Without getting into the merits of why I want a minivan let’s jsut say that I want one and wanted some opinions on the ones that are out there. Traditionally I’m a car guy, and I love the station wagon, but for the sake of keeping the thread on topic let’s just say that a station wagon won’t do it unless I can get a bike in the back without folding seats (so the answer is none).
So, unless I’m going to the Ford Transit the Minivan seems to fit my needs of hauling 3-4 adults and bikes and gear for a weekend trip to race.
Tops on my list are the
2011 Toyota Seinna SE (probably because it is the coolest looking and supposed to drive like a car -plus I checked and my szL road bike fits in the back upright no problem just rolls on in)
20XX Honda Odyssey (I’ve heard good things)
2010 Chrysler Town and Country (because I live in Detroit and it is probably the least expensive fully loaded)
Am I missing a major player? Should i lease the thing since they seem to get updated every few years? Do people drive the same minivan for 7+ years like I did my last car?
I’m looking to buy a Mazda 5 this summer. More car-like than any minivan out there. Three row seating, decent MPG, lower MSRP than most minivans, five star crash ratings. I’ve had a hard time finding a good selection of used 5s in this area; the dealers say the high satisfaction ratings keep them off the second-hand market longer than most others.
My 2008 Honda van is the best of the bunch, great ride and decent gas mileage, does everything I want.
The Transit is a cool looking, driving machine…if it was a little longer I could use it for work but I need 8’ long inside
Andrew
I love the 5, but it is wayy to small fr what I’m looking for. My wife has the 3 and I have the 6. All in all the 5 is a better people carrier, but there is no more room than my wife’s 3. It’s too bad too since I do really like them. The dealer is right, it is hard to find them used and even when you do they are only about half MSRP and have 40K on them. Maybe the release of the new version will see more of the old body style on the used market, that is if they don’t kill it here like they did the MPV.
If it is a consideration, I think Toyota is the only maufacturer still making an AWD van these days. I have a 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan AWD and it will pretty much go anywhere. Nice to not have to screw with chains in Tahoe with snow tires on it. And I am with you on the stereotype thing. I have had our van for 9 years and not once has it had a car seat or let alone a kid in it. It does hold dog crates really well for our two labradors though!
Dude, I like you. You seem, from your posts, like a real stand up guy. So, why do you want to go down this road? You do realize that you have to trade in your penis before you can drive the minivan off the lot, don’t you?
But, if you have to do it, I have heard good thinkg about the VW Routan:
Under normal conditions I would 100% agree with you. But over the last few years I’ve begun to be influenced by guys that have minivans and love them because they make great training and traveling vehicles. My one buddy borrowed his wife’s for a week and had to buy her another one. He now drives it as a two seater and mobile training camp with his biek and all his gear inside at alll times. No that is kinda cool.
My wife has a 2001 Odyssey, 110k miles. Only regluar maintenance, no mechanical issues. I’ve offerred her upgrades and she won’t even consider it. She’s happy, I’m happy. Can’t go wrong witha Honda.
Just went and test drove a 2008 Honda Odyssey and a 2008 Toyota Sienna over the weekend. Bought the Sienna because it was a way better deal than we found on a Honda, but I have to say the Honda would win my personal comparison by a hair.
I liked the handling of the Honda better (seemed like less body roll), the engine was quieter, and the 2nd row captain seats can slide over into the middle without having to take the seat out (if that’s important to you). Capacity wise, the Sienna (149 cu ft.) slightly beats out the Odyssey (147.4 cu ft.) in total cargo capacity,
You probably couldn’t go wrong with either of these, assuming there haven’t been drastic changes in the 2 model years up to now.
I was a few crisp hundred dollar bills away from finally owning my dream minivan – a Mitsubishi Express. Sadly, the wife told me she’d leave me if I bought it.
I liked the handling of the Honda better (seemed like less body roll), the engine was quieter, and the 2nd row captain seats can slide over into the middle without having to take the seat out (if that’s important to you). Capacity wise, the Sienna (149 cu ft.) slightly beats out the Odyssey (147.4 cu ft.) in total cargo capacity,
You probably couldn’t go wrong with either of these, assuming there haven’t been drastic changes in the 2 model years up to now.
My 2cents.
A few (5+) years ago, Grassroots Motorsports did a comparison. A Honda Odyssey was substantially faster autocrossing than a E-type Jag and a vintage 911. Like 10%+ a run…
A few (5+) years ago, Grassroots Motorsports did a comparison. A Honda Odyssey was substantially faster autocrossing than a E-type Jag and a vintage 911. Like 10%+ a run…
We have a 2008 Odyssey, love it. The front end can be a little squirrely when I gun it to get on the highway, but otherwise I have no complaints. It will swallow 4x8 plywood, or 10 feet of downspout without a problem. Your friends in the back can watch a DVD while listening on IR headphones (or plug in their own Playstation/Xbox - it has inputs as well as a power outlet) while you and your co-pilot listen to something else up front.
We thought about a Sienna, the AWD is a real teaser, but I’ve never driven one. My sense, from when we were doing research, was that there was no real difference between the two.
Are you sure you can fit your bike upright in that thing? Is that with or w/o removing/lower the seat? I don’t think it will fit. The only vehicle you get like this and save your penis is a Honda Element. In the Element, you can easily fit the bike upright w/o issue.
