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Next question "What was the trade difference between your 2000 Odyssey EX and your newer Odyssey? :confuse:
The Toyota dealership told me my 2006 Sienna LE with 2,300 miles now has a trade in value of $ 20,000. (Edmunds never has said what the actual selling price was for their 2005 Odyssey Touring). I think the TMV is very inaccurate.
1- We are now considering a slightly used minivan (I really liked a new 2005 Kia Sedona but the cargo area was too small). I have seen some Dodges with a second row bench and wanted some feedback on the pro/cons of 2nd row bench vs captains chairs. I have 2 children of my own and I babysit 1 child so I usually have 3 carsets in my car at all times
2-Does anyone know when Dodge/Chrysler started Stow n Go? Any other used models have a similar system. (I usually have a large double stroller in my cargo area so I need space for that and other things)
3-For any minivans that do not have stow n go how is cargo storage/space? What brand of non stow n go minivans have the best cargo/storage area's?
Thanks in advance
The mechanical performance, repair frequency, interior fit and finish, power, comfort, interior room and design, handling, and styling-except for the Chrysler, are all noticeably better in these brands.
The problem was that most of the dealers, Carsense.com, and others wanted too much for the used vans. In one case, a 2 year old Odyssey with 13,000k was within $1900 of a new van. We didn't see the sense in that so we bought new.
If you haven't driven a Sienna or an Odyssey yet, do yourself a favor and do it before you decide on any van. They are SO kid friendly and safe, especially the new ones with air bags all around every seat.
Good luck.
Mike
P.S. We bought at Piazza Honda of Reading but they have a dealership in Philly as well.
Second Row Bench
Pros: No need to move the seat to access the third row. Wider space to access the third row. Can easily get to and see each child from front passengers seat.
Cons: Will need help to remove, if need extra space. No space between young children. Will have a hard time getting to third row from driver's side. (You will have to tilt the whole bench forward). The seat belt will have to be removed in order to access the third row from the passengers side if you are using a car seat with the vechicle seat belt.
Second Row Captain Chairs
Pros: Each seat is as comfortable as the two front seats. Both seats can recline. They can be tilted forward to access the third row from the side. You can access the third row through the middle from either the front seats or side sliding door. If you are using the vechicle's seat belt for car seats, you will not need to unlatch seat belt to access third row in most cases. Each seat is lighter then a bench seat, if needing to be removed and can be done by one person. Individual space for each child.
Cons: You will have to turn all the way around to see the child that is right behind you. The space is smaller when accessing the third row from the outside with the seat tilted forward and the person would have to get up.
2-Does anyone know when Dodge/Chrysler started Stow n Go? Any other used models have a similar system. (I usually have a large double stroller in my cargo area so I need space for that and other things)
Daimlerchrysler Stow n Go was invented for the model year 2005 to which they came on the market in 2004. The Nissan Quest has a second row captain seat storage system similar to Daimlerchrysler. The difference is that Daimlerchrysler seats fold flat into the floor, where as the Quest seats do not. If you go with a Daimlerchrysler minivan, make sure that it is the Long Wheel Base model and not the Short Wheel Base model.
3-For any minivans that do not have stow n go how is cargo storage/space? What brand of non stow n go minivans have the best cargo/storage area's?
For the most part, any of the big three: Daimlerchrysler, Honda and Toyota. You can't go wrong with space. Although they very on space, they are pretty close. All three should have more then enough space for the stroller behind the third row with room left over. One thing to point out though. Since you are going used, you will pay more for a used Honda and Toyota. Honda Ody. has the third row bench for model years 1999 thru 2004 that folds into the well in the cargo area. When the seat is up, you have more storage space. Toyota Sienna, has the 60/40 third row bench, not sure what the model years are, but has the well that works just like the Ody.'s. Daimlerchrysler, from model years 2001 to 2004 has a 50/50 third row bench that can not be folded into the floor. It can be tilted and tumbled forward for more cargo space. There is no well in the cargo area because it has the spare tire underneath this area outside the van. The one thing that can be had on the Daimlerchrysler that can't be had in the other vans, is a nifty rear cargo organizer. It can be raised to the level of both third row seat backs that have been lowered to form a complete flat surface when both the second and third row backs are folded down. It can be lowered to the floor. When raised, you can open the top part of it and have three separate bins to put your groceries You can leave the top closed and just place your stuff on top of it. You can even store stuff under it and it serves as a security cover for things that are on the floor in the cargo area.
By the way, we bought a used 01 DGC EX back in Sep. 2003 that had 37K on it for under $16,000. I love our van very much along with it's features and characteristics. We now have 73K and it has been very reliable. Hope this helps. :shades:
The BEST choice with 3 children would be the Sienna CE or LE with 3 seats in 2nd row. The 3rd row could be folded into the floor either 40 %, 60%, or both split portions to give a very large area for the stroller.
A 2005/06 GC or T&C with 2nd row fold into the floor would be very convenient by folding the passenger side 2nd row bucket into the floor and putting 1 child in a child seat in other 2nd row bucket and 2 children in child seats in the 3rd row. The double stroller could easily be placed into the van after the 3 children were secured.
In early 2005, the Grand Caravan SE came with 2nd row bench that has 2 built in child seats and the 60/40 split fold into the floor rear seats. My sister just bought a nice used 2005 GC SE with this configuration about 10 days ago.
The DaimlerChrysler minivans are JUST as reliable as the Odyssey or Sienna and cost less because they have been trashed by "NOT recommended for purchase" CR.
Vic
One of the nice features with the MPV (also previous generation Ody?) is that that the 2nd row can slide into a bench or separate into captains chairs.
It makes no difference for my 6 or 4 year old to reach the 3rd row in either configuration, but it's much easier for an adult to reach the 3rd row with the 2nd row as a bench. We also flip the right seatback forward.
How old are your kids and the one you babysit? If you have to strap a child in a 5 pt restraint seat in the 3rd row, I'd guess the bench seat would give you better access. It'd be different if the child in the back is using a booster and can buckle him/herself in.
Of course, never, ever underestimate the importance of having extra space between 2 kids in the car. Therefore, at least for me, advantage captains chairs.
Have you also considered an MPV? It's smaller than the GC/Ody/Sienna class so storage may be an issue. I don't know how it compares with the 05 Sedona in that regard.
Good luck,
Vic
I have a 4yo, 2yo and I babysit a 1yo
Cargo space is a must for me since sometimes I have a large bulky double stroller
Thanks for all the great feedback
I agree that Odyssey has the most comfortable seats for all 7 people in the minivan. Chrysler Stow 'N Go is just right for others, and so on.
There is NO one minivan which has every one of the best features .
The reason there are many choices is because there are many opinions. Enjoy your new ride.
My 2002 T&C LX 3.3L has a 3.3L but not as powerful as the 3.3L in the Sienna (which is not as powerful as the 3.5L in the Odyssey). The weaker 3.3L in the T&C has enough power for any place I have driven...but the extra power of the Sienna 3.3L with 5 speed AT is even better - especially since the Sienna is getting better gas mileage on the road than the T&C LX.
I'm basically sitting around waiting for some big Sienna incentives to materialize so I can get a great deal...
Any feedback on this year/model?
Thanks
Anyway, I have found several models including Kia's, Dodge, Chryslers, and GM's line (Montana,Venture, and Silhouette). With around 50-60k miles the dealerships seem to be asking around 8-9k. What do you all think about these models and which one would you purchase. I have to make this last as long as possible as I am on a very tight budget (single mom, child with disability).
Thanks much
Amongst the 2 I'd lean more towards the Chrysler but I'm sure others here would definitely get a Kia.
Is there anyone here who is actually looking to buy a minivan or are you all mostly just throwing facts at each other?
Just wondering.... :shades:
I'd also look into a Mercury Villager/Nissan Quest...
I have not been impressed with the reviews of the Fords, I have also never been a fan of Fords (raised a GM family, im doomed, lol).
The GM vans from the vintage you're shopping should be avoided IMHO. Poor safety, marginal reliability, and not any better of a bargain than the much better Dodge. I usually prefer GM over Dodge/Ford as well, but they're not competitive in the minivan market. The Honda/Toyota attract a more affluent crowd and are not great values used. I love my newer Ody, but wouldn't buy a used one if I was in your shoes.
"The best-performing minivan was the Kia Sedona which also earned an overall "Gold Top Safety Pick" rating.
The Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna and Nissan Quest minivans all earned "Good" ratings for front and side impact protection. The Odyssey earned a "Marginal" rating for whiplash protection while the Sienna and Quest were given "Poor" ratings.
The worst-performing minivans in these safety tests were the Dodge Caravan. the closely related Chrysler Town & Country and the Mazda MPV. Those minivans received "Acceptable" ratings for front impact protection and "Poor" ratings for side impact when tested without head-protecting side impact airbags. When tested with head protecting side impact airbags, the Caravan and Town & Country received "Acceptable" ratings for side impact protection. The Mazda MPV was not tested with side airbags."
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=110017
iPODs are not new and there are millions of us out there. I don't listen to the radio anymore and have no interest in paying for something like XM or Sirius (those two are going to die a slow painful death, just ask Howard Stern) or even a 6 CD Changer for that matter.
When are the makers going to catch up to the market?
http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr041606.html
And what do you mean with this?
"I don't listen to the radio anymore and have no interest in paying for something like XM or Sirius (those two are going to die a slow painful death, just ask Howard Stern)"
Howard brought the Sirius subscriber base from 600K to 4 million in 18 months since he hade his announcement. He's doing just fine, and satelite will now be available in many more new cars as the are rolled out. Combined, Sirius and XM have 10 million customers. They may merge, but they aren't going anywhere. Where are you getting your information on the slow painful death?
I have integrated Sirius and an aux input for my Zen Vision:M (like and ipod video, but much better). Covers all the bases
Looks like I better avoid having someone rear end my 2006 Sienna.
How long before the Sedona is considered a viable choice to people like myself who love our DC and Sienna minivans and considered buying the Odyssey? (Mazda MPV and Caravan the choice for people wanting a smaller, also desireable minivan).
http://www.newcartestdrive.com/review-intro.cfm?Vehicle=2006_Kia_Sedona&ReviewID- =1910
Also, a newer smaller version of the Sedona will be available later this year for the MPV and Caravan fans.
Even so, kudos to Kia for having active head restraints standard, along with standard side curtain airbags and standard stability control. If they'd have had a crash notification system and a rollover deployment system on the side curtain airbags, it would have been just about perfect on paper for crash protection.
All in all, minivans like the 2006 Sedona, Sienna, Odyssey and Quest are among the safest vehicles on the road. You can't really go wrong with any of them. Most other minivans are probably above average for overall safety, too.
Otherwise it's back to the Sienna, where I'll cross my fingers and hope nobody slams me in the rear end...
They keep giving me more for my trade (went from $9,600 to $10,400) where others have offered me $9K or under. But they still are not moving on the asking price of $15,999
ALWAYS cosider both the trade-in of the old vehicle and the selling price of the newer vehicle.
they are all relatively safe, but i wouldn't decide on the sedona just because it got an IIHS gold rating (which as others indicated is just a function of it having active headrests). chances are the oddy might do slightly better in the majority of real world crashes.
http://www.safercar.gov/NCAP/
Similarly, the IIHS has done the same type of correlations using 3 groupings, Good (including Best Pick), Acceptable/Marginal and Poor. You can also nitpick IIHS results by looking at the individual scores for each injury or intrusion measure ( http://www.iihs.org/ratings/datatables.aspx?class=80&type=f ). The previous generation Sienna remains one of the best frontal performers the IIHS has ever tested, but it's impossible to say how much safer it really is than any other minivan with a "Good" frontal rating.
I wouldn't buy any vehicle just because of good IIHS ratings, either. I'd also insist on top NHTSA star ratings, standard safety features like stability control and side curtain airbags as well as relatively good handling and braking characteristics. I happened to choose the Odyssey for various reasons (safety being very important), but an appropriately equipped 2006 Sedona, Quest or Sienna would have been acceptable for safety, also.
www.informedforlife.org is a good site that incorporates many of these ratings into one risk factor that can be compared over all vehicles. They have not yet updated the 2006 Sedona, however. For safety, almost any vehicle on the first page of their list in rank order would be a very good choice, along with many on the second page, too.