What kind of mini van can you recommend

[minnieandmickey]

We will be buying one within a year or so and are wondering if you guys could recommend and why. Thanks!

 

[SPAGo 98]

Hands down the Honda Odyssey. Only problem with it is that it's in high demand and dealers might be charging premiums. Otherwise, it's perfect: Powerful engine, exceptional ride/handling, highly functional and comfortable interior, advanced entertainment system, excellent crash-test scores. (from Edmunds.com)

If you want something a little smaller, the Mazda MPV is one of the better smaller minivans.

 

[Ricola]

We have a VW Eurovan and are very happy with it. It seems to always have room for the things and people we need to haul, and it's got it's share of "fun factor" too.

 

[ripleysmom]

I highly recommend the Venture, Montana or Silhouette. We have a 1990 Transport (original version of the Montana) and a 1998 Silhouette and love them both.

 

[crazyforgoofy]

recommended the Honda Odyssey last I checked.

 

[RNMOM]

We have a 2001 Odyssey and like it a lot. What I don't like is the electric sliders on both sides. You have to be in park or they won't close, stop and beep at you. They are also difficult to stop once they begin to close. If I had small kids I would not want the automatic door function. I love the drivers side slider but I think manual is safer.

We also have a 92 Toyota Previa that is still going strong. I have always loved that van. DS drives it now.

 

[mamajoan]

Hi, We purchased a 2002 Chrysler Town and Country LXI
It has all the things and space that we wanted and needed.
The ride is quiet and very smooth. We got leather seats... best decision ever. I use hand controls.. it is very easy to drive, even with the hand controls. I like the dual sliding doors and the automatic door openers for the sliders and rear compartment. We also like the dual climate control. Essential when you have teens in the rear. If I would do anything different the next time I would get the video package-maybe.

Best advice.. Research like crazy before you purchase. Know exactly what you want and the price you are willing to pay BEFORE you go to the dealership. Edmunds.com is an excellent source of information.

I will say that the Honda was the best rated van. I preferred the Chrysler. Different strokes for different folks.

Happy Car Shopping!

 

[tiggerlover]

The best advice I can give has already been given, RESEARCH! If money wasn't an object when we bought our van almost four years ago I would have loved a Chrysler Town and Country, but unfortuneately it was out of our price range since we were a singe (military) income family. We ended up buying a Dodge Caravan that we had built to our specifications and I have been very happy with it, however, I would love to have the extra bells and whistles that the Town and Country offers.

Another thing we did was shop dealers. we found two dealers we were happy with and we basically played them against one another until we got the lowest price either of them would go.

Good luck in your search.

 

[Indyman]

Another vote here for the Honda Odyssey. We've had both the Plymouth Grand Voyager and the Odyssey and there is no comparison between the two. The Odyssey is a much better van.

 

[JESW]

We had a 1998 Dodge caravan until just a couple of weeks ago. We didn't have any trouble with it for the almost 4 years we had it. BUT, at the end it started having transmission trouble. Beware that the caravans are noted for their transmission troubles.

Traded in my 1998 with just over 60,000. miles on it for a 1994 volvo wagon with over 125, 000. miles on it! We have a local mechanic who lives & breathes volvos so I feel comfortable with an older car. DH is driving a 1990 volvo wagon.

Jill

 

[peg2001]

Another vote for the Honda Odyssey, if you can afford the price tag. We ended up getting the Mazda MPV brand new for less than a used Odyssey. It is a bit awkward to use the bench backseat for adults but other than that, we are happy with it. I especially like the way the bench backseat drops onto the floor when you need cargo space rather than having to remove the bench from the van.

Peggy

 

[aahmom1]

I would suggest either the Dodge Caravan or the Chrysler Town and Country, both great vehicles.

 

[Lanshark]

The Toyota Sienna. Ours is a 98 and has be extremely reliable. My Aunt has a 2000 and loves it. At the time we bought he had the highest insurance ratings for any minivan on the market. We had a Grand Caravan previously which started having some major problems at 70,000 miles. We also found out that they Grand Caravan did not hold its value at trade in. We were told that fact by the bank along with several dealerships.

 

[minnie56]

a 2001 Olds/Sillohette and really enjoy it...Nice ride...I have it with 6 Leather Captains chairs...Entertainment/Television system with Individual headsets ...heated seats the works!! It's good on gas too!

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

I'll have to go against the grain here and say FORD WINDSTAR because of it's safety rating alone!

We have a 98 with dual side doors and four captain's chairs with leather seats.

I would NEVER buy a Honda, despite what the ratings say, but that is just me. My sister has a little Honda car of some sort and I feel like I am riding in a tin can!

Good luck with your decision!

 

[bananiem]

I'd agree that you should do your won research and test-drive a bunch of them! We traded in our '96 Grand Voyager with almost 100,000 miles on it last year. Got a '02 Chrysler Town and Country EX. Had all the bells and whistles we wanted and still cost less than the comparable Dodge Caravan. We love the new van even more than the old one!
My sister has an Odyssey from the first year they were available. She waited 6 months for it, has had several problems with it and it has the stiffest seats I've ever sat in. JMO though. I do like the way the Honda's rear seat folds down.

 

[MerryPoppins]

I've had a Nissan Quest for 10 or 11 years. I need to replace it, but it's still going strong. If I wanted another minivan, I would buy one of them in a minute.

 

[alabamaalan]

I agree with everyone else..research and read the reviews before you buy!

I liked the safety rating of the Ford, but when we were ready to purchase they did not have a driver's side sliding door and that is not to be missed!

We have really enjoyed our Dodge Grand Caravan. I got it for the extra space in the back (over the Voyager or Caravan) and have 4 captain's chairs so passengers can walk back and forth easier, if necessary. (Not that alabamaalan advocates standing in a moving vehicle!)

 

[nkjzmom]

Like everyone else said....research and decide what extras are most important to you and what you can/cannot live without.

We have had some form of a Nissan Quest for the last 5 years and I love them......you know when you sit in a car and you can feel that it was made for you. That's how I feel in the Quest. We bought our first one used and after 2 years wanted to trade it in for a newer one with the 2 rear sliding doors. I test-drove many types of vans and did weeks worth of research but as soon as my rear end hit the leather seats of the 99 Quest...we knew we were in heaven!!!! hehe

 

[Wendy]

I think I spent a year researching and test driving minivans before we finally bought one this summer. LOL! We went with the Mazda MPV and I love it! I especially love the way the rear bench seat folds down flush into the floor. It's so much easier than having to remove the seat when you need the extra room. Even my 7 year old can do it by himself! I also love the way it drives. My second choice was the Toyota Sienna.

Despite all the rave reviews for the Honda Odyssey, I just didn't care for it at all. It seemed almost sluggish compared to the Mazda when driving it, maybe because it's a larger vehicle. I also didn't think it was as comfortable for some reason.

Bottom line, you need to go out and research and test drive them all to see what fits you best. There are a lot of nice minivans to choose from.