What minivan do I want?

[Drama Llama]

I am going to trade in our wheelchair van and get a new vehicle.  My ideal would be something that I can carry my kids and nieces/nephew and GFIL for a day’s adventure.  Which means I need it to seat 8, with 2 boosters and a car seat, and given how long I keep cars, eventually I need it to fit a bunch of teens. 

I also need it to be low enough for Pop to get in. Other people in our family have giant SUV’s and he manages ok now but he’s not getting younger.

 I would be open to another vehicle if it seats 8 and is easy for an older person to get in.

 

[mommyoffive]

I really want the new Toyota Sienna Hybrid.    I currently have a Honda Minivan and love it.   I just want the better mpg.

[Drama Llama]

4 minutes ago, mommyoffive said:

I really want the new Toyota Sienna Hybrid.    I currently have a Honda Minivan and love it.   I just want the better mpg.

I don’t think I can afford new.  How is the backseat in the Honda?  Is 3 with at least 1 booster doable?  Ideally 2? 

[prairiewindmomma]

Honda or Toyota.  They are very, very similar but braking feels a bit different between the two.  The ac cools down a bit quicker in the Toyota.  The Honda had nicer interior trim, IMO.  The Toyota usually runs a tiny bit less than the Honda.  My 6'+ teens all easily fit three across in the back seat of either, fwiw.  We haul lots of teens everywhere. The only seat that is uncomfortable is the middle seat in the middle row. That person needs to be a bit slender.  Both are equally easy to get into in the front seats and middle side seats for elderly/handicapped persons.  I find the front a little bit easier on days my leg doesn't want to lift properly. (I have the occasional hip issue with my RA.)  I can sit and shift at the waist.  It is MUCH easier to get into than a car.

ETA: I was typing while you were.  You can totally do 2 full car seats with a middle booster in the back seat, 3 car seats if they aren't huge.  I usually did the car seats in the middle seats for buckling reasons, and tried to put the boosters in the back, generally.  

Edited May 24, 2021 by prairiewindmomma

[mommyoffive]

Just now, BaseballandHockey said:

I don’t think I can afford new.  How is the backseat in the Honda?  Is 3 with at least 1 booster doable?  Ideally 2? 

I haven't ever put 3 in the backseat.  I would think one in a booster would work.  We do 3 in the middle because the middle row is wider than the back due to the tires. 

[Drama Llama]

5 minutes ago, prairiewindmomma said:

Honda or Toyota.  They are very, very similar but braking feels a bit different between the two.  The ac cools down a bit quicker in the Toyota.  The Honda had nicer interior trim, IMO.  The Toyota usually runs a tiny bit less than the Honda.  My 6'+ teens all easily fit three across in the back seat of either, fwiw.  We haul lots of teens everywhere. The only seat that is uncomfortable is the middle seat in the middle row. That person needs to be a bit slender.  Both are equally easy to get into in the front seats and middle side seats for elderly/handicapped persons.  I find the front a little bit easier on days my leg doesn't want to lift properly. (I have the occasional hip issue with my RA.)  I can sit and shift at the waist.  It is MUCH easier to get into than a car.

ETA: I was typing while you were.  You can totally do 2 full car seats with a middle booster in the back seat, 3 car seats if they aren't huge.  I usually did the car seats in the middle seats for buckling reasons, and tried to put the boosters in the back, generally.  

Kids are 13, 10, 10, 9 (small still in booster), 7 (booster) and currently like negative one month.  I assume by the time the baby is forward facing his sisters will be out of a booster, and in the meantime I would want him in the middle row.  

Only 13 and 10 are mine.

[prairiewindmomma]

You could do 13, 10, 9booster in the back, then 7booster, 10, and baby in the middle row. 

[Drama Llama]

What about a Kia?  Maybe more my budget

[KSera]

If you're buying used, a Sienna in the previous 8 seater version, when the 8th seat was full size, would fit everyone really comfortably, with any car seat configuration. I don't like the newer kinds with the smaller second row middle seat as much. I could look up what model year they stopped making that one, if you want. I know they were making it in 2006, and I think switched sometime in the couple years before 2015. I find the Odyssey less roomy in the third row (and they never had the full size 8th seat).

I'm not very familiar with the Kia minivan, but I think I recall their newer ones being fairly well reviewed when we were last looking.

Have you looked at the Chrysler Pacifica since they remade it as a minivan, starting I think around 2016? I kind of regretted not waiting for the plug in hybrid of that to be released and buying that instead of the car we got instead a few years ago.

[Drama Llama]

4 minutes ago, KSera said:

If you're buying used, a Sienna in the previous 8 seater version, when the 8th seat was full size, would fit everyone really comfortably, with any car seat configuration. I don't like the newer kinds with the smaller second row middle seat as much. I could look up what model year they stopped making that one, if you want. I know they were making it in 2006, and I think switched sometime in the couple years before 2015. I find the Odyssey less roomy in the third row (and they never had the full size 8th seat).

I'm not very familiar with the Kia minivan, but I think I recall their newer ones being fairly well reviewed when we were last looking.

Have you looked at the Chrysler Pacifica since they remade it as a minivan, starting I think around 2016? I kind of regretted not waiting for the plug in hybrid of that to be released and buying that instead of the car we got instead a few years ago.

I will check it out.  Our current vans, one is very old Mazda5 and the other I had nothing to do with buying so I am starting from scratch.

[Elizabeth86]

You can look on the car seat lady website to see how car seats fit in different vehicles.

[Elizabeth86]

4 hours ago, BaseballandHockey said:

What about a Kia?  Maybe more my budget

We have a Kia. It’s an older model so it only seats 4 in the back, I’m pretty sure the newer model seats more. They are cheaper, but just as good. Mine has 207,000 mile on it and is going just fine. Many things have worn out over the years, but nothing too bad.  I’d buy another Kia. Or a Toyota. I had a friend that had a lot of trouble with her Honda, so I always write that brand off, but a lot of people love them.

[Kassia]

We have a Kia and it's been fine.  Ours is a 2012 and only seats four in the back.  Ours doesn't get a lot of use and has low mileage since our older kids are all adults now and we don't need such a large vehicle often.  My only complaint is it's a gas guzzler and also it's a pain to get the oil changed - we have to get it done at the dealership because most places don't seem to have the right oil filter or whatever is needed.  

 

[Ottakee]

Another one to look at is a Hyundai mini van.  Mechanics I trust say that it is as reliable as Honda or Toyota.  Their only caution was that it doesn't hold it's resale value as well so a great but if you plan to keep it 10+ years, stick with Honda or Toyota if you are likely to sell sooner.

I have a 2018 honda and overall am pleased but wish I had gotten leather seats.  Also, consider where you will be driving and cell phone coverage.   My Honda's navigation is run through my cell phone, so.....no cell service, no GPS.  This can be an issue if you travel in the mountains or very rural areas quite a bit. 

[catz]

We have had multiple Kia sedonas.  We’ve been very happy with them, and the safety ratings on most minivans are very close. We have just needed to do standard maintenance on them.  
 

eta our newest Sedona does seat 8.  

Edited May 24, 2021 by FuzzyCatz

[Calizzy]

I have a 2017 Kia Sedona and I love it. I test drove all the brands when we were car shopping (2018) and the Kia was my favorite. I love the feel of it- the Honda rides low but the Kia rides at the perfect height. I also love the control panel, I like knobs for my radio/heater not the space age looking stuff in the Honda/Toyota. I also love how the middle row of seats so easily flip up for more space. We have 3 in the very back and 3 in the middle. The middle row has a removable middle seat. We usually leave it out so you can walk through to the back, but it’s easy to pop in when we have extra guests. I also feel like the engine has good power. I’ve been merging on to the freeway and had to step on the gas to get ahead of an impending car and the engine really kicks in. I don’t know about gas mileage, that’s not something I pay attention to. They also come with a crazy good warranty and free roadside assistance (which I have used with a flat tire).

[Faith-manor]

I love Toyota Siennas. But I think in order to seat 8, you have to buy the upgrade configuration so you may have a hard time finding them on the used market. Honda Odyssey, if memory serves, has a more common 8 seater on the market. But it has been a while since we shopped. We converted our Sienna to a two person camper van, and drive an Equinox now.

[Kassia]

3 hours ago, Kassia said:

 Ours is a 2012 and only seats four in the back.  

 

Quoting myself to make a correction - it seats 5 in the back.  That's what I get for posting too early.  

[ktgrok]

I got my Dodge Caravan because I wanted the stow and go feature - and I still swear by it and wouldn't want any vehicle without that. But...it only seats 7. Captains chairs in the middle, bench seat that can fit 3 in the back. 

[cjzimmer1]

We've gone mini van shopping twice now.  Both times we considered everything on the market, new/used, brand didn't matter to us, what mattered was reliability and comfort/how the kids fit because we often took long trips.  The first time it came down to Honda and Toyota as a contender, the second time it was between the Honda and Kia.  Ultimately both times the winner was Honda,  it just fit our kids better.  First time I was putting 4 in car seat/boosters and we did run 3 in the back row.  Second time I was dealing with teens with very large feet (size 10, 12, and 13 in men's) as well as 3 booster/car seats.  The toyota lost the second round simply because there wasn't enough space under the seat for the kids to get their feet in comfortably.  Kia was good but just not as comfortable as the Honda.  If I were just using it to run around town, I would have been perfectly happy, but for frequent trips of 6+ hours, we knew the Kia just wasn't comfortable enough and we would be aching after long car rides.

My dad has mobility issues, they purchased a minivan for him because it was easier for him to get in and out of then many of the other vehicles he tried.

My suggestion is plan to spend a fair amount of time testing out the vehicle.  Install every car seat in various configurations and make sure they fit in the vehicle.  Have Pop get in and out and watch him closely for anything that gives him even a hesitation now.  Movements that are more difficult now will only get worse with age so maybe you can get an idea of what are the hard parts for him.

[Syllieann]

For your needs I think the Odyssey would be best.  We just did this exercise.  I liked the new Sienna hybrid a lot, but it is nearly impossible to actually get one.  The hybrid and awd rocks and the cvt is very smooth.  The shortage is so extreme though.  I just can't wait a year hoping they are able to get to my order.  The middle row seats of the sienna also aren't able to be removed or shift from side to side like in the odyssey.  The center seat in the third row sienna is also not tall enough for me, a 5'6" adult.  I am able to sit safely in all seating positions of the odyssey.  The odyssey is also a bit more powerful if that matters to you.  You probably won't be drag racing but sometimes it matters for merging on the interstate.  If you are comparing a couple years old vans, the Honda gets better safety ratings than the sienna as well.  If you get 2018 or newer ex or higher odyssey you will get all the safety things that are standard on the new version; led headlights and emergency braking.

The chrysler safety and reliability ratings are much worse than the sienna or odyssey, which removes it from the competition for me. 

The new Kia carnival looks awesome, but it has not yet been crash tested by IIHS and would only be available new.

[mommyoffive]

4 minutes ago, Syllieann said:

For your needs I think the Odyssey would be best.  We just did this exercise.  I liked the new Sienna hybrid a lot, but it is nearly impossible to actually get one.  The hybrid and awd rocks and the cvt is very smooth.  The shortage is so extreme though.  I just can't wait a year hoping they are able to get to my order.  The middle row seats of the sienna also aren't able to be removed or shift from side to side like in the odyssey.  The center seat in the third row sienna is also not tall enough for me, a 5'6" adult.  I am able to sit safely in all seating positions of the odyssey.  The odyssey is also a bit more powerful if that matters to you.  You probably won't be drag racing but sometimes it matters for merging on the interstate.  If you are comparing a couple years old vans, the Honda gets better safety ratings than the sienna as well.  If you get 2018 or newer ex or higher odyssey you will get all the safety things that are standard on the new version; led headlights and emergency braking.

The chrysler safety and reliability ratings are much worse than the sienna or odyssey, which removes it from the competition for me. 

The new Kia carnival looks awesome, but it has not yet been crash tested by IIHS and would only be available new.

Is this all based on the hybrid Sienna?

[mommyoffive]

We had a Dodge Grand Caravan before our Honda, and I would never get one again.  Nothing but problems and you can feel the difference in how the car drives and feels with a Honda.  

[Syllieann]

2 minutes ago, mommyoffive said:

Is this all based on the hybrid Sienna?

Yes

[mommyoffive]

Just now, Syllieann said:

Yes

How is the center seat 3rd row not tall enough for you?  The headrest or the seat?  Just wondering.  I really want that car for the MPG, but don't know if it will work if things are so limited.  For young kids I am sure it is fine, but my kids are all getting older and older.   How was the 3rd row?  I read it was redesigned so that it was more roomy.   The 2nd row captains chairs look really awesome. 

[catz]

I wanted to mention a few things about our Kia experience now that I am at a keyboard.  We have had 3 Kia Sedonas.  We currently own and drive 2.  Which is a long story that involved totaling a vehicle unexpectedly and it making more sense to get a new minivan than other vehicle.

Anyway, our current Sedonas are like a 2012 and a 2018.  The newer Sedona models are MUCH different in terms of handling, size, and in vehicle design.  We have always test drove the Toyota Sienna and the Honda Odyssey every time we've bought a minivan (which we're up to 4 since our kids were small).  I really felt like we gave up nothing with our new 2018 model Sedona.  We've road tripped cross country in ours and had no problems, etc.  The ability to easily move seats has been huge too.  The back bench splits and folds in the floor.  The middle captain's chairs flip up against the front seats.  That middle seat will too or you can pull it out entirely.  

I agree with test driving thoroughly.  But I just wanted to mention this if you're looking at used vehicles, if you're looking at Sedonas know that the model significantly changed at some point, I really like this newer model one.  

[Kassia]

24 minutes ago, mommyoffive said:

We had a Dodge Grand Caravan before our Honda, and I would never get one again.  Nothing but problems and you can feel the difference in how the car drives and feels with a Honda.  

Dodge Caravan was our first minivan (bought it in 1994!) and ours was great.  But I've never had a Honda minivan and have only heard positive things about them.  

[ktgrok]

5 minutes ago, Kassia said:

Dodge Caravan was our first minivan (bought it in 1994!) and ours was great.  But I've never had a Honda minivan and have only heard positive things about them.  

Oh, me too...but I want that ease of storage with the stow and go. We really use that space a lot, and we also fairly often take stuff ou of there and flip down a seat or two. 

[Dmmetler]

10 hours ago, BaseballandHockey said:

What about a Kia?  Maybe more my budget

My Sedona only seats 7-it has bucket seats in the middle row, and a full bench in the back, which can seat 3 kids, but is a bit cramped for three full sized teens (my 5'3" one and two other fairly small teens are OK, but it probably wouldn't fit three football players as opposed to three cheerleaders!). I don't know if there is a bench option.  I'm likely going to trade it in and downsize once we get L moved on campus this year, since my taking kids in large quantities to group events days are over :(. 

[mommyoffive]

4 minutes ago, ktgrok said:

Oh, me too...but I want that ease of storage with the stow and go. We really use that space a lot, and we also fairly often take stuff ou of there and flip down a seat or two. 

I loved the stow and go and the hidden storage compartments in the 2nd row.  This reminds me of stroller shopping.  You just couldn't find the perfect stroller that had everything you wanted.  I like things from all the different vans and want to just  have it all in one van.

[catz]

6 minutes ago, Dmmetler said:

My Sedona only seats 7-it has bucket seats in the middle row, and a full bench in the back, which can seat 3 kids, but is a bit cramped for three full sized teens (my 5'3" one and two other fairly small teens are OK, but it probably wouldn't fit three football players as opposed to three cheerleaders!). I don't know if there is a bench option.  I'm likely going to trade it in and downsize once we get L moved on campus this year, since my taking kids in large quantities to group events days are over :(. 

What year is your Sedona?  Our 2012-ish model seats 7 and is smaller overall than our 2018-ish that does seat 8 and we have had it full of teens.  For running teens to events, carpooling, weekend trips, etc it has been totally fine.  If you're travelling cross country, seating 8 might not be super comfy for days of driving. But there are very few vehicles that will be for that many people for so long.  

I'm not sure if the seating 8 was an option or standard at some point, but there are seat 8 Sedonas out there.  OP may just want to do a little homework on model years/options ahead of time if looking at used..  

Edited May 24, 2021 by FuzzyCatz

[Syllieann]

43 minutes ago, mommyoffive said:

How is the center seat 3rd row not tall enough for you?  The headrest or the seat?  Just wondering.  I really want that car for the MPG, but don't know if it will work if things are so limited.  For young kids I am sure it is fine, but my kids are all getting older and older.   How was the 3rd row?  I read it was redesigned so that it was more roomy.   The 2nd row captains chairs look really awesome. 

The headrest is too low.  It should go to the top of the ears at a minimum and it's probably an inch or two shy of that on the tallest setting.  I do have a kind of long torso, but I don't think it would work for most older teenage boys.  It's only one seat though.  I would have lived with it if I had been able to actually obtain a sienna.  The outboard seats in the third row were fine.

Edited May 24, 2021 by Syllieann

[athena1277]

I’m going to also say the Kia Sedona is good for ease of getting in and out of the back seat.  I only have 3 kids, but 2 are teens and the other is still in a booster.  When we get together with grandparents we usually do the driving, so my teens get the back row.  They are tall and don’t have any problems sitting there and the way the middle seat moves up, it’s super easy to get in.  Mine is a 2017.  The only problems I’ve had were some recalls.  The sliding doors have recently been given a 15 year warranty (instead of 5 year) because of a now know problem with them not closing fully.  Mine had this problem and I just had to “booty bump” it closed the last little bit.  The local dealership repaired it at no cost to me.

[ktgrok]

DH is looking at getting a minivan as his next vehicle - he currently drives an old beat up pick up truck but wants something newer he can pick up work colleagues in comfortably. But he also transports say, servers or boxes of supplies for the non profit he's on the board of, or just wants to be able to pick up say, a freezer or oven from the store or PVC pipe or whatever. He's found for MOST everything a van with the seats folded down (like I said, we use that stow and go flip flop seat thing a LOT) works as well as his pick up truck. For the few things it won't fit he's got a hitch to put on it (or on mine - depending on what brand van he gets - we know it fits mine) and will rent or buy a small trailer to pull. 

They really are the most versatile of vehicles! I can't see me ever having an SUV instead - I know they look cooler but they really are just not as versatile for well, anything. Unless you get 4 wheel drive and a big on on a truck frame I guess, instead of the crossover and such that are meant to look tough but are actually just like a car. 

I hate minivans for a long time, until I realized dog people use them. I saw enough of them at tracking events/training with seats folded and crates in the back, etc that I became open to the idea. If it was cool enough for dog people, maybe it was cool. Then I test drove one, and between all the cup holders, and the room in the back to keep a small potty AND enough room for the toddler to sit back there and use it without having to be on the side of the road, plus plenty of room to lay down a baby and change a diaper, I was hooked, lol. Add in that I often have the split bench seat folded down on one side to make room for the dogs, can fit a full length of PVC pipe threaded up between the captains seats, etc....and yeah. Never going back. And soon we will be a two minivan family. (need to buy house first, lol)

I will say, it is um...tight..with all kids AND all dogs. But since DS started driving he usually prefers to drive himself if it isn't more than a 90 minute drive, so it really isn't an issue. In an emergncy, we can fit them all. 

[mommyoffive]

1 hour ago, Syllieann said:

The headrest is too low.  It should go to the top of the ears at a minimum and it's probably an inch or two shy of that on the tallest setting.  I do have a kind of long torso, but I don't think it would work for most older teenage boys.  It's only one seat though.  I would have lived with it if I had been able to actually obtain a sienna.  The outboard seats in the third row were fine.

That is with the headrest being extended up?  Ugh.   Thanks for the info.  I will have to check that out.  I don't need a new van right now at all, so I can wait.   But I really want that MPG.  In non Covid times I drive a lot. 

[prairiewindmomma]

3 hours ago, mommyoffive said:

We had a Dodge Grand Caravan before our Honda, and I would never get one again.  Nothing but problems and you can feel the difference in how the car drives and feels with a Honda.  

Yes, I had a friend go through three transmissions in their first Dodge minivan then two additional Dodge minivans during the entire time I owned my Odyssey (16 years). Most of my other minivan friends who drove Kia or other minivans just went through two minivans in that time frame. 

[pinball]

13 hours ago, BaseballandHockey said:

I am going to trade in our wheelchair van and get a new vehicle.  My ideal would be something that I can carry my kids and nieces/nephew and GFIL for a day’s adventure.  Which means I need it to seat 8, with 2 boosters and a car seat, and given how long I keep cars, eventually I need it to fit a bunch of teens. 

I also need it to be low enough for Pop to get in. Other people in our family have giant SUV’s and he manages ok now but he’s not getting younger.

 I would be open to another vehicle if it seats 8 and is easy for an older person to get in.

 

What is the used car situation in your area? It’s really tight in some places.

you might actually be better off in the long run if you could swing a new car with a very low interest rate or no interest rate.

as for your “ideal” I know that feeling of wanting to fit as many as possible but it might not feasible for you to get an affordable vehicle that seats 8.

realistically, how long will it be before you will need to take the newborn on a day’s adventure?

and if it is absolutely necessary (like an emergency) that you take all the children, once the newborn is like born, haha... then perhaps it won’t be a fun day adventure and your 91 yo GFIL wouldn’t be attending. I’m thinking of situations where the adults can’t care for their own children and need you to be the caregiver.

All that to say, a 7 person van will probably be easier to find, and IMO, would probably tide you over for a couple 2 years...

 

[Arcadia]

We rented the Toyota Sienna 8 seater for a long roadtrip to Grand Canyon going through Arizona. My youngest (he was small build) was in a car seat in middle of second row and he loved the view through the front windshield. My oldest was in a car seat in the back row window seat with my big size younger brother next to him. There was enough room for another adult. It should be a 2007 model because it was very new from Hertz and they have limited 8 seaters minivans.  My mom has rheumatoid arthritis and was okay with getting into the middle row. I had to “climb” into the front passenger seat but I have short legs. 

ETA: We have tried the 8 seater Honda Odyssey as well but my husband prefers driving a Sienna. 

Edited May 24, 2021 by Arcadia

[Terabith]

I know nothing about minivans, but my friend Bob says that everyone should buy yellow vehicles because they're easy to see and have lower rates of accidents.  I think there's a yellow Kia van.  

[Drama Llama]

4 minutes ago, Terabith said:

I know nothing about minivans, but my friend Bob says that everyone should buy yellow vehicles because they're easy to see and have lower rates of accidents.  I think there's a yellow Kia van.  

I think you have exceeded my level of anxiety/paranoia about things that can kill my children.  That is an accomplishment.  You and Bob should be very proud.  

[Terabith]

6 minutes ago, BaseballandHockey said:

I think you have exceeded my level of anxiety/paranoia about things that can kill my children.  That is an accomplishment.  You and Bob should be very proud.  

Bob is also red-green color blind.  It's entirely possible he thinks everyone should drive yellow cars solely because they're one of the few colors he can actually see and enjoy?

[Arcadia]

21 minutes ago, Terabith said:

I know nothing about minivans, but my friend Bob says that everyone should buy yellow vehicles because they're easy to see and have lower rates of accidents.  I think there's a yellow Kia van.  

Too many yellow cabs 🚕 here. I won’t want my vehicle to be mistaken for a cab 😂

[ktgrok]

1 hour ago, prairiewindmomma said:

Yes, I had a friend go through three transmissions in their first Dodge minivan then two additional Dodge minivans during the entire time I owned my Odyssey (16 years). Most of my other minivan friends who drove Kia or other minivans just went through two minivans in that time frame. 

Wow! I don't want to jinxy my van...but so far, so good is all I say, lol. 

[Lecka]

When we got a minivan, I test drove at a used car dealership.

There was a huge difference in how well I could see with the different windshields.  
 

Basically — I am short.  
 

My husband could see well out of all the ones we drove (I think we drove 3 or 4).

 

The one we got had the automatic side door buttons not working, and we never repaired them, no big deal if a child is old enough to open and close the side door.  

[Drama Llama]

59 minutes ago, Lecka said:

When we got a minivan, I test drove at a used car dealership.

There was a huge difference in how well I could see with the different windshields.  
 

Basically — I am short.  
 

My husband could see well out of all the ones we drove (I think we drove 3 or 4).

 

The one we got had the automatic side door buttons not working, and we never repaired them, no big deal if a child is old enough to open and close the side door.  

It hadn’t occurred to me that height mattered for the driver.  I have two kids who will presumably, learn to drive in whatever I buy, and are protected to be over 6 feet by that time.  

Should I find some tall person to test drive with me? 

[prairiewindmomma]

Fwiw, my Dh is 12” taller than me. I live in a family of giants but am personally fun-sized. 😉 We both can do Hondas and Toyota’s. He has leg room issues in some other vans. We use the pre-set seat positions. I have to place my motorized seat higher and closer. 

[Lecka]

My husband is not that tall, but he was fine in everything we test drove.  I think maybe ask around.

We did replace a transmission in a Dodge.  My sister is still driving it now.  We got it used.  I definitely feel like we have gotten our money’s worth with it.  The used car dealership was one of those things where they did no financing, and were on the very edge of town, with a small lot.  They had better prices and didn’t try to upsell us or talk us into their financing.  Which is to say — I thought we got a good price.  
 

I did not really like driving such a large vehicle, though, and I am glad we don’t need one anymore.  

I do like to be up high (like in a minivan) when driving on an Interstate, but I don’t care about that otherwise.  My husband has a pick-up now that is also high, and I take it when I am going to be on the Interstate very long.  
 

 

 

[Lecka]

I am going to add — we rented a mini-van the last time we went on a family trip.  It was totally worth it for that trip!  We both drive vehicles now that aren’t comfortable when everyone is in them at once.  They are fine for 10-20 minutes, but not more than that, really. Well, we just do not go all-together for more than 10-20 minutes very often.  
 

We decided we would just rent a mini-van when we would need one, and we have done it once and it worked out great 🙂. 
 

I really did not like driving a mini-van once I thought it was not really needed.  While I needed it I thought it was *amazing.*. 

[Syllieann]

2 hours ago, BaseballandHockey said:

It hadn’t occurred to me that height mattered for the driver.  I have two kids who will presumably, learn to drive in whatever I buy, and are protected to be over 6 feet by that time.  

Should I find some tall person to test drive with me? 

My dh is tall.  He can't do the smaller Toyotas because the wheel is too close to the bridge console for his knee to clear it when he pulls his foot up.  It sort of gets wedged between them.  The sienna and odyssey both have plenty of room for him.  (The highlander also works but not the rav 4 or the avalon.)

[Arcadia]

2 hours ago, BaseballandHockey said:

Should I find some tall person to test drive with me? 

Our sitting height is about the same but our height range from me being 5’1” to DS16 being 6”. We get DS16 to sit in the driver seat with the seat pushed as back as possible to see if that’s comfortable for him.