We are thinking about trading in dh's sedan for a minivan for me to drive. We can not spend more than 18K b/c we want to keep the same payment that we already have. We are considering the Nissan Quest, Honda Oddysey and Toyota Sienna. I would also consider the Dodge Caravan but dh is worried about their reliability. Can anyone please tell me about their experience with any of these vehicles? From what we have seen so far the Quest seems to have the most value. I would love to get some advice from other moms!

__________________

We absolutely love the Dodge Grand Caravan!!! We just replaced our 9.5 yr old Caravan with a 2006 Grand Caravan. We never had any problems and drove it into the ground. It seems to be the most economical choice, the gas mileage is good and the stow and go seating is awsome!

__________________
~Happiness is a large family~

I have a 2002 Toyota Sienna LE that I purchased from a dealership that loaned it to staff/managers, so it was considered "used" at 7 months old. That gave me additional warranties for free : ) But, I have never had to use them!

It has almost 90,000 miles on it and we have absolutely no complaints. I call it my "plain vanilla" van, as it doesn't look flashy, but we bought it for Toyota's reliability. It is comfortable and very roomy. My kids say it's like being in an airplane when we drive at night and they recline their seats and sleep soundly. Every year we go camping, we are amazed at how much stuff we pack in (and on the roof rack!).

In 2002, the Sienna and the Odyssey had the highest safety ratings of any vans on the market. I also LOVE the power sliding door, stereo system, cup holders, and stereo controls on the steering wheel, among other "comfort features".

__________________
Attaining financial freedom is like eating an elephant . . . it takes one bite at a time.

We've had bad luck with the Grand Caravan. We recently traded in our 2003 Grand Caravan Sport because it was having BIG transmission problems. We thought better to trade it in, than a huge repair later. Prior to that, we had a 1999 Grand Caravan, the AC went out on it, after it was 3 years old, then an electrical componant, then engine problems. So after those two problems, while I loved driving it when it was working, DH said no more Dodge. We paid more, but traded in for a Toyota Rav4, snce we only have 1 kid right now.

__________________
"And the state of his bathroom -- I'm not one to gossip, but there are things crusted on his sink that have not simply developed intelligent life but have in all probability by now evolved their own political systems." Cain describes Abel in in SANDMAN #70

My mom has an 2001 Oddesy she bought new.. It is great to travel with 2 kids in car seats.. The automatic door opener on the key fob and not having to man handle to get the thing shut is great.. They drive VERY nice.. She hasn't had any Major problems with it.. Just oil changes, tires and breaks..

Her rear seat folds into the floor.. Which is great for picking me up from the airport with a stroller, 2 car seats and 3 bags.

The inside is roomy and easy to get kids in, out and around.. Enough room to change a diaper on the floor The comfort things like cup holders, seat pouches, seat recline, seat belt positions are all great..

__________________
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!

We just bought a 2007 Honda Odyssey EX in November and are very happy so far. We were all set to buy a 2008 Toyota Sienna when this deal literally fell into our laps. We did a lot of research on minivans before we bought one and came to the conclusion that we probably couldn't go wrong with an Odyssey or Sienna.

I will say that we weren't crazy about the quality of the interior on the Odyssey LX which was all we could afford when we were initially looking and that was part of the reason we had decided on the Sienna since we could have gotten an LE (second model up) for about the same price as an Odyssey LX (base model). In my opinion there's a big difference between the Odyssey LX and the EX! I love mine but we certainly wouldn't have been able to afford it if we hadn't gotten a really good deal at the end of the model year. The other major reason we were going to get the Sienna is that they have better reliability according to Consumer Reports.

All that being said, I definitely don't regret our decision!

__________________
Stephanie
Mom to: Caleb (8-27-2003), Ian (9-28-2005), & Baby Boy #3 (EDD 11-9-2008)

I also have a Toyota Sienna LE, it is a great car, I am sure you cna get a used sienna with a couple of yrs on it for that much, or maybe a bit more.

__________________
We buy things we dont need,
with money we dont have,
in order to impress people
we dont like?
(Ramsey, D)

I love my Toyota Sienna!! I've had two in the past seven years and have never had any problems with the two i had.

__________________
Jodie....Wife to Andrew (1995)
Mommy to Riley (2000) and Wyatt (2003)

We have the Chrysler Town & Country which is basically the same car I think. And I have to agree!!! I LOVE it! I've had it 2 years now, and it was a year old when we got it (2005). We've never had any issues. The Stow n Go seating is a MUST for us. Ours doesn't have automatic doors like some people mentioned, but Stow n Go is SO awesome I gladly gave up the automatic doors and don't miss them. We have 3 boys and I buckle 2 in the way back and 1 in the middle. I have the seat behind mine down all the time. I am able to climb in to get coats on, store the stroller in there when we're going from store to store, I've even laid down all 4 of the back seats when garage saleing (without the boys) and have brought home a short but wide dresser and even an armoire! I LOVE STOW N GO SEATING!!!!

__________________
Stay at home mom to my 3 boys... ages 5, 3 & 1!

I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

When I went looking I wanted the Sienna in the worst way. I have family members that have both the Honda and the Toyota. I personally liked the Sienna better. Unfortunately I had a hard time finding a used one and at the price I was looking in. I needed like you to spend around 18-20K. We found a Town and Country with very low miles and everything I wanted. I love and let me say it again LOVE my minivan. I wasn't happy having to get a minivan in the first place but after having it I swear by it. We have the touring model and it is great. The Honda and Toyota both have some great features, great reliabililty and resale value but I could not live without all of my seats (except driver and passanger seats) being stow and go. Stow N Go is worth more to me then any other feature. (Except safety of course). It may have changed but when I was looking two years ago the other had one row fold away seat not all. I hope when I am ready for a new minivan that the Sienna will have stow and go with all the back seats. Lastly make sure you have rear a/c as well. Probably all models are now but I did find some that did not. My kids would have died of heat on long trips during our summers if I didn't have the rear a/c. Just my two cents. Do not let the dealer get you into a lease vehicle. My sales guy told me I could get into the Sienna for about the same monthly bill but at a lease. I am so against leasing a car.