Which Minivan to buy?

[nateryan]

I'm lost! I live in NH and think that AWD is the best way to go. I have had Ford Explorers for the past 10 years and used the 4WD a lot in the winter. The only AWD minivan for 2008/09 is Toyota that I know of.

What minivan do you have or suggest?

Is AWD really important for a NH winter?

HELP! and yes I want a minivan, definitely going with a minivan.

TIA!

 

[llp479]

I was forced to buy a minivan this year because my kids are too big now for an SUV. We bought the Honda. I've owned a '95 Voyager, '97 T&C, '03 Venture, and now the Honda. As long as you have traction control you should be OK. The van is heavy enough, that most of the time you're fine. I'm half way between Chicago and Milwaukee and saw more than our share of snow in the last few years.

I looked at the Toyota AWD but the reviews said it had many issues. My mom has a FWD Toyota Sienna, and I can't stand it. I've driven it a few times, and it's very loose feeling to me. Not to mention I swear it's at the dealers at least once every six months and trust me, a 68 yr old woman isn't nearly as hard on a van as I would be. The sliding door on the passenger's side has been replaced twice, and not due to any accident. It just stops working and fitting correctly. Very odd.

My biggest deciding factor on the Honda was it's size. It had more interior room than any of the others. I was getting rid of an Acura MDX and was impressed with it's reliability, so that was a factor as well. Only car I've ever owned that never needed service except for oil changes, tire rotations, and blades, and we've owned at least one vehicle from every manufacturer, both foreign and domestic.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[vegasnative]

If you want AWD then go with the Sienna, if you can settle for FWD (which does great in the snow too) then I would get an Odyssey. I have an Odyssey and love it. I live in an area that gets snow and it does terrific in it. This last winter was the worst winter we have had in 30+ years and my van did just fine. I don't even put snow tires on or anything.

I like the Honda because it looks sporty, I love my sun roof, the automatic doors are FABULOUS! I have 3 active boys with tons of sports gear and still have plenty of room inside. I just took it on a 2000 mile road trip and it did great. I get about 22 mpg in town and about 26 on the freeway. I really can't say enough about it, and this is coming from someone who 3 years ago swore I would never own a minivan.

However, I have come to love the Minivan Mafia!

 

[golfgal]

I agree, traction control works as well. I am in MN so we know snow here too. I have a Mazda MPV that doesn't have traction control or AWD and it actually does very well in the snow.

 

[nateryan]

Thanks for the replies. I'm glad that I have options. I want to be able to still drive in the snow - I can't stay home from work every snow day.
I was set on getting the Honda Odyssey until this whole AWD thing happened! Not to mention how much more money it is when you buy AWD. It is strange to me that there is only one option if you want AWD - obviously people don't think it is that necessary.

Good to know that FWD works well in the snow. I'll also look into the traction control.

 

[FF/MEDIC MEL]

I vote for the Honda Odyssey also. We have an 04 and it does just fine.

 

[mamacatnv]

Here is another vote for the Odyssey - we get snow, slush and lots of ice. I have no issues whatsoever. Personally, I think it handles much better with the FWD than some 4WD's I have driven in snow.