Let's talk minivans

[mattjmac]

When it comes to a vehicle the kids are basically going to destroy (kids are megnetically attracted to winter slush, summer mud puddles, etc.) my personal opinion is function over form. I picked up a 2005 Base Model Nissan Quest in 2007 for just $16k used. It was still under warranty and had just 19k miles on it.

It has performed perfectly since the day we drove it home. With regular vacuuming/cleaning it's holding up very well. I still don't understand the point of paying tons of $$$ for gadgets to entertain the kids. If I had asked my dad to spend $1,500 on a t.v. for our 1989 Dodge Caravan growing up he would have slapped me in the back of the head. To each their own, I suppose. But the best thing you can do for your wallet (and vis a vis your brewing hobby) is to buy, not lease, a make/model that is known for dependability and long-term performance. Good luck. For the price range I was willing to spend it was either the Nissan or a Dodge. I've been very happy with the Nissan.

 

[dataz722]

I still don't understand the point of paying tons of $$$ for gadgets to entertain the kids.

Its for you just as much if not even more than it is for the kids. It will keep them quiet on long trips.

 

[mattjmac]

Its for you just as much if not even more than it is for the kids. It will keep them quiet on long trips.

We'll definitely have to agree to disagree on this one.

I understand why keeping your kids quiet on a long trip would be much easier on the parents. But IMO encouraging the kids to experience what's going on outside the van is probably a better experience for them. They can watch tv and play video games at home anytime. I'm no crazy anti-technology parent or anything, I just think kids need a break from that stuff now and then.

Some of my best memories of my dad were formed while on long road trips. I learned how to read a map with his help (even discovered a spot along the way that we both had just seen in a movie documentary called Andersonville in GA that he agreed to stop at because he was just as interested in it as I was). Without going further down memory lane, my point is I definitely would not have opened that map if I had a DVD screen and a Nintendo in front of me. YMMV

 

[Ryan_PA]

We pick up the van tomorrow, did not get any gadgets with it other than the sliding door. We already have one of the portable DVD players you can strap to the headrest, that is a million times cooler than anything I had as a kid. If I could have found one with the built in TV for the same price and condition, obviously that would have been ideal. But, as said earlier, these vans are good for long periods, so it is hard to find them with low miles on the used market in my price range. We ended up getting it for $7K under asking price, so I am happy with the deal.

 

[claphamsa]

this is gonna be your car not the womens right?

 

[Ryan_PA]

Nah, she gets it 90% of the time. I get her CRV.

 

[GearBeer]

As much as I hate to admit it, I think you made the right choice. My family has a long history of minivans and the latest generation was a big step down for Chrysler.

1993 Dodge Grand Caravan - 191,000 miles, heavy tow duty, lost the AC clutch ~20k ago, as-yet undetermined intermittent misfire issue (still my DD, tho)
1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager - 220,000 miles, no towing, runs well, has the cancer bad
2003 Dodge Grand Caravan - 180,000 miles, moderate tow duty, runs well, clean body
2008 Chrysler Town and Country - 50,000 miles, moderate tow duty, runs excellent, clean body, 3 shifters, 2 steering columns, 1 center stack

 

[GearBeer]

Long live Old Blue!

Don't do this at home, or anywhere else for that matter, it's ridiculously unsafe.

 

[Synovia]

We've got a '97 Grand Caravan Sport. Has about 220K on it right now. Its moved people in/out of dorms dozens of times, towed a 19' ProLine for a couple of years, and can take a sheet of plywood in the back.


Somewhere, I've got a picture of it pulling a car carrier with an '85 300zx.