What kind of mini van do you drive?

[mickeyboat]

We also have a 2006 Sienna and I absolutely love it. It is AWD and gets pretty bad gas mileage (16), but I wouldn't trade it for anything. It is so convenient for our family, and since we live in Vermont, we need a vehicle that can handle bad road conditions.

 

[gardenergirl]

We have a honda civic and a honda odyssey. The odyssey gets awesome gas mileage on the highway. It actually does better than the Civic on our Disney trips-probably because of the larger engine and the heavy load (not a light packer ).

Have fun van shopping!

 

[hugabearjo]

Another vote for Honda Odyessy, this is my second one and loved them both. the first traded only because the payments were to high. Long story short.... bought when we could afford to pay off in 36 months, so really really high payments. Then my husband left and I had to make the payments on my own so I traded it for a new odyessy and spread the payments out for 72 months. It has been paid off now for several years and I do love it. Did have to get a new tranny.... still worth it.

Happy hunting.

 

[Kadekaden]

I like so much Toyota Sienna. Its nice. Its comfortable for family.

 

[pixiewings71]

I have an '05 Dodge Grand Caravan, bought it in '06 with about 30,000 miles on it. We LOVE that thing!!!!!! We have the Stow & Go seats and the captains chairs in the middle, it's so roomy it's great. We drove it on almost all the DLR/DCA trips indicated in my sig, 400 miles 1 way, it's got about 123,000 miles on it, only standard maintenance and it runs great. We plan to have it forever........I'll get a new car to drive in a few years but we will keep the mini-van, it's just too great to get rid.

 

[Andrea from PA]

I have 1998 Grand Caravan. Has 145,600 miles. It has been great - minor issues (thermostat, water pump) - but nothing big -- Not driving as smooth as it once did & we decided it was time to find a replacement

We rented the SIENNA in Orlando back in 2008 & fell in love with it -- swore that would be our next car, but given the Toyota recalls, the gas milage & the thought that all my kids would learn to drive in the next vehicle, we actually bought a 2011 Sonata instead. I already have buyer's remorse (only been a day!).

IMO - The space, inside cabin set-up and exterior styling- SIENNA can't be beat!

I recommend looking for rental car deals -- try out the van for a week vs a 10 minute test drive -- the cost for a rental vs payments on a vehicle you hate is cheap

 

[jemmouse]

I have a one year old Honda Odyssey and I do like it however I do think Honda needs to get better exterior colors. ALso drives great but I think overall Siennas have a nicer look on the inside and the outside.
I so debated over these 2 vans but the Honda had alot more band for your buck. My son loves the seat in the second row that flips down and the tv and remote are great.

 

[mjkacmom]

I drive a 2003 Honda Odyssey, my second minivan (hated my Ford). My sister, and both of my parents (who live together) have them also.

 

[pyrxtc]

I have a 2004 Chevy venture (they don't make them anymore and that was the last year) and I LOVE it. It handle well, drives smooth, and haven't had any problems with it ever. It has driven from NH to WDW and back twice and went smooth. We had 7 people in the van each time with luggage loaded up in the back. Only 2 of them under 5 feet tall. It currently has about 115,000 miles on it but you would never know it. I am using it right now to to help teach my DD how to drive and she loves how well it controls. It drives thru snow and ice and mud and no probs. I bought it used in 2005 after the original owner turned it in after 4 months since it was not what he needed for his cleaning business and he bought a cargo van.It has a lot of power which helps in the snow and mud.

If and when I trade it in, I want the Chevy Traverse, I like my 8 passenger and very few companies make them. With 4 of my own kids I definitely need the extra room. I have had Chevy's for about 8 years and loved them all. I learned to drive in Chevy vehicles also, a cargo van, a mini-van, and a compact.

 

[Disneysun]

We also have a 2006 Sienna and I absolutely love it. It is AWD and gets pretty bad gas mileage (16), but I wouldn't trade it for anything. It is so convenient for our family, and since we live in Vermont, we need a vehicle that can handle bad road conditions.

We have a 2008 Sienna and love it. We also have AWD which does have pretty bad gas mileage - not to mention run flat tires (which I can't stand ). Other than the tires, we have had no issues, but run flats are a big pain and not worth the "convenience". To replace them is very expensive!!

 

[luvmy3jewels]

I drive a 2007 EX-L RES Ody that has around 28,000 miles on it. This is the second Ody we have owned and I love the way that it drives (like a car instead of a larger vehicle). We get between 17-19 mpg in town and around 22-23 mpg on the highway, not great but probably not as bad as a large SUV. I love the Ody's power doors, RES, safety ratings, and kid/junk hauling capacity

We went throught the transmission problems/replacement with our first Ody (2002 model) and I was a little nervous about buying our second one. We have had a few problems with this one that have all been covered through service bulletins/warranty including having the computer re-programed, the torque converter replaced, and a fuel pump replaced. We also just paid to put four new tires on the van, since the original four weren't worth a darn. Despite its issues, I still love my Ody and hope that I can drive this one until the wheels fall off of it.

 

[312.Duck]

meggymouse - what did you end up purchasing?




(I just got rid of my Chrysler minivan)

 

[mom2t]

Honda 2010 - because of the room in the 1st and especially 2 rows. Also love pushing a button and my hatch going up and down in the back. It is the 2nd one I have bought - always look for good and have never bought the same make twice in 34 years of driving.

 

[Mom2apirate&princess]

I drive a 2005 Ford FreeStar. It has about 68K miles on it and will be paid off in a few months. I love it. My kids are 13 and 8 and each have their own row. It's a smooth ride and we've had no mechanical problems whatsoever. Knock on wood.

 

[mamaLori05]

We have an 8 passenger 2011 Toyota Sienna and I absolutely LOVE it!! Lots of room inside and great features. (This coming from someone who absolutely was against getting a mini van).

Toyota's and Honda's are both excellent cars. I would buy a Toyota or Honda anyday!!! Just wanted to add that I know SEVERAL people that own the Toyota Sienna and none of them have ever had any trouble with their van's.

 

[BigDaddyWill]

A little late chiming in but I am a tried and true Chrysler owner. Bought my first minivan back in 88 when my oldest DS was a 1 year old and have driven them since (except for one Windstar which was disappointing as it rode more like a truck - the suspension was much stiffer) and now have a 2007 T&C.

Ride is smooth, gas mileage is roughly 18 MPG in the city and 22-24 on the highway. I have driven to California from the Cincinnati area in this van and my family was comfy the whole trip.

Good luck in your search.

 

[pklein09]

Here's my $.02....I cried when my 2000 Olds Silhouette died at 140K and we looked at the Odyssey and Sienna. We've got 4 kids and I needed a full sized minivan, so the Nissan Quest was out (not enough cargo room in the back). There were 2 things that made me pick the Sienna LE over the Odyssey:
1. The remote button for the sliding doors. In the Odyssey, there is one button to the left of the steering wheel, and only the driver can access it. In the Sienna, there are buttons in the middle of the overhead console and on the wall of the van between the front door and the sliding door. Much more convenient.
2. The outlet for charging phones, etc. In the Odyssey, it was on the center console (where the radio, etc. is located) at the bottom, practically at my feet. In the Sienna, it's on the same console except at knee level. Again, more convenient for me.

Only two things, but for the number of times I need to use those two things, there were the deciding points for the Sienna. As for recalls, I've had one for a spare tire bracket. It rides great and gets decent gas mileage - typically 22 mpg, and that's running around town for my kids. It does slightly better on the highway. We've gone to Disney twice, and Niagara Falls. There is plenty of room for 4 kids (ages 10 - 14) to spread out and room for 6+ suitcases in the back, and you can still see out the back window.

Odyssey or Sienna, I don't think you can go wrong. Best of luck!

 

[FINFAN]

1996 Nissan Quest. You know your van is old when teens automatically wait for the doors to open well, automatically..oh, and that there are sliding doors on both sides, lol...I have watched many a teen in my rear view mirror looking for the door handle, it takes them a minute to realize they are in a dinosaur.

 

[jimmytammy]

We have owned a 87 Plymouth Voyager, 01 Grand Caravan, still have a 02 Grand Caravan(I love this one, many trips to WDW) It has a new transmission, 2 ACs but still love it. Comfy seats, which leads me to this place.

We are in market for new van. I love the Chrysler/Dodge vans, but considering 2012 Honda Odyssey EX-L. My parents own a 09. They have a middle ground van. Seats arent as comfortable as our 02 GC. Reviews for 2011/2012 Odyssey seem more upbeat about seats. Comfort is a biggy for me! Riding 10-11 hrs to WDW wears on me, even in comfy seats, so for those who own 11/12 Odyssey, give me your thoughts on those long trips.

 

[cjnix29]

I have a Volkswagen Routan...and I love it. Comfy ride, bells and whistles. The only thing I don't like about it is that the middle seats don't fold down.