which minivan to buy?

My 1992 Dodge Caravan is getting old (it runs well, been lucky..at 150,000)
and I am planning to buy a minivan this summer. It won't be a new one. It
will be most likely 2 to 4 years old depending on the model. I noticed that
Ford minivans are the cheapest,
followed by Dodge. The Toyota Siennas and Honda Odyssey are the most
expensive. I figure a 2 year old Ford or Dodge will cost about the same as a
4 year old
Sienna or Honda. For argument's sake, say I got $12,000
cash to spend. Should I go with a 2 year old Ford, or Dodge? Or go with the
more reliable but slightly older
4 year old Toyota or Honda minivan?? It seems Ford's have a so-so
reputation. Here in Maine the Windstar and Caravan are everywhere, but very
few Hondas or Toyota minivans. It is a poor state, I suspect that is a
factor. Any information/opinions appreciated. My plan to to buy this summer.

 

My advice is to stick with an import brand, namely Honda or Toyota.
I've researched the subject for a few years now and come to the
conclusion, that although all automakers will, at sometime or other,
manufacture a lemon, you will generally find far fewer problems with a
Japanese import than a domestic make.
One advantage with a domestic brand, however, is that they are usually
less expensive to repair should a problem surface.

 

I want to add that besides owning the 1992 Dodge Caravan, I also own a 1998
Subaru Legacy station wagon that has been excellant. I also have owned
several Toyota sedans over the years with no troubles. Thus I am
willing to pay a bit extra for a Toyota or Honda minivan,
but since they are expensive it will likely be a 2000 or 2001 model. Again,
I can get a 2003 Ford or Dodge minivan at the same price. Thus the conflict
over which to buy. The newer one or slightly older import.

 

If you go Honda, don't go any older than a 2002. The previous models
have a less desirable engine and the transmissions SUCK.

 

if you can get a low mileage honda or toyota, sure. even at 4 years old.

 

Granted, some people run into problems, though most don't. I personally
own a 95 Honda Civic and a 94 Dodge Grand Caravan, and would have to
say that the reliability of the Civic beats the Dodge hands down.
Despite numerous other problems, I've had to replace the tranny in the
van three times.

 

Dodge/Chrysler makes the superior van for the money. Have you checked
the insurance rate on the Sienna and Odyssee lately??? They are about
triple that of the domestics. Also, the Chrysler/Dodge vans use less
gas.

 

Low mileage is not necessarily desirable -- city driving is considered
"severe service" but runs up only small numbers of miles compared to
highway driving. Short trips from cold start also produce low mileage,
but are extremely hard on the vehicle.

 

I just did some on-line quotes from Insweb for the Grand Caravan,
Sienna and Odyssey. The cheapest quotes were $57/mo. for Ody, $58/mo.
for Sienna and $54/mo for GC. The average of the five best quotes
for each of the three vehicles were within $2/mo.

According to Consumer Reports testing of '05 minivans (March '05)
either sienna or Odyssey will save $200 per year in Gas vs. Grand
Caravan. Some facts and figures:

Odyssey Sienna Grand Caravan
Tested Price $32,410 $34,909 $34,140
Engine Size 3.5 3.3 3.8
HP 255 230 205
0 - 60 8.6 8.6 10.1
Overall mpg 19 19 17
Curb wt. 4,615 4,365 4,515
Cargo cu ft 66.5 70.5 60
Maximum Load 1,320 1,280 1,185
Maximum Tow 3,500 3,500 3,800

Ody and Sienna received much better ratings for comfort and
convenience and their predicted reliability was better than the Grand
Caravan. Ody had the edge in handling and standard safety features.
Ody had more expensive damage in the bumper test. The folding middle
seats are a significant advantage for Grand Caravan. It also gives
you a choice of two smaller, weaker engines including a 150 hp 4
cylinder which should yield a quarter mile time in the low
twenty-somethings.

You can probably get the Dodge cheaper due to heavy discounting. With
the 4 cylinder, you might even get better milage. If all this
constitutes cost superiority for the Dodge, go for it. Personally I
would go for the Odyssey.

 

I'm glad some people do their homework!