New Van/MiniVan?

Q

quicksilver1122

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We're thinking about buying a new Van or MiniVan within the next two weeks or so. Hopefully sooner, because we've jsut about driven our astro van to bits. At least one problem or another will pop up every two weeks. Right now, the Electrical system for the Meters, blinkers, radio, etc, are all broken. Non of the things on the dash board works yet my dad was still driving around. :eek: It's in the shop now though.

Anyway, yeah, we are going to purchase a van/minivan very soon. We've got a couple in mind, but I was just wondering what your thoughts on this would be. We're looking for a Van/minivan that would be Driven EVERDAY. This car has to be a family/everyday/family road trips/etc/car. Please keep in mind all the practical things like storage, safety, reliablitlity, control, etc and not just on looks and performance. Like I said again, this car is pretty much the main family car which WILL be driven just about everyday, and the miles will be added on really fast, so think practical here. Something you would buy for a family of 4. But it has to seat at least 7. Thanks.

Oh yeah, you can consider a SUV too. But we are more likely to go with a van/miniwan.
 
Well, if you don't mind something really scary looking (but is huge in storage capacity and has really neat features, like a half trillion sunroofs), then you can try out the new Nissan Quest. Definitely an acquired taste, but it's got a lot of goodies on the inside.

The Dodge Caravan is the mainstream minivan... not much to say about it except that it won Car and Driver's last minivan comparo. Overall, all-around, good minivan.

The Toyota Sienna ('04) doesn't really have any redeeming or stand-out qualities, except for Toyota-quality and bastardized styling.

I *think* the Honda Odyssey is due for a makeover soon... ask M5Power, since he knows everything about when cars are coming out. And other stuff.

The Mazda MPV is short on interior room and space compared to the heavy weights, but it's got many great features (the best dashboard/console, second row seats that slide to the sides to create caption chairs or benches, sliding second row windows...), and its driving is very athletic (and easier to maneuver than other minivans). But it's definitely down in the hauling department.
 
My recommendations are as follows:

1 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport AWD ($32,000)
2 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan ES ($33,500)
3 2004 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD ($31,500)
4 2004 Toyota Sienna XLE Limited (either FWD or AWD) ($34,500-$37,000)
5 2003 Chrysler Town & Country LXi AWD ($37,000)
6 2003 Pontiac Montana 1SY AWD ($33,500)

In today's minivan market there is no actual reason why you should settle for a van like the Mazda MPV, Chrysler Voyager, or Honda Odyssey which does not have all-wheel drive though that option can be expensive and I recommend two vans without it. I strongly recommend all-wheel drive vans over front-wheel drive vans though.

My choices can be explained like this - the Grand Caravan Sport AWD simply is the best value - $32,000 for just about everything (AWD, four-wheel antilock brakes, the more-powerful 215hp 3.8L V6 engine which is not standard on the Sport FWD, climate controls for all three seating rows, heated power mirrors, power windows, keyless entry, and power locks). My other recommendation from Dodge (ES FWD) only adds a bit more - traction aid, a power driver seat, and a CD player (to the Sport's cassette player) plus some un-necessary things which are worth very little (map light, roof rack).

Toyota re-designed the Sienna for 2004 once again making it a contender. The XLE AWD is around $500 less than the Caravan Sport. Its engine is just 15hp more powerful, as it should be given that it's larger. It also has climate controls for all three seating areas, AWD, and four-wheel antilock brakes but has some extra cool stuff - power sliding doors and a power rear lift gate, tracton control and an antiskid system, and run-flat tyres. The XLE Limited is the top-of-the line Sienna and comes completely loaded - high-intensity headlights, front side and side curtain airbags, sunshades, and a tray tables. It would be top recommendation save the price - $37,000 for the AWD version and $34,500 for the FWD version. Expensive for a minivan but still, great stuff.

The last two recommendations are left-field contenders. With the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna moving into an upscale part of the minivan segment, the Town & Country is no longer as well-liked as it once was. I recommend the LXi AWD which is absolutely loaded - 215hp 3.8L V6, load-leveling height-control suspsension, leather steering wheel with radio controls, rear air-conditioning, heater, and climate controls, leather seats, a power driver seat (with lumbar adjustment), an interior air filter, an Infinity CD player, and power sliding doors and a rear lift-gate. It's completely loaded but there's even a more expensive version with even more stuff. If you want to be spoiled, look at an LXi AWD.

My final recommendation is already slightly dated and not scheduled for a re-design until 2008. The 1SY AWD Pontiac Montana is fairly cheap for what it is and is definitely worth considering to the Sienna and Caravan. The 1SY AWD comes with AWD, a 184hp 3.4L V6 (which is a little underpowered) four-wheel anti-lock brakes, OnStar, load-leveling suspension, a fold-down LCD screen with a DVD player (yes), a compass, and a 6-way power drivers' seat and most of the stuff the rest of the vans offer. These vans kick, but most people settle for a more mainstream van.

Minivans today are incredible - it's one of the more competitive segments driven by tough recent Japanese competition and most of them have all sorts of gadgets and things.

...and that's more than you ever wanted to know about that. 👍
 
Originally posted by Sage

I *think* the Honda Odyssey is due for a makeover soon... ask M5Power, since he knows everything about when cars are coming out. And other stuff.
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Honda's Odyssey has been kicking everybody's ass everywhere recently - Honda re-designed the minivan in 2000 leaving Isuzu to market the old Odyssey alone; it was given a brake-light re-design in 2002 or something because God knows Honda engineers are unable to design brakelights for **** (seriously). Other than that, it's remained in high demand and will indeed be re-designed probably late next year, though in my opinion they could keep it going a few more (especially because GM will let the Venture go from 1998 until 2008 due to a lack of competitive edge).
 
Alright. Thanks guys. I'll look into those. I never really thought about the Monana, although any TV/DVD players will eventaually break down soon and it really isn't needed.

I don't need all those high tech gadgets, a more reliable car would suite my situation better.
 
I like the new Nissan Quest.
Engine
3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine
240 hp @ 5,800 rpm
242 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
price range- $24,000-32,000 depending on trim


4quest_gal_10_lrg.jpg

4quest_gal_05_lrg.jpg

4quest_gal_12_lrg.jpg
 
imo opninion the minivan war right now will be nissan qwest and toyota sienna both are great cars that offer all the accessories that are in the market right now. so take your pick
 
Originally posted by Thlam
imo opninion the minivan war right now will be nissan qwest and toyota sienna both are great cars that offer all the accessories that are in the market right now. so take your pick
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The Quest isn't yet out throughout the entire United States, which is very uncharacteristic of Nissan and also very odd in general - they are in fact debuting it in the northeast first, then opening up sales everywhere.

When the re-designed Odyssey goes on sale, it will compete with the Sienna and Quest however I maintain and probably always will that the Caravan/Grand Caravan is the best minivan for sale and always has been.
 
Were just bought a bran new grand caravan sport (fully loaded with all features!) for 30g and were really happy with it. It has a nice ride and handles good. The ac really kicks to.
 
Originally posted by Thlam
funny thing about the Cravan its the best selling minivan but the worst built:lol:
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:rolleyes:

The Caravan is one of the best-built. The worst-built vans are the Ford Windstar followed by the Chevrolet Venture, Kia Sedona, Chrysler Voyager, and Pontiac Montana. Caravan is the only US minivan in serious all-around minivan market contention anymore.
 
The Caravan the Toyota Sienna seem to be the ones that stand out to me. As for the stats on the two cars, they are almost exactly alike except that the Toyota has a little more space inside (maybe and inch or two more), and it has 15 more horsepower (it is a bit heavier). You can also count on the Caravan for quality as I have two friends who have owned them for quite a few years and they still run great. I would go for the Toyota because I can count on the car lasting me over 100 thousand miles with normal maintenance. You also don't see too many of the new 2004 Siennas around. Either way you are going to get a good deal. Good luck!

OA
 
Im with M5, the Caravan is a great choice 👍. We have a 96 Dodge Grand Caravan that we use alot (especially on long trips and to carry the crew around). The AC works really well on cooling off the whole cabin (dont have to wait too long). You can take out both rear seats (as with alot of minivans these days) when you need extra room (great for when you want to take a nap in the back on those long trips) for whatever you need. We get around 26 MPG with 4 people and about 100 lbs of luggage. We havent had any problems with it.
 
compartively speaking The Ford Windstar has had 4 major recalls versus the 6 of the Dodge caravan/Chrysler Town and country. The Dodge Caravn has received an overall crash test rating by the IIHS of maginal and the Ford Windstar has received a crash test rating of Acceptable. The Kia Sedona has had only 2 major recalls and has also received a crash test rating of Acceptable by the IIHS. As for the Chevy venture/ Pontiac montana: too many recalls to counts and it breaks like a tooth pick. I think you should recant your position on this M5 the stats prove it and the numbers prove it THE DODGE CARAVAN SUCKS, only reason people buy it is because its cheap.
 
The Dodge Caravan doesnt not suck. YOur statement is out of hatered of it for no reason. Yeah, so what that is was recalled on the crash test rating, they probably recalled it to fix it. Manufacturer's are doing that now with the cars that dont pass. They take them back and fix what's wrong :rolleyes:. Where is your proof?
 
and as for crash test generally NHTSA must be passed or vehicles cannot be sold, where as the IIHS is a fontal crash test that shows what real-world frontal crash impact would be like.
 
Originally posted by Thlam
compartively speaking The Ford Windstar has had 4 major recalls versus the 6 of the Dodge caravan/Chrysler Town and country.
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The Chrysler minivans debuted in 1979 whereas the Ford debuted the Windstar in 1995. Not surprisingly, you're wrong on the number of recalls, too. Since 1995, recalls:

Various Chrysler minivans have been recalled thirteen times, whereas various versions of the Ford Windstar has been recalled 23 times. If you like, I can give you detail on every single one of those recalls.

The Dodge Caravn has received an overall crash test rating by the IIHS of maginal and the Ford Windstar has received a crash test rating of Acceptable. The Kia Sedona has had only 2 major recalls and has also received a crash test rating of Acceptable by the IIHS.
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Of course, you don't know that the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety merely does crash results based on the amount of money it costs to fix a part (they're known for the 'pole test' in which the part in question is the rear bumper); actual crash tests are done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; the Dodge Grand Caravan averaged 4.2 out of 5 stars, and the short-wheelbase Caravan averaged 4.0. The Ford Windstar averaged a similar 4.4 rating, and the Kia Sedona averaged 4.8 in the same five tests.

Incidentally, the test are: front driver, front passenger, rollover resistance, side impact front, and side impat rear driver.

As for the Chevy venture/ Pontiac montana: too many recalls to counts and it breaks like a tooth pick.
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Same tests give the standard-wheelbase Montana an average of 4.0 stars; the extended-length version hasn't yet been tested. "Too many recalls to count" is actually eight since 1997.

Also, I should mention, the only minivan to be comprehensively recalled (that is, more than 75% of them were recalled due to a manufacturing defect) was the Ford Windstar - twice, in fact.

I think you should recant your position on this M5 the stats prove it and the numbers prove it THE DODGE CARAVAN SUCKS, only reason people buy it is because its cheap.
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Not a single stat you posted was correct except that the Caravan is the cheapest minivan. Ironically, it's also the third-most expensive; and more that 80% of Caravans sold are in long-wheelbase trim, which starts at a mid-range $22,280.

I'll make it very simple for you - don't argue with me about facts concerning sport sedans, minivans, family sedans, and SUVs - you will, in fact, lose.
 
Originally posted by M5Power
I'll make it very simple for you - don't argue with me about facts concerning sport sedans, minivans, family sedans, and SUVs - you will, in fact, lose.
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What about sport coupes? (And coupes in general). And pickups... you seem to know a lot about pickups!

Tell Chevy to get rid of the crap on the front of the Colorado.
 
In a minivan test published in a respected yearly car book we have here, the Mazda MPV came up on top, with the Honda Odyssey right behind and then the Grand Caravan. They also had the Sienna, but at the time of the test the new one wasnt out yet so the old Sienna was tested and came out 6th. The Windstar and Montana were 4th and 5th respectively. Last place went to the Kia Sedona.
 
Euro-NCAP - the largest major independant crash-testing company in the world - gave the Dodge Caravan (aka Chrysler Voyager on European shores) - the first EVER overall zero star rating. The redesigned model scored an overall 2-star rating. I'm not sure on the rating of the Grand Caravan/Grand Voyager however.

BTW I offer no opinion one way or the other as to whether this vehicle is any good - or better or worse than any other competitor. None of the vehicles in that class are my cup of tea, I'm afraid...
 

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