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

[summermac]

I'm pseudo in the market. I need to get past the "uncool" factor.

I currently drive a Toyota Matrix that sucks in the snow. I'm heavily leaning towards a Toyota Sienna b/c it has AWD as an option. I'll only buy used b/c I think new cars are a big fat ripoff. I found a decent deal but still not sure.

And do you think power sliding doors are worth $3K more? I have found two Siennas and I don't think the one with that's cheaper has the sliders.

So tell me about your mini van!

 

[mjkacmom]

I have a Honda Odyssey, and I love it! I understand the cool factor - I had to sell my Madza Rx7, red 2-seater, and buy a Ford Windstar when I got pregnant with #1 (knew we were going to have more kids, and didn't want to have to keep getting a new vehicle). It didn't have power doors, and now that I have them, they're worth the $! Because most vans have them, I find that a lot of kids will get out of my van, and not shut the door, out of habit.

 

[madmom1030]

I drive a 6 year old dodge caravan, I don't have automatic doors or a cd player. We have survived. I said I never wanted a minivan but I can't imagine life with out it. Its great when I have to take extra kids for girl scouts. We also like being able to take the rear seat out ( mine don't fold) for trips for the extra space for stuff on long trips.

Fyi- If you decided not to get the automatic doors, they are heavy. My dd6 can't get it closed yet. She can open but doesn't have enough strengh yet to shut it.

Erin

 

[summermac]

See my worry is that if I get a van, then I'll want another baby. AHHHHH!!!!

 

[liznboys]

Isn't it funny how we have to get past being "minivan mom's" at first?! And then once you have one, you can't imagine life without it!

We started with a Ford Windstar and had that for a few years and it served us well. But then we wanted something newer with a better warranty that would last us for the long haul.

Now we have a Honda Odyssey. We got it in Feb 2006. I LOVE our van!! Ours is the touring model with all the bells and whistles, though I'll be the first to admit we didn't need them all-they are fun/nice though. I can't say anything bad about our van! It's our home on the road.

 

[liznboys]

See my worry is that if I get a van, then I'll want another baby. AHHHHH!!!!

LOL! Yeah, better be careful, you might want to fill 'er up!

 

[RyJMom]

I had a Toyota Sienna and it was a very good van. Mine only had one of the auto sliding doors but I really liked it. It drove like a car, had tons of room and got pretty good gas mileage. I gave it up beacuse of the "cool factor". If you can get over that I still think it is the best choice for a family. Believe me I really miss the sliding doors when my boys jump out and almost hit the cars next to us !

 

[MinnieVanMom]

Note my name and it says it all. I use to own a Chevy Uplander, loaded. It worked well for our family but was a terrible value. I sold it this summer. For the first day it was noisy. I could hear road noise and wind. I took it in but they never fixed it correctly.

We had to have 4 wheel drive so our choices were limited when we were shopping. It had heated seats, OnStar, DVD, game plug in's, dual zone climate control, heated outside mirrors, again every option offered.

Now I am in the market for a good used Subaru Tribeca.

 

[liznboys]

I had a Toyota Sienna and it was a very good van. Mine only had one of the auto sliding doors but I really liked it. It drove like a car, had tons of room and got pretty good gas mileage. I gave it up beacuse of the "cool factor". If you can get over that I still think it is the best choice for a family. Believe me I really miss the sliding doors when my boys jump out and almost hit the cars next to us !

Oh man, I don't think I could go back to non-sliding doors. I get so annoyed driving my dh's Nissan Pathfinder with my kids and the swing out doors! You are brave!

 

[Belle4mygrl]

I have a 2003 Chevy Venture. I bought it used early in 2003 and we have 190,000 miles on it. The only major problem we have had to fix the intake gaskets(can't remember the cost because we did a tune up with it) and minor upkeep (oxygen sensor, serpentine belt, and a throttle sensor-- sounds big but all combined it cost around $500. -- a car payment) It is paid for and I will drive it until it falls apart. It has been very good to us.

 

[Misty89]

I have a 2003 ford windstar. - have had it for 3 years, no problems, it has 117K on it. - it has been a good car, handles well enough in the Winter.

....my baby before this was my Ford Taurus wagon, i miss it dearly. i only bought a minivan because i needed more storage room for my now defunked business ( wedding cakes)
i like my van, but i miss my car
my DH thinks i am nuts LOL

 

[tink_lover]

It's funny isn't it - the "uncool" factor of the van? My poor dh had to sell his loaded Mountaineer when we found ourselves with 3 car seats. Dh now drives an old Ford Freestar with no auto doors (next vehicle will have them). It has over 100,000 miles, but runs fine. Instead of buying a new car last year, we bought DVC. His car tends to only get driven in town anyway. My car is a Ford Edge and we both love it. We are also looking at the Odyssey or Sienna but were leaning towards the Odyssey if I recall. Doesn't it have a smart sensor that switches part of the engine off on highway trips to save gas?

 

[bethbuchall]

My Honda Odyssey seems much better in the snow than my friends' Toyota Siennas. None of us have AWD, though.

Before we bought the Odyssey, I was totally against the automatic sliding doors (one more thing to break). Now I'm not sure what I'd do without them.

 

[CrAzY4DL]

I have a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport. I bought it as a rental-return in 2003 with 12,000 miles on it while I was pregnant with baby #2. Ever since high school, I have wanted a minivan!! My best friends mom had one and used to let me drive it to San Francisco to pick up some of our friends and I just looooved how many kids we could fit in it....legally. *** at the time I drove a 2 door Ford Escort and I could fit 6 kids in there....illegally. HAHAHAHA
So, I finally convince DH I want/need a minivan and for the first 4 years I love it. The doors are a little heavy, my youngest couldn't shut it until she was 4 but that wasn't a big deal. I love not having to worry when they open the doors in a parking lot!!! That right there is worth it to me!!! I got the bare minimum-no sliding doors, no automatic back door, no CD player. I DO have power windows, dual side climate control (which is a lifesaver *** DH is always cold and I'm always hot!) and rear A/C / heat (which is another lifesaver!). We have had some minor problems with it. Sometimes the trunk won't unlock even after I have hit the unlock button on the keypad a few times so I have to manually unlock it with the key. I have had to get new brakes 3 times so far which is crazy to me but maybe that's normal. It makes this REALLY crazy moaning noise when we drive. I took it in last winter when it was still under extended warranty and they said it was totally normal. Well, now it's louder and the warranty has expired, so I am SOL. SIGH!

Then Dodge came out with the Chargers and I am in LOVE!!! That thing is HUGE and I plan on getting one.....eventually. My van is paid off so it's REALLY hard to think about getting a new car payment right now. BAH!! LOL I really miss having a trunk that opens with the push of a button. I want a car where I can pick up the kids at school (my 2 plus niece) and pop open the trunk, they can throw their bags in there, shut the door and go. Funny, the things we want, eh?! HAHAHAHA

PS-When I thought I was going to get another van, I test drove them all and compared their amenities for a year and the Toyota Sienna is the way I would go!!!

 

[Totally Tink]

We have a 3 month old Honda Odyssey. My husband still isn't over the "uncool" factor, but I LOVE my van! I was one of those women who said they'd never drive a minivan, BUT I wouldn't trade it for the world! I'm partial to Honda - we've had a Civic, Accord, Pilot and now the Odyssey. It drives like a dream and is comfy. We have the EX-L which comes with moonroof, leather, rear back-up camera, auto doors, etc. My DH loves that our son can't throw open the doors anymore.

 

[Tiffany_MommyOf3]

I absolutely ADORE my 8 passenger Sienna. I bought it in 2006 and absolutely love it. I can fit 5 carseats in it and cannot imagine life without it.

Oh and the power doors are WELL worth the money IMO. LOL. But I'm normally carrying 2 kids, and bags and stuff so its easy to just push a button and the door opens

 

[Dallas_Lady]

We're in the market for one as well. We will probably get a used 2007 or 2008. I am wanting a Grand Caravan or a Chrysler Town and Country. I have seen a lot of Chevy Uplanders on Carmax lately. Anyone have opinions on that one?

 

[The Moonk's Mom]

I have a ford windstar and LOVE IT! It has had a few hick ups but nothing that any other car would not have to deal with. My mom drives a Toyota. I like my ford better becuase it feels better to drive. We have power doors, they have been good and bad at times. I do like that I don't have to wait for the kids to open the doors or shut them esp in the rain! It has tons of space.

I have never not wanted a mini van! I begged for one. I remember the day, when I was prego with #3 and the car we had at the time left me stranded for the 2nd time...I called DH, that night we went and bought my van! I was so happy! And DH even said when it is time to buy another car (we drive them till they die!) to replace his, he will take my mini and buy me a newer one! LOVE MY VAN!!!!

 

[Villainess]

I like the Honda Odyssey followed bythe Toyota Sienna. What do I drive? A Subaru Impreza w/ 2 car seats in the back. I really need the mini van though; it would be a lifesaver with the craft shows I do!

 

[K and K's Mommy]

I have a Toyota Sienna and love it!! We got it two weeks before #3 was born. He is four now, and we have had no problems except for the trunk which they fixed quickly.

I LOVE the power doors. Just a click, they open, my kids hop in!! I especially loved them when my youngest was a baby.