minivan question

[tooge]

Ok, I have driven nothing but 4x4 trucks since i was 15 (26 years ago) with the exception fo one SUV. Now, I am wrestling with the reality of 2 young kids and $3 gallon gas. My F150 gets about 16 mpg average between city and highway so I think I am gonna sell the F150, buy a used minivan, and buy a beater truck for my property and huntin. What are your experiences good and bad with the different models available? I am looking at a Toyota Sienna (2003) and it gets about 22mpg average. Any info on this or other models? thanks

[Bugeater]

Personally, I quit giving a shit about what other people think about the vehicle I drive years ago. With that out of the way, most of today's minivans have large V-6 engines in them and aren't going to get spectacular mileage either. Don't fall in love with those EPA ratings, they're just estimates and your actual MPG will probably be lower.

[tooge]

so far I am hearing that you have either had one and got rid of it, or would not ever get one. My kids are 4 and 5 1/2, so there just getting into sports now and just getting friends that go places with us. I will still have the 4x4 truck, just not for everyu day driving. My mancard was turned in long ago.

[Eleazar]

I'd just buy a large family sedan like someone said. I'm not going to buy a car because other people have more kids than I have. The family sedan will be plenty, 99% of the time I bet.

[kepp]

You can't go wrong with either the Sienna or Odyssey. My family has an '04 Odyssey and its been nothing but great. Like someone else said though, don't expect to get too much better than 18-20 MPG in the city. It does much better in highway driving.

[smittysbar]

My dad has not given a ton of great advise over the years, but one thing he did always say

-Son, it's hard to be cool in a mini-van.-

[tooge]

Originally Posted by kepp

You can't go wrong with either the Sienna or Odyssey. My family has an '04 Odyssey and its been nothing but great. Like someone else said though, don't expect to get too much better than 18-20 MPG in the city. It does much better in highway driving.

My truck gets about 12 or 13 mpg in the city and about17 on the highway. I drive 21,000 miles per year now and even another 6 mpg would save me like 80 bones per month. I could give a flip about what anyone else thinks of me while I am driving it, cause my internal studliness is plenty high, I was hoping to hear of any real great features or bad stories about them. I will not however ever put a stick on soccer ball on the thing.

[smittysbar]

Originally Posted by tooge

My truck gets about 12 or 13 mpg in the city and about17 on the highway. I drive 21,000 miles per year now and even another 6 mpg would save me like 80 bones per month. I could give a flip about what anyone else thinks of me while I am driving it, cause my internal studliness is plenty high, I was hoping to hear of any real great features or bad stories about them. I will not however ever put a stick on soccer ball on the thing.

Oh come on now, you know you can't wait to place that sticker on the back window

[Lzen]

My personal experience is with a 1998 Pontiac Transport (Montana). Don't ever buy one of these. Another piss poor design by GM.

[kepp]

Originally Posted by tooge

My truck gets about 12 or 13 mpg in the city and about17 on the highway. I drive 21,000 miles per year now and even another 6 mpg would save me like 80 bones per month. I could give a flip about what anyone else thinks of me while I am driving it, cause my internal studliness is plenty high, I was hoping to hear of any real great features or bad stories about them. I will not however ever put a stick on soccer ball on the thing.

How about a "My kid can beat up your honor student" sticker?

[DaKCMan AP]

Forget the minivan, become a Volvo driving soccer mom.

[Mr. Kotter]

We own two Honda Odysseys, because we loved the first one so much. Honestly, after six years and four years on each....we've had to do absolutely nothing, in terms of repairs--only "scheduled" maintenance. They drive like a car (which may not be for you the ONLY drawback is "road noise" on the highway is louder than some.

Resale is great on them to; which is great as a seller, but not so much as a buyer I guess.

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

Forget the minivan, become a Volvo driving soccer mom.

My wife drives a V70XC, and it's alright. It doesn't have 3rd row seating, which is one of the advantages of a minivan. It's also not as spacious as a minivan. You also have to put premium into a Volvo, which screws you on the gas savings. Mileage isn't great either.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by Lzen

My personal experience is with a 1998 Pontiac Transport (Montana). Don't ever buy one of these. Another piss poor design by GM.

Heh, for sure. I know two different people who owned one of those and they were both complete POS. They both had newer models than that too. I'd just stay away from GM altogether. And Ford too.

[Chiefnj2]

Take the 3 japaneese vehicles for test rides and see which you like. They handle differently. Look at the room behind the 3rd row seats, how easy do the seats fold, will you need them to fold flat if you use the van to move stuff, check crash test ratings for your year. If it has lots of bells and whistles (all 3 auto doors, dvd player, etc) find out which one offers the best extended warranty.

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by NewPhin

My wife drives a V70XC, and it's alright. It doesn't have 3rd row seating, which is one of the advantages of a minivan. It's also not as spacious as a minivan. You also have to put premium into a Volvo, which screws you on the gas savings. Mileage isn't great either.

Was going more for the Everclear reference instead of a practical suggestion.