OT: Assuming you own a mini van, what kind?

[DisneyWheeler]

My mom has a Dodge Grand Caravan that is adapted for wheelchairs with a lowered floor, automatic sliding rear door and automatic fold-out ramp. She bought it when I got my power chair because her station wagon couldn't be adapted for a wheelchair lift in the rear. Also, my best friend is a power chair user, so she knew that she needed a wheelchair van to be able to take her places with us too.

It's an older model mini-van as she's the third owner of it, but my dad keeps it running with all of the maintenance work he does on it. He just gave it a new paint job last August, and it looks good.

The only time it really gets used is when my mom or dad takes Dan and I up to summer camp for children and adults with disabilities in August. Although for the first time this year, we're going in June. I have to take more gear than Dan does with my two wheelchairs: manual one, and power one. Plus my walker. Everything fits in perfectly since it's somewhat roomy inside the van. Dan and I usually have one suitcase a piece. Plus, the bags with our sleeping bags, pillows and blankets. The only hard part is when my dad or mom, or one of my mom's friends goes with us when they take us to camp. Then, everything has to get piled up in the seat next to Dan, and around me as I'm sitting in my power chair.

Although my mom drove it recently when her car had to be in the shop for a week. She liked having it because it's a great backup vehicle for this kind of thing. But, she missed driving her car around.

Samantha

 

[summermac]

Nope, no spare at all on the AWDs. If you keep the run flats on, you can get to safety if something happens to your tire. But it is a pain (and expensive) to keep replacing the run flats, and there was no way I was going to drive around on regular tires with two kids and no spare.

We bought the AWD when we lived in WV, and we regularly traveled smaller roads that didn't get plowed until long after a storm was over. If you travel main roads that are reasonably plowed, the FWD works great. My friend in upstate NY drives a Sienna and opted not to get AWD. Her thought was that the roads get plowed regularly, and if they haven't been plowed, she doesn't need to be out. If you live on a fair amount of land with a long driveway and need to get out before it's cleared (or in a neighborhood that gets cleared late but the kids still have to get to school), the AWD is wonderful. It's also very useful if you intentionally drive where it is snowing (like trying to get to a ski resort in a storm). It just depends how much you need to be out before the roads are clear.

Uh your entire 2nd paragraph describes my predicament quite well. We live on a private rural road so it's never plowed. My driveway is a bit of an incline so the car is currently 1/2way up it. And most of the commute is a state route that isn't plowed nearly enough. FUN!

 

[nessz79]

We have a base 2008 Honda Odyssey. We don't have any of the bells and whistles of the upper models but it is still a GREAT minivan. It's our first minivan. We had a Buick Rendezvous before and we needed more space with our trips . The Odyssey is great. It's very spacious and the trunk sold me right there! The trunk is kind of recessed which allows for tons of storage for luggage, etc. We bought the Odyssey because we have 2 kids plus we often tote around DH's parents and we often travel with them.

I kind of wish we had power doors as I am having a problem getting used to the sliding doors...I never seem to close them all the way. However, since we only got it a month ago, I think I just have to get used to it.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Toyota Sienna, and I love it!

We were originally looking at the Odyssey, but the Honda dealer couldn't be bothered to even unlock the doors for us, said the 2 (used) ones he had both had dead batteries and went back inside.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Uh your entire 2nd paragraph describes my predicament quite well. We live on a private rural road so it's never plowed. My driveway is a bit of an incline so the car is currently 1/2way up it. And most of the commute is a state route that isn't plowed nearly enough. FUN!

That was WV for us - all hills and small, winding roads! It was worth it to have AWD, but I wanted you to be aware of the tire hassles. The Odyssey is also a great van, but I think its AWD also has run flats (I'm not sure Honda even makes the AWD anymore, but I am not looking for vans now, so I'm not up on the latest models).

Once we moved here, the AWD was just a money drain because of the tires we had. I was glad to get rid of it, although the rest of the van was perfect.

If you're looking at a used one, check the tire tread. If the tires are almost bald, be prepared for about $1000 in tire costs and negotiate accordingly!

 

[delmar411]

We've got a 2003 Town & Country. I don't really know anything about which particular model as I don't care about that part. LOL

It's not required much in the way of repairs or maintenance which suits me just fine. We got it in spring of 06 with less than 40k miles on it and I believe it was priced 12k. We traded in DH's 03 Chevy Silverado extended cab(?) sat 5ppl and very required to get to our house up a WV mountain! And left with the minivan and a $2k check (and tissue for DH's tears! LOL). I'm thrilled we traded that sucker in when we did as we'd only get about half that value now for a giant truck.

No power doors though. That would be nice to have. It does have power windows and locks and a cassette/CD/radio combo.

Gets good gas mileage too for a big vehicle and fits 3 carseats no issue although only the captain's chairs have LATCH.

 

[summermac]

We were checking out some Pacificas tonight too. I kind of think I like those better. Must do more thinking! Thanks for all the replies!

 

[ilandrazdsw]

We have a 2006 Grand Caravan. Double sliding doors and sto n go. The mileage was amazing and in terrific condition for second hand. Now if we could only drive it! It is in IN in storage (where we will be moving to) and we are in the Bahamas.

 

[kpadalik]

Have a Sienna and LOVE it!!!!!

 

[LisaMommy]

We were checking out some Pacificas tonight too. I kind of think I like those better. Must do more thinking! Thanks for all the replies!

We have a Pacifica. I love this car so much. I can't imagine my life without it. I have three kids and they love it too. I can't recommend it enough.

 

[MissyDVC]

2008 Chrysler Town & Country Touring here and I LOVE it. It does have the power doors and it makes it so much easier (had Ford Windstar (bought new-had lots of problems and no power doors). I also love the look and shape of the T&C and mine is red

 

[natmurr]

I had a van - hated it so now I have an 08 Toyota Highlander. I LOVE it. I prefer to have my 3 kids in the same row to make my life easier - but I have the option of using the 3rd row if things get out of hand!

I found I had no storage in my van - I had to have the 3rd row up all the time to accomodate a car seat so that left very little cargo area. With the highlander I can still have all 3 kids in the car and pick up big items (my latest was a club chair from Home Depot)

OP - do you have snow (winter) tires on your Matrix. If not I would invest in a good set - the difference between all-seasons is AMAZING - and a heck of a lot cheaper than a new van!!

 

[angiejg]

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Nissan Quest. It doesn't even have the minivan look. I get tons of compliments on it.

My husband hates the turning radius however. He can't park it. I guess I'm just used to it.

I is definitely a very unique looking van. If you haven't checked one out you definitely should!

 

[SLK1]

I think I've had them all except the Honda Odyssey, which is probably next (we lease, so it's one every three years). I think my favorite was the Toyota Sienna LX, but we added leather seats and the DVD player. I liked the 8-seat option, so all three kids (now it's four so doesn't matter) could sit in a row and we had tons of room in the back for luggage during long trips. I now have a Chrysler Town & Country Limited. It's a wonderful riding car with lots of bells and whistles, but definitely low on the "cool" scale! I don't think I could go back to anything but a van - rides like a car, holds a ton, and is the most practical vehicle out there!

 

[ThreeAngels]

We have a 2006 Sienna and LOOOVE it. We don't have automatic doors and I don't think it's worth it, but my youngest was 6 when we got it.

We've also had a Chrysler Voyager and pretty much hated it.

I HIGHLY recommend the Sienna.

 

[scape1224]

I have a 2007 Honda Odyssey.

I swore I was never going to be a minivan mom. With three kids it just works best.

I love everything about it! Where I am in life right now it is the perfect vehicle for me.

I love the dual sliding door feature. Could not imagine not having that.

 

[tlh0726]

2008 Town and Country Signature Series (Previous vehicle was an 05 T&C)
Would not go without the power doors, Definitely a big bonus when you have children in tow. Love the power lift gate when hands are full of bags.

If you travel (I have a little over 12K miles since june 08) the stow and go storage compartment holds tons of stuff. The 2nd row seats also fold flat into the floor if you ever find yourself needing to haul something inside.

Not sure on the other vans, but the T&C's 3rd row split bench can be reclined.



Good luck on your decision.

 

[megan2346]

I just got my second Odyssey. I started with a 2003 and loved it. We drove it everywhere but I swore I would never drive another minivan. Well I now have a 2008. I have had it for 3 months and love it. It drives very well.

 

[CNYGuy]

2007 Odyssey, DVD and navigation, love it.

I never get to drive it though, since my wife uses it most of the time. Power sliding doors have been great, wish I had a power lift gate too.

No need for AWD for me , but I can see why others would like it/ need it.

 

[princessesx2]

LOVE LOVE LOVE my 2004 Sienna LE....not AWD but I don't really need it as the snow here is not too bad and live in area where plowing is really good. Has run flat tires but has a spare (under the passenger middle row seat under van) and has one power slider door. It drives like a car, handles well and has lots of room..storage and seating. Like it better than my best friend's Odyssy, Sienna feels roomier.