YACT: Which Minivan to choose

[Dracos]

Yeah yeah I know another car thread. Anyway just wanted some opinions off of any of the minivan drivers on the board. Yesterday I saw 2 vehicles at 2 different dealers. One was a 2000 Montana with 45K for 11990, it was nice road well. The second one was a 2001 Nissan Qwest with 30K for 14590, it also rode well but also included a video system.

Does anyone have one of these vehicles and can give me their opinion on how they ride or if they have had any problems with them.

 

[BigSmooth]

I would not get the Quest, if for no other reason than the Mercury Villager of that era was basically the exact same thing and should be available cheaper on the used market.

 

[NutBucket]

Odyssey is your best choice. There's a reason a 4 year old design still wins comparisons.

 

[BigSmooth]

Originally posted by: NutBucket
Odyssey is your best choice. There's a reason a 4 year old design still wins comparisons.

He ain't gettin' an Odyssey for what it looks like he wants to spend.

 

[bmacd]

the Odyssey used to be #1 across the boards. Not sure if it's still the case.

-=bmacd=-

 

[Dracos]

I couldn't find any used Odysseys in my price range. I did see some Ford Windstars but didn't look at them too closely but form what I've read perhaps I will give them a second glance.

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

heh. Kia is having a deal (don't know if its just local) that when you buy a Kia Sedona EX, you get a free Kia Rio.

The Sedona EX is about 23K.

 

[Dracos]

Originally posted by: GtPrOjEcTX
heh. Kia is having a deal (don't know if its just local) that when you buy a Kia Sedona EX, you get a free Kia Rio.

The Sedona EX is about 23K.

As much as I wouldn't mind the Kia Sedona that is wayyyy out of my price range. Plus I don't believe I can get financed for that one. I was happy enough to get a preapproval for the used car at a reasonable rate.

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

Originally posted by: Dracos

Originally posted by: GtPrOjEcTX
heh. Kia is having a deal (don't know if its just local) that when you buy a Kia Sedona EX, you get a free Kia Rio.

The Sedona EX is about 23K.

As much as I wouldn't mind the Kia Sedona that is wayyyy out of my price range. Plus I don't believe I can get financed for that one. I was happy enough to get a preapproval for the used car at a reasonable rate.

I was actually thinking about the deal I stated for a few moments. Before they had a promotion of a 5K minimum trade-in value. Being that my car only has a trade-in value of about 1.8K, I wouldn't mind combining the deals, and getting a nice minivan and a daily commuter all for 17K....but alas, Kia isn't stupid and I'm sure the deals aren't valid at the same time.

 

[Dracos]

Well I dunno Kia is looking for customers. I drove the Sedona as a rental from Budget it was a nice ride but I didn't like the design too much.

And yes I have no problem with purchasing a Kia. The dealer that showed me then Montana also had a Sienna for 13K perhaps I will look at that one as well.

 

[BigSmooth]

You could get a used Sedona. Or maybe a used Mazda MPV. I don't know much about the Montana but I remember that GM minivans from that era were not well-regarded by the media.

 

[Dracos]

Well just got a call from one car lot saying my credit union is ok with the Montana. Kelly's Blue book has the retail value listed at 13235 and Edmunds says 10907. So I'm in between at 11990, maybe I can talk em down a lil more but might be tough.

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: Dracos
I couldn't find any used Odysseys in my price range. I did see some Ford Windstars but didn't look at them too closely but form what I've read perhaps I will give them a second glance.

The 2000+ Ford Windstars are very nice mini-vans. My wife has one and it's been great. The used vehicle price index suffers from pre-2000 design and quailty issues, that the 2000+ vehicle don't have.

 

[Dracos]

So 2000 and up Windstars are good. I will have to look into that before I make my final decision.

 

[KamakaziRcr]

Originally posted by: bmacd
the Odyssey used to be #1 across the boards. Not sure if it's still the case.

-=bmacd=-

See for yourself:

Car and Driver's 2004 minivan comparison

 

[imported_Pablo]

They still sell minivans?

 

[SuperTool]

Quest is a nice van, but it's a 12 year old design.

 

[Dracos]

Originally posted by: PabloMartinez
They still sell minivans?

Yeah they do for those people that have large families its always best to keep the kids seperated then cramped together on long road trips.

 

[Quixfire]

Hey Dracos, what did you buy?

 

[NeoV]

stay away from Quests - prior to the current year model, which are awesome.

Top minivans now are Sienna, Odyssey, and Quest...the Kia van is actually pretty nice - on par with the Ventures, Freestars, and Caravan's of the world...

 

[rufruf44]

Kia is still a stinker when it comes to reliability. Friends bought a new 2004 Sedona. Blasted thing already been in the shop 5 times since he bought it end of last year.

 

[N8Magic]

Originally posted by: NeoV
stay away from Quests - prior to the current year model, which are awesome.

Top minivans now are Sienna, Odyssey, and Quest...the Kia van is actually pretty nice - on par with the Ventures, Freestars, and Caravan's of the world...

Now now now, the Quest is nowhere near the top of it's segment. In terms of product quality, it actually finished LAST in it's segment behind the GMs, Fords and Chryslers (even KIA!) of the world.

Linky linky.

Personally, I think the new Quest is hideous, inside AND out.

 

[DurocShark]

1973 VW Bus

 

[andylawcc]

no one mentions Town and Country???!!!!

well, that definnitely should be out of your price range, unless a very used one.

 

[Mr N8]

I use my Grandparent's Ford Windstar a lot, and for a minivan, I really like it. It an 00 or 01, but its a comfortable ride, the seats go in and out easily, and it seems to be very reliable.