Minivans!

[Britboy]

Nooooo, don't do it. Life is too short to drive a minivan. I got a Pilot instead.

 

[ponyo]

If you have kids and you don't drive a minivan, you're missing out. Minivan will make your job so much easier. We have the Sienna for our daughter and would buy one again.

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: Kaido
The Odyssey is junk. My wife calls it "the gutless wonder". Her favorite is the Toyota Sienna. Personally I like the Saturn Relay van - DVD system (think of your kids here!), dual automatic doors, etc. The base is $22,335 and has a 240hp V6. If you get them used, even a year or two old, you can a heap of money.

clearly your wife drives the 1st-gen odyssey, which was literally nothing more than a tall accord wagon and was powered by the modest 140 HP 4-banger through a 4-speed auto.

the modern odysseys pack 244 HP and 240 ft/lbs through a 5-speed auto, and are considered the "sports cars" of the minivan world... if such a thing is possible.

that said, for something like a minivan, i'd seriously just get a Kia or Hyundai. it's just going to get trashed in 2 weeks, and it will never be fun to drive regardless... so why blow your dough on a tool when you can save it and make your next real-car purchase a nicer one.

 

[Vidda]

I enjoyed the Odyssey during my adolescent years. Quite nice!

 

[RU482]

Take a look at the Saturn Outlook or GMC Acadia
Minivan utility, Sport Ute Looks, Sedan mileage

 

[Parasitic]

I think you need to evaulate your criteria more. You might think you need a minivan but in reality a sedan or a wagon would suffice. Do you periodically (routinely) haul stuff that you can't fit in your car? Do you run into situations when you need to seat 6 a lot? Do you own stocks in ExxonMobil?

Sounds like the only you need more space than usual is with those trips, and by these "presents" are they of obscene sizes and difficult shapes that won't fit in the trunk? I belive a mid-size like a Camry or a large sedan like the Chevy Impala or Pontaic Grand Prix might fit your situation better.

We've had a minivan for about 10 years. After the first two years when our grandparents still lived with us, my parents have been driving that thing with the 3rd row seats removed. The space never saw any use.

 

[Mloot]

Last year I replaced the Ford Aerostar we had had for nine years with a new Sienna. With kids and large dogs (and the occasional mother-in-law), I can't think of anything short of a minivan that could haul everything with as much ease and convenience. We'll probably be a minivan family for at least several more years (until the kids grow up and move out).

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
Minivans come with stealth capability standard.

Nobody pays attention to the minivan especially cops.

I wish that was true.

Actually because of it's size gets picked on more.

I have small cars and pick ups whiz by me over speed limit and I am under speed limit yet I get pulled over.

 

[lupi]

I'd have a minivan in my driveway right after the 2nd ammendmant got repealed.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

So, are there any family-folks here who made the dreaded minivan purchase? Is the Honda Odyssey the one to beat? I'm really not wanting to spend over ~$22K on the next large family vehicle, which probably means a 2005 or so.

The reason I'm looking at minivans is for the 5-6 trips per year we take to visit family. Our little Mazda Protege gets pretty cramped, especially at xmas time with the 4 of us and presents for ~400 miles each way.

Maybe a decently large SUV with good gas mileage? I think I'm planning on buying next month sometime.

Open to any family vehicle advice.

The Odyssey is junk. My wife calls it "the gutless wonder". Her favorite is the Toyota Sienna. Personally I like the Saturn Relay van - DVD system (think of your kids here!), dual automatic doors, etc. The base is $22,335 and has a 240hp V6. If you get them used, even a year or two old, you can a heap of money.

I like both the Relay and the VUE. we were thinking of trading in our Focus and Saturn (small one, don't know model) for something along these lines.

 

[BDawg]

Originally posted by: redly1
Take a look at the Saturn Outlook or GMC Acadia
Minivan utility, Sport Ute Looks, Sedan mileage

Does it have sliding power doors? That's the big win for minivans.

 

[Raduque]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
Minivans come with stealth capability standard.

Nobody pays attention to the minivan especially cops.

I wish that was true.

Actually because of it's size gets picked on more.

I have small cars and pick ups whiz by me over speed limit and I am under speed limit yet I get pulled over.

It's not because you drive a minivan, it's because you're you. :laugh:

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
I wish that was true.

Actually because of it's size gets picked on more.

I have small cars and pick ups whiz by me over speed limit and I am under speed limit yet I get pulled over.

Minivans do have stealth, but they only give +10 which can't overcome your -25 Felon debuff.

- M4H

 

[0roo0roo]

minivan>suv
doesn't roll is much better
and much more space
unless you live off paved roads in the woods theres no reason to buy an suv. its about psychological weakness.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Originally posted by: Raduque
I've always had a soft spot for the RWD, V6-powered "mini"vans from the US makes - the Aerostar, the Safari or Astrovan. I was going to buy my parents Safari from them before they decided to trade it in on my mother's Eclipse, because it had the same V6 that went in the GM Typhoon/Cyclone, and would've probably taken the boost like a duck to water.

Though there is something to be said for the 89-91 Chrysler vans when they're turboed.

Mines an 89 caravan TURBO!!!! so yes minivans can be fun to drive as long as the roads are straight /

 

[RollWave]

subaru forrester would be the best choice IMHO.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: RollWave
subaru forrester would be the best choice IMHO.

Have you tried sitting in the back seat of one? It's okay for a 5 year old. But once they get much older than that it's there simply for emergencies. They have absolutely no leg room.

 

[hanoverphist]

when my twins were born, the wife wanted a minivan. 3 kids, it really did make sense. so, we got an astrovan. she drove it, i drove my 76 impala. she realized she didnt have any more room than a suburban, so she got one of those for herself. she still drives it. 180k miles on a 96 burban, and it looks like its brand new. i drive a pick up truck with enough of a back seat to accommodate 3 preteens. i just dont like minivans.

 

[hanoverphist]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
Minivans come with stealth capability standard.

Nobody pays attention to the minivan especially cops.

I wish that was true.

Actually because of it's size gets picked on more.

I have small cars and pick ups whiz by me over speed limit and I am under speed limit yet I get pulled over.

yup, if youre not going with the flow of traffic youre a hazard. i was told that by police and a judge that taught the defensive diving course i took a few months ago to avoid a speeding ticket.

 

[KK]

We got a minivan when our youngest was about 6 monthes old. The automatic sliding doors are great, gives you very easy access to loading the kids in and out. Also when going on vacation it's great, we take it back up north to my mothers and its great because it'll seat my mother and step father, along with the two kids. No need to take a second vehicle if we are going somewhere. It came with rear entertainment setup so that helps on long trips also.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: Parasitic
I think you need to evaulate your criteria more. You might think you need a minivan but in reality a sedan or a wagon would suffice. Do you periodically (routinely) haul stuff that you can't fit in your car? Do you run into situations when you need to seat 6 a lot? Do you own stocks in ExxonMobil?

Sounds like the only you need more space than usual is with those trips, and by these "presents" are they of obscene sizes and difficult shapes that won't fit in the trunk? I belive a mid-size like a Camry or a large sedan like the Chevy Impala or Pontaic Grand Prix might fit your situation better.

We've had a minivan for about 10 years. After the first two years when our grandparents still lived with us, my parents have been driving that thing with the 3rd row seats removed. The space never saw any use.

Yeah, we're currently re-evaluating our needs. A minivan is starting to seem like overkill for a family of 4, plus the price is a factor.

But then that puts us in mid-size sedan/small SUV category for under $22K - which is somewhat overwhelming with choices.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: Parasitic
I think you need to evaulate your criteria more. You might think you need a minivan but in reality a sedan or a wagon would suffice. Do you periodically (routinely) haul stuff that you can't fit in your car? Do you run into situations when you need to seat 6 a lot? Do you own stocks in ExxonMobil?

Sounds like the only you need more space than usual is with those trips, and by these "presents" are they of obscene sizes and difficult shapes that won't fit in the trunk? I belive a mid-size like a Camry or a large sedan like the Chevy Impala or Pontaic Grand Prix might fit your situation better.

We've had a minivan for about 10 years. After the first two years when our grandparents still lived with us, my parents have been driving that thing with the 3rd row seats removed. The space never saw any use.

Yeah, we're currently re-evaluating our needs. A minivan is starting to seem like overkill for a family of 4, plus the price is a factor.

But then that puts us in mid-size sedan/small SUV category for under $22K - which is somewhat overwhelming with choices.

Call me wasteful, but with cars I'm of the mentality of "better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it". Realistically with the minivans your overall fuel costs won't really be that much worse than with a full size V6 sedan. Maybe $20 a month depending on driving styles/amounts. That's only a couple hundred bucks a year. You'd burn that up with a one week minivan rental for your yearly vacation.

With a minivan you can haul a couch. A sheet of plywood. Your family of 4 plus a couple friends of the kids. The family of 4 plus a weeks worth of camping gear. You get the idea.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Yeah, we're currently re-evaluating our needs. A minivan is starting to seem like overkill for a family of 4, plus the price is a factor.

But then that puts us in mid-size sedan/small SUV category for under $22K - which is somewhat overwhelming with choices.

Call me wasteful, but with cars I'm of the mentality of "better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it". Realistically with the minivans your overall fuel costs won't really be that much worse than with a full size V6 sedan. Maybe $20 a month depending on driving styles/amounts. That's only a couple hundred bucks a year. You'd burn that up with a one week minivan rental for your yearly vacation.

With a minivan you can haul a couch. A sheet of plywood. Your family of 4 plus a couple friends of the kids. The family of 4 plus a weeks worth of camping gear. You get the idea.

I appreciate the advice. But I'm thinking about how my current car is getting a bit long in the tooth (I'll be using it as my daily commuter) and perhaps this time next year, I may trade it in on a used pick-up. That would give me the hauling capacity I need for the homestead, and wouldn't interfere with the family vehicle.

I think the main thing now is that I was considering a slightly used minivan (to get it near the right price-range,) but when I reconsider that, I now get to shop for a new car - something I haven't had in 7 years now..

I'm still a month off, so I'll start test driving and getting some firmer prices.

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: MichaelD
OMG...you said the "SUV" word! :Q Shhh!! The birkenstock-wearing-alternative-fuel-vehicle-driving-vegan-no-meat-eating-guns-
ill-people-alternative-life-style-adopting-children-fur-is-murder majority here at AT will freakin' FLAY the flesh from your bones! :Q

Anyway, SUVs were great and better than minivans hands-down...until gas prices went through the freaking roof.

But still...how about a Mazda3 or whatever that hot 5-door hatchback is called? NOT a minivan, for cryin' out loud! BIG car...donkey cart...anything but the ultimate sign of emasculation!

EarthRaper 8.0L V12

You're spot-on about the Mazda3 = cute hatchback; but that's still a "compact/midsize" car, not really a good family hauler. What he needs is the Mazda5 - it's basically a long-wheelbase 3.

Or a Hemi Magnum.

- M4H

Seconded. SRT-8 with a Magnuson.

On second thought, looking at the interior, it wouldn't meet the OPs needs. Only 1 back seat that only sits 2 and leg room doesn't look all the great.

 

[engineereeyore]

We got the 2003 Honda Odyssey and love it. $15.5K and it's in dang good shape, only 40K miles. Definitely recommend it.