OT: Help Me Stay Out of a MiniVan
03-21-2006, 10:58 PM
#32
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Originally Posted by Marv
I would not even consider the SUV. There is little value to the extra hardware that never gets used (how many go four wheeling in canyons?) and their safety records are poor.
I don't like mini-vans, but vehicles like the Honda Odyssey are a far cry better if you must have the extra room.
I test drove a Audi A3 with the DSG and was really amazed. That may be too small, but you might also consider the Subaru Forrester, which has more room than the A3 and what is most important - it has a Boxer Engine! The Forrester is more car like than SUVs.
However, you can't go wrong with Honda. Great vehicle and outstanding boredom for the money. My friend calls his the Honda Souless.
I don't like mini-vans, but vehicles like the Honda Odyssey are a far cry better if you must have the extra room.
I test drove a Audi A3 with the DSG and was really amazed. That may be too small, but you might also consider the Subaru Forrester, which has more room than the A3 and what is most important - it has a Boxer Engine! The Forrester is more car like than SUVs.
However, you can't go wrong with Honda. Great vehicle and outstanding boredom for the money. My friend calls his the Honda Souless.
Personally, I would never purchase a minivan and thats just me. My lifestyle has SUV written all over it. Different strokes for different folks.
03-21-2006, 11:16 PM
#33
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You won't really need 4WD for a minivan, front wheel drive is very safe and all Honda Odysseys come with ESP, Traction Contorl, and Brake Assist standard. Plus it already gets 4 star ratings for every crash test its been tested. We tested the Sienna but its way to Buick in ride. Very soft and floaty, the Ody drives like a sedan.
03-21-2006, 11:29 PM
#34
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Jonathan...
Can't really help you here... alot of good points about the MV have been brought up here so hard to argue. I am in the same boat as you are.... actually in the process of switching my wife from her ML 430 to the new YUKON or ESCALADE. If you are looking at the new Sequoia... they're really nice but if you are looking to purchase the earlier years... not that great (2000-2003).
It has already been mentioned but you might check out the new MBZ R cla$$. Good Luck!
Can't really help you here... alot of good points about the MV have been brought up here so hard to argue. I am in the same boat as you are.... actually in the process of switching my wife from her ML 430 to the new YUKON or ESCALADE. If you are looking at the new Sequoia... they're really nice but if you are looking to purchase the earlier years... not that great (2000-2003).
It has already been mentioned but you might check out the new MBZ R cla$$. Good Luck!
03-21-2006, 11:34 PM
#36
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Originally Posted by Bradford
Have you looked at the R-Class Mercedes, half mini van half wagon. Pretty nice, check one out.
We have the large SUV and regret it. Lincoln Navigator. First one was a lemon and after a year of broken A/C in AZ, got another one. Works very well, but gets 11 MPG on Premium! I tell you, it really adds up. But with three kids in car seats, you need something big. The wife said "no Van", so no van. We both like the Mercedes, but would take beating on trading the Lincoln as the SUV market has dumped.
Just my thoughts.
03-22-2006, 12:18 AM
#38
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thanks everyone, all great points... here are some things that my wife and I HAVE both agreed on ---
1) we wont buy an American-made model, we just have always had bad luck... I am as red-blooded American as they come, but we simply cant make a vehicle as reliable as the Japanese (in my opinion)
2) we lean towards Honda, Toyota, Lexus because of the bullet-proof reliability and reasonably strong residual... something like a MB would scare if I planned on keeping it out of warranty, a Japanese vehicle wouldnt....whatever we buy will also be brand new
3) not interested in sedans or station wagons... even though a minivan or suv is overkill with only one kid, we plan to have a couple more and whatever we buy we plan to keep for 5-7 yrs and grow into it...thus no lease, we are purchasing
So having said all that, I keep coming back to Toyota and Lexus...and trying to find a way out of the minivan purchase... however, there have been some very compelling arguments made here why it is not such a bad thing... I have a lot of shopping to do this weekend....
1) we wont buy an American-made model, we just have always had bad luck... I am as red-blooded American as they come, but we simply cant make a vehicle as reliable as the Japanese (in my opinion)
2) we lean towards Honda, Toyota, Lexus because of the bullet-proof reliability and reasonably strong residual... something like a MB would scare if I planned on keeping it out of warranty, a Japanese vehicle wouldnt....whatever we buy will also be brand new
3) not interested in sedans or station wagons... even though a minivan or suv is overkill with only one kid, we plan to have a couple more and whatever we buy we plan to keep for 5-7 yrs and grow into it...thus no lease, we are purchasing
So having said all that, I keep coming back to Toyota and Lexus...and trying to find a way out of the minivan purchase... however, there have been some very compelling arguments made here why it is not such a bad thing... I have a lot of shopping to do this weekend....
03-22-2006, 12:36 AM
#39
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If I must buy a mini van, Odyssey would be the way to go. I have never been impressed by the workmanship of the late models Toyota. Lexus is overpriced, IMHO. Honda has great resale too. I drove a S2K for 2 years, and lost less than $2K. That's why they call it S2K, I guess.
03-22-2006, 12:46 AM
#40
While I'm not a fan of mini-vans (But I do have an S6 wagon and don't even have kids!), it's too bad Honda doesn't make this Oddyssey available in the US (this is the version available in Hong Kong). I also think the Mercedes R Class would be a great "mini-van"...esp the AMG version 
03-22-2006, 09:11 AM
#41
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Originally Posted by pegasis0066
Can you say "mini van"... isn't that enough?
Rob
ps. Wife wanted to replace her Lexus RX300 (wanted 8 person seating!) so we drove the Sequoia (albeit a few years back). Wasn't "refined" enough for her... so busted the bank on the Lexus GX470... she loves it (and she should based on the price).
Rob again
Rob
ps. Wife wanted to replace her Lexus RX300 (wanted 8 person seating!) so we drove the Sequoia (albeit a few years back). Wasn't "refined" enough for her... so busted the bank on the Lexus GX470... she loves it (and she should based on the price).
Rob again
....built in tow car.....
03-22-2006, 09:34 AM
#42
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Jonathan,
I have a 04 Mitsubishi Montero Full Size. Seats 7. I also had an old 94 FS that Seats 7 w/ over 240k on it and sold it to my friend and he is still driving the thing. You can't kill it. Oh and also they get great gas mileage. An old or new one is worth a look and not that much money. There is a reason why mitsu has won so many Dakar rally's. I only like there Montero and I can tell ya from experience that they are certainly bulletproof. Good Luck.
Ryan
I have a 04 Mitsubishi Montero Full Size. Seats 7. I also had an old 94 FS that Seats 7 w/ over 240k on it and sold it to my friend and he is still driving the thing. You can't kill it. Oh and also they get great gas mileage. An old or new one is worth a look and not that much money. There is a reason why mitsu has won so many Dakar rally's. I only like there Montero and I can tell ya from experience that they are certainly bulletproof. Good Luck.
Ryan
03-22-2006, 09:38 AM
#43
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Though I can't read the entire thread right now, I will put in a vote for the Odyssey. We have over 100k miles, and zero problems. It is very comfortable for long trips (we drive to Maine, Canada, MA, and Florida every year from NC), and it is safe. Though in-town mileage is around 18, highway mileage is 25-30, depending on load and speed. If I drive 65 (if....) with 4 people and a FULL load I will get 30 mpg on the HWY. It is also low emissions.
BTW, just put on some yokohamas, and they are the best tires for this minivan so far, by FAR.
BTW, just put on some yokohamas, and they are the best tires for this minivan so far, by FAR.
03-22-2006, 11:12 AM
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After reading all of the posts about wife’s and GF not liking our 993's I'd have to say that if there was a mini-van that you did like, she wouldn't. THATS LIFE.
I currently have a Trail Blazer in the fleet and even though I love the 4x4 I can't get anything into it. The minute you get the nice ride height you lose the storage space. The next vehicle will be a mini-van.
I currently have a Trail Blazer in the fleet and even though I love the 4x4 I can't get anything into it. The minute you get the nice ride height you lose the storage space. The next vehicle will be a mini-van.