it is supposed to and kept my family safe. And that piece of mind is priceless!

 

[HM]

In late 2006 we started looking for a minivan to replace our 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette (whihc we loved). We eliminated the Town and Country as the interior seemed cheap. We eliminated the Toyota because the seats in the front were not deep enough for our legs. We ended up buying a Honda which has been a great buy (it even had a GPS built in that wasn't something we'd intended to get). We got it in late November 2007 with a $6000 discount we saw advertised on TV. It was the last one they had. Keep your eyes open for deals on whatever you decide on.

 

[cm8]

I have a 2010 town and country and I love it. I bought it end of year sale and got a great deal. It is fully loaded and was about $8000 less than the odyssey. I love the leather seats, the DVD package ( you can watch two different DVDs on the two screens which is great because my kids are not into the same things). I have the automatic doors and the backup camera which I love. What I don't like about it is it can't seat 8 like the odyssey and it doesn't have memory seating. I have no idea why they wouldn't have that feature and it drives me crazy but I would still buy this car again in a heartbeat! I plan to drive it until my 6 year old graduates from high school!

That feature plus the option to set your car temp and mirrors, radio stations and other accessories are now included on the 2013 model. It also let you set the steering wheel height and foot pedals too. It only allows you to set 2 drivers though

 

[edk35]

We have a 2008 FULLY LOADED Toyota Sienna with the leather seats and LOVE LOVE LOVE IT. Matter of fact...we traded a Town and Country a year after buying it brand new for this Sienna. We had a Grand Caravan prior to the Town and Country and drove that for over 10 years (we didn't trade it in for the Town and Country) but we put A LOT OF MONEY INTO IT. It had to have a new transmission after the extended warranty went out of course among other things. When we got the Town and Country we liked it...but then stuff started bugging me about it after a few months. It was just not as well made as our 1998 Grand Caravan had been as far as attention to detail. I could hear the wind whistling from the windows on the interstate. There was a couple of other annoyances so I just got rid of it and got the Sienna a year later and LOVE IT. We have had NO issues whatsoever with it. It is sooooo well made and to be honest seems new still. I say GO WITH THE SIENNA.

 

[edk35]

I have had two Toyota Siennas, and loved them both. Only problems I had with either was the first one had a sliding door issue where it didn't open automatically anymore, which was user error due to the kids getting toys and such stuck in the tracks, and they both seem to burn through the first set of factory tires quick!
I had a massive accident in my new one. I hit a box truck head on, on the George Washington Bridge. (we were all going along ~55 mph, box truck stopped suddenly, car in front of me swerved to get out of way at last minute and had never hit the brakes, so once I could see the stopped truck I was only a couple car lengths away, there was no where for me to go but straight into him.) There is no question in my husband's little car we all would have been dead. Other than some bruising from our seat belts and an air bag mark we all walked away fine (guys in the truck were great no problems). All safety stuff worked as it should and the whole front end of the car crumpled. We didn't even have glass on us, as it shattered but stayed in the windshield. My son in his car seat actually thought it was fun and would tell me for weeks after to hit other trucks, lol.

So while I like the heated seats, the entertainment system, the AWD for our snow,the sliding doors and the way the seats fold down flat for cargo, I'm in love with my car because it did what it is supposed to and kept my family safe. And that piece of mind is priceless!

Glad you guys were all okay!! I love my Sienna too.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

We have a 2010 Dodge Caravan. We needed a van quickly and chose from a small inventory. Should have looked longer because it has not been the best. I really fight it to accelerate and it runs loud--has always done so. We get about 20 mpg highway.
We settled on it because it was about $8000 less than the Honda Odyssey. I know people who have them with over 200,000 miles so they are probably well worth it if you keep your car a long time.
Prior to it we had a 2004 Chevy Venture which was sooooo much better in all ways. Wish they still made them.
We have had a couple Ford Windstar/Freestars and the were both junk.
We have had other Caravans--two were very good and another needed a new transmission at 18,000 miles.
We have rented a Chevy Traverse which is a crossover. I looked into selling our Caravan and buying one but at 2 years my Caravan was not worth half of what we paid for it.
My vote would be a Chevy Traverse or a Honda Odyssey.

 

[reneaterry]

I have a 2012 Sienna and love it. I've had it almost a year and have put 22,000 miles on it. I've had no problems and it's roomy enough for 6 people, 2 in cars seats. I liked mine so much my aunt went and bought one.

 

[nhmommy]

We went with the Sienna. I got a good price on an xlt which is the lowest we could get with factory leather. I really like how the Sienna handles and that it's a Toyota sense we have always been lucky with them. I felt too closed in when driving the Honda even though I really thought it was going to be my favorite before I drove it.
I will pick it up tomorrow very excited.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

We went with the Sienna. I got a good price on an xlt which is the lowest we could get with factory leather. I really like how the Sienna handles and that it's a Toyota sense we have always been lucky with them. I felt too closed in when driving the Honda even though I really thought it was going to be my favorite before I drove it.
I will pick it up tomorrow very excited.

Congrats! Enjoy your new van!

 

[choots]

And I forgot to add, there is a noticeably difference between the Dodge and the Chrysler as far as standard features, options, and just general comfort/ride. I didn't think I would really notice a difference but it is pretty noticeable.

We rented a dodge caravan for a trip to FLA last summer. A week after we came home we bought the T&C. A huge difference in the ride and comfort. We have since driven it on a trip to FLA. We have leather and DVD and paid just over 26. We love it.

 

[sweetdana]

I am on my 3 rd T n C. If I crashed tommorow I'd go for a 4 th

1 st 1 sold for 1/3 of pp ( bought new) 8 yrs n 125k miles ok it

2 nd one ( bought new). Gave to nanny as a bonus ( value 3-4k or about 1/5 th the orig price) 10 yrs n 120k miles


Just bought 2010 used ( couldn't justify a 33k ck n won't finance) will drive it 8-10 yrs.


Both the 1 st 2. Never had a real problem. In fact the 1 st after nearly 200k miles still had a trade in of 2k I think.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We went with the Sienna. I got a good price on an xlt which is the lowest we could get with factory leather. I really like how the Sienna handles and that it's a Toyota sense we have always been lucky with them. I felt too closed in when driving the Honda even though I really thought it was going to be my favorite before I drove it.
I will pick it up tomorrow very excited.

We have been very happy with both our Siennas. We're looking to buy another car in the future and we keep thinking we want a third Sienna if they are still making them in three or so years.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

But.... my wife drives the Mazda5 microvan. They are less expensive to buy and own than a minivan, but they are much smaller also. They are set up with the back sliding doors like a minivan. It drives and handles like a nice car, and is fun to drive. And, they have a sporty look. You might want to check them out.

I like the 5 - a family friend has one.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

We have a 2011 Nissan Quest. We love it so far. Have had it for 3 years now with no problems so far. Has about 35000 miles on it. Has done 3 trips to FL and one trip to CT so far.

I'm a Nissan fan - my 97 Altima has 191+K miles
The Quest is good looking for a van.

 

[reneaterry]

We went with the Sienna. I got a good price on an xlt which is the lowest we could get with factory leather. I really like how the Sienna handles and that it's a Toyota sense we have always been lucky with them. I felt too closed in when driving the Honda even though I really thought it was going to be my favorite before I drove it.
I will pick it up tomorrow very excited.

Great choice. ours is also a xle and we love it.

 

[HubbDave]

We loved our Mazda MPV, but it is in the great scrap heap in the sky

Minivans are awesome

 

[cm8]

We went with the Sienna. I got a good price on an xlt which is the lowest we could get with factory leather. I really like how the Sienna handles and that it's a Toyota sense we have always been lucky with them. I felt too closed in when driving the Honda even though I really thought it was going to be my favorite before I drove it.
I will pick it up tomorrow very excited.

Congrats!! Enjoy your new ride

 

[livsmom04]

I have a 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan. It's pretty much fully loaded except it doesn't have leather. Love having the backup camera and the dvd player for my daughter. Also love the stow and go because I can put a lot of things in there when we travel to Disney World. It's already been down to DW twice and we are taking it in June when we go again.