Which Mini Van?

[hanutedmansionmomma]

we own:
99 Plymouth Grand Voyager (basically a caravan)
06 Honda Odyssey


We puts lotsa $ into the Voyager and finally got the Odyssey last year, new to us (obviously, 06).

Love the Odyssey. Solid vehicle, supposed to last for many many miles, comfortable, nice extras like DVD player, leather, volume on the steering wheel (one of my fav options!). Get a used one, you'll save a ton of $. Hondas can last forever, so don't be afraid of mileage on the van when you purchase it.

 

[bdcp]

I have had 3 dodge caravans.

I love them for a # of reasons.

1. I have 3 kids. We keep the entire 3rd row up and and only one 2nd row up. It leaves a huge space for the kids to get in and out without climbing over each other.

2. Built in 6 DVD changer is wonderful for long trips.

3. It runs great. Knock on wood we have never had a problem.

4. BUILT IN AMERICA BY AMERICANS. We are 100% supporters of American jobs. We have personally been hit hard by the economy and we will never risk American jobs for a foreign car.

You do understand that most "foreign" cars such as Honda and Toyota are built in the US by Americans, right?

My Pilot was built in the USA, but that's not why I bought it.

 

[Wendy31]

We have a 2005 Dodge Caravan, and just spent over $1300 on it in repairs.

We actually could have spent more, but our mechanic told us some of the needed repairs could wait. We're planning on trading the vehicle this Fall, so we decided to wait.

DH wants to trade it in for a Odyssey, but I'm afraid I'm going to miss the stow-and-go seats of our Caravan.

Like another poster said, w/ our Caravan, we put the 2 older kids on the back row, stow one of the middle row seats, & the baby goes in the other middle row seat - this way, the kids can get in & out easily. While the Odyssey has 3rd row stow-and-go seats, the middle row seats don't stow away.

Also, it's nice on vacation - on the way to where ever you're going, you can stow some of the seats in whatever configuration works best so that you have more storage room. Then, when you get to your destination, the seats come back up.

We'll probably end up w/ a Odyssey just because they tend to last longer & hold their value better. However, I'll really, really miss my stow-and-go seats!!

 

[maleficentmom]

If you Google "Trouble with ______" and fill in the blank with whatever van you're looking at or thinking about, you'll find postings for every make and model on the market. It really comes down to the luck of the draw with which specific car you get regardless of the type. Buy the one that fits your needs, budget, and liking. If you're buying a used van, have it checked out by a trusted mechanic before purchasing and if possible, buy from a reputable dealer who does their own warranty work -- they're less likely to sell a car they know they're going to have to repair frequently.

yes...And please take it to a couple of places to get opinions before signing the papers....We were sold a "Certified Toyota" by a popular Toyota dealership and were shown a clean Carfax....I had issues with the sliding door and just kept getting nowhere with the service dept. efforts to repair,even though I had the platinum warranty...finally I took it somewhere else and they told me it had been wrecked(to the extent that the mechanic at the other dealership was so freaked out that I was sold this vehicle as certified ,that he reran the carfax because he thought surely we had missed something). Hondas and Toyotas are great vans though..we also like the new Nissan Quests and they have .9% financing on them.

 

[lync]

We have the odysey and love it. This is our first van. I just wanted to comment on the comfort aspect..I havd ridden in the backseat of a t& c and I found the tilted seats to be very uncomfortable.. i didnt like it at all.

 

[amoggio816]

I also wanted the oddessey for many reasons, and ended up getting the 2007 grand caravan because to me it was more like a truck with a hood and it drives better than most dodges (they can drive like tanks)

It is really comfy, and only had 47000 on it. Right now its over 50000 (got it right before going down to Florida in February and my parents drove it) I love it, already have to put like $20 into it, but honestly, if you can do certain things yourself (like check and replace fuses, light bulbs, etc) or have a friend that can do it for free, it makes it worth it.

 

[nicki.momof3]

Well I understand everyones points about American Cars and I totally respect them - I know that are all acurate.

I also know I live with in 30 miles of all the big 3 national head quarters (GM, Chrysler, Ford). These big companies lead our local economy and as we have seen in the last few years can break it.

All 3 auto companies are hiring locally right now and all 3 headquarters support our local economy. So that is who I support.

It is the same as I buy my corn from the farmer down the road for double the price of the corn bought at walmart. It is about supporting the places locals work.

I have friend that work at Chrysler heard quarters and at a local dealership dodge / chrylser dealship. I also have 4 family members that work at GM as well as a number of friends. Ford also employees our best friends husband. I personally know about 50+ people thatdepend on the big 3 for their financial well being. Well I understand parts and so on are made in other places - they are based in Michigan and they employee thousand of Michigan workers.

 

[nathaliabrown]

We have a 2009 T & C and our family loves it. The stow and go seating is really nice when needed. As for the comfort in the 3rd row. Our kids never complain about it but when other adults do they do. The second row is great for adults though.

 

[#1hoosierfan]

We have a 2007 T&C... had it for 2 years. I have been very pleased with it so far.

 

[mousebymarriage]

MY DH works for Chrysler, in the service department so I am well aware of any issues their vehicles may have and if you do your research you will find that Chrysler is not alone when it comes to some problems. Just google ____car recalls (fill in the blank with what ever brand) and you will find many many issues on a variety of vehicle makes/models. Honestly, I think that all vehicle brands have gone down hill over the years because of the poor quality of parts etc.

I am currently driving my 4th Chrysler minivan and I love it. I have never had a problem with any of my vans which is why when the leases are up I get a new one. I also love the stow & go feature because when the seats are not folded down into the floor it makes a great storage area especially on long trips. As for the comfort in the 2nd and 3rd row, it's not bad (could be a little more cushy). We have driven to Florida a few times in these vans and the kids have no complaints regarding seat comfort level. I have also switched seats with DD14 periodically during those Florida trips (I could nap and she could control the radio and drive DH crazy,LOL) and I have found the 2nd row seats pretty good comfort wise. We will be making the trip again at the end of June in our van and I can't wait!
*Good luck with whatever vehicle you choose.

 

[mickeysmate65]

My first minivan was a 1995 Plymouth Grand Voyager Expresso - before stow & go seats. I loved this van and had no problems with it. Decided to replace it in 2005 not because of issues but I was ready for something new. I only have 2 children who were 14 and 16 at the time - they were very vocal about not wanting to ride in the back of a car or SUV! LOL! Think sports equipment, friends, etc. I looked at the Toyota and Honda vans but they just didn't have the features that worked for us - no extra storage room, no stow & go, etc. We bought the T&C Limited with towing package and couldn't be happier 6 yrs & 124000 miles later.

Think about your children growing and how you'll use your van. Even with a 22yo and 19yo there are many times the van comes in handy. When you have a son who is now 6'1" you realized stow & go is mandatory for long trips. Stow the middle & he sits in the back without being cramped. Moving into college? No problem with storage. I love the extended wheelbase - 7 passengers & luggage is not a problem. I also average 21mpg most days - mix of hwy/city.

 

[disney*mom*82]

I just bought a 2008 T&C yesterday. It is in great shape, leather seats, 2 tvs, etc. We drove it out of state today for a vacation and we think it drives very smooth, kids were very comfortable in the back seats, and it got 23 miles per gallon. I know we have only had it one day but so far we really like it.

Our best friends bought a T&C last year and love it and have had no problems.

 

[3LittlePirates]

I have a 2011 Toyota Sienna! My family absolutely loves this van! Very smooth, plenty of room...my hubby is 6'5 and has no problem fitting into it! Last week he was going out of town and wanted to take my van...not his truck! Love the large TV for the kids. I always said I would never drive a Van...but I love this one!

 

[Princess Nancy]

Thank you all so much!!

Have not pulled the trigger yet...hopefully tomorrow!!

 

[luvestodizz]

We just got a 2011 T& C. It is our 3rd T&C and 4th minivan. I really thought this was the year to be minivan free but with 3 kids, it was the best choice. We obviously like the T&C, stow and go is great, the DVD system is great, I have the park assist and back up camera which I can't drive without. I have a year free Sirius radio, which means Radio Disney! Good luck with your decision!

 

[herdtoDisney]

My only Dodge van (well, it was a plymouth) was a 1992 so I don't have advice on current ones, other than the ones I drive at work rarely. I drove a 2011 Sienna on a road trip and honestly, I just didn't like it. I didn't like the instument/dashboard arrangement. It wasn't bad, and the seats seemed nice, but maybe low to the floor (but I'm used to bench seats so maybe that is why). I just wasn't crazy about it, and prefer the layout of the Chryslers, as far as the dash.

 

[Ariel8676]

I have to say, last August we bought a brand new Kia Sedona, and i love it...We had a Ford Expedition, a Ford Windstar (which was terrible) and a fully loaded T&C touring (had a ton of problems)...the Kia has a great warranty, is very comfortable (my hubby is perfectly comfortable in the third row). I have 4 kids and need a van, for the price i paid for this..they can beat the hell out of it and i will drive it until it no longer drives..lol

 

[teachbrooks]

I have had four Chrysler vans.(first one a 1990) All have had well over 150,000 miles on them when we gave them to family members. We did trade the first one in on the second van. My daughter is still driving the 2000 town and country. It has over 180,000 miles on it. Routine maintenance must be done on all cars, but I don't think these required much more than any other vehicles.
One of them, I don't remember which one had to have new brakes twice in the 150,000 miles that we drove it.
I am driving a 2002 now that I bought used for $3500. I thought I was finished with mini-vans, but I like to have it so that when I have my grandchildren there is room for them and all their gear.
When we bought new, we looked at the Honda and Toyota vans but the price was so much higher than the asking price for the new Chryslers that we couldn't justify the difference, and I liked many of the convenience features on the t and c that these did not have. This was even before stow and go.
But, that being said, maybe we have always been lucky.

 

[charissemp]

I have a 2006 Honda Odyssey. No problems and very comfortable 3rd row. User friendly, great family van.

 

[mafibisha]

Well I understand everyones points about American Cars and I totally respect them - I know that are all acurate.

I also know I live with in 30 miles of all the big 3 national head quarters (GM, Chrysler, Ford). These big companies lead our local economy and as we have seen in the last few years can break it.

All 3 auto companies are hiring locally right now and all 3 headquarters support our local economy. So that is who I support.

It is the same as I buy my corn from the farmer down the road for double the price of the corn bought at walmart. It is about supporting the places locals work.

I have friend that work at Chrysler heard quarters and at a local dealership dodge / chrylser dealship. I also have 4 family members that work at GM as well as a number of friends. Ford also employees our best friends husband. I personally know about 50+ people thatdepend on the big 3 for their financial well being. Well I understand parts and so on are made in other places - they are based in Michigan and they employee thousand of Michigan workers.

These 3 HUGE companies can make or break America's economy - not just Detroits!

The Big 3 are the foundation of our nations economy, and when THEY do well, our ECONOMY does well. Its scary and sad that more people don't realize it.

You do understand that most "foreign" cars such as Honda and Toyota are built in the US by Americans, right?.

What makes ALL the difference, a HUGE difference, is that the PROFITS of American cars (Ford, GM, Chrysler) stay HERE in the USA.

That is HUGE and affects every single American citizen, even if you don't live where cars are made. The Big 3 MUST do well for America to prosper - or even survive.
Way too many don't realize how CRUCIAL it is. It goes well beyond Detroits economy. (no I don't live there or Michigan) It is beyond scary to imagine our economy when our children are looking for an income....Without industry / manufacturing, our economy cannot survive. And auto companies are the foundation from which MANY OTHER INDUSTRIES (ie jobs) are born. And the profits stay here in OUR economy, and aren't sent to Japan or Korea! They stay here in the USA creating more jobs, ie taxes, to support schools, police, ect ect.

4. BUILT IN AMERICA BY AMERICANS. We are 100% supporters of American jobs. We have personally been hit hard by the economy and we will never risk American jobs for a foreign car.

Oh if only people would understand how crucial that is to ALL of us! In our taxes, our schools, our home values, our healthcare! Everything revolves around the strength of our economy and that is based on BUYING American - from AMERICAN COMPANIES!

Please try to buy from American Companies. Not just cars, but everything. But especially cars. Do it for yourself and your family.