Minivans

Updated on October 06, 2006
H.R. asks from Boca Raton, FL
15 answers

Well, now that I'm due in a couple of weeks, my husband and I are thinking of trading in one of our cars for a minivan. Do any of you have any recommendations? Honda? Chrysler? We do not care about the DVD thing. We care about safety, comfort, seating capacity, storage and of course, a CD/radio. We appreciate your help!

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So What Happened?

Okee dokee ladies! We just bought an '07 Honda Odyssey with all the bells and whistles! I said no DVD but y'all convinced me so we've got the DVD, leather, multi CD changer the whole nine! Love it! Can't believe there would come a time when I would become a minivan mommy but life does that, doesn't it? Traded in two vehicles so we did very well on the deal. Thanks so much for the input all of it helped me negotiate which vehicle and what price I was willing to pay. I appreciate all of your replies and wish you all safe and happy driving! Peace and love be with you all!! :)

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K.M.

answers from Boca Raton on

Hi, I have 2 toddlers and drive the Honda Element, it is great on gas milleage, (if you drive a lot like me) and is roomy also. I live in cenral boca and make trecks to wanado city near ft lauderdale weekly.

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R.T.

answers from Orlando on

Hi,

We have an 06 Toyota Sienna with all the toys. I have two small children and another one on the way. I love this vehicle! It makes the logistics a lot easier than the mid size SUV I previously had. We are always carrying diaper bags, back packs, and strollers and there is plenty of room. We do have the DVD player and it has been a life saver. Even if you think you may not want one right now, you might change your mind later. Our three year old started wearing the head phones when she was two. At times it made it easier on me so I could listen to music instead of Elmo or Barney. Now she is a chatter box and talks to me the entire time we are in the van. A mini van is the way to go if you think you might have two or more children. Good luck with whatever you decide! Check out the Sienna club website for more info. if you are interested in one. http://www.Siennaclub.org/forum

1 mom found this helpful
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J.F.

answers from Miami on

Great advice, but I had to respond to this one because you are a NPR listener, me too!!! I drive an Odessey and we love it, our two cars are Honda and I think they are better than any SUV's.

Good luck with your baby and car shopping

J.

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L.K.

answers from Boca Raton on

I don't know if you have thought about the built in toddler seat option but our van (2002 chevy venture van-the looney tune edition!) came with one and we love it. When we're using it, it's great, and it folds up so easily when you're not using it. We bought our van 2 years old and it happen to come with it. In fact, we are looking to maybe buy a 2nd seat with that feature since we are constantly cluncking around these car seats(we also have a toddler) so we have 3 in car seats now. We have a dvd player but only use it on long trips,so I would say using a portable dvd player could work. We play cd's and I probably look like a looney tune at the lights because I'm singing in the front seat and my kiddos are chiming in the back seat. Hey, whatever works. Have fun, and enjoy the journey, LaurieK

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B.

answers from Naples on

Hello,

I just got and 07 Suburban and I could not love it more! I went from a Lexus sport utility to this and thought it would be too big...let my tell you it is awesome!!!

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D.G.

answers from Port St. Lucie on

Hey girl,
I drive the Quest! And I LOVE IT!

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T.W.

answers from Orlando on

Chrysler Voyager. It's a great value, roomy, you don't feel confined or lost either way. Great gas mileage, easy to drive and handle. Wonderful storage capacity. Easy to maintain. I have had 2. My current one is an 01 and still runs and looks new. In fact we are soon going to trade it in for something new and every time I think of what I want, this is the only thing that has it all. I don't have to make any sacrifices with the Voyager.
Good luck and congrats!
T.

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J.

answers from Orlando on

when I had my first son I was driving a Ford explorer, but when my second child came along, we noticed the car seats did not fit side by side. After much research and test drives we purchased a Kia Sedona. It is the best minivan ever if comes with everything you could possible need. If you get one with the bench as the second row you can move it close up to the drivers seats so you can reach the baby without actually having to unbuckle and turnaround ( which you will find out when the baby loses a pacifier or drops a toy is a great thing. We also liked the fact that the Kia drives more like a car rather than the Ford or Dodge that drives like a truck and has no turning radius. The next one we alomost bought was the Nissan great van but not alot of room in the way back unless you take out the bakc seat ( which is very heavy). I love it so much it also has a 5 star crash test rating for all sides. We did not buy the van with the DVD player eventually we bought one that is removable so we put it in for long trips. It is wondeful. As I write my husband and I are actually getting prepared to trade ours in for a 2007. I have only had to take it in the dealer once in 4 years and it was completely covered at no expense to me and I was given a loaner mini van in case I needed to be somewhere. I have had nothing but a great experiences and will continue to buy Kia Sedona until my children are older then I will more than likely purchase Kia's SUV.

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T.H.

answers from Boca Raton on

I had a neon and that wasn't going to work so we looked around for awhile and we bought a 05 Chevy Venture and it is the most vehicle for the money, it sits 7 people comfortably and has room in the back for everything else that comes with having kids. It is a very smooth ride. Never buy brand new because it loses it value the second you drive it off the lot. If you want go to CarMax and drive drive a few models....all in on place then do your research for price, there is always a deal somewhere. Good Luck!!! and Congrats!!!!

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S.C.

answers from Orlando on

I have an 06 Honda Odyssey and Love it!! We have three girls and they fit wonderful. There is so much storage room. We have the trunk area, two glove boxes, side door storage, back of the seat has a storage pocket and where the two bucket seats in the back on the floor board is a huge storage area. So if you need storage this is a great van. Also check out consumer reports, it is one of the best for reliability and safety. There are 8 air bags (side curtain bags in the back). And plenty of cup holders LOL I thought that was crazy. I think there are 10. Humm who needs that many LOL. I can not say anything bad about the van. It's been great for us a family of 5. Good luck on your search and I hope this helped some :)

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S.S.

answers from Miami on

Hi, you have received alot of good information. As a lady who is really into cars I can tell you that I have done all my research. My husband and I have just purchased an 06 Toyota Sienna. I can tell you that from my research Honda, Toyota and Nissan are the top 3 minivans on the market. I can also tell you that the Toyota Sienna has the most room as far as leg room and cargo room are concerned. That was the biggest factor in the decision for me. I can tell you that I absolutely love it and that it is a wonderful driving vehicle. I can also tell you that from past experience that Toyota's are very reliable and rarely will you have problems with them. If you have anymore questions please drop me a line ____@____.com luck.

S.
SAHM of 3 boys

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M.B.

answers from Miami on

I'll have to say Honda Odyssey - it's great on gas, it's roomy, has a dvd player - trust me, you'll need it every now and then! It also drives like a car so it's not bumpy at all. I used to drive a Mercedes ML320 and didn't realize what a horrible ride it was until I got into our brand new minivan before our twins were born. Nice!

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V.

answers from Orlando on

I would do my homework on this one. We bought a Honda Civic with our first child because it was safer than most minivans at the time. I think the minivan market is better now than it was 5 years ago. But like I said look up crash test ratings before you buy anything. We now own a Chevy Silverado 4-door. My husband didn't like me so close to the ground.

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R.J.

answers from Orlando on

hi

i have a 2001 honda oddessy and i bought because i have two kids and i bought because i have always had a honda and i love the room and third roll but now i wish i got something else besides a minivan because i'm just not a minivan person some people are and some are not so i'm kind of waiting until my daugther does not need a carseat and then i'm getting something else. so just before you buy just make sure you really want a minivan if you don't look into suv.Hope this helps.

R.

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J.F.

answers from Orlando on

hi there I recomend Honda, congragulations on your first baby, they r a blessing, I got 3

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