My first (I think) What Car thread..

Ok, we are thinkin' about replacing the minivan in the next year or so. The outgoing vehicle is an '05 Town and Country. About that minivan:
Likes:
Roomy
Comfy
Stow n go
Power (it's a minivan, I know. But the 3.8 isn't bad)
Versatility (can tow, haul bulky items, it's a chick magnet [just seeing if her still reading])

Dislikes:
Fuel economy (19 or so)
Loud highway ride
The rocker panels rust by association. It's 2005 people, cant you make a car that'll last more 5 years before it rusts? YES YOU CAN!! My 310,000 mile merc and my 245,000 mile VW are both rust free. Shame on you DaimlerChryslerberiusFiatwhateveryourcalled this year!!

So, we have 3 growing kids (7, 9, and 11) so we need to seat 5 regularly, 7 occasionally. We'd like to get better economy. This doesnt have to be a minivan. We would buy used, maybe around $25K.
I'd love to hear your ideas, but most importantly your personal experience.

Apologies for listing something mostly because I dig them and they're note quite right for me, but "seat 5 regularly, 7 occasionally" immediately makes me think Mazda5... Of course, if the 7 want to bring any stuff with them, that goes downhill quickly (or at least onto the roof).

Promaster with folding chairs in the back

logdog wrote: Promaster with folding chairs in the back

I'd expect thatbto be out of my proce range.
And the 5 is one we're thinking about fo' sho'.

and it is in the US, photo from the Mitty

You make it too easy

I was always kinda under the impression that for minivans, it went like this:
Oddity if you can afford it after they fixed the transmission (they did fix it, right?)
Caravan if you can't
Mazda 5 if you don't need all of the space

That being said, I'd be looking at one of the Mazda CX7/9's. Not sure on their MPG, but for some reason they come to mind. Then a guy at work just bought a new Equinox for about 25k and averaged 30 mpg out to Colorado and back.

2014 Base model Honda Odyseey starts at $29k and gets 28hwy?

aussiesmg wrote: and it is in the US, photo from the Mitty You make it too easy

If you didn't chime in with some horrible ute, I'd call 911 because you obviously had fallen ill. That's an odd bird there. A 4-door ute?

I dont think there is a better choice for you than a minivan. You will regret the space difference of the 5. Especially as the kids get bigger or if you have to make a pizza run with your fat friends.

I love my Maz5. Not sure it's the best solution for someone with 3 kids though. The little stinkers usually have a lot of stuff to haul around with them right?

Mini vans are really berkeleying good at doing what you describe.

Get a new T&C with the 3.6 pentastar with VVT. We just got some Ram C/Vs at work with that engine and word on the street is they are pretty quick.

3.6 caravan has run low 14s at the track locally. Kia makes a good one as well.

I'd go base model Odyssey for value, or a CPO if you want more bells and whistles...

With the 7.3 you will be the king of the school yard!

mtn wrote: That being said, I'd be looking at one of the Mazda CX7/9's.

I might be overstating it because it was the first time in a while I'd driven a modern vehicle, and worse, I think it was a CX-9 but might've been a 7, but...

The A-pillars were massive. I lost a jogger behind one, and then a Jeep. Seriously, whole regions of intersections completely obscured...

Ford Flex?

Miata pulling a harbor freight trailer. The kids can ride in the trailer like a wagon.

I'm leaning towards a minivan again (good lord, did I lose my testicles after I got married and had kids?)
You folks are right, a minivan is king of this game. My wife leans towards the 5, or one of the CX brothers, but I keep telling her that any vehicle that has a 3rd row as an option means that the third row is a penalty box. Our kids are getting bigger and living with that vehicle for the next 5-7 years might be tough.

Oddity hands down

I had a late model town and 'clown' minivan for a rental last year. I loved it! AHHAHAHAH. Don't tell anyone. Of course, all I did with it is go 200 miles down 65 mph highways.

Yes, another minivan all the way. I've got 3 kids myself (9, 6, 6). Our van is a Kia Sedona. The only thing it falls short on is the fuel mileage. Ours averages about 20-21 driving around town, will get 26-28 on the highway. Otherwise, with 91k now on the clock (it's an '06), it's been bulletproof. And we run it hard. It can tow up to 3500lbs, which I use frequently.

It's shockingly quick, especially off the line. Very roomy, all it usually does is carry 5 or more...plus cargo sometimes. The ride is very comfy. Of course the trade off to that is that you won't win any autox with it, it's pretty soft. More storage/knick nak places than you know what to do with. No rust. I can't think of much I'd honestly say I truly dislike about it, given what its' role is. If I'm going to nitpick, maybe I'd say the interior plastics aren't the highest grade stuff. They're not broken, falling off or crackin, in fact they're in great shape. But they're plain, cost cutting jobs.

^^Thanks Klayfish. That's why I posted this, I knew there were vehicles that I just wasn't thinking about. I've heard good things about the Sedona.

A new Caravan.

Get one with the 6 speed and the new Pentastar 3.6 - we can get over 30 on the highway, and get around 22-24 city depending on who is driving. It's quick, too, and the 5 won't be big enough with three big kids.

DrBoost wrote: ^^Thanks Klayfish. That's why I posted this, I knew there were vehicles that I just wasn't thinking about. I've heard good things about the Sedona.

And for a dedicated people mover, that warranty is a big selling point in my eyes.