Mini Van

[Davy Crockett]

I'm going to buy a used minivan for my wife, (could get a smaller 4 wheel drive SUV too if they are roomy and get good mileage) looking for that 22-25 + MPG. Anyone have advice what models are good or what to stay way from ? Can most of them make 150,00 miles without turning into oil leakers ?

 

[ISELLGUNS]

I have a 2002 Chevy Venture with 220,000 miles on it. It still runs like new. Uses no oil and leaks no oil or anything else. It makes 25-27 mpg unless its really windy out. Have had no major problems with it. Great van. Wish we could buy new Chevy vans.

 

[Wild and Free]

I was always fond of the old 4X4 Astro Vans of yesteryear.

 

[Davy Crockett]

I have a 2002 Chevy Venture with 220,000 miles on it. It still runs like new. Uses no oil and leaks no oil or anything else. It makes 25-27 mpg unless its really windy out. Have had no major problems with it. Great van. Wish we could buy new Chevy vans.

WOW, Something that lasts that long is right up my alley . Thumbs Up Do you use synthetic oil or anything special or is it common for them to run well over 200,000 ?

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Looks like they just made them 3 years ? Sure aren't many used ones for sale.

 

[ISELLGUNS]

I use partial synthetic oil, usually Cenex auto gold and change every 4-5,000 miles. Montana van is the same thing. My brother had one but he could only get 22 mpg from it. I think it's pretty common for them to go 200,000+ miles. Everything still works in/on mine except the rear window wiper. I think Don Wilhelm in Jamestown had some for sale.

 

[CatDaddy]

WOW, Something that lasts that long is right up my alley . Thumbs Up Do you use synthetic oil or anything special or is it common for them to run well over 200,000 ?

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Looks like they just made them 3 years ? Sure aren't many used ones for sale.

Not many used for sale tells you something......I owned a KIA and loved the fact that I could put an 8' pool table in the back and shut the gate. Also loved the bumper to bumper 100k warranty, never having had to use it. But then there's the man card....I now own a Tahoe with 240k+ on it and have the 4w to go with it. The AWD that they claimed was a joke, but other than that it was a great vehicle until my ego got the best of me. Never could pull up next to a hot chick and think I was something special....still can't, but fool myself often.

 

[Auggie]

I've been looking at trading my wife's Explorer in for a Dodge Caravan or Chrysler Town and Country. 1 thing I'm sold on is the store-and-go seating.

 

[Captain Ahab]

I would look at the Honda Pilot if it has enough room for you.

 

[Kurtr]

Brother in law had a Dodge caravan. In the first year it blew 2 tranny and something else happened left him stranded on side of road 3 times. He bought it brand new called dealershipship told them to pick the piece of shit up. I have talked to others that did not like the dodge either. That's all I know about mini vans other than in Hs my buddie pimped out his 4wd Astro as a road hunting machine.

 

[Bfishn]

Brother in law had a Dodge caravan. In the first year it blew 2 tranny and something else happened left him stranded on side of road 3 times. He bought it brand new called dealershipship told them to pick the piece of shit up. I have talked to others that did not like the dodge either. That's all I know about mini vans other than in Hs my buddie pimped out his 4wd Astro as a road hunting machine.

Weird a Dodge vehicle dropping a tranny haha ...I think all those early Dodge/Chrysler minivans had some serious tranny issues. I don't know anybody that owned one that didn't have to replace it.

 

[deleted_account]

bed wetter is the expert on TKTV's (Tactical Kid Transportation Vehicles). I'd wait for his response.

 

[jdinny]

me and the wife looked at the honda oddessy and the toyota sienna from my understanding the sienna is the only true 4 wheel drive but the gas mileage suffers. we liked the oddessy better because you could configure the inside better for our family of 3 boys however we never did buy it as my wifes honda pilot works for us and i wasnt about to take the financial hit on the trade in.

 

[remm]

Weird a Dodge vehicle dropping a tranny haha ...I think all those early Dodge/Chrysler minivans had some serious tranny issues. I don't know anybody that owned one that didn't have to replace it.

I always knew there was something off with those people who drive a dodge, finally put it together.

FWIW my sister does have a newer model chrysler minivan of some sort, seems to work well to haul the family of 6 too and from the lake.

 

[martinslanding]

so why a mini van? big difference between mini van and small SUV / most people buy mini vans for one purpose haul kids...they are the best in the business at it...if you have to haul kids around it's tough to beat a mini van....so what threw me is your possible option for small SUV....how many people do you need it to haul? you lose a some comfort and space with small SUV over mini van...gain a little power and probably AWD with small SUV...need more details

Last trip we were on our rental car was a hyundai santa fe with third row seating...I was impressed with it...would I buy it, no, would I buy it for the wife, probably

 

[Yoby]

We ended up picking up a toyota seinna for my wife. If it wasn't for the man care and it's lack of towing capacity I would be driving it. We have the 6 cyclinder and it gets right around 22-26 depending on wind and load. fits 4 kids comfortable and the dogs with 2 adults. has a jump seat for the 2nd row which allows up to seating for 8. I was very surprise by how much crap a person can put behind the 3rd row. Dual power sliding doors are awesome in a tighter 2 stall.

 

[Kurtr]

Weird a Dodge vehicle dropping a tranny haha ...I think all those early Dodge/Chrysler minivans had some serious tranny issues. I don't know anybody that owned one that didn't have to replace it.

This was 2 years ago brand new first time it had 1300 miles.

 

[Bfishn]

This was 2 years ago brand new first time it had 1300 miles.

I thought they had maybe resolved some of the tranny issues, but maybe not. My last dodge truck lost a tranny at 40k. Its amazing how that company can't seem to get transmissions figured out. Never another dodge product in this guys driveway.

 

[JayKay]

I was always fond of the old 4X4 Astro Vans of yesteryear.

Ha! Me too. My buddy's parents had one, and it was a great vehicle. Could pull a nice sized boat too.

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We ended up picking up a toyota seinna for my wife. If it wasn't for the man care and it's lack of towing capacity I would be driving it. We have the 6 cyclinder and it gets right around 22-26 depending on wind and load. fits 4 kids comfortable and the dogs with 2 adults. has a jump seat for the 2nd row which allows up to seating for 8. I was very surprise by how much crap a person can put behind the 3rd row. Dual power sliding doors are awesome in a tighter 2 stall.

The sliding doors are hard to beat, when kids are getting out in a parking lot. And if they're powered, all the better. Nice to be able to walk up to the vehicle and have the doors open. Easy for older generation to get in and out of too.

Never had an AWD one, but had two FWD Ford Freestars. The second one had plenty of creature comforts (heated seats, etc) and was pretty pleasant to drive. Third row folded down into the floor, and that is a must. If you have to remove the seats, you won't do it. they're heavy, and you have to put them somewhere.

Front Wheel Drive never let me down, once I learned to not drive like an idiot. I only got stuck once, and it was on a hill, behind someone who drove like an idiot.

 

[Davy Crockett]

so why a mini van? big difference between mini van and small SUV / most people buy mini vans for one purpose haul kids...they are the best in the business at it...if you have to haul kids around it's tough to beat a mini van....so what threw me is your possible option for small SUV....how many people do you need it to haul? you lose a some comfort and space with small SUV over mini van...gain a little power and probably AWD with small SUV...need more details

Last trip we were on our rental car was a hyundai santa fe with third row seating...I was impressed with it...would I buy it, no, would I buy it for the wife, probably

Should have clarified that Cargo space is what I am looking for, She likes to tinker with antiques so a low profile vehicle with lots of room fits the bill. I saw the stow and go seats and that is what I am after .

 

[pluckem]

I would look at the Honda Pilot if it has enough room for you.

I have talked to a couple different families that went this route, even when they first thought they were getting the van.