New mini-van options and opinions...

[gshumaker]

Our 98 Chevy Venture has 200k+ miles on it and is not as road worthy as it should be so it is time to look for a new one.

We don't really need a van anymore but don't really like any of the SUV crossovers that we have looked at either.

So for the new van owners out there...

What did you buy and why?
Would you do it again?
What do you love about it?
What do you hate about it?

Thanks!!

 

[Psychodisney]

I bought a new Dodge Grand Caravan last year. I got the bigger engine(4.0L). It has some great power to it. It has some better funcitons thatn my last new van four years ago. The power doors work better thatn they used to. I didn"t need a DVD player as my kids are getting older. I do have the touch screen stereo, didn't opt for navigation as we have a portable unit. There are many option packages out there to make things more affordable.
Have fun shopping!

 

[uk_wildcat]

We have an 09 Chrysler Town & Country and I love it. We got ours with Navigation, Sirius radio and TV, dual screens - 1 in the middle and one in the back row. Ours is a stow and go which is nice when we need to carry large items or travel.
Our kids love the TV because we get Cartoon Network, Nick and Disney Channel and they can also watch DVDs or listen to music. Each screen can be on something different, so they don't argue about what is on if they sit in different rows.

 

[hlkeck]

We love our '09 Honda Odyssey. Lots of room, the rear gate opens with a touch of a button, and a great video camera when it's in reverse.

Of course, there's about a million of them on the road and my son has gotten into the wrong one on more than one occasion...but we like it.

 

[2TxAgs]

It never ceases to amaze me how timely this board is. Just when something happens in my life, I see a thread about it on the DISboards.

We just sold our 2000 minivan today - 175k miles on it. Older kids are learning to drive, so no real need for the minivan capacity any more. They'll be needing something to share in 6-8 months....

I've always liked the older model Honda CR-Vs, so I bought a 2006 with 65Kmiles. I figure one of the two will take it to college in 3 yrs, but for now it's mine. No extras, and it's missing some things I took for granted in my Sienna (lots of storage, cup holders, rear air) but it will do nicely for the near future.

Good luck in your search...

 

[The Iron Giant]

We bought a 2006 Odyssey last year with 27k miles on it - it was a lease turn in and it was in spectacular condition. It runs great and still feels brand new - I highly recommend a Honda.

 

[heatherleigh]

I bought a new '09 Grand Caravan almost 2 years ago. This is my 2nd brand-new GC, and I would not recommend or purchase one ever again.

They have numerous problems- the brakes being the worst. I have less than 20K miles on my minivan, and have had the brakes replaced just two mos ago, and they need replacing again. Had the same issues with my other GC. I've never had this issue with any other vehicle.

It is also very noisy. The plastic inside the vehicle (from console, etc), grinds when you are going down the hwy, and squeaks. You kind of have to get used to that.

 

[JoiseyMom]

I had a 2001 Mazda MPV and in Feb bought a 2010 Equinox. I love love love my equinox!! The ride is great, seats comfy, milage is good, better then the Mazda. It is a crossover, but I love it!

 

[princessfionasmom]

My mother in law recently gave me her 2008 Town & Country Touring and I love it. It only had 12,500 miles on it when she gave it to me (she wanted heated seats and instead of having them put in decided to buy a new one and give me hers ) I was and still am in shock and amazed at how giving she is to do this. I had been in her van a few times and commented on how much I liked it and being the best MIL she is, she gave me hers. My other van was a 99 T&C Lxi which I loved but was also getting up there in miles. Mine doesn't have the tv's (although I will probably have them added soon) but I do have the stow and go seating and the power doors. I love both of these options. DH used to have to pull out the seats in my old van if we wanted to put something big in there but now we just fold them down . It makes life so much easier for us as we kayak a lot and can only fit 2 on the top and we have 3. I just can't say enough about this van and how much I love it. I have lower back problems and this van is so comfortable for me. DH tried to get me to trade it in because when we were talking about getting me another car I was leaning towards the Traverse or the Acadia. I said, are you crazy, and have a car payment! No thank you and it helps that I really do love this car and couldn't be happier. My MIL bought the exact same thing, well a 2010, with heated seats but she loves this vehicle so much she wasn't even interested in looking at anything else. She also got a white one (the one she gave me is a light blue). I love the color of mine but also love the white. Good luck with your search.

 

[gshumaker]

Thanks for the feedback - anymore opinions out there??