Two good choices already, I would also look at the Nissan Quest, the newer ones, but do your research on them, I think I heard of some issues, but I could be wrong.

Also check out the Element, it might suit your needs for space (unless you want more than 4 seats), but it can carry a lot of stuff, just not perfect for carrying people.

 

My wife really, really wants a Mazda 5. Have you checked one of those out? I bet you could get one of those brand new for the same price as the other used vans you mentioned. Or how 'bout a Nissan Quest? Kia Sedona?

 

You certainly can't go wrong with an Odyssey. My folks have one, and aside from sliding doors that need frequent lube and a defective airbag sensor it's been great. They typically get about 25mpg highway with it.

You might also want to check used Sedonas, as I'll bet they depreciate at least as fast as Foci. Ours has been pretty much flawless for almost 60k miles. Downside is mileage...we're lucky to break 20mpg with ours. Around town 18-19mpg is typical.

 

My wife really, really wants a Mazda 5. Have you checked one of those out? I bet you could get one of those brand new for the same price as the other used vans you mentioned. Or how 'bout a Nissan Quest? Kia Sedona?

I haven't really looked at the Quest. My issue with the Sedona is that Kia's resale value really sucks.
I don't really like the Mazda5 and the ones at my local stealership are close to 17K which is way too much. I'd really like to be less than 13K when everything's said and done.
I found a 99 Oddysey with 77,000 miles on it for $8,000 that is really tempting but I don't know if I want one that old. We were planning on test driving it tomorrow.

 

You certainly can't go wrong with an Odyssey. My folks have one, and aside from sliding doors that need frequent lube and a defective airbag sensor it's been great. They typically get about 25mpg highway with it.

You might also want to check used Sedonas, as I'll bet they depreciate at least as fast as Foci. Ours has been pretty much flawless for almost 60k miles. Downside is mileage...we're lucky to break 20mpg with ours. Around town 18-19mpg is typical.

Considering I get about 23 mpg around town in the Focus, I could deal with 18-19 mpg. Maybe I will check out the Sedonas. I want to make sure I do my research first before jumping into anything. I need something that is going to be fairly reliable.

 

My issue with the Sedona is that Kia's resale value really sucks.

If you're looking used, that's a good thing.

:thumbup:


The only thing I really miss are the fold flat rear seats. The first-gen Sedonas have the old style pull outs.

 

If you're looking used, that's a good thing.

:thumbup:

Very true

 

don't get a nissian. it's just a hunk of junk that shared parts with the villager. the honda odyseey is clasified as a "sport" van so your insurance is gonna go way up.

i am found of the mazda5, yet for a growing family it's gonna be small

all gm's minivans have been junk.

don't get a freestar/windstar

this leaves you with 2 choices

kia sodeona
or
toyota sequoia

i like the kia, great warranty and saftey features

the toyota is a little more pricey and i think for the same price you can get a tone more options in the kia

 

i'd rock a dodge/chrysler minivan. They've been making the things longer than anyone else, and have a pretty good idea what they're doing. They're especially sweet with the stow-and-go or whatever where the seats fold into the floor

 

don't get a nissian. it's just a hunk of junk that shared parts with the villager. the honda odyseey is clasified as a "sport" van so your insurance is gonna go way up.

i am found of the mazda5, yet for a growing family it's gonna be small

all gm's minivans have been junk.

don't get a freestar/windstar

this leaves you with 2 choices

kia sodeona
or
toyota sequoia

i like the kia, great warranty and saftey features

the toyota is a little more pricey and i think for the same price you can get a tone more options in the kia

The Sequoia is a grossly oversized SUV, isn't it?
I don't like the Mazda5 really so that isn't on my list. I won't buy another Ford (no offense to anyone-the Focus HAS been good to me), and I won't buy a Dodge, Chrysler or any other "American" minivan so my options aren't super huge.
I'll have to check with my insurance company on the Oddysey, I definetly don't need a rate hike.

 

The Sequoia is a grossly oversized SUV, isn't it?
I don't like the Mazda5 really so that isn't on my list. I won't buy another Ford (no offense to anyone-the Focus HAS been good to me), and I won't buy a Dodge, Chrysler or any other "American" minivan so my options aren't super huge.
I'll have to check with my insurance company on the Oddysey, I definetly don't need a rate hike.

Yes it is,I think he meant the Toyota Sienna which is their minivan.
That might be another minivan to look at too for comparison reasons.
The KIA Sedona has the longest warranty so if purchased used it might carryover to the new owner.The Honda Odyssey is another fine choice.

 

What are you looking to use a minivan for? Does it have to be a “Minivan” or will any vehicle be considered if it meets your requirements?

You said you don’t like the Mazda 5? What DON’T you like about it?

 

What are you looking to use a minivan for? Does it have to be a “Minivan” or will any vehicle be considered if it meets your requirements?

You said you don’t like the Mazda 5? What DON’T you like about it?

I'm a woman, I don't have to have a reason why I don't like it :lol: I don't know what it is about the 5, I just don't like it. I am not willing to consider a station wagon or SUV, it specifically has to be a minivan.

Well I *thought* I found the Oddysey that I wanted. It was a little older (a 99) but it looked to be in good condition and only had 77,000 miles on it. The price was set at $1,000 below the blue book on it. I went and test drove it and brought it to my Grandmas so I could have a second set of eyes looking it over (I told the salesman this since I knew it would be a longer test drive). I really liked the way it drove and was pretty convinced I was going to buy it by the time I made it to my Grandma's house 10 minutes away. She came out and looked it over and said that it was nice... but have I seen the ****ty repair job on the passengers side? Yeah it looks like it was in an accident and there was a really poor repair job done on it. So I took it back and told the salesman that I wasn't interested because of the way it looked and he got MAD at me. He was really demeaning and said some fairly inapropriate (I know I didn't spell that right) things in front of my daughter. He also said I must be spending Grandma's money since I seemed to need her permission to buy the car (come on seriously... don't other people have outsiders check out the cars they are buying or am I the only one?). I was pretty ticked off by the time I got to my car and was able to leave.

It sucks to be young, female and buying a car without your husband at your side (he's at work). :thumbdown

So yeah. That's my story of the day. On the good side though I now know that I DO want an Oddysey.

 

I was gonna say the Ford FreeStyle but you said no Domestics..

hmmm what about a Toyota HighLander??

 

I was gonna say the Ford FreeStyle but you said no Domestics..

hmmm what about a Toyota HighLander??

That's not a minivan though. Anyways like I said I'm pretty set on the Oddysey right now.

 

odyssey for the nguyen!!

 

Hey Nells, have you looked at the new Hyundai offering? Its an '07...probably very nice...probably similar to the Kia...

Linky: http://www.hyundaiusa.com/vehicle/entourage/entourage.aspx

 

Hey Nells, have you looked at the new Hyundai offering? Its an '07...probably very nice...probably similar to the Kia...

Linky: http://www.hyundaiusa.com/vehicle/entourage/entourage.aspx

It's very nice but it's WAY out of my price range

 

here's my Oddy

There is an aftermarket growing for these, parts are interchangeable with the MDX, CL, and the Pilot.

 

the mazda mpv is a nice van.... better gas mileage than the kia and will have a much better residual value seeing how well mazda has been doing in recent years

 

Are you concerned about price or payment? Think about leasing at all?

You buy things that appreciate (houses) and lease things that depreciate (cars). There is a "cost of driving" with any vehicle, and with leasing that cost is pre-set.

 

...its sort of an import, it has a SHO

 

don't get a nissian. it's just a hunk of junk that shared parts with the villager.

I'm reasonably sure that hasn't been true for a few model years now. Plus, if I'm not mistaken, the corporate 3.5 litre V6 is the motor in that minivan and has proven to be a fairly tough, reliable motor.

 

I'm a woman, I don't have to have a reason why I don't like it :lol: I don't know what it is about the 5, I just don't like it. I am not willing to consider a station wagon or SUV, it specifically has to be a minivan.

I was asking you what you don’t like about it so we could steer you clear of other minivans with similar traits that your don’t like! Besides how could you not like a focus based mini van! :lol:

here's my Oddy

There is an aftermarket growing for these, parts are interchangeable with the MDX, CL, and the Pilot.

THANK YOU for posting a pic of your van with rims. Everyone on FJ though people in the northeast were crazy when we said its popular up north to tune minivans and put rims on them! :lol:

 

I was asking you what you don’t like about it so we could steer you clear of other minivans with similar traits that your don’t like! Besides how could you not like a focus based mini van! :lol:



THANK YOU for posting a pic of your van with rims. Everyone on FJ though people in the northeast were crazy when we said its popular up north to tune minivans and put rims on them! :lol:

:lol: Hubby already has rims picked out if I get an Oddysey! Don't get me wrong, I love the Focus but I don't like the half hatchback half minivan type cars

Are you concerned about price or payment? Think about leasing at all?

You buy things that appreciate (houses) and lease things that depreciate (cars). There is a "cost of driving" with any vehicle, and with leasing that cost is pre-set.

I am thinking about it right now to be honest. I have to keep the payment close to what our payment is now for it to be acceptable by my husband.