Minivan Owners - I need your help About This Page:

[SarahJ]

DH and I are looking at minivans and need to get some opinions from owners. We are specifically looking at the Honda, Toyota and the Chrysler. I'm curious if you have one of these and which trim level you have and your opinions on the features and performance and why you chose it over other models.

The features we are most concerned with are a split 3rd row that folds into the floor. Maximum cargo space. 2nd row captains chairs. And I'd like something with AWD if possible. A DVD player is not a big deal since we can add one aftermarket. Also, I am used to leather seats, so that would be nice as well.

[DebbieG]

I love my Odyssey. It's 3 years old though, so no split seats. I don't think you can go wrong with Honda or Toyota. We just bought our 6th new honda - a CRV for my DH. We love their reliability. We tend to keep our cars a long time - the Civic that we replaced is 9 years old with 160,000 miles on it.

Good luck, and have fun shopping!

Debbie

[Suzie]

I have two Chrysler mini-vans, one is 13 years old and has 160,000+ miles on it, the other is 9 years old and has 68,000+ on it. I love them both. I don't have split seats though.
Suzie

[Pris]

Toyota Sienna owner here and love it. That split back seat is wonderful. I usually keep the smaller part folded down and the back well is perfect for my groceries, etc. We don't have leather, because I didn't want it, so our package goes with the cloth seats, but it is plenty for me.

[Teresa]

I've also been looking at mini-vans and especially the Toyota and Hondas. Until yesterday. I found that the Nissan Quest actually has a lot of things STANDARD that aren't even optional on the others.

Have you tried going to www.MyProductAdvisor.com ? It's pretty easy, and will take you through the whole process of refining what you want.

And, the colors of the Nissan are really cool!

[GoofyMom]

I don't know what all the options are in the States, but if money was no object, I'd be driving a Honda Odyssey tomorrow!

I know you didn't ask about Pontiac Montana's; that's what I drive and it's pretty nice, although due to the quad captain's seats, it has a nasty little blind spot. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]

[Disneyfor4]

We own a 2006 Honda Odyssey EX-L. We looked at every minivan out there and narrowed it down to the Honda and Toyota. When we were ready to buy, it came down to price. We chose the Odyssey because we got a better deal from Honda. Some of the things that we wanted were dual power sliding doors, split seats that fold into the floor, captains chairs and a DVD player since we tend to drive to WDW (from Wisconsin).

We all love it. We drove to Disney in August and averaged 25 mpg (we have the economy engine which was only available in the EX models). The lazy susan built into the floor is kinda cool too. I have no complaints.

[mrsmac2001]

I have a 2006 Chrysler Town and Country. I love it. I had a 2003 Dodge Caravan that I traded in on the new one. I don't have stow and go or split seats. I prefer the bench seats. I love all the hooks on the backs of the seat for attaching grocery bags so things aren't rolling around in the back of the van. I like having the control of being able to open the back windows from the drivers seat. There in a great storage drawer under the front passneger seat that can hold quite a bit. On average I get 23-27 mpg.

[dejavu]

I love my honda odyssey. It's four years old, so no split back seat, but I love the deep well for groceries, etc. Consumer Reports always rates the Odyssey and Sienna at the top of the list. My sister has a Sienna and loves it too. I have the lowest level and its been a wonderful car. I'm amazed at the new features included in the cars each year. We had an accord that lasted 10 years and 200,000 miles.

[MickeyMAC]

We have a Honda. I love my Odyssey!!!! We have the split seat, fold down third row, captain chairs on the second row with a seat in the middle that comes forward--it's fantastic for a car seat. We got leather seats, which I now love and the seat warmers are fantastic.

[HiddenMickey]

I asked my mechanic about which model he'd recommend when I was getting some stuff done to my Oldsmobile van last week (we'll be in the market for a new van next year). He said to buy the Toyota Sienna.

[Colexis Mom]

We have a Honda Odyssey, a 1999 when they first redesigned them. At that time, they had the most cargo space (you could put a sheet of drywall/plywood in it which was a selling point for DH). Ours has cloth seats, as leather wasn't available then.

I'd highly recommend it. We haven't had any issues with ours, and it now has 115,000 miles on it. If I was to buy another (which we will probably in the next 3 years) it will be another Odyssey!

[lukesmom]

Had a Chrysler minivan (front wheel drive only). I loved it. Never had any problems. I traded it for a Jeep Cherokee because I wanted something with 4 wheel drive.

[lauren-roxy]

We love our Odyssey!!!! We have the touring model and it has the tires that are ride-flats. I can't say one bad thing about it!!!!

[Joanne929]

I've got a 2002 Honda Odyssey and truly love it. It doesn't have the split back seat, but the back seat does fold down into the rear well. I was looking at the Sienna and the Odyssey at that time - I found the Odyssey had more "standard" options, was less expensive, and more comfortable than the Toyota.
I think they drive like a car, have pretty good gas mileage, and are comfortable.
My sister also has a Honday Odyssey (2005 or 2006) and she too loves it.
Oh, and if my next car is going to be a mini-van, I would buy another Odyssey.
Good luck!