Used import vs newer domestic minivan?

Question

My wife and I are having our second child and are looking into buying minivans. I know SQUAT about cars. She prefers the imports (like Honda Odyssey) and her biggest requirement is power sliding doors, and reliability. Me, I'm just cheap, so I want to spend as little as possible. I'm trying to compare for example, a 2003 Odyssey vs a 2006 or even 2007 Caravan. I know imports have a reputation of longer life and less maintenance, but does that hold true when compared to a domestic that's several years newer?

ATL NOOB: I live in Vancouver Canada. The used Sienna's I've seen so far are priced comparably to the Odysseys, but admittedly I haven't looked very many Siennas.

Answer 1

Get the power sliding doors if she wants them. If you look at Caravans, they are much cheaper than Odysseys...until you option the Caravans to be equivalent. To get the power sliding doors, you'll need to pay 28k base; the engine will still be weaker than the Honda. Honestly, I'd let the wife decide this one...she seems to have more interest in this, and you know you'll be hearing about it if the van YOU decide on doesn't work out (breaks down, whatever). Toyota, Nissan and Kia/Hyundai all make minivans too; Chevy makes the hideous Uplander. Mazda now only has the Mazda5; that's a really mini van, which doesn't have the size of these others, and the sliding doors aren't powered; however, have your wife check it out, it's an interesting alternative. Good luck!

Answer 2

I am a Honda driver myself (Accord though) and the generation of Odyssey you are looking at has a problem with transmission failure, and there are fequent complaints about the power sliding doors on those vehicles. I think if you want to go import, you would be looking at the Sienna, but it isnt too sharp looking.

I think the Caravan is going to be your best bet in this case. It is tried and true, and if something does go wrong, the parts are generally less expensive than the Honda. If you take a lot of longer trips, I hear the seats in the Chrysler Minivans (Town and Country) are more comfortable and should still be comparable in price.

There should also be some pretty good deals on the Chrysler/Dodge models as they are coming out with a redesign.

Good luck with the new baby and vehicle.

Answer 3

Well here is the deal.
Siennas are cheaper than Odyssey...
Sienna are made by Toyota.
Go for 04 Toyota Sienna LE w/ Power sliding door.
You should be able to get it for $16k.
At least that's what i have in stock and that's what i can offer you. It has 42k miles. Great Condition.
Doh! Sorry...I sounded like a sales....
Anyways, I personally sell more Sienna than Odyssey...
Because it's same import w/ same great reputation...
but sienna are cheaper. And looks wider too = )

Used Car salesman / New Car Broker / Wholesaler

If you happen to be around in CA, let me know ;)

Answer 4

If reliability is that important to you, stay away from the domestic vans. The Odyssey and Pilot are good choices. You may want to consider a "crossover" like the Ford Edge, Subaru Tribeca or Kia Rondo. All have good repair records.

Answer 5

its a toss up with used vehicles because you never know how well they were kept...as for the caravans, long history of electrical recalls causing it to burn up...i've personally seen 3 so far...it should have been fixed by now, but thats the reputation of the caravan...the odysee if reliable, but expensive...even used its expensive...if you are low on cash, i would go with maybe the ford windstar...really the minivan market is either imports or crap...and even the nissan quest has reliability issues with it...
id go with what you can afford, if you can afford the better, get it...its worth the safety of the family

Answer 6

Buy the used Honda. You never see a Honda with a smoking (ruined) engine. Blue smoke from Caravan's is way too common.

Answer 7

IMPORT!