What's your opinion on the MiniVan Market today!

Hello,
I was curious what people thought of the current Minivan possibilites out
there today? I have a wife and 2 children... have the activities any other
parents may have... girlscouts, soccer practice... multiple kids needing a
ride to some after school activity... you know the drill!

Today my wife and I went out and looked at the following vehicles... we are
considering buying slightly USED .... a short explanation or
impression/limited opinion follows of our experience today... if anyone can
see where I'm going or have any thoughts in addition... I would appreciate
it...

Honda Odyessy - Not many out there for sale as far as used... price seems
high at used ones 2001 for instance coming in at $24,000.00 >> Kind of
cheapy in the interiors... not at all plush in anyway... did like the
foldback third seat that sinks into the floor... pretty damn quick... roomy,
cavernous from what my wife heard someone claim... Don't know, can I expect
250,000 miles on this thing?

Kia Sedona - Wow what a bargain some 100,000 miles or 10 years warranty I
think??... Was it on the drivetrain???... sounds good... a bit smaller than
the oddyessy! not as roomy also... interior looked a little more plusher
though... what a price... $19,000.00 for a new one! Do these things last
260,000 miles like I would think the Honda Odyessy should??? or what???

Toyota Seinna - Saw one... used for $25,000 what's the deal with that... do
these things last for 300,000 miles or what?? The dealer said that they even
have a 3 month wait on new ones! Probably a lie!

****No clear winner here...*****
I like the Odyessey's room and honda's track record... don't like the
price... could I buy a used one with 50,000 miles and get 260,000 miles off
it... than it would be worth the $19,000.00 for a used one with the high
miles! Does that seem like a "sound" opinion?

Kia Sedona... nice... but a little smaller... price a new/used one with
15,000 miles at $16,000.00... ok... can I make it to 100,001 miles and than
have problems and wish I would have bought the Odyessey or Seinna??? don't
know...

Toyota Seinna... saw 1 today... Is it worth it... sounds like a lot of
people think so!

 

What about the Dodge Caravan? I understand dealers are blowing them out
the doors at real cheap prices. Worth a checkout.

Dale
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What about the Dodge Caravan? I understand dealers are blowing them out
the doors at real cheap prices. Worth a checkout.

Dale
--

 

The Odyessy and the Sienna will both easily get you 300,000 miles,
with proper maintenance. The prices you quoted for pre-owned seem a
bit high. Check out the following sites and see if you can pick out a
good low mileage van:

http://www.autotrader.com
http://www.cars.com
http://www.swapalease.com

Another option is, go to a dealer that sells used cars only. Tell him
EXACTLY what you want (mileage, engine, color, no title blemishes or
body work, etc.). Tell him you will pay him $500 over what he can buy
for at auction. He should even have a list of what sold and the prices
from the previous week's auction. Take a gander at those prices and
you will cry to see how much markup dealers add to their used cars.
Don't get me wrong, I understand that dealers have to make money.
However, if I can save a lot of money, I'm going to do it!

 

The Odyessy and the Sienna will both easily get you 300,000 miles,
with proper maintenance. The prices you quoted for pre-owned seem a
bit high. Check out the following sites and see if you can pick out a
good low mileage van:

http://www.autotrader.com
http://www.cars.com
http://www.swapalease.com

Another option is, go to a dealer that sells used cars only. Tell him
EXACTLY what you want (mileage, engine, color, no title blemishes or
body work, etc.). Tell him you will pay him $500 over what he can buy
for at auction. He should even have a list of what sold and the prices
from the previous week's auction. Take a gander at those prices and
you will cry to see how much markup dealers add to their used cars.
Don't get me wrong, I understand that dealers have to make money.
However, if I can save a lot of money, I'm going to do it!

 

That's a great idea regarding going to a dealer who sells USED cars... I
have a freind of a friend that basically goes to the auctions... yes.. I
will definetly check that out...

Thanks

 

That's a great idea regarding going to a dealer who sells USED cars... I
have a freind of a friend that basically goes to the auctions... yes.. I
will definetly check that out...

Thanks

 

Yea... checked the AutoTrader.com and Cars.com.>>> I was not far off when it
comes to the Odyessy or the Sienna... for anywhere between 18-$19,000.00 you
get a USED car with right around 50,000 to 70,000 miles... Heck, I've done
this before... have a Toyota Camry for myself right now - 1988 with 260,000
miles... bought it 7 years ago and it had 150,000 miles on it... the price
was, no kidding $2800.00>>> looks like I am going to do it again!

Thks Dano

 

Yea... checked the AutoTrader.com and Cars.com.>>> I was not far off when it
comes to the Odyessy or the Sienna... for anywhere between 18-$19,000.00 you
get a USED car with right around 50,000 to 70,000 miles... Heck, I've done
this before... have a Toyota Camry for myself right now - 1988 with 260,000
miles... bought it 7 years ago and it had 150,000 miles on it... the price
was, no kidding $2800.00>>> looks like I am going to do it again!

Thks Dano

 

My SO has a 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager. Despite abusive treatment it is
still running at 140,000 miles. We did have to have a valve job done
because of a burned valve. I suspect this was caused by a combination of
irregular oil changes and towing a 24 sailboat down I-95 (the car is not
rated to tow anything this big with so much windage). Other than the
burned valve it has been fine. And you can buy one for many thousands
less than the Toyota or Honda mini vans. However, I am positive that
when my SO buys her next vehicle, it will be a new Toyota, but not a
mini van.

Good friends of mine had a Ford Windstar. They had zero problems though
90,000 miles, but as soon as Honda revised the Odyssey (made it larger),
they dumped the Ford for the Honda. They really like the Odyssey, but
then they are definitely "Honda" people. I was shocked when they bought
the Windstar and not surprised when they swapped it for the Odyssey
(even thought the Windstar had been nearly flawless). The older Siennas
were smallish, so be sure you compare apples to apples when comparing
prices.

Ed

 

My SO has a 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager. Despite abusive treatment it is
still running at 140,000 miles. We did have to have a valve job done
because of a burned valve. I suspect this was caused by a combination of
irregular oil changes and towing a 24 sailboat down I-95 (the car is not
rated to tow anything this big with so much windage). Other than the
burned valve it has been fine. And you can buy one for many thousands
less than the Toyota or Honda mini vans. However, I am positive that
when my SO buys her next vehicle, it will be a new Toyota, but not a
mini van.

Good friends of mine had a Ford Windstar. They had zero problems though
90,000 miles, but as soon as Honda revised the Odyssey (made it larger),
they dumped the Ford for the Honda. They really like the Odyssey, but
then they are definitely "Honda" people. I was shocked when they bought
the Windstar and not surprised when they swapped it for the Odyssey
(even thought the Windstar had been nearly flawless). The older Siennas
were smallish, so be sure you compare apples to apples when comparing
prices.

Ed

 

The market for Japanese minivans wasn't much good until the Honda
Odyssey came out in 1999, and even then it took them until 2002 to
really get the product right.

And once they did, Toyota and Nissan took notice and finally created
real minivans. But, it took them until the 2004 model year to do it.
The Nissan Quest was obviously not in the real minivan class, and the
Sienna prior to 04 was too small and not well enough equipped. The
Previa was pretty good, but too quirky really to compete with the
Chrysler minivans.

If you're buying used, and if you want Japanese, there's only one
choice: find a 2002 Odyssey.

An 02, yes. A 99-01, maybe. Engine wise, yes. Tranny-wise....????
Honda has extended the transmission warranty on those vehicles to 100K/7
years, but still. Why buy problems?

Don't be fooled into knowing the price of everything and the value of
nothing. You're attracted by the price, but do you know the VALUE of
the Sedona? Heavy, underpowered, horrible gas mileage, no resale value.
If you're definitely going to keep it forever, the resale value isn't an
issue. But it's still heavy, underpowered, and gets horrible gas
mileage. Plus it's a bit sparse inside. You're better off buying that
used Odyssey.

Not a lie. The price reflects the name; Toyota has a good reputation.
However, that particular engine had *some* kind of problem with the oil;
some people are claiming that the oil would turn to sludge and cause
damage. Toyota denied it at first, then accepted that and started doing
something about it. Toyota techs that I've heard from say that at some
point in that engine's design life, Toyota changed the diameter of the
oil passages--made them smaller--and that's when the problem started.
Whatever the reason, I'd say avoid a used Sienna for the oil problems
the same way I say try to avoid a 99-01 Odyssey for the transmission
problems.

You seem to keep going back to that Kia Sedona. Why not buy a new
Chrysler instead?

 

The market for Japanese minivans wasn't much good until the Honda
Odyssey came out in 1999, and even then it took them until 2002 to
really get the product right.

And once they did, Toyota and Nissan took notice and finally created
real minivans. But, it took them until the 2004 model year to do it.
The Nissan Quest was obviously not in the real minivan class, and the
Sienna prior to 04 was too small and not well enough equipped. The
Previa was pretty good, but too quirky really to compete with the
Chrysler minivans.

If you're buying used, and if you want Japanese, there's only one
choice: find a 2002 Odyssey.

An 02, yes. A 99-01, maybe. Engine wise, yes. Tranny-wise....????
Honda has extended the transmission warranty on those vehicles to 100K/7
years, but still. Why buy problems?

Don't be fooled into knowing the price of everything and the value of
nothing. You're attracted by the price, but do you know the VALUE of
the Sedona? Heavy, underpowered, horrible gas mileage, no resale value.
If you're definitely going to keep it forever, the resale value isn't an
issue. But it's still heavy, underpowered, and gets horrible gas
mileage. Plus it's a bit sparse inside. You're better off buying that
used Odyssey.

Not a lie. The price reflects the name; Toyota has a good reputation.
However, that particular engine had *some* kind of problem with the oil;
some people are claiming that the oil would turn to sludge and cause
damage. Toyota denied it at first, then accepted that and started doing
something about it. Toyota techs that I've heard from say that at some
point in that engine's design life, Toyota changed the diameter of the
oil passages--made them smaller--and that's when the problem started.
Whatever the reason, I'd say avoid a used Sienna for the oil problems
the same way I say try to avoid a 99-01 Odyssey for the transmission
problems.

You seem to keep going back to that Kia Sedona. Why not buy a new
Chrysler instead?

 

Friday afternoon I went to a local Honda dealer to ask what he'd pay for
my 02 Odyssey (that can be Honda certified) with 22K on the clock. He
said $17,500. He said if I really wanted to sell it that I should offer
it on the market myself and take about $20K for it.

 

Friday afternoon I went to a local Honda dealer to ask what he'd pay for
my 02 Odyssey (that can be Honda certified) with 22K on the clock. He
said $17,500. He said if I really wanted to sell it that I should offer
it on the market myself and take about $20K for it.

 

Yes and No from what I have seen on autotrader.com>>>

First off, I would only buy a new-used vehicle... why loose money in
somethin by just driving it off of a lot!!
It looks like you could get a Caravan with 18,000 miles for around the same
you could get a Odyessey at say 50-60,000 miles... well, I would still go
for the Honda since I am most likely gauranteed over 200,000 miles before I
have any real problems... probably would go alot further at that...

With the Caravan???? I don't know, 130-160,000 miles maybe at best??? I just
don't know... sounds like a bigger gamble!

Thanks again for all the responses...
Dano

 

Yes and No from what I have seen on autotrader.com>>>

First off, I would only buy a new-used vehicle... why loose money in
somethin by just driving it off of a lot!!
It looks like you could get a Caravan with 18,000 miles for around the same
you could get a Odyessey at say 50-60,000 miles... well, I would still go
for the Honda since I am most likely gauranteed over 200,000 miles before I
have any real problems... probably would go alot further at that...

With the Caravan???? I don't know, 130-160,000 miles maybe at best??? I just
don't know... sounds like a bigger gamble!

Thanks again for all the responses...
Dano

 

Kia Sedona - Wow what a bargain

BUZZ! Thank you for playing. Heavy, yes, but with a 5 speed auto it moves
off of the line fairly well - 0 to 60 in 9.6 seconds. That's as good or
better than a new Mitsubishi Galant ES, Chrysler Pacifica AWD, Subaru Baja,
VW Beetle 2.0, Saturn Ion 3, Mitsubishi Outlander, Maxda Protege, Honda
Civic LX, etc..etc.. (see http://tinyurl.com/2kjup if you question the
numbers). Mileage could be better, but I'm getting about 17 MPG so far, and
break-in isn't finished yet, but it still beats just about any full size SUV
(and beats the hell out of many). Sparse? Not sure what you're looking for,
but my EX has power seats (driver and passenger), front and rear AC, power
locks, power windows, power mirrors, woodgrain trim, leather available,
overhead console with temp, trip computer, etc, full carpeted, four glove
boxes, two deep pockets on each door, first aid kit, seat back pockets, flip
up table, 4 power sockets (1 in the far back, one next to the 3rd row
passenger), and much more. AND, it does all this for about $10,000 less than
an Odyssey - check out http://tinyurl.com/2cd4y for Edmund's big minivan
test from last year. Yep, the Odyssey won, but the Sedona took 2nd place.
The Odyssey they tested was $29,000, and I just bought my Sedona EX for
$18,500. Crash tests as good or better than the Odyssey in every category.
I'll never say that any one vehicle is perfect for everyone, but you'll do
yourself a disservice if you go looking for a mini-van and don't check out
the Sedona. Oh, yeah, and it's under factory warranty until 2013.

Jamie

 

Kia Sedona - Wow what a bargain

BUZZ! Thank you for playing. Heavy, yes, but with a 5 speed auto it moves
off of the line fairly well - 0 to 60 in 9.6 seconds. That's as good or
better than a new Mitsubishi Galant ES, Chrysler Pacifica AWD, Subaru Baja,
VW Beetle 2.0, Saturn Ion 3, Mitsubishi Outlander, Maxda Protege, Honda
Civic LX, etc..etc.. (see http://tinyurl.com/2kjup if you question the
numbers). Mileage could be better, but I'm getting about 17 MPG so far, and
break-in isn't finished yet, but it still beats just about any full size SUV
(and beats the hell out of many). Sparse? Not sure what you're looking for,
but my EX has power seats (driver and passenger), front and rear AC, power
locks, power windows, power mirrors, woodgrain trim, leather available,
overhead console with temp, trip computer, etc, full carpeted, four glove
boxes, two deep pockets on each door, first aid kit, seat back pockets, flip
up table, 4 power sockets (1 in the far back, one next to the 3rd row
passenger), and much more. AND, it does all this for about $10,000 less than
an Odyssey - check out http://tinyurl.com/2cd4y for Edmund's big minivan
test from last year. Yep, the Odyssey won, but the Sedona took 2nd place.
The Odyssey they tested was $29,000, and I just bought my Sedona EX for
$18,500. Crash tests as good or better than the Odyssey in every category.
I'll never say that any one vehicle is perfect for everyone, but you'll do
yourself a disservice if you go looking for a mini-van and don't check out
the Sedona. Oh, yeah, and it's under factory warranty until 2013.

Jamie

 

Bah, you're no fun Dano. Crank out some of that cash and go for a new
one. Just kidding.

Yes I agree buying new is sort of foolish, I had myself convinced that I
would never buy another new vehicle for the same reasons, but after a
bout with the big C I decided that i was going to splurge on a new 04
Sienna after all and that was that. This one may very well be my last,
but I'm going to enjoy it and stop counting the money.

Good luck

Dale
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