Looking for a Mini-van

I know someone at my school that is selling one. I think it is almost 10,000. I don't know if that is what you want to spend. C.

I would recommend the Town and Country mini-van. My husband and I bought one almost three years ago and really like it. It has doors on both sides in the back and makes it much easier to put the children in and out of the van. I would also recommend the built in child safety seats for when the children are older. My oldest says they are much more comfortable than the regular car seats.

Consumer Reports Auto Issue just came out (April) I would sugest looking in there to get an idea what is out there. Also Edmonds.com is good for researching cars.

We have 3 kids and just bought a Honda Odyssey before the birth of the 3rd last summer. We love it's convenience for fitting all the car seats and things we have to travel with. We also love that the doors open with the remote, and how easy the seats are to fold up and down. My husband uses it all the time for trips to Home Depot. We have had no issues so far. My grandmother bought the same on about a year before us, and she loves it too. We also looked at the Toyota Sienna, but after test driving them, my husband preferred how the Honda drove. We found that most of the minivans we looked at had the same basic feature, and driving them was the best way to choose. We also felt that Honda had the best interior and storage. Good luck choosing a car.

Hi J.. After lots of research and test driving, we ended up getting a Dodge Grand Caravan. At first I was nervous because I hadn't driven anything that big (we had to get something bigger than my Subaru Forester when I was expecting my 3rd)). But after only a day I was really comfortable driving it, and getting the kids in and out was soooooooo much easier. A few of the features we liked were the side air bags, Stow n Go (there's storage underneath the second row seating, or you can just fold the seats into it. Also goes for the 3rd row), and Dodge has a 5 star safety rating. The Chrysler Town and Country is really good, too, it's just the Grand Caravan with some nicer upholstery and carpeting. We got one that had the DVD entertainment center, 6 cd changer, and an extra on besides that, wireless headphones, and ours came with a year's free Sirius satellite radio (which we loved so much we renewed the subscription). The capacity holds a lot more than I originally thought, and the double sliding doors is super convenient. Happy Hunting.

P.S. Try shopping towards the end of the month. Many dealerships try to hurry and sell to make a quota for the month, and you may be able to deal more. That's what we did, and we ended up getting our van for $3000 UNDER invoice.

s.

Honda Odessey!!!! We have 3 kids and the seat manueaverability is awesome. It has a million airbags. It drives great too. We've had ours for a year now and we absolutely love it!

As a mother of three boys, we recently purchased the Honda Odyssey. It is one of the top-rated for safety features. It also has enormous cargo capacity with third row capability of folding flat and removal of the second row of seats (easily done). All in all, we love this vehicle.
G. (mom of three boys 14, 10 and 6)

I learned to drive in a Dodge Caravan and loved it, despite it's "uncoolness" when I was a teen. When we started looking for a minivan, we were planning on TTC and hauling around a 70 lb rottie and all her stuff. We ended up choosing a Chrysler Town and Country, essentially the upgraded caravan.

The number one decision decider was the fact that both the middle row bucket seats AND the back bench fold FLAT into the floor. Many vans might have 1 row that did or the bench would fold flat and the seats would fold down, but not into the floor.

I find it very easy to drive. It's easy to maneuver and park. Most minivans are designed around being able to haul a regular sized piece of plywood flat on the floor - but the thing to watch is height of the cargo space - if the seats doen't fold flat, you have less room. Also, the stow and go space in the floor is great for storage when the seats are in the upright position.

Good Luck.

S.

Hello! I saw this and thought I would offer my opinion. I own a Honda Oddyssey. I have had it since 2004 and it has been a good car. My boss has the same and loves it as well. I looked at a Dodge when shopping and was interested in that until I talked to the sales person - the dealer sold both Honda and Chrysler Dodge. He pointed out that the seats were better made in the Honda and also that the spare tire is under the center part of the Dodge. It is still inconveniently locacted under the floor, center in the Honda, but at least it is accessible without getting under the vehicle. Imagine being stranded somewhere and having to get it out! Good luck.

HONDA ODDYSSEY!!!! I got 1 year old used one when my first was about 5 months old. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!!! The seats configure so many interesting ways. I particularly like that you can move the one second row seat towards the middle so you can reach a crying infant while driving from either driver or passenger seat. My daughter is now 2 and # 2 is due in 5 weeks. We also have a dog and the Fold into the floor 3rd row has been great for taking him on road trips as well.

Dodge Caravan. I think that they are the only ones still making mini- vans. I have a ford windstar and i think that they have stopped. But Dodge has the store n go feture which i find nice.

i ove my toyota sienna 2008.

Hi! We have had a Saturn Relay for about 1.5 years & like it. I'll admit that the cargo area for a Saturn isn't as big as I would have expected, but it's easy to park, easy to drive & has a lot of very nice features & options. Plus, I LOVE OnStar!!!!!!!
We have automatic doors, backup assist, anti-lock breaks, side impact airbags, captains seats, DVD player, etc... & we get, on average, about 20 mpg (not bad for a minivan that's mostly town-driven!).
We test drove the identical Pontiac & Chevy but didn't like them as much as the Saturn version (features weren't as nice) and I love Saturn customer service anyway! This is our 3rd Saturn!
Good luck!

We have three kids with one on the way, and have two Dodge Caravans. We loved the first so much that when we needed a new second vehicle, we got another Caravan. I drove an Odyssey for nearly a year before I was married (I nannied) and would never buy one. No matter which one you choose, you'll love the van over a car when you have to deal with car seats - it's much easier!

J.,
we have a Saturn Vue (s.u.v.) and LOVE it--for doggie, trips to Home Depot, skiing, hiking, long car trips. Plus it's very reasonably priced!
If you have any specific questions, feel free to e me directly.
smiles,
L., 39
Brianna 21m & yes! still bf'ing!
and baby
butterflylindamarie at yahoo dot com

P.S.--Brianna was born 8/8 and baby is due August "sometime"!, just like you!

We have the Chrysler Town and Country van. I don't think it matters if you have the caravan or town and country...the stow-n-go feature is great. The one piece of advice that I WILL suggest is that find a dealer that will let you take the car home overnight. You will have a much easier time finding out what works for YOU if you don't have the car salesman breathing down your neck.

mini-van's are not safe! and they are expensive to gas, do badly on curves and bad weather,are known to flip, take up a lot of space, and are not very environmentally sound- get a subaru, any subaru! 4 wheel drive is best. I got it when we were expecting my son and felt so much better driving in rain, snow, etc.

We just got a Dodge Grand Caravan at the end of last year and we love it. It has the stow and go seats and a lot of room! My husband and I are both very tall and have plenty of room. We got the push-button open side doors and trunk door and I think that is one of the best inventions with a baby! I like the third row where you can put down one seat, two or all three.

Hi J. and congrats on your new addition on the way.. I hated minivans but finally settled for the Honda Odyssey. I love it.. I have had it now for almost 4 1/2 years. It is a great van that holds its value. I do like some of the other features coming out on the other vans. I would take your time and just start looking at them and test driving. But I can say we love our Honda Odyssey and we have plenty of room. good luck on your search and good luck with your new addition.

My vote is for either the Honda Odyssey or the Toyota Sienna.

We have a Ford Freestar and really like it. The second row seat can be removed and the third row seat can fold down. We travelled across PA several times to visit family with our then newborn and 1 year old. It held all of our luggage and baby neccessities for a week-long trip. The only time we had to use a roof-top carrier was during our Christmas visits because of the presents. We haven't had any problems, so I deem it to be realiable. Ours doesn't have side airbags, however. While I feel safe in it, I think I would opt next time for them. The built in DVD player was nice for long trips, but sometimes blocked the driver's view when looking through the rear-view mirror.

One safety tip: When you are looking at any minivan that has automatic sliding doors TEST THEM OUT to make sure they actually do stop easily if they bump something while closing. My brother and his wife looked at a minivan (don't remember the make or model but I'll find out and send you a message) with sliding doors. My brother tested the doors - he is a strong, large man - and had to "put his weight into it" to stop it from closing. He also got a gash on his leg. Needless to say, if one of his daughters (ages 2 and 4 at the time) got caught in it's path they would have been seriously injured.

Congratulations on your new arrival and good luck finding a vehicle that suits your needs.

Hi J.,
Congrats on your pregnancy!

We have the Dodge Grand Caravan with the stow and go seats which fold down into the bottom of the van, which I really like. The Dodge is not the highest priced mini-van out there but I do love it. I know automotive.com has some good safety rating information. I would guess that the Honda and Toyota mini-vans are the best of the best, based on price.

Best of luck.
L.

I love my Ford Freestar! We bought it in 2006 and it has served us well so far. We have a DVD player, satellite radio, it has the third row of seats in back that fold down in to make a larger cargo area (perfect for the stroller and other baby accessories), and it also has a mirror that comes down in front so I can see my child in the back now that she's front facing, so I don't have to turn around to see her. The price was very reasonable and its very good on gas, a plus with rising gas prices. Good luck in your search!

Honda Odyssey! I love mine and have talked 3 other girlfriends into getting one and they all LOVE it.

I would recommend going to Car Sense out by Downingtown on Route 100. You can find a low mileage pre-owned mini-van for a lot less than a brand new one off the show room floor and we found their service to be great. I got my Mazda MPV there a few years ago and I've been really happy with it. Unfortunately, Mazda no longer makes this model but my friend just bought a Toyota Sienna from there and they have been really happy with their purchase also. Best of luck!

Hands down, Honda Odyssey. It's huge inside,really easy to manuever while driving and moving around the seats inside, cleverly appointed, the newer models have side airbags - and of course, it's a Honda, need I say more? Check the research on Consumer Reports and other sources like Car & Driver. Love it!

Do your research, pick which package you want online and in person then call around to dealers and tell them what you want exactly. Don't settle and don't let those car dealer snakes talk you out or in to anything you don't want or need.

HOnday Odyessey all the way!!!! HIghest rank mini-van on the market in all areas! We got our's a few months before our twins were born in 2006 and I wouldn't trade it for the world. It seats 8 when you put the in the seat between the 2 middle seats, has so much storage for all the fun toys, the back seats fold down and are split too. Built in DVD player has become a life saver especially for long trips! LOVE IT!!!

My husband and I cuurently have a Ford Freestar and we both really like everything about it. It has the power sliding doors which are easy for kids to get in and out of and easy for car seat installation. We also opted for the family entertainment package which has the DVD player so the kids can watch movies on long trips. It drives and handles like a car but has the space of a sport utility and also gets better gas mileage. It also has the Fold and go storage for the rear seat if not in use for extra storage space.

We love our Honda Odyssey. I was somewhat against getting a mini-van, but now I wouldn't have it any other way. You don't feel like it's a mini-van once you're inside. It's comfortable, quiet, with a TON of great features and high tech gadgets. It's one of the top rated minivans and Hondas will last you forever! Good luck.

Congrats! We have a 18 month old and a 2 month old and just purchased a mini van from Car Sense in Exton on Route 100. If you go there ask for MICHELLE S. - SHE ROCKS! After alot of test driving and researching The Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Nissan Quest, Dodge Caravan & the Chrysler Town and Country - We ended up buying the Chrysler Town and Country! And I am ALL for the Foreign car but this time it was the American made car!!! It was the best for the money and so far - We love it! My huband and I ALWAYS said no matter how many kids or our situation we would NEVER own a MINI van ... guess what after renting one (Which I highly recommend doing) and while we were on vacation with another couple and their 9 month old, we changed our minds. Hope this helps with your decision - I am sure you will know once you are driving them! GOOD LUCK!

We have the Toyota Sienna LE and LOVE IT!