bfletch7441 Posted July 25, 2007 Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 Since Sallie was born a month ago, JaLynn and I have decided to buy a minivan. Her Explorer just don't have enough room for two kids like we thought it did, and a minivan looks to be the best solution to our problem. We've looked at several and like the imports, Nissan Quest, Honda Odyssey, and Toyota Sienna, the best. Does anyone have one of those three? And if you do, what do you like/dislike about it? Also, what kind of mileage to you get? Any and all advice appreciated. Thanks up front. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted July 25, 2007 Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 We have a 2005 Nissan Quest. When my wife told me she wanted a Mini Van I laughed. We had a Nissan Xterra we bought off the show room floor. Anyway, I finally caved after the birth of our daughter and we ended up with the quest. We drove every make under the sun Chevy, Dodge, Chrysler, Ford, etc. You name it.... We drove it. In all honesty and not simply because I own one, the Quest won hands down. Those things have a ton of power. They have an amazing sound system. The storage is second to none. All off the seats fold flat (except for the two front passengers). They handle a lot like a car and are far more stable then most of the others. They have the features like side curtain airbags and traction control, etc. Rear air control. Plenty of room for everyone. Seriously, I love this thing. One of the best parts is they dont look a lot like a van. The interior is just as nice as all the feathers. I love the island control (shifter, gages, etc.). Again on Storage, we have the back seat up right now yet yesterday I had 150lbs of sand, a bucket of chlorine tabs, a stroller, and a dolly behind the seat. Also its a Nissan so you know it will last forever. The V6 doesn't get quite as good of mileage as I would like but I would venture to say 20 or so. Its not horrible and I bet it will get better mileage than your SUV. We also drove it in this ice storm this past year and because of the Front Wheel drive it impressed me. I know you're looking but take a hard look at the Nissan. We couldn't have made a better decision in that department. Once this thing is worn out we are spending money on the exact same Van. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted July 25, 2007 Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 The wife wanted one too, she is still waiting! LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newarcher Posted July 25, 2007 Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 Go with the Odyssey, I say. Great Vehicle. Second would be the Sienna Last would be the Quest....they had bad dependability ratings when we were looking. I hate vans but they are indespensable with kids. We couldn't do what we do in that van with an SUV or cross over. New Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdvantageTimberLou Posted July 25, 2007 Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 We got a Pontiac Montana and its ok, just too many flaws in it for something that we bought new and cost a bundle. Going to look at the 2008 Chryslers, they are redesigned this year and are suppose to be nice. Looked at the Honda's and just can't be forced into driving one!! They have their issues too. Wait until the end of August and see what the 2008 models will bring. You could get huge savings off a 2007 model that a dealer wants to move! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Finn Posted July 25, 2007 Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 Consumer Reports rates Toyota first and Honda second. If I could talk the wife into one, we'd have a Toyota Sienna. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted July 25, 2007 Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 I work at a GM dealer, and I must say they've ironed out the wrinkles from old Montana's and Venture vans. Those things were ok in a way, but garbage in another. The main thing was the intake gaskets going and rear head gaskets going. I don't know how many sets of those I've done, I could dang near do them with my eyes closed. Now the new Chevy Uplanders and Pontiac Montana SV6's have a 3.9L V6 (used to be 3.4L in the old ones) with a different intake style on them, I have yet to see a single one come in with a leak. Other than regular stuff like brakes, tires and oil changes you don't see too many things that are wrong with them. All in all they're a dang good van. Great price too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdvantageTimberLou Posted July 25, 2007 Report Share Posted July 25, 2007 Don't know Shawn, ours has had the the driver's heated seat fixed twice and it still does not work. Driver's side window seems to be falling out of its track. Starter seems to stay engaged a tad after its started. The clock on the radio does not light anymore. The battery terminal, postive side, snapped off at the battery. Left us stranded. This was all on a van we bought new. Dirty shame. And whoever is the genius who designed the air cleaner in it and how to change it needs to be tarred and feathered and beat with a stick! What a crappy design and a bugger to change. And the stow and go seating on the Chryslers looks sweet. GM's design is a pain and hard for someone to remove by themselves. We are switching to the Chryslers, GM needs to rethink the mini van market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted July 26, 2007 Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 about 90% of all minivans sold are dodge/chrysler... that pretty well sums it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfletch7441 Posted July 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 We looked at the Grand Caravans and Town & Country's and they are nice, but I'm suspect of the Dodge/Chrysler transmission. They're historically bad about going out, and I'm not sure I'll be able to get by that. Anybody out there know about the tranny's? Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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