To buy a minivan or not...Odessey, Sienna, Enclave...Feedback anyone?

[GeorgeG]

We bought our first Sienna in October (2010 model) and love it. We've had three Camrys and they were all great cars, but we needed something with more room for hauling my music equipment. We drove up to New York for Christmas and hit that big snowstorm around Richmond, VA right through to New York and the Sienna was like a rock with the front wheel drive. I haven't check the mileage, but it seems to use just a little more than the Camrys. It's a very comfortable ride, too.

 

[betsywdw]

We bought a 2010 Sienna in November and LOVE it! I was very nervous going from a SUV to a minivan but I could not be happier!

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

I had a Mazda minivan which was convenient when my kids were smaller. I just bought a Nissan Armada, which I love love love. I thought it might be too big but it isn't...it has sensors all over and a great backup cam, so it is actually easier to park than DH's Infiniti...Seats 8 comfortably. Lots of room, lots of bells & whistles. I love that we can bring friends along and never have space issues, I love that all 3 of my kids CAN sit in the center row if necessary to put the 3rd row down to transport something, etc. Can tow stuff too! More flexibile than the minivan, IMO.
Just something else to consider! Good luck!

 

[Totally Tink]

I went from a Honda Pilot to an Odyssey. I LOVE my minivan, and I NEVER thought I'd say that...ever! It drives great, great storage, love the power doors, etc. We have had it for a bit over a year and plan to keep it for many years. We have the EX-L version.

 

[Melrosgirl]

The 2011 Siennas will be different (not the 2010). They look pretty nice. Don't like the wood trim they put inside of the upper end models though. Toyota needs to stop doing that.

 

[mvazul]

My MIL has a Kia Sedona and we all love it! Lots of room, no mechanical issues, great mileage, and for some reason about a million cup-holders (we counted 13).

We've driven it to WDW from NC twice without any issues. Unfortunately, we've recently had a falling out with the MIL so we won't be able to use it anymore.

I'm glad to hear she loves hers. We will NEVER buy another one. We bought ours brand new in October, 2005. It had 10 miles on it when we drove it home - and we put 8 of those miles on it test driving it. Within three weeks, the brakes were squealing. Took it in and it needed new brake pads. As I was sitting in the waiting room, there were 6 other people there all waiting for new brakes on their Kia's, too (all different models). We quickly learned Kia had issues with their brakes. In the first year alone, we had the pads changed 6 times and the rotors replaced three times. One time, they even put the pads on backwards. Never again.

We went from an Oldsmobile Silhouette to the Kia, and I was so sad to get rid of the Olds. The Olds was so nice. I loved the automatic door. And there was soooo much room. We would have bought another, but they stopped making them. The Kia is smaller and the blind spots are terrible. I can't wait to get rid of this van. We only bought it, because the Olds was at a point where it had alot of miles on it and was costing us alot of money. We were in desperate need of a different/new vehicle. I did not want this van, but my husband was sold and since he pays the bills.... However, he now wishes he would have listened to me.

Michelle

 

[Diane♥Disney]

I have an 04 Odyssey and absolutely love it.

 

[stevenpensacola]

If you ENJOY driving, get a Honda.

If you just drive to drive...get a Toyota.

Honda has a more sportier feel...the "sports car" of minivans.
Toyota has a more isolated, smoother, quieter ride...softer handling.

can't go wrong with either.

Honda has three basic trim levels...easy to decipher the options...
Toyota options can be a little harder to decipher.

 

[stevenpensacola]

My wife and I are anti-minivan. We're SUV people.

and I'm sure you use it to drive through mountain canyons as shown on all the commercials...

surveys have shown that most bought SUV's for the "image", while mini-vans are much more practical.

In fact, most of the new large crossover SUV's are nothing more than mini-vans with rear "car" doors vs sliding doors.

 

[cocodog]

Have had my Sienna for 3+ years and LOVE it! We are not tall people, but we travel with our 2 dogs, and alot of baggage ;o) Love the 2 captain's chairs in the middle row!

 

[smphbear]

I have my second Odyssey now. We upgraded from the first to the second.

I think the biggest compliment for it came from my sister. My sister is a huge mini-van hater. She bought an SUV because she just couldn't drive a mini-van. This summer, the five women in the family took a road trip from New Orleans to San Antonio to see Wicked. We took turns driving. My sister wanted to drive first. She was so impressed with it both as driver and passenger. She was gushing about the space, comfort, and features. She was completely shocked.

My husband was looking at the features on the soon to be released Sienna redesign. My son would be in heaven with the foot rest.

Good luck no matter what you decide.

 

[MizTink]

i've been thinking of all the different options for my growing family.i was just at our local honda dealer with my sister who just bought a new accord. i am IN LOVE with her salesman and will probably go with the odyssey just because of his charm and good looks!!!!

 

[justhat]

and I'm sure you use it to drive through mountain canyons as shown on all the commercials...

surveys have shown that most bought SUV's for the "image", while mini-vans are much more practical.

In fact, most of the new large crossover SUV's are nothing more than mini-vans with rear "car" doors vs sliding doors.

I don't know about Sbell, but I won't dispute that. I don't own a minivan cause I don't like the way they look at all. I do love that my SUV can handle snow well, but that was not the primary reason I got it. But when I think minivan, I think of my grandparents, the only people in my family who had one.

 

[Kirby]

We own a 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan. We love it and it's been great for traveling. We've driven it to Chicago twice, WDW twice and Washington DC. It's been a trouper. It's got 175,000 miles on it and the most expensive thing that we have had to do to it is replace the window motor in the passenger side door. We are going to run the wheels off of it.

My kids are grown and in college now. But if they were still young and I needed to purchase another car, I'd definately look into buying another.