Minivans...

Captivate05 · 01-19-2013, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbarn

why limit yourself to a mini-van when you can get a full-van ?
You'll be the envy of every soccer mom

nothing says i'm here more than a e350

lmao!!

Bandit1200 · 01-19-2013, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbarn

Why limit yourself to a mini-van when you can get a full-van ?
You'll be the envy of every soccer mom

Nothing says I'm here more than a E350

And you'll be saying that a lot...at the gas station

**oldpunk78** · 01-19-2013, 11:54 PM

Thanks for all the responses people. I took a five hour round trip today to look at the 5. It's awesome but it's just too small. It would be great for a family of 4 though.

Now that I've crossed that off my list, I guess my options are wide open now. Going to look at the others tomorrow.

I'm strongly considering a certified used Dodge at this point but plan to check out all of the vans in my price range now. I guess I was waiting to see how I liked the Mazda first because I couldn't find one to look at locally. All the other models are within 1/2 mile of each other now, lol.

sick lid · 01-20-2013, 02:06 AM

I'd take a 5 year old Odyssey with 80K on it over a new Dodge any day. Another 5 years on and you'll still be ahead.

Smitty06 · 01-21-2013, 08:17 AM

Don't pass up on a honda with only 30K miles on, my mom has put 300K miles on hers and still going strong. Major problems with the hondas are:
- Ignition likes to move slightly out of place making starting the car a PITA.
- Steering wheel will stick slightly when you are at 250K (mom and others experiences)
- Key slots on the outside of the car, if you don't use them tend to not work after a while. (3 years or so with use here and there)
- Works best on shell gas (when compared to other gasses)

**acitydweller** · 01-21-2013, 08:23 AM

I'm a fan of the second gen Toyota sienna. Currently drive the latest version. Disspell the minivan stigma as its all about the attitude and ego really. I'd skip he doge entirely as having a $80 fill up each time will wear on you rather quickly...

somewhatshocked · 01-21-2013, 01:45 PM

Sigh?

Think about how much tank stuff you can fit in a minivan!

It's not just about the children.

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldpunk78

So, oldpunk is getting even older and I with the news that we're expecting a 3rd kid have found myself in the market for a minivan. Sigh*

Kathyy · 01-21-2013, 03:14 PM

I carried my 8' long tank home in my 1998 Quest.

Full disclosure, the person that bought that tank from me got home successfully with it loaded in a 4 door Prius..........

**scapegoat** · 01-21-2013, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zefrik

I am an 18 year old male and I drive my mothers town and country. Yeah you can laugh. But the van has done pretty good over the years. With it nearing 150k miles it is still chugging along. Never had to many major problems with it other than that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkZXxIdPoPE

no laughs here. I'd love one

Nubster · 01-21-2013, 08:11 PM

If you are going to drive a van, the choice should be obvious...

Shangrila · 01-21-2013, 11:52 PM

Listen to what I'm going to tell you. First off a little background on me. I own a AAA repair shop for 13 years and have been in the automotive business for close to 30 years I am ASE certified and a diagnostic wizard. I have worked on nearly every kind of Japanese and american car/truck/suv/crossover and what ever other fancy nick names the manufacturers throw at them, not to mention some european bombs(the worst cars made). A vehicle(other than a collector type) is the worst investment we make. They depreciate quickly, they require maintenace on a regular basis, they rot, they degrade, etc. Now on to the subject at hand-which minivan to buy. I will tell you from personal experience that you can not go wrong with anything made by Toyota. The next in line would be a Honda. All the rest are second rate at best! Do not waste your money on any kind of American minivan! The best bang for your buck is Toyota. A 3-4 year old Toyota is WAY better than any brand new domestic van. I know I'm gonna get heat for this, but I work on these things day in and day out and I can tell you what is good and what is not. There may be a few other brands that have lasted some people a long time with little trouble but they a far and few between if you look at their repair history. PM me if you have any other questions.

**oldpunk78** · 01-30-2013, 03:41 AM

Not that anyone cares... But I hate leaving a thread open with no ending.

I ended up buying a new Mazda 5.

I love it so far. I wish it was a little bigger but all in all, it fits my needs on a daily basis perfect. Averaging 25mpg mixed driving. The leather seats are really comfortable and the headlights rock. (Not that those are really all that important, lol.)

01-20-2013, 02:06 AM	#19
sick lid Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 562	I'd take a 5 year old Odyssey with 80K on it over a new Dodge any day. Another 5 years on and you'll still be ahead. __________________ 4/26/2012, lost the finest man. Rest easy Pops... <--Great Danes are people too! 180g, Fluval FX5, 404, 128watts t-8, low tech, heavily planted, with Albino and reg bristlenose plec, longfin plec, 9 Congo tetras, 20 or so Amanos, 8 Corydoras Sterbai, 2 Botia dario, 9 Boesmanis, 2 sae, big old common plec, & a dozen or so Otos.32tall eclipse3, fluval403, 5 neon & 7 silver tip tetras.180gallon corner in-wall build journal

01-21-2013, 08:23 AM	#21
acitydweller ओं मणिपद्मे हूं (View User Tanks) PTrader: (150/100%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: New York, NY Posts: 6,314	I'm a fan of the second gen Toyota sienna. Currently drive the latest version. Disspell the minivan stigma as its all about the attitude and ego really. I'd skip he doge entirely as having a $80 fill up each time will wear on you rather quickly... __________________ Namaste ओं मणिपद्मे हूं My life extends far beyond the limitations of me Keeper of the LIST

01-21-2013, 03:14 PM	#23
Kathyy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (32/100%) Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Newbury Park, CA Posts: 2,992	I carried my 8' long tank home in my 1998 Quest. Full disclosure, the person that bought that tank from me got home successfully with it loaded in a 4 door Prius.......... __________________ http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=195914 "180 gallons of Ferny Wood"

01-21-2013, 08:11 PM	#25
Nubster Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (16/100%) Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Romney, West Virginia Posts: 3,427	If you are going to drive a van, the choice should be obvious... __________________ EVIL Camera Pimp member #1 NIKON Pimp Club member #012 SunSun Pimp Club member #069 ~~20L OEBT/Super Tiger/PFR Tank~~ ~~20L Yellow Neo tank~~ Mr. Aqua Blue Diamond neo Tank

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01-19-2013, 11:54 PM	#18
oldpunk78 Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (102/100%) Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Redding, CA Posts: 4,477	Thanks for all the responses people. I took a five hour round trip today to look at the 5. It's awesome but it's just too small. It would be great for a family of 4 though. Now that I've crossed that off my list, I guess my options are wide open now. Going to look at the others tomorrow. I'm strongly considering a certified used Dodge at this point but plan to check out all of the vans in my price range now. I guess I was waiting to see how I liked the Mazda first because I couldn't find one to look at locally. All the other models are within 1/2 mile of each other now, lol.

01-21-2013, 08:17 AM	#20
Smitty06 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sacramento,CA Posts: 236	Don't pass up on a honda with only 30K miles on, my mom has put 300K miles on hers and still going strong. Major problems with the hondas are: - Ignition likes to move slightly out of place making starting the car a PITA. - Steering wheel will stick slightly when you are at 250K (mom and others experiences) - Key slots on the outside of the car, if you don't use them tend to not work after a while. (3 years or so with use here and there) - Works best on shell gas (when compared to other gasses)

01-21-2013, 11:52 PM	#26
Shangrila Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: New York City Posts: 195	Listen to what I'm going to tell you. First off a little background on me. I own a AAA repair shop for 13 years and have been in the automotive business for close to 30 years I am ASE certified and a diagnostic wizard. I have worked on nearly every kind of Japanese and american car/truck/suv/crossover and what ever other fancy nick names the manufacturers throw at them, not to mention some european bombs(the worst cars made). A vehicle(other than a collector type) is the worst investment we make. They depreciate quickly, they require maintenace on a regular basis, they rot, they degrade, etc. Now on to the subject at hand-which minivan to buy. I will tell you from personal experience that you can not go wrong with anything made by Toyota. The next in line would be a Honda. All the rest are second rate at best! Do not waste your money on any kind of American minivan! The best bang for your buck is Toyota. A 3-4 year old Toyota is WAY better than any brand new domestic van. I know I'm gonna get heat for this, but I work on these things day in and day out and I can tell you what is good and what is not. There may be a few other brands that have lasted some people a long time with little trouble but they a far and few between if you look at their repair history. PM me if you have any other questions.

01-30-2013, 03:41 AM	#27
oldpunk78 Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (102/100%) Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Redding, CA Posts: 4,477	Not that anyone cares... But I hate leaving a thread open with no ending. I ended up buying a new Mazda 5. I love it so far. I wish it was a little bigger but all in all, it fits my needs on a daily basis perfect. Averaging 25mpg mixed driving. The leather seats are really comfortable and the headlights rock. (Not that those are really all that important, lol.)