Looking into Minivans. What Do You Suggest?

We got a Town and Country used in that price range. We looked at a Toyota Sienna and it was much much more expensive with more miles. I love my T&C

If you can find a Ford Windstar or Freestar, grab it. I'm SO sad they don't make them anymore. My next choice would be the Chrysler Town and Country, but they're awfully expensive. Probably need to stick with a Toyota or Honda .... Toyota is a little better.

Good luck!

We love Chevy Ventures and the Olds Sillouette. Due to an accident, we had to replace the Venture. We purchased a much newer Dodge Grand Caravan for a great price. We thought it would be great! e Both GM vans hav automatic headlights which is great! The dome lights came on when the car was shut off. The front interior lights are much better. All of of these are little things but they make a big difference. The economy is very different too. The GM vans both averaged on hwy and city over 21 mpg. The Dodge averages 17. So our bargain van is costing us more. The Grand Caravan is likely rated higher than the Chevy or Olds but you have to look at everything to compare. We went from a 1999 Chevy Venture to a 2006 Grand Caravan and I would gladly trade it for an older model somewhere in between those model years if it was a GM van!

Due to Cash for Clunkers - used cars are not as "cheap" as they used to be.

For $10K to $12K you are looking at a car that is at least 5 years old. I looked at a Toyota Sienna (2009) for $16K. Toyota and Honda are the most reliable cars on the road and hold their value.

Take the kids with you like we did - have them try to get in and out of the mini van and see what works best for you. Auto sliding doors, versatility in changing seating positions, not sure what you are looking for.

Suburbans and Expeditions are nice too. Lots of storage space in the back. And can seat 8 comfortably.

We paid about $10K (a little less I think) for a 2006 Honda Odyssey and I love everything about it. It's not top of the line (cloth seats, no DVD system) but that's fine by me. With the Odysseys, there was a span of years that had bad transmissions to you have to be careful about what year you buy. We passed on a better model with lower miles from one of the bad transmission years because we didn't want to have to deal with that. That was the only issue we found when researching used Odysseys and in your price range, you may be able to get something newer like a 2007 or even 2008. I honestly can't say enough how much I love this vehicle - it's my 3rd minivan and I will buy another Odyssey years from now when this one reaches the end of it's life.

Avoid the Chevy Venture at all costs - horrible, horrible vehicle.

I love love love my Toyota Sienna. Plenty of room and drives like a dream. Also, very quiet. Not a lot of road noise either.

I have a 2000 Toyota Sienna and I LOVE it. Has 115,000 miles on it and runs like a dream still. Has LOTS and LOTS of room.

We have friends who bought a Honda Odyssey used a few years ago and they love it. It has 150,000 miles on it and still going strong.

I would NOT be a used Town and Country. Why? We've had 2 and both of them around 80,000 start to need some major repairs. They're just not made to last a long time.

I love my Town & Country stow & go seats! Having 3 kids it is perfect to change their seats around when there is too much fighting.

Do NOT buy a Kia. And if you narrow it down to a couple and can't decide, get the VIN and call your insurance agent/company to get a quote before you buy, it may make a huge difference in premium and help you decide. Congrats and good luck!

I've never owned a minivan, but I have test driven a Sienna and an Odyssey, and I found both humongous; I felt like I was driving a bus.

I had to rent a minivan, and the Kia was nice. Check out Enterprise to see if they have any to sell used.

I have also been a passenger in the Chevy Traverse, and I enjoyed the feel in it.

Have fun.

I love my town and country.

Chevy Traverse, seats 8...it's awesome!

Bethy:

Used cars aren't as "cheap" as they used to be. I have to agree with Mr. Mom that Cash for Clunkers took a LOT of used cars off the road.

For any used car you decide to buy - go to consumerreports.org and check out the stats from their unbiased end. Also go to Carfax and get all the stats on the car - has it been in an accident, etc. Call your insurance company and get quotes on how much it would cost to insure what you want to purchase...let's say you narrow it down to the Honda and Toyota...call with VIN #s and get a quote on how much the insurance will be. That might also help you in making the decision.

We have been looking to trade in my 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan - please know that I love EVERYTHING about EXCEPT the maintenance issues. I love the way I can move the back seats around, take one out, fold one down, when I had kids in car seats? I loved the automatic sliding door...now that my boys are 9 & 11? I am looking at the Expedition, Suburban, Escalade...as they have room for 8 and we can fit baseball, soccer, la crosse all the sports stuff AND CHAIRS in the back without making anyone move their feet, etc.

Take the kids with you! ESPECIALLY if you have kids in car seats and put your car seats in the mini van you are looking at...one of the reasons we got rid of my Blazer was because the car seat didn't fit properly in the back seat. See if they can buckle themselves up, hear you, see you, etc. Nicky loves to sit in the VERY back of my minivan...the stereo speaker is RIGHT there so not all the time can he hear the conversations going on - we've had to adjust the speakers...

Oh yeah - if you allow electronic devices in your car while traveling - how many outlets do they have and where? In December I was looking at the Touring Honda Odyssey and it has 3..and the one for the back? It's on the "D" panel - the VERY BACK by the rear hatch. PAIN IN THE REAR. My Grand Caravan? Has 3 up front - two cigarette in the dash, one in the movable console and one on the "C" panel. Easy access for the kids. No fighting over charging when batteries have died.

Just my 2 cents here. I don't like mini vans anymore, I perfer the SUV. The windows in a mini van don't open for the 2nd and 3rd seat. My daughter has a Buick Rendevous and it has a 3rd seat that completely folds away. And because Buick is considered an older person car her insurance is less than with other SUV's

Toyota Sienna! Drives like a dream! I'm on my second due to a wreck and they are fabulous!