Thoughts on a new Minivan/Crossover/SUV??

[rjan67]

Anyone have a new vehicle in this classification that you absolutely love? We currently are looking to replace our Odyssey- which I love. She has been a great van and currently has 345,000 on her, but we are preparing for the inevitable replacement. We have 3 kids and really need room for 6 (at least). We have been looking at another Odyssey but they price out to almost 40,000 which is crazy! We have also been "looking" at the Grand Caravan, Sienna and Traverse. This morning I was looking at the Dodge Journey. Anyone have any thoughts? We would be buying instead of leasing.

Of course if I win the $40 million tonight in the Lotto Max - I will be all set!

Thanks!

 

[minnie56]

I have a Buick-Enclave, sister to the Traverse.
I LOVE IT!!!!

The most beautiful car I have ever owned (except for a couple of Jags mixed in there!) It's pretty good on gas, great to drive on long distances, lots of room and has not given me one bit of trouble.

Good Luck in your search!

 

[Stitch'sCousin]

We also have an Odyssey (2003) and you know that you get what you pay for. This van is much better than our old Caravan. We also cringed at the price of the 2010's. You might want to try a low mileage, used (3-4 years old) Honda. They are in the $20K range for vans with around 100, 000 kilometres on them. You can still get an extended warranty on it if you buy it through a dealer.

 

[Hoogy]

We just got a 2011 Sienna and LOVE it! The new models have more features and a lower price tag. We got the 8 passenger LE (V6) which is a step up from the 7 passenger base model. Extras with our model include the extra seat, bluetooth, dual sliding doors(power) and a back-up camera. The new look is sportier and I love the amount of room inside. It drives more like a car instead of the truck like feel of our old van.
The kids like the sun shades that pull down on the side window.

 

[rjan67]

We just got a 2011 Sienna and LOVE it! The new models have more features and a lower price tag. We got the 8 passenger LE (V6) which is a step up from the 7 passenger base model. Extras with our model include the extra seat, bluetooth, dual sliding doors(power) and a back-up camera. The new look is sportier and I love the amount of room inside. It drives more like a car instead of the truck like feel of our old van.
The kids like the sun shades that pull down on the side window.

Did this model have the console in the middle between the seats in the front or was that extra?

 

[Hoogy]

The 8 passenger LE also includes the console. It used to be that EVERYTHING was "extra" on the Sienna but the new model/packages are better and include a lot more. If you haven't seen some of the funny Sienna commercials go to youtube. There is even a rap done by the couple that they feature. They call it the "Swagger Wagon"

 

[The 4 "Quay"balleros]

We have a '07 Odyssey and love it If you got 345K miles on your old one, 40k is steal for a new one

 

[dancin Disney style]

Honestly....now a days 40K is almost the median price for a family vehicle.

If you need seating for 6 your best option is another van. The larger SUV's that will accomodate that many comfortably will cost you way more than 40K and will also cost you a lot on gas. I have no idea what age your kids are but they tend to need more space as they get older so a crossover or something like the Journey just won't fit. They may have the seating for 6 but generally those third row seats only fit little kids and they are pain to get in and out of. Plus, you won't have much cargo space when all the seats are in use.

If buying a new Odyssey is out of your price range then look for a slightly used one. Let someone else pay all the extra taxes. If you have the time to look you can find something that might be only 3-4 years old with under 80,000Km.


Good luck.

 

[taylor3297]

The Traverse, Enclave, Acadia and Outlook are all pretty much the same vehicle. We bought one of the last Outlooks last year and love it. Do more research on the Dodge Journey. There have been many bad reviews on the Journey. The vehicle looks great but too many mechanical issues. Dodge is trying to work the kinks out in the Journey still.

 

[KerriMc]

We have a 2008 Sienna and we love it! Friends of ours bought a new Odyssey last year and they are not as in love with this one as they were the first one they had. They don't find it drives the same or just feels like it is as good of quality. I have never driven one, but if you read reviews the Odyssey has its issues - many transmissions issues. Another friend didn't believe me and then wham, their transmission went! So type in google Sienna problems, Odyssey problems, etc ... you'll find all kinds of stuff!!

 

[CdnKayDee]

We also have the 2011 Sienna 8 passenger LE (V6). We love, love, love it. The removable 8th seat is great. The reclining back seat is great for longer trips. The way the back seat folds in for lots of storage room. Take one for a test drive they are fantastic.

 

[rjan67]

Thanks everyone. We will probably take a Sienna for a test drive. With the price drop and the new styling for the 2011's it is definitely in the running. I do love my Honda. But dh thinks they are overpriced. The research continues, but I'm driving my Honda for now!

 

[tillytinkerbell]

DH got a 2010 Ford Flex as his work vehicle in February. We love it. It seats 7, seats fold flat if needed. It's a crossover. Might be worth a peek.

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

Not a van and only seats 5 but in March we got a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe sport - so far I love it. Found a dealership that was willing to wheal and deal and managed to get it for a great price.

 

[monkey30]

we love our 2006 sienna...now if it would only pull a trailer behind it bigger then a tent trailer!

I would not hesitate to buy another, except we just bought a truck so we can pull a trailer!!LOL

 

[DeniseinNS]

Not a van and only seats 5 but in March we got a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe sport - so far I love it. Found a dealership that was willing to wheal and deal and managed to get it for a great price.

We just got a 2010 Santa Fe as well, I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I don't miss driving a van at all. I'v had 3 kids in the back in boosters and they all fit comfortably.

 

[DeniseinNS]

I just got rid of a Dodge Caravan, probably one of the worst vehicles that I have owned. If you are looking at van, honestly you get what you pay for and the resell is much better on the Honda's and Toyota's.

 

[joandegennaro]

I just got rid of a Dodge Caravan, probably one of the worst vehicles that I have owned. If you are looking at van, honestly you get what you pay for and the resell is much better on the Honda's and Toyota's.

Wow, this post surprised me as we just purchased our 3rd Dodge Caravan. Retired the '95 (still working so gave it to my BIL) I use the 2000 and DH gets the 2009(only b/c it would get really scratched at my work) We drove it to WDW in March and loved the ride. I have a bad back and didn't have a problem with the 9+ hours in the car at all. I guess it all comes down to personal preference. Good luck with your search.

 

[rjan67]

we love our 2006 sienna...now if it would only pull a trailer behind it bigger then a tent trailer!

I would not hesitate to buy another, except we just bought a truck so we can pull a trailer!!LOL

We also have a truck (Avalanche) to pull our trailer! This one won't be pulling any trailers. Maybe a bike hitch!

 

[SplashMom]

We recently bought a 2010 Grand Caravan--our fourth since 1987--and we love it! My parents and many other family members also have Caravans (we joke that we should be in the commercials) and have for years with no major problems. We put a lot of miles on our vans and have never had any issues. We drove to Florida once (4500 km) and have had many shorter trips and love the comfort for long drives. The price is quite reasonable and we certainly get our moneys worth!