Getting a minivan - but which one?

[gillstone]

We have an 09 Honda Fit that we love and a 00 Pontiac Grand Prix which is slowly marching to the scrap heap.  It would have been there years ago, but since I started biking to work it gets driven only a couple times a month even in winter.  We are looking to replace the Pontiac with a minivan to get more cargo space for home improvement projects, camping trips, and for when we need to fit more than 4 people (we have two kids).  The Fit has been good for cargo, but recently trying to fit my bike inside it has taught me we occasionally need more space.

Whatever we get will spend most of its time decorating our driveway and maybe put on 500 miles in year. My preference is a Honda or Toyota, no newer than 2008.

What has worked best? What should I avoid?

[Papa bear]

Make sure it has stow n go seating. That option is spectacular.  Additionally, make sure you get the size/ option that will fit a 4x8 sheet of drywall/plywood.  There are some minivans that have cheaper options that are a bit shorter. 

My choice would be a Chrysler/dodge or Honda, oldest model that has stow n go


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[Freedom2016]

Whatever we get will spend most of its time decorating our driveway and maybe put on 500 miles in year. My preference is a Honda or Toyota, no newer than 2008.

Whoa, only 500 miles a year? That's 40 miles a month, or ONE TRIP to a store 20 miles away.

Have you considered renting something for your very occasional needs? I can't understand why you would want to pay for the car, insurance, taxes, gas, and maintenance for something you will use so little.

[Gone Fishing]

I agree that you might be better served by renting when you need it.  Do you need it to haul 5+ people or just stuff?  Depending on what you need to haul, it may be possible to add a hitch and SMALL trailer behind the Fit.

If you do get a van, make sure you don't get one of those Hondas with a bad transmission (2005 and older?).  We have a 2002 Toyota Sienna with around 220k miles on it that has served us faithfully with the exception of several sensors that have needed replacement costing anywhere from $80 to $700 to replace/repair.  But we bought it with 90k on it so that is to be expected to some degree.

[gillstone]

I'm in a small market so renting is a maybe at best if I have an immediate need. My state has no sales tax and if I can get a 2005 or older I can get permanent tabs so I only have to cover occasional maintenance and bare bones insurance.  And I feel a bit leary of using a rental car to pick up construction equipment or to go camping since I can live with a scratched paint job, but Enterprise is not so forgiving (unless you pay extra for insurance)

Also, I can't quite bring myself to have only one car let alone convince my wife that we can get by on only one. 

Thanks for the heads up on Honda transmission issues.

[greenmimama]

I'm in a small market so renting is a maybe at best if I have an immediate need. My state has no sales tax and if I can get a 2005 or older I can get permanent tabs so I only have to cover occasional maintenance and bare bones insurance.  And I feel a bit leary of using a rental car to pick up construction equipment or to go camping since I can live with a scratched paint job, but Enterprise is not so forgiving (unless you pay extra for insurance)

Also, I can't quite bring myself to have only one car let alone convince my wife that we can get by on only one. 

Thanks for the heads up on Honda transmission issues.

We bought a 2003 but it had already had the transmission replaced, so we felt good about it, it has been a great vehicle, we still drive it as our family car and everything still works we are only at 150xxx miles though so plenty of life left in it, if fact when we do upgrade we are thinking of keeping it as my DH's vehicle, since he will need a hauler for his work.

[alsoknownasDean]

Honestly for so few miles, there's little point spending a fortune.

Fuel economy for such few miles won't matter. Probably worth being open to something cheaper with higher miles considering how few you do a year, provided it's in good nick.

[DeltaBond]

I have been mostly a honda fan, but their minivan is expensive, unless you're buying one used.  The Dodge grand caravans get little complaints from the people I know who have those.  In fact, our office owns 5 of them as the company vehicles, and we love them.

[lakemom]

You might look at an 00-05 chevy astro.  Built on a truck frame, TONS of cargo space and come in either 7 or 8 passenger configuration.  They have the bullet proof 350 that's been known to go upwards of a million miles when properly cared for. Fairly easy to maintain and the vast majority of parts are available economically online.  For best deal find one with factory tow package as well.  We've driven these vans for about 20 years and love them BUT mileage is only about 16mpg for mixed driving and tiny bit better on all freeway (trips etc.).

[littlebird]

I say stay far away from the Dodge caravans. The old ones all had transmission problems and the new one has an extremely uncomfortable front seat. We rented one for a road trip (about 12 hours each direction) and I about died. Haven't had so much pain from a seat in any other car, and I didn't notice it till about one hour in. Guess if you go that direction make sure you take a long test drive!

[Goldielocks]

I say stay far away from the Dodge caravans. The old ones all had transmission problems and the new one has an extremely uncomfortable front seat. We rented one for a road trip (about 12 hours each direction) and I about died. Haven't had so much pain from a seat in any other car, and I didn't notice it till about one hour in. Guess if you go that direction make sure you take a long test drive!

Actually, if you get the older model with the larger engine and tow package, the transmission and engine are fantastically low cost.

Whatever you get, wait for a used one with trailer hitch already installed.  Sellers don't charge any more for this and it save a lot of money, for your bike rack or future utility or rental trailer.