Who has a mini van?

[k0ua]

One question I have is why the other manufactures all don't have some version of "stow and go" seating. It doesn't seem like rocket science.

 

[EddieWalker]

One question I have is why the other manufactures all don't have some version of "stow and go" seating. It doesn't seem like rocket science.

Great question. If Honda or Toyota had stow and go seating, they would be at the top of our list. My guess is that most people buy mini vans to haul kids around, and not so much for dogs. The fact that you have to remove the middle seat and leave it at home when you go somewhere that you need the space makes it unattractive to us since a big part of dog shows is the socializing after the event. Not having that seat is something that my wife feels is a deal breaker. Looking at the Honda and Toyota's way of folding up their seats is also a deal breaker, so it looks like Chrysler is our only option.

We've expanded our search to older models with less then 30,000 miles on them and have found a dozen of them for under $20,000. The question is which one we'll end up with, because this seems to be what she wants.

 

[KubotainNH]

I can't speak for Toyota but the Honda's store the spare tire in the middle of the van, just in front of the gas tank. You pick up the velcro'd carpeting and open a door, there it is nice and clean. They don't hang it under the rear where it is hard to access and ends up disappearing up here in the rust belt. If they found a better different place for the spare then maybe they could do it but the gas tank takes up considerable space too. Also, those middle seats are thick and quite comfortable so would take up lots of depth. Last time I looked at the Chrysler (when they still had Caravans) the seats were quite thin and not very comfortable. That was like 10 years ago so maybe they are better now but if rarely used it's not a biggie. Our kids grew up in our van so we wanted comfy seats for long rides. Good luck with the new ride!

 

[KennyG]

The new stow 'n go seats aren't bad as far as comfort goes, but there is an obvious compromise. Our '98 Town & Country with leather interior had the most luxurious seating I've every experienced. Still, I don't think anyone would complain about the 2016 Dodge I recently rented.

 

[ray66v]

My Sedona has stow, and go in the back, and conventional buckets in the middle.

There is a difference in comfort.

 

[HHR]

The newer Grand Caravan/Town & Country store their spare between the driver and passenger seat under the floor (outside).

 

[Haoleguy]

Eddie - If your spouse is sold on the Chrysler check out a VW minivan as they were rebadged Chryslers. If they have the stow seats it might be a slight change from the Chrysler bunch. My kids have a Sienna to haul the grandkids around. The Honda prdts really last . We have an Acura at 210k with no problems.

 

[BlessedMess]

You might also look at the Ford Transit Connect. It's available as a van, with seats and windows, but is practical and doesn't cost as much as the bigger models. And I guess you could throw in the Mercedes Metris, though dealers are sparse.

Agree with this. Lots of low mile used in the $16-$20k range. We bought our Transit Connect LWB wagon (passenger windows/seats) in February and had it certified for $500... longer warranty than a new one for less than 2/3 the price.

Mid-20s MPG and it actually fit a big cub cadet woodchipper in the back with room to spare. Enormous head room, drives just like a longer Focus, and really handles highway duty great too. Dogs might enjoy the really low rear cargo area (jump in/out) and multiple rear AC vents at snout level. Also it is no longer than a Camry, so easy to park and navigate in tighter spaces.

The only downside is the complex rear seat folding, but they do create a flat floor and the unique styling has grown on us. Also the rear hatch will take your head off when opening/closing (stand back). Wish ours had the barn door style and the giant rear glass roof.

 

[EddieWalker]

I didn't know VW sold vans. I looked at their website and didn't see any. What are they called?

 

[aczlan]

I didn't know VW sold vans. I looked at their website and didn't see any. What are they called?

Its the Routan. Just imagine Chrustler build quality (or the lack thereof) paired with VW's German complexity...
I might second looking at the passenger version of the Transit Connect. I have heard good things about them.


Aaron Z

 

[EddieWalker]

Thanks. Looks like they don't sell new ones anymore and the used ones seem to stop in 2013 with prices in my area a lot higher then the newer Chrysler's with less miles.

I read the reviews on New Cars, Used Cars, Car Reviews and Pricing | Edmunds.com for the Ford Transit ant the Nissan. Both where underpowerd with poor performance and lower fuel mileage then the competition.

 

[Haoleguy]

Yes it's the Routan. They did stop in 2014 and from I'm seeing on New Cars, Used Cars, Trucks For Sale, Auto Reviews | Cars.com is that most are fully loaded and around $25K but you can get VW certified.

 

[SARG]

Do not overlook the Kia Sedona. We've had an Hyundai entourage van since 2007 ( now 145k miles ) and it has served us well with our dogs.
Next year I'll be buying a new Sedona because the Pacifca is at least $3k more with the only advantage being the seats that fold into the floor. We've just removed the second row seats and use the third row if needed.

 

[Garandman]

One question I have is why the other manufactures all don't have some version of "stow and go" seating. It doesn't seem like rocket science.

Because the seats suck. Keep in mind that Honda invented the fold-away 3rd row so they could do it if it made sense.

The middle row seats in Honda are well upholstered captain's chairs. The seats in the Toyota Sienna are good, and also recline: they are popular as "crew seats" in cargo vans, for motorcycle hauling and the like. The Toyota track is much longer than Honda, that can only move forward and back about a foot, but that's enough to seat everyone comfortably.

Was talking to the shop that services our fleet today. I asked him if transmission replacements really are a big problem for DC vans and he said, "Definitely." They just had a GC where the transmission housing was cracked. Ours was replaced at 70,000, though it was pretty cheap: $1,700.

He also told me something unrelated but interesting. Ford is having a problem with computers 2011 and later recognizing the key, so they won't start. They are on national back-order with a three month delivery, according to him. We have a 2015 Transit, so far so good.....

 

[KubotainNH]

The newer Grand Caravan/Town & Country store their spare between the driver and passenger seat under the floor (outside).

So crawl under the car in the dead of winter to swap a flat? Obviously not an issue in TX but up here, the cables that hold those spares up rust and break. Bye bye tire. On my last one, I was checking it out for spring inspection and noticed the tire gone with end of the rusted cable looking at me.

 

[KubotainNH]

Because the seats suck. Keep in mind that Honda invented the fold-away 3rd row so they could do it if it made sense.

The middle row seats in Honda are well upholstered captain's chairs. The seats in the Toyota Sienna are good, and also recline: they are popular as "crew seats" in cargo vans, for motorcycle hauling and the like. The Toyota track is much longer than Honda, that can only move forward and back about a foot, but that's enough to seat everyone comfortably.

Was talking to the shop that services our fleet today. I asked him if transmission replacements really are a big problem for DC vans and he said, "Definitely." They just had a GC where the transmission housing was cracked. Ours was replaced at 70,000, though it was pretty cheap: $1,700.

He also told me something unrelated but interesting. Ford is having a problem with computers 2011 and later recognizing the key, so they won't start. They are on national back-order with a three month delivery, according to him. We have a 2015 Transit, so far so good.....

That's my opinion on the stowaway middle seats but if only used on occasion then no biggie. All the seats in our Honda are very comfy, no issues with 8 hour drives to favorite vacation spots. Is that a hardwood floor in that picture?

 

[Gary Fowler]

Brother in law just sold his Dodge 1500 and bought a Chrysler Town and Country. He was having trouble getting in and out of his pickup and since he now has a scooter to get around with, the mini-van with fold down flat seating was good for hauling his scooter. He didn't want to put a carriage on the rear bumper to carry it. They love it. I haven't ridden in it, but my wife says it is very comfy.

 

[Garandman]

A friend showed up with a new Pacifica so I had a chance to compare. The stow and go seats are indeed much smaller and flatter than the Honda, so give the Odyssey the nod for second row comfort. Quite stylish and roomy, otherwise.

Than I took six 14yo old girls to a Halloween park. One of those times when having an 8 passenger van is a liability....

 

[two_bit_score]

When my wife said we needed a minivan to haul 3 grandchildren in their car seats... ... ... a Ford Flex. Bought the Flex- got a good deal on a certified used model with only 20k miles. It is one of Ford's best kept secrets- the modern day incarnation of the big station wagons of the 60s and 70s. And it has separate controls and A/C registers for the rearmost area.

If I was looking for a min-van I would consider the Flex. They don't seem to be extremely popular so resale may be low but we keep our vehicles a long time. They look extremely 'practical'.


TBS

 

[check]

They aren't fooling anyone. Just like SUV owners. Who sees a big SUV and doesn't think, "There kids stashed in there someplace." :laughing: We looked at 3 row crossovers and getting in and out of the third row isn't easy. I think the new Honda Pilot would top my list, though I looked at Ford Flex with Ecoboost. Power!

Honda Pilot! Now there is a vehicle! We have a 2010 that will be seven years old in January, and the optional warranty that we purchased will run out at that time. Hardly used the warranty at all, but we can get another warranty extension if we want in January. So, we probably will, and maybe even drive it into the ground! Note, however, the huge change to the body style for the 2016 model year. They turned it from a lovely, roomy, square-shouldered critter into just another jellybean. Don't like the new body style at all.