Need opinions on a good mini-van/(gulp)SUV to buy

[laurajetter]

I know, I know, this probably isn't the best time to be in the market for a mini-van or SUV, but we just happen to be at that point in our lives where we just really need to get one anyway.

Currently, we have a 2001 Toyota Echo. It gets good gas mileage and is a dependable car, just very tiny. We will probably have it for a long time to come.

We also have a 1990 Buick LeSabre which was given to us as a gift from DH's parents. They were getting a new car and let us have their old one. It is still running, but it does have problems every so often and it has a lot of miles on it. Not to mention many other irritating problems. The windshield isn't sealed properly so the ceiling always gets damp when it rains.Now the fabric is completely separated and drooping down. I also think there is mildew which I know can be very dangerous. This problem could've been fixed easily but resealing the windshield, but we never did and now I don't feel like expending the time, money, or energy into fixing it when this car might be on its last legs anyway.

We realized that we needed a new vehicle when we tried loading our son's new stroller into the Echo's trunk the other day and it wouldn't fit. It's not even one of the huge strollers! So we tried it in the back next to the car seat, won't fit there either. It will only fit in the front passenger seat. We definitely see this as a problem for future family outings and vacations, not to mention we plan on trying for another child in about a year.

Sooo, now we are about to begin searching for a mini-van/suv, probably used. Can you give me your opinions on a good one to get? What do you love about yours? Here are the things we are interested in, although I know I probably won't find one that is perfect in all these areas:

- good safety ratings

- reliability/dependability (don't want it breaking down all the time!)

- enough space to comfortably seat at least a family of 4 (maybe 5)

- ample cargo space

- not a horrible gas guzzler

- easy to install car seats

- not an astronomical price; we don't have a huge income!

Anyway, thanks for your opinions on this.

Laura

 

[justjulie]

We just moved from a Chevy Venture to an Equinox. We were ready to move from the van to the sportier vehicle. As far as mileage is concerned, they were within a mile of each other for fuel efficiency. The biggest difference is the move from the 7-seater to the 5-seater but we love everything about our new vehicle from colour to control on the road ...

 

[Tigger&Belle]

We just bought the Honda Odyssey. We got one of the higher trim lines with the Navigation and Entertainment, so it was pricey, but the lower trim lines are not real expensive. They did real well on the test result, I believe carseats are easy to install (our youngest is in a booster, so we don't have to sorry about that now), it's very reliable, great cargo space with the deep well, 18-20MPG--not great, but it's a big vehicle and it's a whole lot better than a big SUV, which is the other thing we were looking at for our family.

Our other van is a Pontiac Montana, which has great features, but it's not nearly as reliable. We decided to keep it, but it's now our secondary vehicle.

 

[luvwinnie]

LOVE our Chrysler Pacifica.

 

[Christine]

First off, let me say that with one child (who has a stroller and carseat) you do not have to go the minivan/SUV route just yet. I had two children with strollers and car seats and did great in a Toyota Camry. It fits 3 people in the back, two VERY comfortable. The trunk on the Camry is HUGE and the gas mileage is about 30-something highway and 28 in the city. Very good, reliable car.

Now, if you really *want* a minivan or SUV, you could try the new Toyota RAV4. It is bigger than it has been in previous years but still good on the gas mileage. I, myself, have a Toyota Highlander. Gas mileage--ehhh--not so great. I commute in heavy traffic and I get about 20 mpg. Not ideal. It fits 3 in the backseat VERY comfortable, has a rear seat you can flip up if you get in a pinch with people and has lots of cargo room. But honestly, NOTHING beats the trunk in that Camry.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Laura, one other thing. When we decided what we wanted, I went to the Honda site (would work with any manufacturer, I would sure think) and e-mailed all the dealers within a couple hours of our home with exactly what we wanted (trim line, color, options, etc). I asked if they had it or could get it and exactly what the price would be, including fees, taxes, etc.

We ended up going with the Hagerstown dealer, who had exactly what we wanted coming in, but we could have saved a little more and gone with a PA dealer and he would have delivered what we wanted if we had of waited a little longer. A dealer near you would have given us a good price, but didn't have it in stock (would probably have traded for the van I did get).

I did all the dickering via e-mail so I'd have written proof. When I knew the Hagerstown place had the van I wanted coming in I asked if they would match the price of the PA dealership and they almost did (I think I paid about $100 more--worth it for the bird in hand) when I supplied proof (the e-mail) of the price the PA dealer was going to give me.

It was the most painless new vehicle purchase ever. My DH was so impressed and he didn't have to do any of the work. We drove to Hagerstown, signed the paperwork and we were done.

It was actually fun!

 

[golfgal]

The Toyota Sienna gets the top ratings from Consumer Reports. A basic model, new, is about $25K. The 2004 and newer models have the fold in the floor rear seat which really increases your cargo space. The gas mileage on a minivan is going to be similar to a Camry, around 25mpg highway.

We are probably going to get a Dodge Grand Caravan 2005 or 2006 this summer. We have 3 kids and always have an extra 2 or 3 with us so we need the space. The 2005 and 2006 have all the rear seats that fold into the floor. I was set on the Sienna until this option came out. We have been looking and we can get a pretty decked out 2005 for about $16K.

 

[Christine]

The Toyota Sienna gets the top ratings from Consumer Reports. A basic model, new, is about $25K. The 2004 and newer models have the fold in the floor rear seat which really increases your cargo space. The gas mileage on a minivan is going to be similar to a Camry, around 25mpg highway.

My friend has both a Sienna and Camry. The Sienna is a V6 and she said she gets 20-22 mpg in it. She just tracked her husbands gas mileage in their 4-cylinder Camry and they got 32 mpg. Same type of driving. I don't think the Sienna and Camry are really comparable with gas mileage, unless, of course, you get the 6-cylinder in the Camry. And a basic Camry LE can be had for about $17K-$18K.

 

[mookie]

My friend has both a Sienna and Camry. The Sienna is a V6 and she said she gets 20-22 mpg in it. She just tracked her husbands gas mileage in their 4-cylinder Camry and they got 32 mpg. Same type of driving. I don't think the Sienna and Camry are really comparable with gas mileage, unless, of course, you get the 6-cylinder in the Camry. And a basic Camry LE can be had for about $17K-$18K.

We have had our 2006 Toyota Sienna for about 3 weeks now. I just love it. I had a Hyundai Santa Fe before, and cried when I left it at the dealer. The Santa Fe is a great car, and worked wonderfully with one child. I would recommend this if you aren't looking to go the minivan route yet - it's still sporty and really functional, cheap, yet still accomodates all family needs.

The Sienna was pricier, but well worth it, if you know what you want. I love it. I think I love it now more than my Santa Fe, which DH says is a shocking feat!!!

 

[Servants of Evan]

Heck, I'd check out a Ford Focus wagon. It's large enough to haul a suprising amount of stuff in, yet small enough you won't need a loan to pay your monthly fuel bill. We just finished leasing our second focus and went ahead and bought another.

 

[Minnie824]

Honda Pilot. Great reviews...great SUV....lots of room.

 

[beckmrk04]

My dh and I are having this same discussion right now- which to buy? We have a Neon and a Cavalier right now and will need something bigger when we have our first baby. We are thinking about getting a Mazda5: very affordable, and like a cross between a car, SUV, and mini-van!

 

[hlbtimes2]

We have a 2001 and a 2004 Toyota Sienna. We love them both. One is my husbands company car, and other is his old company car that we bought when his was replaced. Both have been awsome vans. The 2004 has had a couple minor recalls, but of course those are taken care of free of charge.

 

[Kimberly]

I say go with a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord. Both cars have phenominal crash ratings, are good on gas with both their I-4 and V-6 engines, and are extremely reliable. Both are fairly big cars too with huge trunks, so you really cannot go wrong with either car.

If you had to go for a small SUV though... Toyota Rav4, but it is smaller than the Camry in terms of overall people space. I think your best bet would be a few year old Camry to be honest.

 

[Christine]

I say go with a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord. Both cars have phenominal crash ratings, are good on gas with both their I-4 and V-6 engines, and are extremely reliable. Both are fairly big cars too with huge trunks, so you really cannot go wrong with either car.

If you had to go for a small SUV though... Toyota Rav4, but it is smaller than the Camry in terms of overall people space. I think your best bet would be a few year old Camry to be honest.

A girl after my own heart.

I don't know what happens to us "moms" after having a baby, but it seems that the "minvan gene" kicks in. When I had my first child, I was driving a two-door Honda Accord Hatchback. It was a real pain getting the infant carrier in and out of the car. All of a sudden, I found myself getting "van lust." I finally went out and bought a minvan. You know, after 6 months, I hated that thing and I traded it in for my first Toyota Camry (definitely a 4-door though). It was just a difficult to get the car seat in and out of the van (I almost had to step in the van to get her in and out) and I was constantly bruising my shins leaning into the van. I know that the vans nowadays are much better designed, but really, with the addition of just one child, a van really isn't necessary. Plus they are pricey. Most vans are around $22,000 while you can get an Accord or Camry in the $17,000 range. I don't think the vans do well with gas. I was commuting, also, when I had my van and between taking my DD to and from daycare and going to work, I was stopping at the gas station at least 2 times a week filling up the tank (believe me, the V6 in a van is going to kill you if you are used to driving an Echo).

Honestly, the only people I think that need a minivan are those with 3 children or those with 2 children who are older and you are carpooling with school and activities. If you've only got one or two little ones, a nice sedan is perfect and cheaper.

 

[DMickey28]

We have a 2003 Taurus that we bought last year totally loaded with low miles for under $13K. We have had great luck with Ford, my whole family drives them. I know it's hit or miss.

We just bought at 2004 Chrysler Pacifica totally loaded with decent miles for under $20K. We bought that b/c our Explorer is also on it's last legs with a $500-$1100 repair in front of it right now and we were planning on getting a new car in the summer/fall anyway. We love the Pacifica. The middle seats are bucket and very comfortable even with the front seats all the way back. Tons of room. Then you have the fold down third row if you decide to go to a family of five. We are TTC #1 right now and that is our main reason for buying it. We didn't want another car but we also didn't want a full out SUV or minivan. It's really the perfect combo. Our's has AWD which lowers the gas mileage a bit but w/o it the gas is somewhat decent.

 

[Mishetta]

I can't tell you what is best in comparison but I can just tell you that I LOVE my Ford Windstar van. It's so roomy that this past Christmas when we went to WDW, we had to take my DH's Explorer since he ran the battery dead in the van just before we had to leave & I felt I was packed in like a sardine. The van definitely has more room than the explorer ~ not only for passengers but also cargo!

Anyway, we are now looking at a Freestar by Ford because it's basically the same van we LOVE, only the 3rd row folds down flat (like the Chrysler T&C). We have purchased (certified) used vechicles for the past 7 years now & have had good luck with every Ford we've purchased (even tho I was a GM girl all the way before meeting my DH!)

We live in Michigan (Motor City), so we know nothing of those "other" brands people are talking of!

My advice is to go test drive different vehicles. Oh & the last thing I wanted to mention is altho I don't know the exact mileage...my van gets much better mileage than my DH's SUV.

 

[MickeyMouth]

Toyota Highlander