Minivan Recommendations
- Thread starter Daserop
- Start date
Obligatory don't do it!
But see a lot of Pacifica's around my town, seems to be the soccer mom van of choice.
But see a lot of Pacifica's around my town, seems to be the soccer mom van of choice.
I've been really happy with my 2018 Pacifica except for one thing, it is terrible on bad roads. I think they make an all wheel drive version now, so that would probably help.
The best minivan I ever owned was a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. highly recommend.
Currently two (both 3 and under) along with a 65 lb. dog. Hopefully, in another year or 2 it will be 3 kids.
I typed in minivan into the general thread search (to see if one already existed) and every was related to him.
There isn't much of a "Minivan" stigma anymore. The larger wheel based "mid-sized" SUVs are now included in that, so good luck escaping it.
Personally, I don't get the stigma. I purchased a rust free 2005 Chrysler Town and Country for $1500 in Texas and have used it like a truck for years. Without the seats, the van can easily accommodate a 4x8 board.
These vans from this era are STUPID easy to keep running. You just have to keep the rust at bay. I do love it when people buy an SUV instead of a Minivan and then complain that they can't haul anything in it.
Personally, I don't get the stigma. I purchased a rust free 2005 Chrysler Town and Country for $1500 in Texas and have used it like a truck for years. Without the seats, the van can easily accommodate a 4x8 board.
These vans from this era are STUPID easy to keep running. You just have to keep the rust at bay. I do love it when people buy an SUV instead of a Minivan and then complain that they can't haul anything in it.
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We've heard they're once they hit over 100,000 they start to become lots of maintenance. Have you experienced this?
Having driven a Chrysler RS platform since 2004, I couldn't disagree with this more. I have had zero issues with "normal" driving in winter conditions.
Of course, when I want to go off road or serious winter driving, I do have a lifted Jeep WJ for that purpose.
I have a Kia. 2 sets of good friends have the Pacifica. All 3 families agree
with winter driving issues.
Something to consider I think.
My next will be AWD for sure.
First of all congratulations on considering a minivan. This is an elite group of proud Americans who know what style and function truly is.
One thing I would HIGHLY recommend is a sliding middle seat if you have childrens car seats in that row.
We have two kids in seats and the middle row will not fold down with the seats there. That makes the rear seat basically only accessable through the rear hatch.
I have a Kia. Not the new one which seems pretty kick ass. I paid as little as possible knowing the kids are going to kick the **** out of this thing.
Side note: getting out of tickets seems to be real for minivan owners. Got out of one already!
Disagree on the Honda Pilot. Third row is pretty roomy, as third rows go.
That said, my BiL/SiL had a Toyota Sienna for years and they loved it.
Haven't gotten that far yet. We traded in our 2018 at 85k for a newish 2021 last summer. Have heard Chrysler isn't great though.