Looking to get a mini-van.

Budget is important so I am leaning towards DOMESTICS to take advantages of any specials.
My first time getting a car of this type so I'm pretty clueless and need inputs
thanks

 

If you want domestic.....which are far from the best (the best being Toyota & Honda) and you have a tight budget, go with the Dodge Grand Caravan (cheaper than Chrysler T&C). The best part about this van that no one else has is the stow & go seating.

If you are really budget conscious, try the Kia Sedonna. Cheapest, and has the longest warranty of any minivan. Can be had for cheap because the new Sedonna will be out soon and will be light years ahead of this model...in fact in may compete with Honda & Toyota.

 

budget is impt...i would get the Pontiac Montana SV6 over Dodge

Dodge is way under powered with 3.3L engine and 3.8L engine is expensive

the Montana is an average Van with a gd motor (the new 3500series that replaces the 3800series)

and it's proven that the maintainence is way lower than the Dodge

 

btw...DO NOT BUY A FORD

 

 

I've never seen the Pontiac Van on the road around here...now I know why...saw the pics and

 

domestics = shit. They will not last and they shit for resale.

you will regret getting a domestic minivan. Trust I saw it left and right when I sold cars....particulary the fucking dodge/chrysler POS.

Not to mention I've had every current model domestic minivan as a rental vehicle when I was on a tv show....I hated driving all of them.

Do yourself a favor and get an odyessy. Dont want to spend a lot. get a preowned ody for a good deal.

 

I second the preowned idea. A slightly used Odyssey or Sienna will save you lots of grief later.

 

I'd go with the dodge or chrysler....My father has a Venture, it's in and out of the shop all the time for stupid stuff..Aside from that, if you need space, you need to take all the seats out yourself. The dodge and chrysler simplified that with stow and go... TheDodge/Chrysler probably aren't much more reliable, but you do get the 7 year/70k warrantee with it! I'd do the dodge/chrysler for the convenience, also you get more for your money in those two as well. Biggest difference between a typical Town & Country Touring and Grand Caravan SXT is the power liftgate, which the chrysler has, but the dodge does not.
Ed

 

If you're going used, don't even look at the Odysseys because they have the same tranny problem that plagued the TL and MDX's. So the Sienna would be the best bet if you're going used.

Try Kia. They have one of the best powertrain warranty and the price is pretty good. Dodge is also pretty good. We had a '94 Chrysler Town & Country and surprisingly, no problems whatsoever until it was totaled with 120k miles on it.

 

Used GME Denali....NO MINI VANS!

 

Definately a Honda Odyssey..

 

 

Like this??




Seriously, the older ones have problems with the tranny like I've metioned so I would avoid them. Also they have problems with the EGR prematurely crapping out.

Here's a link to the Ody board for more research:

www.odyclub.com

 

A pre-owned 05 Ody will still be fairly expensive although I agree its the best choice. A 04 Sienna maybe more in-line with what you want to spend.

 

An 04 Sienna will likely cost the same as a new Ody (if not more) similarly equipped. I was quoted a price of $27.3 (invoice) for an Ody EX-L. Getting a Sienna with Leather and Sunroof will cost over $30k. But there are some nice features the Sienna has over the Ody. (i.e.: HIDs, 17" wheels, AWD, Lexus-like quality)

As for the 'DONT BUY A FORD' comment.... x 2!! A couple we know from church have a 3 y/o Windstar and just told me yesterday that it's needed about $8k in repairs to date. (Fortunately for them, the majority of the cost was covered by an extended warranty)

 

Get the Chrysler T&C with a good extended warranty and you'll still come in under Honda Toyota.

 

the only 3 minivans worth your time are the T&C, Honda and Toyota

 

nothing beat the old Ody and the new one is only better.

But if there is a budget issue with an 05 or 06, why not try to find a slightly used 04? I'd rather have the older Ody over a new Domestic any day. We were forced to trade in our Dodge Grand Caravan because it was just too much of a hassle, problems left and right . I will never buy a domestic when I get older (save the Z06, but thats a different class of car).

Research both the 2004 and 2005+ Ody and make the move that best fits your situation IMO.

 

Stay away from the old Ody....tranny issues.

 

id say the dodge grand caravan. my neighbor has one and shes always talking about how handy the stow and go seating is.

 

The older Odys did not have tranny issues nearly as bad as the TL or CL.

I would have no problem getting into a preowned ody.

 

Maybe one of these ??

 

See if you can find a Toyota Previa, supercharged and rwd. I use it for a delivery van, its awesome...small turn radius and good pep.....plus its a toyota (indestructible).

 

Previa indestructible? Those things crush like a tin can in an accident.

 

i would get a sedona. cheap and warranty is all you need for a minivan. plus, it rides much better than a freestar and a caravan.

 

http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/96022.htm

 

Thanks y'all for the inputs.
I really like the look of the Pacifica. How is the quality reputation ?

 

i would wait little bit for a new sedona or a new hyundai minivan if on a tight budget...

correct me if im wrong..but i believe the new sedona will be out by fall?

and hyundai by early next year?

 

I don't know about quality, I think it's fared okay so far. However, it gets TERRIBLE fuel economy. If you're on a budget, stay away from it.

 

Huge discounts on the Ford Freestar & Mercury Monterey...

 

If you want something CHEAP, then the Chrysler will fit the bill. They make many of the Caravans in my hometown, Windsor. Let me tell you -- I know quite a few people on that assembly line and it's no wonder there are so many problems with these types of cars. The 'Stow-n-Go' concept is good -- but I wonder how durable those plastic components will last.

Similarly, the Pacifica is also assembled in Windsor, ON. Once Chysler figured out that making it with fabric interiors and dropping Celine Dion as the spokesperson, sales would improve. (They had it up against ML series MB and cheap X5 alternative) Whoever said they were bad on gas ... you're absolutely correct on that!

IMHO, you're better off with a 03-04 Toyota or Honda minivan if you need the room. What about a wagon as a compromise? (eg Suburu, Volvo, Toyota Matrix, Mazda5, etc)

 

How about a 2005 Nissan Quest? The '04 had some quality issues but according to CR or JD (can't remember which) said that it was the most improved vehicle in quality for '05. I've seen them here advertised for around $19K new.

 

loaded 05 quest is well over $30K

 

Oh yeah, just to let you know, we had many problems (multiple transmissions) on our Chrysler Grand Caravans. And electrical issues, but ours were a '91 and '95 (the '91 wasn't Grand)

 

We have a dodge, has a lot of problems, but its under warrenty. I would talk with your wife to avoid the minivan at all costs(go with an SUV with three rows of seating). The Leaf Spring suspensions are a bitch. Stow and go seating is a waste of money IMO, you get more leg room without it and you may as well just take the seats out, takes all of 2 minutes more. Our dodge dealer had a minivan with an 8-80 warrenty, 10k miles, for 15 or 18k. But that was 6 months ago. My mother is sick of having minivans, after my dad gets the TL, and the bank account goes back up, shes gettin a magnum or a subaru.

 

Most vans will go over $30K fully loaded. But he mentioned that he was on a budget so I doubt he would get leather, navi, moonroof or any of those luxury options. The reason I mentioned the Quest is because it isn't selling well. So most dealers are selling them way under invoice, at least in my area.

 

Due to some electrical problems with our current van (00 Quest) we're looking at an Ody right now. I would consider the 05 Quest but, a) it'd be our 3rd Quest (96 Villager, 00 Quest) and b) it's pretty expensive with all the options even after the $2k rebate.

With an instaquote price of $27.3k for and EX-L, it looks like we're pulling the trigger on this deal by the end of this week.

 

The best looking is the dodge or the Mazda(if they still make it). MB is coming out with there R. Looks like a minivan-the sliding doors, and it will be offered in AMG.
Only prob is it starts at about 50, loaded over 60, but you can dream.

 

I say get a Dodge Caravan w/ the V6. We used to own one (I think it was a 1995 model) and I raced my wife in it when we owned a 1994 GT grand-am w. the quad 4. That caravan waxed my ass. lol

But overall very roomy , but vans are not my cup of tea, I had to trade it in for a SUV. A buddy here at work owns one and has 5-kids. He said it works out fine for him, untill he can afford a ChevY Burban.