minivans?

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012) 11/19/2019 at 07:14 • Filed to: None

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What do you guys think of Minivans?

Was ubered home in one recently. Toyota. Spacious. cheap. Tows up to 3500 lbs.

I don’t care about the soccer mom look. Once you put snow tires on that thing, it will be beast mode... Anything else?

Captain of the Enterprise > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 07:21

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They are excellent at what they are designed for. You can’t beat the practicality of a van.  Did you get an AWD Sienna one or FWD one?

Cash Rewards > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 07:22

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Our thought process on getting a pilot instead:

Pilo t is a half a dozen inches shorter, we don’t need third row all the time. Looked at every crossover shorter than va n that still had human sized third row. Eliminated everything larger than a minivan (Durango, equinox, etc). Wife didn’t see the point of getting something bigger than a v an;just get the van. She also didn’t want v an size everyday for the 6 times a year it’d be more convenient. So, Honda pilot it is.

foghat1981 > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 08:06

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I’m 100% team minivan. People like to complain about the $50K+ versions that are totally decked out, but in the $30Ks (maybe even high $ 20s) you can get a very well equipped all-around vehicle. If you have 2 kids I can see it being 50/50 with a medium SUV, but if you have 3 (or frequently take friends/family), minivan is best people & stuff mover out there. Nice ride height. Comfy. Adequate power. Versatile.

People often discount the sliding doors in tight areas too. Makes getting in/out so much easier. And if you have little ones in a car seat, it absolutely saves your back! Buckling the little ones in so much easier (due to large opening and height).

I agree the design isn’t super sexy, but whatever.  So good!

facw > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 08:17

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Minivans are good. More space and better handling than a comparably sized SUV. Good all around. 

SiennaMan > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 08:22

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 I'm in a 2 minivan household.  The same vehicle can haul 6 adults or full sized sheets of drywall.  As for snow tires and beast mode, I have a fun story from a few years back.  A few years back,  my parents gave me their 11 YO Town & Country because it was basically worthless as a trade in and I wanted something to supplement the old Civic I was DDing at the time.  I woke up one Saturday morning to a 1/4" of ice on the roads and I had to get to work.  I knew I wanted to take the van (the civic was very unsure on slick surfaces) but I couldn't remember if it had antilock brakes.  I call my folks up, they can't remember either so I figured I'll take it out into the neighborhood and try to make it slide.  I don't think I got going faster than 25-30mph, but I couldn't get it to loose traction on it's all season tires.  In the 3-4 years we owned that van, I never did figure out if it had ABS or not..

SiennaMan > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 08:25

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 In my mind the big argument for a van over an suv/truck is if you need a used work vehicle and you don't need more thank 3k towing or a full bed.  An old minivan will be much cheaper than a similar used pickup and most of the time cheaper to run too..

GoodIdeaAtTheTime > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 08:31

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Pro minivan here. Wife won’t let me get one. Boo on her I say. 

Nibby > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 08:32

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sporty, grounded to the ground, reliable, plenty of space for dead bodies... what’s not to like?

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 08:48

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I wouldn’t mind on, if I had three kids. With one kid it’s just too damn big. 

PartyPooper2012 > Captain of the Enterprise 11/19/2019 at 08:53

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I didnt get any. I was just in an uber car that was a minivan. I am exploring the options right now. 

PartyPooper2012 > foghat1981 11/19/2019 at 08:56

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Yeah. No kids... just couple of dogs. Wife just went and leased an MDX and hates it. Minivan can do everything MDX can and still be 20k cheaper. 

PartyPooper2012 > Cash Rewards 11/19/2019 at 08:57

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Yeah. but minivan will fit a lot more in the back - sheet of sheetrock or trash cans to recycling center (not that pilot cant)

and minivan is also cheaper than most SUVs. 

Chuckles > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 09:18

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Minivans are good. I learned to drive on one, and I'll probably buy one even though I don't have kids. They can fit a ton of stuff, you can take it camping and sleep in the back, or you can go somewhere with 7 adults (6 comfortably). They are the most versatile passenger cars on the road. 

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 09:26

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They are fantastically practical and I know I’ll get one eventually ...I’m holding out for an electric one though and I don’t really need one yet . Before that happens and before more space is necessary I want to get something a bit more fun first.

Cash Rewards > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 09:29

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Beater pick-up solves that problem.

I might of gone more for the van, but it's her driver, and her logic was pretty good. I really can't understand why anyone would buy a equinox or something like that is bigger but less useful than a van.

PartyPooper2012 > Cash Rewards 11/19/2019 at 09:56

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I have a trailer. It fits most things I need to haul. I don’t ever want a pickup. Sorry I don’t conform. But then obvious question is why do I need a minivan to fit big things? I don’t drive around with a trailer all the time. It takes a bit of planning to get it so it’s sometimes nice to pick up what you need on the way and have it rattle around in the back. 

Thisismydisplayname > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 10:19

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We love our minivan. Wish it had AWD though. Otherwise it’s great. FWD is mostly fine, until you stomp the go pedal when it’ s wet or snowy. But proper tires make it damn near unstoppable in the winter months. We’ve loaded ours with 8 passengers and luggage for a weekend trip and it works great.  But definitely more peppy when it’s not loaded with passengers.

Thisismydisplayname > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 10:21

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Oh yeah, and the sliding doors mean no door dings in the garage from the kiddos getting in and out.  

PartyPooper2012 > Thisismydisplayname 11/19/2019 at 10:22

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Yeah. Just wife and I with two dogs. No kids. No 8 people in the vehicle. Just think they are underrated. 

VincentMalamute-Kim > GoodIdeaAtTheTime 11/19/2019 at 10:31

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You are correct with the pro minivan opinion. Your wife shouldn’t need validation of her self-worth from other people’s opinions of what she drives.

T elling her this will improve your marriage. And that the internet says you’re right ;)

Thisismydisplayname > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 10:33

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They carried a stigma, still do, but the people that get them, really get them. At our kids school the parking lot is absolutely full of the GM full sizers and maybe one or two other minivans, pies being one. Screw em. Buy what works for you. I’m not one for following the herd anyway, I like to be different, maybe even contrarian. But to each their own. I’m over caring what others think.

Yeah I know, I drive a high performance German sedan as a daily, but honestly, it’s a decent value for what it is. Back when I came into the Audi fold, there were a lot of high horsepower, AWD big bodied cars out there. Still not sure if there are. But again I don’t care much. I love to drive a fast, big car. But I’d sell out for a Durango SRT if they were about half the price they currently command.

I’m rambling, but yeah vans are great. But I don’t poo poo somebody else choices, because what do I know?

VincentMalamute-Kim > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 10:33

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Try sitting in a Sienna in the second row captain’s chairs with the ottoman feature.  It’s worth buying a minivan and a chauffeur to drive you around.

R32RightNow > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 10:47

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Please check out Vankulture on facebook and Instagram. You'll change your mind! 

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 11:00

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i grew up riding around in minivans as my parents always had one, i vowed never again to ride in one, so its SUVs for me

MrSnrub > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 11:02

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Minivans are good. The Sienna is the only one I’d really trust reliability-wise right now, which is too bad because it’s so old. I like the Pacifica the most but I wouldn’t trust it to last a long time without trans issues given Chrysler’s history.

JustAnotherG6 > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 11:06

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We are on our 2nd Minivan. Primary benefit over an SUV is the low loading level. Lifting a chonky 2-stage snowblower into the back is a lot easier than in the back of a truck and I still had the mid-seats up.

Thing I like about the Sienna: when the third row is down the middle seats can scoot back to give all the legroom.

But don’ t discount the Dodge/Chrysler: Stow and go (dropping the mid row into the floor at a moments notice) is a killer option. Especially for the impromptu stops at the hardware store / furniture store.

Cash Rewards > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 11:08

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Trailer works just fine

Grindintosecond > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 11:20

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Parents have an Odyssey. Interstate cruise missile. Yeah they can feel a bit cumbersome manuvering in parking lots but thats honestlyall. it’s the most comfortable way to go anywhere. It’s an incredible life saver if you vacation with kids. No more fighting. My parents can sleep in the back of theirs in a campground on a quick getaway.

Wife and I just got a used flex, which it a van with doors really. Loooove it. The value proposition is amazing. If fwd get a set of snows and your problems are solved.

Soccer mom’s get $uv and Starbucks and never use the 4 WD anyway. That’s the stigma. Clones at school.

But if your really worried bout image, the Odyssey type R is coming sometime...

Textured Soy Protein > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 11:40

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Minivans are rad.

For Sweden > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 12:04

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The Minivans are Good

BlueManual6wagon > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 12:09

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Once you live with power sliding rear doors, everything else suddenly seems wrong. Something about having nothing in your way between the driver’s door and the open side door is just glorious.

No question a minivan is the far more logical choice, but people rarely go that route. My only problem with the modern minivan is that it’s far from “mini” any more. But I get why it evolved to such a size, they’re meant for logical people who want to have plenty of passenger / cargo space and care almost zero about style / image.

Of course I have to be one of 12 people left on earth that wants the practicality/features of a minivan in a reasonable size with relatively good looks and driving dynamics. So I guess I’ll be driving this for quite some time.

And despite FWD with an open diff, it handles snow like a beast. Just ask my kids.

3000 lbs tow rating... that’s just a suggestion.

TheRealBicycleBuck > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 12:15

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Have you seen LongVoyager’s posts?

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/rally-van-full-build-1830125273

mymom51 > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 12:17

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I occasionally have to haul grandkids. A minivan is so much easier for us older people to get in and out of. I have friends that opted for the SUV but my junky old vans are much easier to get in and out of.

If I need to get groceries or other supplies from Lowes, they are easily accessed from the rear. I don’t understand the SUV craze at all. I only wish the got better mileage .

BlueManual6wagon > GoodIdeaAtTheTime 11/19/2019 at 12:20

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Last year m y wife wanted to replace our van (04 MPV, 275k miles, her DD ) with a new/new-ish van. I told her I wanted our old van as my 2nd car. She would not allow 2 vans in the family for some reason , so she got an Outback and I got her van. I was supposed to sell my Mazda 6 wagon, but “haven’t gotten around to it yet”, a year+ later. Her Outback is fine for a DD and as an extreme winter beast , but she still ends up needing the minivan frequently for carting extra kids around. She should have just gotten another van.

I like mine so much, I bought 2 more of them for $1k total . A clean blue one to rebuild (front end damage) and a rusty silver one for parts (for my formerly rusty silver one and the front of the blue one). Everyone has their “thing”, I just never could have predicted that 15 year old Mazda minivans would be mine ;)

GoodIdeaAtTheTime > VincentMalamute-Kim 11/19/2019 at 12:30

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She doesn’t drive. She is not permitted to drive. Her anxiety and panic attacks are so bad the State pulled her license. She has been regulated to passenger only. And refuses to ride in a minivan, no matter how comfortable. But a Volvo turbo wagon is acceptable. 

GoodIdeaAtTheTime > BlueManual6wagon 11/19/2019 at 12:34

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My thing is Pontiac Fieros. I am thankfully down to one, and may end up selling it. Need money for surgery, insurance won’t cover it :(

BlueManual6wagon > Grindintosecond 11/19/2019 at 12:37

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A straight damn line. Is that so hard to do?

Still in disbelief that Honda stuck with this design element. They can do better.

Tripper > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 12:44

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Team hate, just can’t get past the aesthetic. Hate the shape, hate the lines, hate the drive. W agon if I can, SUV if I must.

VincentMalamute-Kim > GoodIdeaAtTheTime 11/19/2019 at 12:48

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yike!

She has no idea what she missing sitting in the Sienna captain’s chairs with the ottoman feature.

i86hotdogs > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 12:57

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“Soccer mom look” has been transferred to generic FWD SUV/CUV vehicles today. The van can do everything your Traverse can do for less. Buy the van!

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 13:09

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IMO they’re too long for typical metro area life. That’s OK if you don’t care about the car getting dinged up and left outside for most of its life, but if I want a nicer car, a shorter CUV is the better form factor, even if it’s less roomy and  more painful to use the third row.

BlueManual6wagon > GoodIdeaAtTheTime 11/19/2019 at 13:19

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Sorry to hear that boss. Hope you don’t have to let it go, but sometimes we have to make tough decisions. :(

My thing used to be red original Caravans. Had an 84 that I grew up in and an 88 I bought during college. The 84 got scrapped around ~2006, I said goodbye to the 88 in 2010 a couple months before our first kid was born. It needed too much work that I didn’t have time for, and my wife wasn’t going to let me drive the baby around in it anyways. Sure had some good times in it during college though.

The MPV is far too much of a member of the family for me to ever let it go, not that it’s worth anything. As a bonus it’s pretty fun to drive and still dead reliable at 286k .

I make my kids pose in the back of it each year to recreate a random picture I took of my daughter the day we bought it in 2012. At ages 6 & 8, they were relatively enthusiastic about it this past April. I’m sure I’ll get some real fake smiles during their teenage years.

Grindintosecond > BlueManual6wagon 11/19/2019 at 13:45

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No shit, eh?

Jim Spanfeller > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 13:53

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Minivans have a surprising amount of potential for fun. We have a 2005 Honda Odyssey which I know from experience can spin the tires if ya stomp the pedal. I’d go so far as to say i t almost handles like a hot hatch. And from what I’ve heard, the engines in a lot of minivans actually have quite a bit of tuning potential. I wonder if companies could sell more minivans by making them more like hot hatches... 

Chariotoflove > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 14:27

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These are available all day, well equipped, for under $25K. I highly recommend them.

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-Kia-Sedona-d160#listing=255673332

BlueManual6wagon > Grindintosecond 11/19/2019 at 14:41

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The last gen Odyssey really should have joined the Pontiac Aztek in the exterior design hall of shame.

I tried fixing it, but it’s still pretty ugly/bulky looking.

Not that I was in the market, but before the current Ody launched I was actually excited to see them fix their mistake. Not so much.

The family hearse. Brilliant.

PartyPooper2012 > BlueManual6wagon 11/19/2019 at 14:48

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I wonder if the last pillar is thicker for more support. Wonder what that would look like with thick last pillar and straight line still. 

PartyPooper2012 > Jim Spanfeller 11/19/2019 at 14:54

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I dont think I am after spinning tires thing anymore. That’s what C5 is for. Minivan though would solve the issue of 2 seats only.

I looked at the interior of Odyssey and really hate the no shifter life. Button shifting like MDX is deeply hated here. Sienna is little better in that department but Sienna has way too many trims for same exact engine size. 

BlueManual6wagon > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 15:07

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No doubt it would be stronger in a roll-over, but my dislike for it stems from the curved “swoop” shape plus the black “floating” gap under it. FFS.

Surely I’m part of a very small group that actually notices or cares about minivan styling. I would like to see Toyota come out with a clean/sleek Sienna for the next gen, but I’m guessing it will be ridiculous. The refresh on the current one is... something.

The SE model isn’t bad, they at least break up the mega-grill and the rest of the design is nice and clean.

They’re just so damn big. I’ve only driven a current Sienna once, a ~2015 XLE model, felt like I was driving a bus. But I guess at least it’s a bus with lots of interior space and glorious power sliding doors. 

PartyPooper2012 > mymom51 11/19/2019 at 16:07

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SUVs have their place... Some can tow a bit more than minivan. Suburban gets close to 10,000 lbs.

To some towing isn’t important, but I have a trailer that I use for hauling crap like mulch so it helps in not wrecking the interior too much.

For things that need to be covered like sheetrock away from rain, minivan or suburban work, but like you said, MPGs in Suburban are horrible.

Ask me how I know :)

Deioslux > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 17:00

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Have a 19 Sedona EX and it go 0 to ludicrous in ridiculous! It has everything you need and it tows 3500lbs! I literally look over at people in sports cars riding next to me and I’m still in eco! It is the most comfortable ride I’ve ever owed and I’ve had both BMW and Mercedes. If you have a family, I don’t know why you would want anything else. My wife didn’t want one and now she will fight  me for ours!

Doug > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 22:50

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I use the Ford Transit Connect Titanium for Uber. Ez in and out. Quick seat config. Tows 6000.lbs. Roof rack. All the safety bells n whistles. Drives like a car. Electric.steering. Love it. Power is good. 168 hp. Hands free phone.. Stereo and Navigation.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Delayed pickup itemsItemQty Betty Crocker Pound Cake Mix, 16 oz Box 2

NewGitPDX > PartyPooper2012 11/19/2019 at 23:26

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I was anti-minivan for a while-kinda. We had VW busses, and now get around in an ‘02 Astro. The Astro form factor is a little bigger and more van-like than a more modern minivan and it only has one sliding door, that isn’t automatic. I’ve gotta say though, I love the van, I removed the center row and built a cabinet with a water system. I also have a tent on the roof and a awning. It’s great room-wise for camping and still small enough to get around the city. We have two kids and a dog.  W e actually sold our Focus ST when we got the Astro. It’s rear wheel drive, has pl enty of power, and actually handles alright. One of the things I loved about the ST is that it could be really intense and sharp if driven hard, but also could be quite pedestrian for a daily. The Astro, likewise is also a very decent daily, so they meet in the middle, both being pleasant daily drivers. I like having a van....

Jim Spanfeller > PartyPooper2012 11/21/2019 at 00:00

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Yeah, it’s too bad no one makes a manual minivan. Of course, nobody would buy one if they existed, but it would still be nice.

PartyPooper2012 > Jim Spanfeller 11/21/2019 at 10:36

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Sad thing is... they do make minivans with manuals. They just don’t sell them in USA.

Toyota Hiace

RHG > PartyPooper2012 11/21/2019 at 12:54

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We have two Siennas. Love them both. Our 2006 has 305,000 miles and runs, drives and rides great. Minivans are the most versatile vehicle. As for the Sienna with one engine for all trim lines: 1) Same for most minivans; 2) the engine has 296 hp and lots of torque. Any more po wer and a front wheel drive might be umanageable. Any less power and ...well who wants less?!  I enjoy the power in my Sienna.

RHG > BlueManual6wagon 11/21/2019 at 13:00

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It is large, but very manuverable. The Sienna has a very short turning radius for its size.  Much better than SUVs, even ones that are shorter. After driving it for a while you begin to appreciate how easy it is to drive.

RHG > Cash Rewards 11/21/2019 at 13:08

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I understand your thought process. However, fo r us, the few extra inches for a minivan vs SUV meant more space, more versatility, same or better mpg, lower cost, more room in the front two seats, and several other factors.  We are now on our fifth minivan.  We have two right now, including a 2006 Sienna with 305,000 miles that still runs and drives great.

RHG > foghat1981 11/21/2019 at 13:12

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Yes, the sliding doors are great. No banging the vehicle next to you. And the people exiting the front doors are not trapped by the second row doors . I also like how easily I can slip a package behind the driver or passenger via the sliding door.

RHG > VincentMalamute-Kim 11/21/2019 at 13:13

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Love it!!!!

Sam K > BlueManual6wagon 11/21/2019 at 21:53

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I love what you did in those photoshopped pics of both Odysseys fixing the curved lines on the sliding doors and the D pillars . It does make the previous generation look a bit bulky and much like a wagon (which is fine with me). Those D pillars o n the current Odyssey that do n’t connect with the body above the taillights i s the main reason I didn’t get one. It annoys me so much. I ended up getting a 2018 Sienna SE and I really like the styling on it even though it’s pretty dated at this point.

Long_Voyager94 > Cash Rewards 12/11/2019 at 16:04

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The Pilot is just a sliderless minivan anyway.
Consider it a SWB Odyssey!

Long_Voyager94 > PartyPooper2012 12/11/2019 at 16:11

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Skip out on the Sienna, they drive like rolly pigs.
The Odyssey has the same issue while still having trans issues that plagued the early ones.
The Pacifica is nicer than either for less money and better driving, but they have proven unreliable.
The Grand Caravan in GT trim is your best bet. They can be had brand new around $25k, the drivetrain is proven reliable so long as you maintain it, the interiors are very nice + Stow and Go, they drive far nicer than any of the others, and IMO they are the best looking minivan on the market.

Honorable mention goes to the Transit Connect passenger. Amazing driving minivan despite being more utility based. The only real downside is the lack of a more powerful engine.

Cash Rewards > Long_Voyager94 12/11/2019 at 16:20

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But no 4wd on Odyssey! It's insane! Why not!

Long_Voyager94 > Cash Rewards 12/11/2019 at 17:09

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Minivan buyers are smart enough to know they don’t actually need AWD?
;)

Joking aside, likely because it would scavenge sales from the CUVs.

Long_Voyager94 > Jim Spanfeller 12/11/2019 at 17:09

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HEY, I’m not NO ONE!

Long_Voyager94 > BlueManual6wagon 12/11/2019 at 17:13

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I don’t have a “thing”.......

Long_Voyager94 > Tripper 12/11/2019 at 17:14

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“SUVs” are just sliderless minivans.

Cash Rewards > Long_Voyager94 12/11/2019 at 19:18

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I got barely enough room to store autocross wheels for the Miata, now you want me to store winter tires? I don’t even have a garage for any of our for vehicles.

Northern Virginia is a middle ground, and there’s no good answer for this, actually. When I autocrossed my daily once upon a time, it was a constant debate: all seasons+ dedicated autocross tires, or summer/autocross+winter tires? We get Winters with snow and weeks of freezing temps, or winter where it is barely in the forties. It’s tough to figure out what you need when you’re in the transition area between legit northern winters  and southern bleh

Long_Voyager94 > Cash Rewards 12/12/2019 at 06:34

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Honestly, the amount of snow we get in most of the US can easily be handled by any FWD with M/S rated all seasons.

The Rally van has no issue plowing through 14" of snow, no AWD, no nannies.

Tires are a far larger deciding factor than driven wheels.

BlueManual6wagon > Long_Voyager94 12/12/2019 at 22:30

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Looks like a thing to me!

A Caravan RT/GT was going to be our MPV replacement until I decided it was irreplaceable.

Well e xcept the rusty / dented body. I pretty much replaced the whole thing this past year. Worth it though, 288k and the original drivetrain is still as solid as ever.

Long_Voyager94 > BlueManual6wagon 12/13/2019 at 07:01

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Our is actually an SE with the Blacktop package and has been upgraded to the GT suspension.

This means we get all the GT looks/handling, without the added electronics, and without the annoying captains chairs!

Looks like you did a hell of a job there, keep the old girl trucking!

BlueManual6wagon > Long_Voyager94 12/13/2019 at 13:07

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Very nice. Hard to tell a black Caravan with blacktop package vs. RT/GT unless you can see the grille clearly. The all-black grill on any other color van always looks a bit cheap to me, like it belonged on the RAM / CV version . Shame they didn’t keep the RT color layout.

I’m also not much for the partially black-painted version of the wheels. I’m sure they look cleaner on average, but to me it sorta takes all the depth away. If we got the Caravan my plan was to get a set of Journey GT wheels, although I do wish they were 18" instead of 19".

The body work on the MPV was quite an ordeal, but long overdue. I think its appearance was a large reason my wife was motivated to get a new car and she was strongly in favor of the MPV being sold once we got something new rather than having a spare car in the family. Now that it’s back to looking respectable, she doesn’t bring up “when are you selling your car?” very often.

Some pics from the body repair process. While it was a ton of work, I learned so much and look back on the project quite fondly.