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It's a 2013 Grand Caravan Crew, loaded. 43.5k, one owner. Maximum Steel Metallic, a color that normally looks pretty dark, but explodes in the blue spectrum in direct sunlight. Really a gorgeous color that has to be seen in person to appreciate. Grey leather, DVD and BD players, navigation and the usual refinements. IR headphones for the rear seat passengers, plus a spot to hook up a Roku or game system. All rear seats fold into the floor.
We had rented a 2014 T&C a couple times, this last one on a trip to Miami. We liked it so much I got the go-ahead to seriously look for something similar. With the features that we liked, I decided that I'd rather spend more and get something with lower miles and more features than I had originally planned on. Due to miles, price and features, most of the other brands weren't seriously considered.
Due to the way they built the head units, I had to make sure everything I wanted now and in the future came with the vehicle from the factory. Navigation, camera, entertainment, etc. No post-factory upgrades on these vehicles without it being a major PITA.
I know a van isn't usually something to get excited for, but with three kids and an enjoyment of taking vacations, it is for us. Them in the back of a 2nd gen CR-V or my Acura really only works around town anymore. As for the CR-V, we're neither fixing it up or getting rid of it at this time. There's so many things wrong with it that neither route makes sense, so we're going to keep it around for a bit as a pure utility vehicle - runs to the lumber yard, trips to the lake (sand) and when we want to go ride bikes. It's cheap enough on insurance where we think that's the best value for us. At some point the time will come to get rid of it, and we'll probably just take whatever offer we can. Gives us a spare vehicle if and when my car needs repair.
Pics, if you're so inclined.
Last edited by CocheseUGA; Mar 29, 2015 at 03:43 PM.
Minivans really are the best people movers. Good for you getting a vehicle that fits your family's needs vs trying to maintain some kind of "image." I've recommended a minivan quite a few times when people ask me, since I am the car guy. But most of the time they end up going with something else because they just can't shake the image of a minivan.
That minivan interior is MILES beyond what I used to travel in as a kid. Enjoy and cherish your family trips. I know I did.
Minivans really are the best people movers. Good for you getting a vehicle that fits your family's needs vs trying to maintain some kind of "image." I've recommended a minivan quite a few times when people ask me, since I am the car guy. But most of the time they end up going with something else because they just can't shake the image of a minivan.
That minivan interior is MILES beyond what I used to travel in as a kid. Enjoy and cherish your family trips. I know I did.
No doubt. I remember the first or second gen Voyager, laying down in the backseat.
I can't imagine taking long trips in anything else. The gas mileage is on point as well.
In all serious, congrats. Nothing beats the practicality. I'm sure the kids will enjoy the space and creature comforts too. Heated steering wheel is a nice touch.
We first had a 1985 Chevy Van 20 similar to this one:
Then when that died we got a 1995 Toyota Previa similar to this one:
Both were great for the many road trips to Colorado or Florida or wherever, but the full-size conversion van really was awesome. Having the TV and the Nintendo in there just made those trips fly by. DIY infotainment systems before infotainment was even a word.
Enjoy your minivan with your family. You will make good memories!
I rented one of those when i had to drive a team up people up to northern maine... I was seriously impressed with the refinement. I think that model has the 3rd row seats that fold into the floor and make hauling gear very easy... It handled pretty poorly but was a great highway cruiser.
Minivans are great for moving people, I too tell people to get one but they always end up with some gas sucking SUV that they don't really need.
My parents have an Ody EX-L and it's seriously comfortable for long drives and has plenty of space for anything you could imagine. If I had kids and didn't require towing, I'd do the same thing.
My mom's Ody gets 28-30mpg hwy, my Denali gets ~17mpg...I can never daily something like that.
Congrats. Nothing wrong with a minivan. Ours has been indispensable on long trips. Once we reached 3 kids it wasn't an option.
My brother has a Dodge minivan and he loves his.
I still can't believe I did the drive to Miami in one day, that's how much nicer having more space is. I wasn't even tired after.
LOL, at first when you typed this I was like, It's only a freakin' six hour trip, but then I remember you don't live in the income-tax-free hellhole state. It probably took you 10 hours from where you were.
LOL, at first when you typed this I was like, It's only a freakin' six hour trip, but then I remember you don't live in the income-tax-free hellhole state. It probably took you 10 hours from where you were.
we need to pull the trigger on a van soon too. I don't like the Oddy trans issues, but like the look of it the most. The Sienna might have the better reliability but is quite a bit more than the Caravan.
we need to pull the trigger on a van soon too. I don't like the Oddy trans issues, but like the look of it the most. The Sienna might have the better reliability but is quite a bit more than the Caravan.
I thought it was only the 2nd gen Ody that had the trans issues? My parent's van now has 110k on the clock and has never had a hiccup.
Co-worker has a '16 Colorado crew V6 2WD. He's been really happy with it, think it stickered in the $34-36k range.
Brother-in-law has a '16 Tacoma Ext Cab V6 TRD Sport. Again completely happy with it.
Personally, I prefer how the Taco drives over the Colorado.
There's also the new Ridgeline. Which I'd possibly lean more toward, after I get a chance to see one in person, but I don't really need a truck for a truck.
no need for a truck, I get 4x8 sheets in the Ody with the seats out.
I can get plywood in the GC as well, but I don't care to clean out the van every time I want to do that. I'd spend the $20 to rent a truck over cleaning out all the shit my kids leave in there.
Co-worker has a '16 Colorado crew V6 2WD. He's been really happy with it, think it stickered in the $34-36k range.
Brother-in-law has a '16 Tacoma Ext Cab V6 TRD Sport. Again completely happy with it.
Personally, I prefer how the Taco drives over the Colorado.
There's also the new Ridgeline. Which I'd possibly lean more toward, after I get a chance to see one in person, but I don't really need a truck for a truck.
I think I want a 4x4 again. I might only get RWD, but it won't be a Ridgeline or anything like that.
The goal is to sell my car, put that money to paying down the remaining debt I have, use the CRV for my limited needs for six months to a year, and be able to get anything I want. I want something that either has, or can have installed, Android Auto/CarPlay, can be lifted, can seat five. I might be looking at the Wrangler Unlimited as well, just not sure yet. I'm a bit of a ways out from that sort of decision. Mainly just looking at exteriors and interiors for the time being, not a lot of trucks can pull off the four door short bed look.
Having seat time in both a 16 Canyon SLT 4WD and a 16 Tacoma TRD Off Road, I'd highly consider the Tacoma. The Canyon was a nice place to sit, but it felt huge and sluggish out on the road. The transmission felt like it needed to be recalibrated.
The Tacoma felt quick, nimble, and had a fun to drive factor to it. The JBL audio option sounded great too. The Toyota will last you forever and still be worth a nice chunk if you ever decide to get rid of it. When my dad traded in his lightly modded 06 Prerunner with 100k for his FJ, he was still able to get almost 20k for it. The dealer then took some of the mods off and listed it for 24k
It's only a freakin' six hour trip, but then I remember you don't live in the income-tax-free hellhole state. It probably took you 10 hours from where you were.
And you have had good luck with the T&C...
