If you absolutely *had* to buy a minivan which one would you choose?

"Nibby" (nibby68) 09/12/2013 at 18:02 • Filed to: MINIVANS

0

61

I'd probably go for a 2001-2003 Toyota Sienna... I dunno why it's one of the few, if only minivans I ever liked. My uncle had a few Windstars and a Venture when I was growing up so when one of the neighbors drove me home from school in the Sienna I thought it was a much nicer van than the other ones I've previously been in, (granted the Venture was no longer in the family at that point \o/ and I was probably 12 or 13).

ddavidn > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 18:03

0

Nibby > ddavidn 09/12/2013 at 18:03

2

Nice Grand Caravan yo

. . > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 18:04

3

A Ford S-Max. No question.

Also, this:

Because it had to be mentioned.

Blondude > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 18:04

3

First gen Toyota Previa . Because mid-engine, AWD, supercharged minivan.

Klaus Schmoll > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 18:04

6

We both know that there is only one!

Because raceca... errmmm mide-engined something or other.

Takuro Spirit > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 18:05

2

STANCE 4 LYFE

HammerheadFistpunch > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 18:06

0

Its a tossup between the GMC safari

or the Previa alltrac

The safari, aside from having a dismal interior...was actually quite a good mintruck.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 18:06

3

What do I win?

ddavidn > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 18:06

0

Thanks. I like to pretend it's a Eurovan.

Decay buys too many beaters > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 18:06

3

Previa, just like this one

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 18:07

3

The XR10 (first gen Toyota Previa) AWD, MID ENGINE.. AWESOME.

ttyymmnn > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 18:08

0

I absolutely had to buy a minivan when I found out I was having twins to go along with my first boy. We got a program 2003 Honda Odyssey. I love it. No, really.

Slave2anMG > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 18:08

5

This is sort of a minivan. Sort of....

DasWauto > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 18:09

0

The Top Gear Avantime (before splitter and rear wing).

It's a minivan because I say it is.

HammerheadFistpunch > ddavidn 09/12/2013 at 18:09

0

my father in law has one. Much better vehicles than they are given credit for. Are they a type 2 van? no...get over it. They have better suspension that the caravan, better materials inside and came with a good 4.0 engine that is torquey and gets decent mileage. They also fit 4X8 sheets perfectly and an air mattress. Good vans.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 18:11

1

The answer is obvious

J. Walter Weatherman > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 18:12

1

Does this count?

ddavidn > HammerheadFistpunch 09/12/2013 at 18:12

0

Yeah, I agree. I mean, I don't even think the grand caravan is terrible for what it is, but I definitely like this version. I'd have no problem driving one. Obviously would prefer a Toureg.

For Sweden > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 18:12

4

Previa, obviously, or R63 AMG

dieselwagon > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 18:13

0

I could probably think of a few more i'd like and even more if we're flexible with the definition...

Takuro Spirit > HammerheadFistpunch 09/12/2013 at 18:14

0

They also have the same brake wear problems and sliding door-wiring issues as the Dodge/Chrysler.

One funny thing about the door wiring track problem, the parts are cheaper to get from Mopar, and they even have the Mopar part number tag right on them, but VW will charge you butt loads more to but it from them.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 18:15

0

...but I could get everything a minivan offers, but with wood down the sides.

HammerheadFistpunch > Takuro Spirit 09/12/2013 at 18:18

0

what door/brake problems, my father in law hasn't had any problems in the 80k he's driven it.

Nibby > J. Walter Weatherman 09/12/2013 at 18:18

0

Yes!

Nibby > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 09/12/2013 at 18:19

0

O_O the batvan always gets me

TheJWT > Takuro Spirit 09/12/2013 at 18:20

0

My mom used to have one of those long ago, I actually think they're pretty cool compared to other vans of the era. I remember trying to convince her to get gold BBS's like those for it, but she said no:(

ddavidn > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 18:20

0

Is my old MPV legal in this challenge? I liked that one.

Your boy, BJR > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 18:20

1

Since the Previa has been done to death I'll have to go with this weird little fucker. And I'd do it if I didn't even have to. If I could just find one.

Scott Keelan > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 18:22

2

I'll take a Mazda 5. Because manual.

Takuro Spirit > HammerheadFistpunch 09/12/2013 at 18:23

0

The first few model years had brakes that would wear within 20k miles, and the wiring for the sliding door was in a plastic track that would break, and then either get hung up outside of the door or jam up in the lower door track.

He must have a newer one?

HammerheadFistpunch > For Sweden 09/12/2013 at 18:23

0

does minivan need to equall sliding doors? The R-class probably doesn't like being called a minvan

Takuro Spirit > TheJWT 09/12/2013 at 18:24

0

I like how small it is. It's like a tallish station wagon, especially with the normal-opening back doors.

Too bad they're hard to find. People tend to keep them forever, and up here they're all rusting away.

Sparf > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 18:25

0

Not sure if this counts as a minivan or a wagon, but just to be different:

The 2002-2007 Toyota Caldina GT-FOUR (VIN ST246W). Same platform and drivetrain as the 1994-1999 Celica GT-FOUR (VIN ST205) but with 5 doors and unfortunately Triptronic slushbox only.

dogisbadob > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 18:27

0

The 95-98 Odyssey or the equivalent Oasis

Other good choices are the Mazda 5 and Kia Rondo

Nibby > Sparf 09/12/2013 at 18:28

0

Eh, it's a wagon

Nibby > ddavidn 09/12/2013 at 18:28

0

Yes it does.

TheJWT > Takuro Spirit 09/12/2013 at 18:29

0

Very true, we had well over 100k miles on it when we sold it. Strangely enough though, the only people I ever knew who had them were my mom and my girlfriend's mom.

Sparf > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 18:30

0

It's kinda Minivan-ish though right?

Besides, all the obvious answers have already been taken.

Nibby > Sparf 09/12/2013 at 18:33

0

The Chevy Lumina APV has not been taken yet.

ddavidn > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 18:33

0

Then I choose that one. Because first car emotional attachment.

Sparf > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 18:35

0

Well, I'm not going to ever buy something that ugly.

dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter > Scott Keelan 09/12/2013 at 18:35

0

This is the real answer. Manual, lighter, smaller and simpler than the others. Although, it's tempting to go with a luxo-hauler like the Sienna.

Matt Brown > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 18:35

0

I own this baby. I was looking for an Odyssey or a Sienna, but I found this one which was meticulously taken care of and is in much better condition than most cars 1/3rd it's age.

Minivans are awesome. I have a Kinja blog I'm finishing up soon that should explain this adequately. Stay tuned.

Nibby > Matt Brown 09/12/2013 at 18:39

0

Lookin' forward to it.

sebdel > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 18:39

1

My dad bought one of these (a 2001) a couple months ago. I love it, out of all the car he has owned, this is the one I like the most, is just such a nice place to be, heavy and confortable, nice engine, nice seats, soft and cozy, he bought a 2010 diesel hyundai veracruz since and still drives the sienna more, is 9 years older but feels better.

Its a little embarrasing to say this being a 28 single man, but I would happily have a sienna as only car and daily driver.

Nibby > Sparf 09/12/2013 at 18:43

0

Nibby > sebdel 09/12/2013 at 18:44

0

Good man. That's one thing I remember about them is how comfy they are. Quite spacious too for their size.

Sparf > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 18:55

0

Aww yeaaaaah!

thebigbossyboss > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 19:02

0

Dude my parents have one for sale!! Buy it from them!! $1900. Located in Vancouver BC. They have been trying to sell for a while. Seriously. If anyone wants one of these in BC let me know. Come with $1.9K...leave happy!

DKG > Klaus Schmoll 09/12/2013 at 19:08

0

I drove one of these for about a year that was a hand-me-down from my pops when he bought a new car. We has so many road trips in that thing when I was a kid by the time I got it the Previa had 250k+ miles on it. The car never had any service aside from routine besides a replaced catalytic converter. The thing had a mid engine supercharged 4 cylinder rwd and with 250k still hit 90 on the highway no prob. The third row had a reclining bench that split and folded up like old land cruiser jumpseats. The second row was captain chairs that would spin 180 degrees to face the third row. The Previa was also offered with 4wd. Man I miss that thing I gave it back to my dad when I bought my first new car and he ended up selling it. I really wish I kept it on the side I would still be driving it now as a second car with my growing family.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 19:17

0

2014 Honda Odyssey.

Because Honda Vac

Nibby > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO 09/12/2013 at 19:25

0

That SUCKS.

*ba dum tsch*

Nibby > thebigbossyboss 09/12/2013 at 19:25

0

The problem is that I am on the other side of the continent... I live near the Atlantic Ocean.

GatorEight > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 19:34

0

Without a doubt, I'd get an Odyssey (just now realizing how oddly it is spelled). I've driven a lot of different kinds of cars, from working at dealerships to managing valet for 20+ restaurants. The Odyssey is the only one that feels like it has enough power, decent handling, nice (not crazy) interior, amazing usability, and reliability. But we enthusiasts are a different breed, so the Odyssey may not be the best minivan for minivan buyers. It would however be the best minivan for me.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 19:38

0

Is this any better?

Nibby > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO 09/12/2013 at 20:03

0

Worse. There's nothing wrong with the 2014 Odyssey. I said it sucks cause it has a vacuum...

Makoyouidiot > Scott Keelan 09/12/2013 at 20:13

0

This...with Mazdaspeed engine swap.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 20:21

0

LOL, I didn't even think.

Bengal55 > Nibby 09/12/2013 at 21:23

0

I might be the only one on here that doesn't hate minivans, but if I were to buy one it would be a Dodge Grand Caravan, with the 3.6L Pentastar (because 289hp) in orange.

We had one as a rental when for a month when we went on an (epic) vacation, got it with 48 miles on the odo, and returned it with a little over 4200 miles. Part of that vacation included Disney, where white, gray and black minivans rule.. we were the only ones with a van that could be spotted across the parking lot. Easily one of the most comfortable trip vehicles I've ever driven, good on gas, and plenty of room for everything you'd need. Did I mention 289hp?

Burrito de EJ25 > Slave2anMG 09/12/2013 at 21:37

0

Fuck Miatas! The Reault Avantime is the new answer to everything.

bozla > Nibby 09/13/2013 at 14:16

0