Discussions

Looking for suggestions, pros/cons etc on vans. What make/model do you prefer and why?

apparently pre-2011 caravans have been prone to some fairly serious engine reliability issues. I've also just started researching this subject, as I'll be buying a van soon.  
 
Certain year Honda Odyssey vans have also suffered engine quality problems. exactly the years affected, escapes me at the moment.  
 
I've been very disappointed with the current choices of drivetrain available in today's budget vans... I'd probably instantly buy the first available large-displacement 4-cylinder diesel-powered family-market minivan, if only there were such a thing...  
 
I'll be reading the responses to this thread with great interest

I have owned a 1998, 2001, and 2004 grand caravan and all have served me well. in my opinion dodge or Toyota are the only options!!

Have you looked at the Kia van! That might be an option!

Thanks for the replies so far! We are debating if we are "ready" for a van now...we weren't the last time we got a new vehicle but with daycare kids, kinda regret our choice lol. We had a rental in the winter, a town and country van and I LOVED it!! So much easier to get kids in and out. However, I still prefer SUV types. I really like the durango's. Any advice/comments on that?  
 
Our last two vehicles have been dodges (caliber and journey) but we've had some reoccuring issues with them so my husband is thinking it's time to switch. I on the other hand think there will be issues with any type so my deciding factors are the colour and the shape lol...I won't even look at the vehicle if it looks "funny" to me  
 
I looked briefly online at the kia van and some look nice. I've always wanted a Kia Sorrento but I don't think they make them with 7 seats and than kinda forgot that they have vans too. Thanks for that suggestion!  
 
For families with kids in car seats....do you like the vans that have the opening in the middle of the 2nd row to allow access to the 3rd row or do you like the ones that have the seat that flip up?  
 
Also, with carseats, has anyone found a carseat and van that will fit 3 of them in the 3rd row? If so, what brands?

We swore up and down that we would never own a minivan. Then we had twins (in addition to the two older kids) so a van became basically a necessity. We just recently bought a Dodge Grand Caravan and are quite happy with it. Fit all of our requirements and our budget. The Honda Odysseys are quite nice, but a bit pricey. Prior to 2007 they are prone to transmission problems, but after that reviews seem overwhelming positive. Toyota Siennas are quite nice as well, but a bit pricier.  
 
We specifically sought out the captain chairs (with the pathway in the centre to access the 3rd row) so that the older two can easily walk through. I can still lean into the 3rd row to buckle the toddler without having to walk through. It's super easy. We also have an SUV with 3rd row seating, but it's been a complete disaster with 4 kids - 3 of whom are still in car seats. The middle row is bench seating that flips forward, but it's been completely unusable with car seats installed. They block the seat's ability to slide forward and fold forward. I don't recommend anything with bench seating if you plan to have multiple car seats. Apparently the new Pacifica plans to address this issue and the seats will somehow fold forward when car seats are installed. I'll believe it when I see it lol.  
 
I'm not sure about 3 car seats in the back, as our oldest is out of a car seat now so we only have one in the 3rd row. I've heard great things about the Diono brand though. Apparently they are quite slim and fit 3 across.

Sammie try looking at a Journey from Dodge,im just looking at a new one myself,and they come in 7 passenger which may suit you,bit smaller than a mimivan but an suv and quite good looking,just a thought

Had a van for six years and just got an Acadia. Really wished I had considered a bigger type suv instead of a van. Just as much room, but more power and better wheel base. Much better centre of gravity - doesn't feel as unstable as our van did. We had an 08 Caravan and had a number of issues with it. When we got rid of this t, it was in need of several thousand dollars of work even though we had done regular maintenance.

Thanks, we currently have a journey actually!  
 
Happy tee, was just looking at the Acadias last night, they look nice!  
 
K8, I'll look into those!  
 
Edited by sammy, 2016-07-26 07:37:52

Hi Sammy, We have had a couple of vans and now the Suv (that we may get back from MPIC in a week or so). Personally I found that our Grand Caravan with a V6 engine was a good size, more space and longer wheel base (better ride) than a suv. The larger suv s that you and others have mentioned would likely fit the bill for you and the kids, but if you are carrying stroller or other things as well, then storage space is important. There are some great options out there and all I can suggest is that you get all the info you can before buying whichever one you choose. Good luck in the hunt. Hagd.

till the new VW dealer is built. VW has a nice van.

VW doesn't have any new vans in North America...  
 
Edited by ultraguy, 2016-07-26 09:03:44

nkorpan said "till the new VW dealer is built. VW has a nice van. "

A new VW dealership in Brandon will not be built anymore. Plans have fallen through.

Hands down Toyota Sienna. Caravan can run upto the price range of a Sienna. Very reliable, low maintenance van if your going to keep it forever!

we had a 2014 had nothing but trouble.

I watched my friends kids for her while they vacationed. At the time it was 4 kids under 6, so 2 in carseats and 2 in boosters. They left me their Acadia. I loved that vehicle. It was beyond comfortable and was super easy to get all the kids in. Prior to the Acadia they had a van and she hated it for 4 kids (said it was good for 2).  
 
Just a note on the Kia, I own one, and it seems that the parts for repairs arrive by horse and buggy, it takes FOREVER. It's not a dealership issue, as I had the same experience with 2 dealerships in two different cities for two different critical parts.

not sure if you are going the dealer route and this might be too far but I bought a quad from this guy few years back and it was kept in tip top. He runs a service garage and does a good job. No I'm not related but aware that he's good when it comes to maintenance.  
http://ebrandon.ca/ItemView.aspx?item_id=1465378

Try this van is super strong and durable.  
Is not common here in Brandon, but a friend of mine has one in the state.

If I was in the market for a van, the Toyota Sienna would be high on the list. It has an excellent powertrain, a solid reliability record and can be purchased with AWD.  
 
Good luck!

caravans are pretty good, lots of room and lots of cargo room with all the seats down. Journeys and caravans share the same power train in the FWD models and journey can come in AWD which is great in the winter. you can easily fix the instability of a caravan by installing air bags in the rear coil springs. I installed them on our 2014 caravan this summer at home was easy took a couple hours. we always found the van to have MORE than enough power but once loaded up with all our stuff for a week at he lake, and the 17' boat behind the suspension didnt seem to handle it very well even tho we were well under the 3600 lbs it is rated to pull. once I put the air bags on it was a whole new vehicle, very surprised how much it helped. they can be purchased from the dealer for under 200 and can be dealer installed.