Mini Van opinions wanted

[Rbiggers]

I never thought this day would come, but I am actually considering a Mini Van for our family. Not to replace my 4Runner, of course. But for my stay at home wife who does most of the kid hauling. We currently have an older, base model Chevy Traverse. It's been a good car, but it's time to move on.

We have a 3 year old and a 6 month old. We also need to haul around my 68 year old mother (with weak knees) fairly often. Currently, we have zero access to the third row in the Traverse because of the middle bench seat with two cars seats. So hauling my mother is not an option unless I crawl through the back hatch and over the top of the third row while she sits in the front passenger seat. That's not fun to do, trust me. So captain's seats in the middle row is a must for access. We also want the kids to be able to easily climb in the car by themselves, as they are able to. And a few added creature comforts would be nice. Maybe a rear seat DVD for the kids to watch on long trips.

I'd love to have a Sequoia, but that's far too high for all of my people right now. And the gas mileage is also a deal breaker. Also, we won't ever tow a thing or do any off-roading in the family vehicle. And it snows very little in West Texas, so weather isn't a factor. We need as much room as we can get, with good gas mileage

My wife and I love the new Tahoes, but my wife thinks a mini van would be better. And a damn mid-level Tahoe with captain's seats in second row is $55K!!!

Looking at Honda Odyssey (best looking), Toyota Sienna, and Nissan Quest. I've read over a few older threads on this forum, but would like some more up to date opinions. I've found that I always get great info here, no matter the subject. Thanks everyone!

 

[Thai]

Nissan Quest = horrible crash test scores!!! Check IIHS.

Sienna = best choice because it is most comfortable & quietest, but IIHS crash test is only OK.

Odyssey = best looking, but rougher and noisier. Excellent crash tests.

IMHO, if I were to buy one now, Sienna would be it. Crash test could be better but adequate. I think that the upper Siennas have blind-spot monitoring, which is a must IMHO for a big vehicle. Ody has that stupid passenger side only camera thing...a good idea that has no practical use. Top end Sienna comes with Blu-ray player; top end Ody comes with vacuum cleaner. B/w the two, BR player is more useful...because you are not restricted on what format to buy. There are cheap vacuum cleaners you can buy at Walmart.

 

[Bigshankhank]

Woof, with kids that young don't get something new, no matter what it is you end up buying. Seriously, they will absolutely trash the interior, you'll be pulling cheerios and french fries out of every nook and cranny for years, not to mention the vomits and spilled drinks (sippy cups can spill, don't believe the liberal media! :bounce.
Personally, I and my siblings have had a couple of Chrysler mini-vans and had good luck with them. Spacious, reasonably good fuel economy and those mo-fos know how to make the most of interior storage cubbyholes.

 

[Thai]

Quest:

Still want a Quest?!

 

[Thai]

Sienna: (biggest problem was head not cleanly hitting front airbag due to seatbelt too forgiving)

Ody: (best)

 

[Thai]

I would stay away from Chrysler products...bad reliability and poor crash tests:

 

[Range]

Sienna all the way.

 

[GHARP57]

Sienna or Odyssey Cant go wrong with either. and do not get the AWD Sienna, or if you do get rid of the runflats and go with continental true contacts. Bridgestone runflats suck a$$

 

[BrianSD_42]

Prius V

 

[Thai]

Prius V

I may be crazy, but I love my minivan (2008 Sienna)! Even with my spacious MDX, on the weekends, we take the minivan. My kids prefer the minivan too! More space, more elbow room, more leg space, easier to access power points, easy entry/exit, and those so useful sliding doors!

 

[Rbiggers]

Ouch, not pretty crash test pics on everything but the Odyssey. Love the commando/zombie killer Sienna, but I imagine the MPG would be a little worse than stock.....

I may be crazy, but I love my minivan (2008 Sienna)! Even with my spacious MDX, on the weekends, we take the minivan. My kids prefer the minivan too! More space, more elbow room, more leg space, easier to access power points, easy entry/exit, and those so useful sliding doors!

Exactly the benefits I'm looking for with kids and grandparents in tow.

 

[Thai]

Ouch, not pretty crash test pics on everything but the Odyssey. Love the commando/zombie killer Sienna, but I imagine the MPG would be a little worse than stock.....



Exactly the benefits I'm looking for with kids and grandparents in tow.

B/w Sienna and Ody powertrains, I would pick Sienna. Honda has always been somewhat messy when it comes to transmissions and torque converters. (I did get extended powertrain warranty for my MDX.) So, factor in possible extended warranty cost if you get Honda.

What trim level are you looking at?

(I think that Commando Sienna pictured above is based on truck platform.)

 

[Hepar]

My friend recently went though the same decision as you. It came down to the Odyssey and the Sienna. He ultimately chose the Odyssey mainly because it offered one in AWD. I've driven it and driven in it plenty of times. I really like it. But, I'm also weird in that I really dig minivans and wagons.

 

[Antman]

My wife has an Odyssey. I love the damn thing! It's the perfect vehicle for families. That's what minivans are designed for and that's where they excel.

Great gas mileage and easy to drive too.

 

[GHARP57]

My friend recently went though the same decision as you. It came down to the Odyssey and the Sienna. He ultimately chose the Odyssey mainly because it offered one in AWD. I've driven it and driven in it plenty of times. I really like it. But, I'm also weird in that I really dig minivans and wagons.

Sienna is the only Minivan that is AWD

 

[Thai]

My friend recently went though the same decision as you. It came down to the Odyssey and the Sienna. He ultimately chose the Odyssey mainly because it offered one in AWD. I've driven it and driven in it plenty of times. I really like it. But, I'm also weird in that I really dig minivans and wagons.

Ody makes AWD???

 

[Hepar]

Sienna is the only Minivan that is AWD

Ody makes AWD???

Sorry. Meant the other way around.

 

[cashmoney]

Buy a suburban. My family had 3 while I was growing up. We pulled horse trailers, drove to florida, and played sports out of them. All went north of a 100k with nothing but oil changes and tire changes and it's a way cooler vehicle than a minivan.

 

[Thai]

Buy a suburban. My family had 3 while I was growing up. We pulled horse trailers, drove to florida, and played sports out of them. All went north of a 100k with nothing but oil changes and tire changes and it's a way cooler vehicle than a minivan.

Once you go minivan, there is no going back!

The other advantages of minivan over Sub: fuel economy, room (relative to footprint), ease of parking, and SLIDING DOORS (!!).

 

[cashmoney]

There are sacrifices I'm willing to make to not drive a mini van HAHA

Honestly it's a style thing with me. I just don't like the way they look. But the things are fast! My friend's mom's would burn the tires into 2nd gear.