The time has come to replace our minivan. We are looking specifically for another van, but are open to an SUV/crossover with a 3rd row. (There are 6 of us.) I'm leaning towards a Toyota Sienna (used with low miles). What is your favorite vehicle for a large family? I've never picked a car based on what I really want, but based on what is available,affordable, and meets our needs. There are a couple of features I really want this time, but can't justify extra money!
If I didn't have so many kids I would get a Toyota Sienna. They have great ratings and they have a lot of options. However, if you don't want to spend the extra money on a brand name, I have owned a Chrysler Town and Country and I loved it! It didn't cost much to purchase and it drove great. It rarely had problems (the drivers window motor did go out and we had to replace it but it was a problem with every van that Chrysler made that year). When it did have problems they were a lot cheaper to get fixed than a Sienna would have been. They are roomy and spacious too. I like how the 2008 and newer have the seats that flip around and fold into the floors. That is my 2 cents. I don't have a lot of experience with other vans or SUV's. However I would point out to not go with a Pontiac Montana and they have horrible crash ratings and are considered one of the most dangerous vans to drive.
My experience is VERY limited but I will say this- this week my husband and I bought/are buying a 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan. I like it because the second and third rows fold into the floor and the safety ratings are great. Also the gas mileage is supposed to be good and repairs will be cheaper than on a foreign vehicle. Out of curiosity- what are the features that you can't justify?
Leather seats (easier to clean) and automatic doors are the main two! I looked at a 2011 Sienna today, but I think it was priced too high. There is a 2013 (used) with less miles at another lot for just a bit more. DH is going to look at it this evening. We can't buy until at least next week-- got to get our money in order. We currently have an Uplander, and it is HUGE for a minivan. Though we haven't had any major issues yet (The A/C did go out fairly early.), there have been numerous annoying things go wrong (glove compartment door fell off, cup holders broke, seat fabric stains with water, short in the turn signal, minor issues with the steering). It's age is starting to show, and we just don't want to put more money into it. I have also looked at the Town and Country. The used ones here are more than the Sienna. I love the Honda Odyssey, but am not willing to pay that much. I hadn't really considered a Caravan. I looked at one when we bought our last van, and choose against it. I can't remember why, and vans have changed a lot in the last 7 years (cargo space---finally!!)
I would totally love leather seats! But I'm with you- can't justify the cost. The Caravan is a less fancy minivan I think but according to my husband that means that there isn't as much to risk breaking. lol I'm just excited to seat 7, have storage room, and be able to plug in an ipod! lol
I really want the ipod plug, too! That's dh's one request! Fancy isn't import to me, but I do read ratings info. It's likely that I simply chose the Uplander last time because it was a better deal- especially since I can't remember a reason for not wanting the Caravan. I really hate car shopping! I hate the paperwork and making deals.
We liked are Ford Expedition, and also our Ford Extended Van 15 passenger, hate the new 10 passenger (or maybe it was 12 passenger...) what ever, didn't like the smaller one...rides completely different, and doesn't have the get up and go of the larger one, and just over all, none of us like the smaller one...
We don't need that big. I did look at an Expedition, but I haven't seriously considered one because of the gas mileage. Like 'em, but probably couldn't afford to keep gas in the thing!!
We have a Sienna. It's a 2005. We got it brand new. After almost 9 years and over 200,000 miles it is starting to have some problems (automatic door stopped working, another door handle broke, but it has had no major mechanical problems). It has served us very well and I would love to get a newer one, but we are hoping this one keeps going for awhile longer.
Ange....that's one of the reasons the Sienna appeals to me- the reviews of how reliable they are. We don't buy new cars often, so what we buy needs to last. This one should get me out of my minivan stage!
We had six children and were often joined by Boy Scouts, soccer team players, and so on. For years, we had a Chevy Express van - a 12-seater. It was great at the time, although a bit thirsty on the gas. Of the vans that size, the Express is by far the best. I know you said you don't need such a large van, but let me tell you: When you own one, you soon become part of the community. When a local group (e.g., soccer team) needs the use of a larger vehicle, you're always asked! Before that, with five children, we had the typical minivan - a Plymouth Voyager. It was OK. We never really considered an SUV.
We own a Nissan Quest (looks a lot like a Toyota Sienna) and I LOVE IT !! I love the heated (front) seats and it has LOTS of room in the back. The trunk.... oh my word!! I don't know how to describe it.... it's kind of sunk into the van so you can put a lot of stuff in it (would have been the ideal van to have when my son was playing hockey - his gear bag would easily fit into it with plenty of extra room). Options for heat/AC control in the back as well.
I had a Nissan Quest before my current van. I loved it! It was a bit on the small side and was before auto manufacturers realized those of us with minivans did need cargo space. I'll check it out, too.
I have a Suburban, and yes, it's a gas-guzzler for short trips (great for long trips). We chose it because it comfortably puts three child safety seats across one row (the widest vehicle available), and because it has plenty of cargo room behind the 3rd row. We needed the cargo space for a dog cage when we originally bought it, but that dog has passed, and now I leave the third row out entirely. I can fold the middle row, and I have an enormous space to carry my business inventory. It legally seats 8 or 9 (depending on the model... some don't have a third seat in the front), but it comfortably seats 7. There isn't much leg room in the 3rd row, but there is plenty in the first two rows. The third row is also not as wide as the first two (because of the wheel well), so the center of the 3rd row is too small for an adult. A child could fit there if using a safety seat with a built-in head rest. The back center seat doesn't come with one.
It looks like we are going to need to wait a couple more months. DH's car just broke down, and we have to take care of that need right now. Still want to see others' opinions!!
I looked at Toyota Siennas a few years ago. They seemed like a good product at that time and some offered an 8th seat option. Their interiors were not as fancy as the sto and go options on the Chrysler products, but overall I like the Toyota better. Of course I was a happy Toyota customer at that time with another car. I have found the Toyotas to be low cost on repairs and maintenance, and exceedingly reliable. Some people are really liking the Hyundai products these days. They have come along way the last few years. I think they have a 10 year warranty. Ford has come along way in the past few years also. I believe that many of there engines get much better gas milage than previously and they are offering a lot of new technology and improvements. When they sold off their luxury lines, (Jaguar, Volvo, LandRover, etc) they invested much the capital in the Ford and Lincoln brands and brought them considerably more up to speed as compared to the Japanese cars. If I had to buy used, I would likely consider a Toyota over many other brands. I would prefer low mileage over Leather seats if two vans were the same price.
We are new to being a large family (nearly to adoption), have a tight budget, and could afford a 2002 Suburban. Wow! It had bells and whistles I never thought of. Way cool. Gas mileage stinks, but with 7 ppl, I knew that wd be an issue. Maybe I just never had anything this nice before, but I love it. Drives wonderfully. Just me.
We are still driving our full size 2000 Ford van that we bought new when we had a house full of foster kids plus our own kids. It is needing some work and we talked about trading it, but it is like an old faithful friend to me. I think we will just take it in for repair and see how long we can keep it going. It now seats 7 but back in the day it seated 10. We removed a seat a few years ago and never put it back. I like having the storage space so we keep it that way. I loved our old van from years ago. It was a bright red Caravan. Freddy did not like it because he said it didn't have enough power.
