It's Minivan time!!! A very unoppo purchase ahead.

"cbell04" (cbell04) 08/16/2018 at 19:10 • Filed to: None

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Save your breath wangon and suv people w e are getting a new minivan and we’ve decided the Honda will be the one. 2019 EX-L navigation rear entertainment package. I really like it. Wish the Pacifica’s weren’t a pos because I could get a ton more features for the money but we had one break down on a 2 mile test drive.. Toyota is reliable but the platform feels every bit of 10 years old even brand new (I already own a 10 year old van so no thanks) . Kia was a no from the start because we just don’t like it and there was really no savings over it’s competition. I know it’s very un oppo but we need the space and love minivans so wagons and suv’s are a no go. Rip stow n go 4.0 beast you had a good run.

Jack Does Cars > cbell04 08/16/2018 at 19:15

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Nice! Autopark is a good dealer, I have a few friends that work as detailers over there/

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > cbell04 08/16/2018 at 19:16

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*Oppo Stamp of Approval*

Minivans are great. No hate here. Sometimes a wagon just isn’t enough. It’s the people that “need” an SUV, but would be better served by a wagon or minivan that drive me crazy.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > cbell04 08/16/2018 at 19:20

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I think we are overwhelmingly supportive of vans. I honestly wish I had one. So much room for activities.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > cbell04 08/16/2018 at 19:20

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nice, I approve of this. we have a 2013 EX-L with RES but no navigation, those were separate trims in '13 and only combinable on the Touring.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > cbell04 08/16/2018 at 19:21

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The odyssey is the best looking mini van hands downZ   

lone_liberal > cbell04 08/16/2018 at 19:26

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There’s no hate for minivans here. A totally reasonable choice. I even have a certain fondness for a minivan I used to use as a winter beater. It was a POS but it was a dependable, and most importantly, useful POS. 

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > cbell04 08/16/2018 at 19:26

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It’s the norm to hate on minivans therefore Oppo is in favour of your purchase. Surely you figured that out?

Have so say though that while your minivans are comparatively cheap...by golly, they tend to run around on old platforms compared to what the rest of the world gets...

cbell04 > Jack Does Cars 08/16/2018 at 19:28

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T hey were nice but not the best on price. Got some much lower bids so not likely we purchase from them unless they match the better deals . The big push from them is “oil changes for life” I have no intention of owning this thing forever and might not even live in the area that long so it’s kinda not a big deal. Plus these go 7500 per change so were talking 1.5 times a year not to mention there are some negative reviews about the actual service but your going to see that at almost any dealer you research.. E ither way we will end up with the vehicle we want since the combo is sitting on every lot in a 100+ mile radius.

Chariotoflove > cbell04 08/16/2018 at 19:29

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Minivan owner here.  No hate from me, although I can’t stand the Honda, and I love our Sedona.  Still, different strokes and all.  Congrats on your purchase.  If you regularly move people and their stuff as your daily driver, a minivan makes more sense than just about anything else.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > cbell04 08/16/2018 at 19:29

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You were wise not to get the Pacifica.

cbell04 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 08/16/2018 at 19:37

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T hey are an interesting pile of options. entire roof is a sun roof, 700+ watt harman kardon stereo, God I loved the AC seats! the infotainment is hands down the most advanced and the rear entertainment is light years above all competition, park s itself, full safety lane depart, emergency stopping, the stow n go really is awesome all for 6k less than the honda. FCA has 10-12k on the hood of all but the hybrids) but we went for a drive after reading all kinds of complaints about break downs and then our brand new 10 mile on the odo tester broke down.. R unning on 5 cylinders and stalling.  

The Dummy Gummy > cbell04 08/16/2018 at 19:41

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It’s interesting to see oPPo age. When oPPo first started everyone was vehemently against MiniVans, but over time people started to come around and accept them, but not own them. Now a lot of oPPos are praised and shown off.

Moral of the story: oPPo grew up, had kids, got old

facw > cbell04 08/16/2018 at 19:44

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Friends of mine got an Odyssey this summer (the joy of expecting twins!) and it seemed like a pretty good choice. On paper the Pacifica looks like it should be very competitive, but yeah, its hard to recommend an FCA product.  

His Stigness > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 08/16/2018 at 19:46

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I wish more people would have warned my sister. Because I’m her little brother “I don’t know anything.” And is she having a ton of problems with it, including major safety issues? You bet your ass she is.

But I don’t know anything about cars. Nope. 

His Stigness > cbell04 08/16/2018 at 19:46

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You had a Pacifica break down on a test drive? WOW. 

bhtooefr > cbell04 08/16/2018 at 19:47

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I think the official vehicle of Oppo is now the brown manual turbo diesel minivan , instead of wagon.

cbell04 > His Stigness 08/16/2018 at 20:02

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It made it back to the dealer but stumbling/stalling and running on 5 cylinders

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > bhtooefr 08/16/2018 at 20:07

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I’m pretty sure it is still a wagon, plus I don’t know of any modern  minivans that come with this mix of options.

cbell04 > His Stigness 08/16/2018 at 20:13

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T hey are turning themselves off while driving and thats been a dodge/Chrysler problem even back on the old models. The hybrids have been having all types of problems too. They have the most recalls of all the vans and all the recalls are actually dangerous safety issues as opposed to some door motors and nav issues on the competition.  

cbell04 > The Dummy Gummy 08/16/2018 at 20:18

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T o be fair I had a minivan back 8+ years ago when I joined but it certainly didn’t  make it in too many posts!:)

The Dummy Gummy > cbell04 08/16/2018 at 20:19

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Some would say you were a visionary leading us to greener pasture. 

cbell04 > Chariotoflove 08/16/2018 at 20:25

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My rents have a 17 sedona loaded up cant recall the trim but the thing that bugs me the most is the awkward center shift console thing + the rear entertainment was similarly just an awkward grafted on to the center console solution . looks like they had extra from a car and just stuck it in there. It’s honestly a good van had it been aggressively priced better I would have considered it but it was actually more when similarly equipped . i was sticker shocked by that one.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > cbell04 08/16/2018 at 20:29

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All the best ketchup and mustard in the world won't make up for a terrible hot dog. Wise choice on not going for the Pacifica.

cbell04 > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute 08/16/2018 at 20:31

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I knew a hondabro would back me up here!

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 08/16/2018 at 20:34

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So is the next most Oppo thing making your own brown turbo manual diesel minivan?

BaconSandwich is tasty. > facw 08/16/2018 at 20:36

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Especially with jiggliness like this:

LongbowMkII > cbell04 08/16/2018 at 20:41

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Minivans are Oppo.

LongbowMkII > bhtooefr 08/16/2018 at 20:43

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I’ve got a manual minivan. #winning

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > cbell04 08/16/2018 at 20:48

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Good choice. We went the Pacifica route, but mainly because we were cross shopping the last gen odyssey, as the new gen wasn’t out yet. We’ve had pretty good luck with ours. 40k and only real issue is with the Evap system. The purge solenoid likes to take a dump on these. We do plan to have it for a while and figured springing for the lifetime warranty was worthwhile. So that’s about the only way I’d do one of these, especially a first model year one.

I liked the odyssey too, but after I test drove one for a day I felt like it had no soul. But they work great for kid and adult hauling. And best part is no door dings in the garage from the kids opening the sliders.

Good choice.  

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > cbell04 08/16/2018 at 20:49

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Long Voyager is gonna kick your ass for not building your own. 

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 08/16/2018 at 20:52

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A transit or sprinter setup for some mild offroading and decked out in the back as a camper would be an awesome vehicle to have. 

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > The Dummy Gummy 08/16/2018 at 20:54

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Yeah, and I’d still rock a CTS-V wagon for a second car. I started driving in full size vans and had a second gen caravan for a time as well, but the new vans are just so nice now. It’s really tough to beat.

I just wish audi would make one.  I mean the new Q7 might as well be one, but they lack the sliding doors and the practicality of the seating the true minivans offer.  But I’d really like an Audi interior on an AWD platform that would handle like a sports car.  But I don’t see that ever happening. The chrysler and Honda vans are so well thought out and they handle the hauling duties so well.  

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > cbell04 08/16/2018 at 20:55

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Don’t forget, the vans have gotten much better too.  I would autoX my pacifica in a pinch.  

DarkCreamyBeer > cbell04 08/16/2018 at 20:56

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The day I traded in my Mazda 6s MT for 2010 EX-L is the day I died on the inside. On the plus side, my kids can’t ride  in a car for longer than 30 minutes without watching a movie.

cbell04 > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 08/16/2018 at 21:34

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Just say no to Promaster! I get approached by people wanting to buy one and make them into mini rv’s asking how they are . Then I tell them how my promaster has racked up 23k in repairs in the last -3 years. 

cbell04 > merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc 08/16/2018 at 21:41

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Trust me I really love that loaded Pacifica but were moving on from a loaded dodge caravan and it has had some major safety issues (scary one is how it randomly turns off at highway speeds once in a while dealer never finds anything but a sea of people on the net have the same issue ) I know they have sold tons and only a few have ultimately been an issue (and they are some of the same issues from 10 years ago) but we just had a feeling it would be us again then skip to our second test drive in one and it broke down on its 10th mile total on the od o and we couldn’t take the risk. This will be my last chance at ac seats in a long time. I 100% wish I could get the Pacifica but were upgrading specifically for safety so I had to let it go considering.

cbell04 > DarkCreamyBeer 08/16/2018 at 21:43

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My kids startrd in minivans the 1st time they got out of our Altima they doored the hel l out of a neighboring car.. i was mad but then realized they only knew sliders. Left a note and moved on.

cbell04 > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 08/16/2018 at 21:44

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He won't be able to catch me on the track minivan vs minivan :)

Chariotoflove > cbell04 08/16/2018 at 22:19

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Ours is a 15 and without the entertainment system. I’m surprised you couldn’t get a better deal. Ours was a much better value than an odyssey at the time. Maybe your kia dealer outsmarted himself. Wouldn’t be the first time.

Funny you mention the shift console. That was a plus for us. We liked it much better than the dash mounted shifters in other vans. 

cbell04 > BaconSandwich is tasty. 08/16/2018 at 22:43

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in truth it was like adding bacon to a dog. BACON!.....

cbell04 > Chariotoflove 08/16/2018 at 22:48

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When we load up for trips thats our tissue box,purse, lotta other junk we dont want the kids in but dont want it our way area. J ust seemed odd but I did come from a few caravans in a row that always left that area open. this whole push button thing will take some time to get used to for sure.

OPPOsaurus WRX > cbell04 08/16/2018 at 23:00

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i accept my minivan for what it’s meant for, but beyond that it’s like driving a barge on wheels. The ability to swallow construction materials was a nice surprise

bhtooefr > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 08/16/2018 at 23:14

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Maybe not in the US, but Europe gets them.

His Stigness > cbell04 08/16/2018 at 23:22

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Holy shit that is terrible. 

Chariotoflove > cbell04 08/16/2018 at 23:39

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And that’s the thing. It’s all about how the space works with your routine and what you’re used to. 

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > bhtooefr 08/16/2018 at 23:59

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And not just in the Touran...Caddy, Caddy Maxi, Multivan and Caravelle as well. Some of those can be had with 4motion AWD too.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 08/17/2018 at 00:00

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Such this exist in Europe and, to a certain extent, Australia.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > bhtooefr 08/17/2018 at 00:04

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Yeah... I am formulating a plan to somehow move to Europe so I can buy these things .

And all the hot hatches.

cbell04 > OPPOsaurus WRX 08/17/2018 at 00:07

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99% wife driving it. S he has no concept or want of handling. Been so long for me that I forget what a good car is like until the promaster breaks and I get a rental.

I will miss the stow n go for its beautiful ability to fold flat in 60 seconds and swallow up anything you happen upon. I once drove a full 46 inch deck riding mower into the back of our van. parked off a ditch laid 2 2x4's from the road to the back and crept it in. Blew the guy selling it’s mind. S ide note I forgot to set the mowers break and it slammed me when I came to a stop a cou ple miles down the road!:)

Kim Jong - Healthy > cbell04 08/17/2018 at 00:34

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hey it happens, life gets in the way, who’s to say you can’t make minivans interesting?

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > The Dummy Gummy 08/17/2018 at 07:25

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People just didn’t realize the minivan’s true versatility years ago.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 08/17/2018 at 07:27

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And unwise for not checking out a Grand Caravan GT.

None of the Pacifica’s reliability issues, far cheaper than the Odyssey, best driving “mini”van currently offered.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 08/17/2018 at 07:30

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Philippines got the Grand Caravan in a Diesel. Given how the 4th gen rots, they are all mostly brown by now. Pretty sure there was no manual option though.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > BaconSandwich is tasty. 08/17/2018 at 07:31

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Pretty sure you can do that on anything with a hatch.

cbell04 > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 08/17/2018 at 08:50

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We are leaving a 09 caravan with the 4.0 loaded up with options. They fail crash standards on the small overlap test so it was out before it got a chance. It has no lane assist or emergency stopping features.   Not to mention it does indeed have the same turning off while driving issues that mine has the problem has been going on for ten years and they cant get a handle on it . I know you love your Dodge ( I’m no stranger I’ve owned 2 caravans personally and used up 5 more from new to 120k miles for work over the years as it was my companies choice for work vehicles ) but the caravan is just to old of a platform to consider these days and you’ d be a fool to buy one unless safety is no concern . Even at 8k under the competition fully loaded I could not in good faith buy one. I feel the same about the Toyota. It just feels 10 years old when you drive it brand new.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 08/17/2018 at 08:56

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There didn't seem to be much preventing torson. Other hatches I've use (Sienna, Vibe) have felt much more rigid. 

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > cbell04 08/17/2018 at 10:11

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I don’t put much weight on the small overlap test, where I drive it’s not worth it. I also feel if you feel you need lane assist or emergency braking, you probably shouldn’t be driving, but that’s a separate argument all together.

I wouldn’t buy a Sienna or Odyssey from the simple stand point of driving pleasure. They both drive horribly. IMO they are the reason minivans have such a bad rep, they are terribly soul-sucking to drive.

Have you looked at the Transit Connect by chance? It’s actually what we’re considering currently. They’re more utility based, but seem quite nice, and are a very functional van.

HoustonRunner > cbell04 08/17/2018 at 10:20

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I can’t begrudge any minivan purchase, they are just so darn useful. If I drove ours every day we would have a Honda as well. Since it is used primarily for kid pickup after school and schlepping all 6 of us around on the weekend (when I don’t feel like parking the Suburban), our Town & Country does the job just fine for significantly less dough.

cbell04 > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 08/17/2018 at 10:58

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Sounds we just have very different opinions safety is first for me and small overlap crashes account for 25% of all crashes that occur no matter where you live. The the lane departure thing is not a huge deal for me but the emergency braking is proven to stop crashes. Only takes one second to screw up and when I’m loading my entire family in there it’s worth a couple bucks to have the Peace of Mind. As f ar as the soul-sucking thing goes none of these Vans are that drastically different to drive and ultimately it’s for my wife who has no want or need for handling.

cbell04 > HoustonRunner 08/17/2018 at 11:00

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We we had an 05 Town and Country really like that thing we put almost 200,000 miles on it with not too many issues at all. Can't hate on them they were great in their heyday but unfortunately they're just not making them like they used to

cbell04 > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 08/17/2018 at 11:01

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Also also just wanted to add that I think your builds are awesome and I have driven manual Caravans and the Turbo 4  back in the day even almost tipped one over doing a reverse donut!

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 08/17/2018 at 11:44

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That would be ideal. I see a few around here and they are rad as hell

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > cbell04 08/17/2018 at 12:13

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To each their own man, I just can’t imagine how bad a driver my wife would be in something like those, she’s a decent driver in something older without all the safety, but you give her something loaded with safety and little visibility, she’s downright dangerous . She is a noticeably worse driver in a “safer” vehicle, which makes me question if it’s really safer, given she’s more likely to crash with all the features.

Good luck, I hope it works well for you.

PS: What happened to the 4.0L van?

cbell04 > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 08/17/2018 at 13:29

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About to let it go cheap. 142k, new tires, brakes, radiator, motor mounts, and battery this year. Someone will get a decent deal.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > cbell04 08/17/2018 at 16:00

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Define cheap..........

I need a complete 4.0L van to do a 4.0L swap on mine. ;)

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > cbell04 08/17/2018 at 16:04

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Thought this might interest you.

Speaking of safety: https://jalopnik.com/the-toyota-sienna-bombed-the-toughest-part-of-the-iihss-1828413743

Turns out the Pacifica is safer than the Sienna.

cbell04 > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 08/17/2018 at 16:12

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Pretty easy to assume a car design and released in the last 2 years is going to be safer than one design and released 10 years ago kind of the same point we made about the Dodge Caravan honestly the Sienna just got lucky with the overlap test to begin with had it done worse we would already see a new one out but since it didn’t they kept soldiering on

cbell04 > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 08/17/2018 at 16:12

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2k

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > cbell04 08/17/2018 at 16:16

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Outta my “sounds like a good donor” donor range.

Good price though, good luck!

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > cbell04 08/17/2018 at 21:09

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Don’t get me wrong, we probably would’ve went with the odyssey of the new generation was available, but we were a year away from the new model coming out, so pacifica was the best of the bunch.  It’s been good so far.  But I’m also glad we bought the lifetime warranty.  I’m sure you’ll enjoy the odyssey.  You can’t go wrong with a Honda.  And at least you can resell it for a good price if you decide to down the road. 

cbell04 > merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc 08/17/2018 at 23:04

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But I cant afford AC in my seats cooling down my butt! :) anther 10 grand to get to that trim level:(

greasemonkey235097 > cbell04 08/19/2018 at 20:07

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mazda3 owner with a second in the way. van shopping. found a mazda5 with a clutch pedal. but the wife open my eyes. from 5 pas se ngers to 6 passengers. and a very tiny rear. now looking for used si enna. i was just sold with the timing chain.

cbell04 > greasemonkey235097 08/19/2018 at 22:23

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The 5 drives great but it's crash tests are awful. Had to leave it off the list for that alone back when I bought the last van. Can't go wrong reliability wise with the yota 

TheYearIs1990 > cbell04 08/20/2018 at 21:55

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Just make it more Oppo.