advice on buying van
- Thread starter Doug
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Cycleguy007
Banned
Two words: Honda Odyssey
Now maybe I have a biased opinion, since I've owned 3 of them (1998, 2002, 2004)... I can honestly say I can't think of a single negative thing to say about any of them.
Excellent features- (they were the originators of the hideaway back seat which GM ripped off and called it a "stow & go"), excellent handling, reliability- never a problem with Honda, excellent safety rating and decent gas mileage as well. I would have bought another last spring, but then I got the Ridgeline bug!
Now maybe I have a biased opinion, since I've owned 3 of them (1998, 2002, 2004)... I can honestly say I can't think of a single negative thing to say about any of them.
Excellent features- (they were the originators of the hideaway back seat which GM ripped off and called it a "stow & go"), excellent handling, reliability- never a problem with Honda, excellent safety rating and decent gas mileage as well. I would have bought another last spring, but then I got the Ridgeline bug!
If you are looking for a minivan, then Odyssey and Sienna are 1A and 1B - not a lot separate them in the quality criterion.
Have you checked out Hyundai and Kia?
Design wise there is hardly any difference between Odyssey/Sienna/Entourage. They are equally spacious and functional. No doubt Toyota and Honda are highly rated with track record, but recent record of Hyundai is not bad as well. With 5 yrs bumper-bumper warranty, there is not much stress. Additionally many items optional on Toyota/Honda are actually standard on Hyundai. Price - almost 30~35% lower.
Kia is another $2500 cheaper than Hyundai, still the same product.
If you are not too much brand loyal, take a test drive and check it out yourself.
BTW, a very nice feature about VANS is having windows for the middle and last row passengers. This feature was first available with Mazda MPV way back in 1999 - all other had fixed glass. Also the MAZDA MPV had the hidden last row since 2000..I believe. Not 100% sure.
Also look for attractive financing schemes - I think Hyundai have 0% for 60 months with 72 months amortization.
Good luck.
CS
Design wise there is hardly any difference between Odyssey/Sienna/Entourage. They are equally spacious and functional. No doubt Toyota and Honda are highly rated with track record, but recent record of Hyundai is not bad as well. With 5 yrs bumper-bumper warranty, there is not much stress. Additionally many items optional on Toyota/Honda are actually standard on Hyundai. Price - almost 30~35% lower.
Kia is another $2500 cheaper than Hyundai, still the same product.
If you are not too much brand loyal, take a test drive and check it out yourself.
BTW, a very nice feature about VANS is having windows for the middle and last row passengers. This feature was first available with Mazda MPV way back in 1999 - all other had fixed glass. Also the MAZDA MPV had the hidden last row since 2000..I believe. Not 100% sure.
Also look for attractive financing schemes - I think Hyundai have 0% for 60 months with 72 months amortization.
Good luck.
CS
You can buy a loaded Grand Caravan for under 16 k, new. A new Odyssey is double. I just don't understand the economics. Can japanese products really command such a premium price? You can drive the Caravan for 4 years until the warranty runs out and then dump it and buy another one. You'd still be ahead of the game.
Buy the " Possum Van "
or one you can make into the " Possum Van " ( dodge )
about a 1984 or wereabouts
or one you can make into the " Possum Van " ( dodge )
about a 1984 or wereabouts
Thanks for your input so far. OK time to 'fess up, I now drive an Odyssey, and agree with the posters who choose that one. It has been the least expensive vehicle to own for me, ever, in dollars per yr including depreciation. But, at 460k, it deserves a break. Yes, origianl drive, still no smoke, original exhaust. Just put in an alternator last month, and decided that that was the last major repair for Ody 1.
So I am certainly leaning towards another Odyssey, then Sienna, but also wondered about Quest.
Doug
So I am certainly leaning towards another Odyssey, then Sienna, but also wondered about Quest.
Doug
Cycleguy007
Banned
Here's the difference...Meister said:
I bought my 2002 Odyssey for about $32G- traded it in for just under $20G and didn't put a dime into it other than oil changes and gas and a set of tires... Try and do that with a Caravan over 4 yrs...
Cycleguy007 said:
Did yours have wall to wall shag carpet and a tear drop window? Fuckin' perv!
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Cycleguy007
Banned
I'm on my third montana, now the SV6 extended, never a problem, very peppy, nicely equipped. I paid about 36 for mine 3 years back but the prices I see in the papers today are much lower. I would recommend the SV6. Go for the extended version, the extra room comes in handy and I think it looks better.
Cycleguy007
Banned
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