Which mini-van should I buy???

[JESW]

I am considering getting a new vehicle. I drove a '98 Dodge Caravan for a while until it had the transmission trouble. Ditched that and now I am driving a '94 volvo wagon. I am having various problems with it and thinking about getting a dif. car. I miss the room in the van, the sliding doors and the cup holders! I got away from the van because I didn't want to be like every other Mom in the neighborhood..ha! Didn't know I'd miss the silly van..

I'd like your opinions on vans please!!

TIA!

Jill

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I vote for the "YUKON". Now it is big. As big as a Surburban. We just traded off the Ford Explorer for the 2001 Yukon.
I'll tell ya' it handles like a dream. Also tons of leg room, cargo room, we can pull a boat...the list goes on. I never realized how much our minivan bounces us around and all the road noise. (We have a Town and Country van.)

Enough of that, food for thought. Now strictly van speaking I would go with the loaded Chevy Venture WB edition OR the Honda Odessey. The Honda has that cool put the 3rd seat down into the well instead of having to take it out. Which can be invaluable. Also it is the safest one on the market, I think.

 

[ChiTownZee]

Hopefully we'll be getting a minivan this year. I'm waiting for final decisions until I see the new 2004 Toyota Sienna, which comes out this spring. It has a split magic 3rd row seat, and on the 8 passenger the middle front seat slides up so a baby in a car seat would be within arms reach.

 

[lisajl]

We use to have a Ford Aerostar....one word...YUCK!

Hated the way that thing rode.

So, we started looking a found a Toyota Sienna.

Let me tell you...WOW! What a difference.
I love driving it, love being in it. Don't even mind cleaning it.

We took it to WDW this past Dec. and there was plenty of room for all five of us. It was a little cramped in the very back..luggage, food, etc. But we made it.
It is a great vehicle.

Good luck finding your van!

Lisajl

 

[tstobb]

We just recently got a new Kia Sedona and are, so far (4500 miles) VERY impressed! Fully loaded (every option except the sunroof) was out the door for under 22K. The service department at our dealership is great - at delivery, there were some stains on the leather on one of the seatbacks - service was already closed and it was a month before we got around to bringing it in but they just swapped the seat out for a new one!
Only complaint is the mileage (avg about 19 mpg) but it's rated ***** for safety and drives beautifully.
Had money been no object, we would have gone with a Suburban.

 

[shortbun]

I vote Honda Odyssey. We've had ours for
two years and only have one complaint-they
didn't send anyone with it to clean it!
Seriously, it's a great van! The storage space
is beyond compare-we've really put that to the
test travelling. Hope you find what you like-take
your time and really look. We did and it paid off!
mimi

 

[airhead]

I LOVE my van!
I took the middle bench out the day I brought it home and never put it back in! I bought it because I usually have dogs with me. It was hard to drive a pickup truck with a stickshift
and 2 dobies trying to get comfortable on the seat next to me!
I really have no complaints about this vehicle. Mine is a minivan
and its pretty good on gas. I really maintain the engine so I haven't had any problems. What I don't like is all the recalls!
I've had 4 recalls on this van.Seems like a lot to me.

airhead

 

[NancyIL]

Honda Odyssey!

 

[chelsea&austinsmom]

We had a 1998 Ford Windstar which I loved but I had to have a ford explorer so we traded it it. We are now getting ready to trade the explorer in for a Windstar. I miss my windstar.

 

[ripleysmom]

We have the Olds Silhouette (same as the Chevy Venture, Pontiac Montana). I love my van!!

 

[rbuzzotta]

We had the Honda Odyssey and sold it for the Suburban. I loved the Odyssey as i do the Suburban.

My next car (SUV) will be the Volvo SUV. I love driving DH's volvo!!

 

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

I have done extensive research on this subject myself - I still have not purchased anything, but when I do purchase it will be a Honda Odyssey.


Good luck in your purchase!!

Lisa

 

[TRAPPED-PARENT]

I had a Dodge Grand Caravan and spent $$$$$ on trans, a/c, etc. -- never again!!!!

Now own a Honda Odyssey!!!

 

[glo]

I hear ya TRAPPED-PARENT, I just blew the second transmission on my 1996 Grand Caravan...So I am the proud new ownwer of a Toyota Sienna. The new production model comes out in a month, and they over produced the 2003. Got an incredible buy of 20K for a new one with captain chairs in the back, cd player, power locks and windows, remote entry...etc. Runs like a dream and I can even see over the dash easily!!!

I am thrilled

 

[MerryPoppins]

I've had a Nissan Quest for years and never had any major problems with it. Hope you find the right mini van for your family. Happy hunting.

 

[WilmaBud]

I did tons of research and test drives. I ended up getting a Honda Odyssey. I've had it for a year and a half, and I LOVE it! It has lots of storage space and it drives like a car. I highly recommend it.

 

[Mishetta]

We have a Ford Windstar SEL & we're pretty happy with it. We traded in our Ford Explorer for the Windstar since we outgrew it & I swore I'd get another Explorer as soon as we got rid of car seats. But now I'm liking the Windstar more than the Explorer & it's more comfortable & we're dying to take our first rode trip to see how we like it after being in it for nearly 2 days! (Guess where??)

Good luck on whatever you decided!