Minivan recommendations?

[lab_nomad]

As I wrote in my introductory post, I'll be getting a minivan in a few months. I'm looking at Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, and Dodge Caravan. I currently drive a Kia Rio, which I like, but the Sedona gets the worst gas mileage of the minivans, so I sort of wrote it off.  

I know the sienna's seats are the easiest to remove. 

I'll be taking out the seats to make room for the bed, but I won't be doing a build. 

Any thoughts about the strengths and weaknesses of these models?

 

[Uncle Todo]

My previous van was an Odyssey, I was looking at setting it up for vanning, taking all the seats out including the third row fold down, huge storage space that is in the floor and than building a flip up bed platform over it.
In the end though, me being 6'4 and it having 300K, when I saw an ad for a Chevy Astro conversion van with 64k for sale, I jumped on it and passed the Odyssey along to someone else.

 

[Roberta from Tampa]

lab_nomad, I am in the same place exactly. I'm shopping now for a minivan and had narrowed it down to approximately the same models. I didn't know that about the Sienna's seats, so thanks for the info! I did find out that the newest Sienna (2021) doesn't have removable second-row seats because of the addition of side airbags. I'm not sure about the 2020, but I think from at least 2019 back the second row is removable. Because of reliability, I will probably end up with the Sienna, but the Caravan is a lot cheaper.

 

[jonyjoe303]

once you start loading up a minivan with equipment/batteries etc it is going to affect the mileage, I get a measly 11 mpg on my 1986 astrovan with the v6. Luckily I don't drive too far. I suspect a bigger v8 would probably get better mileage driving a heavy van.
I like the astrovan because of the huge area in the back and its closer to a full size van then a minivan. Its rear wheel drive which makes it easier to repair, never had problems finding parts for it. Its proven very reliable in the 8 years I owned it. In 8 years only had to replace the water pump, the fuel pump, and repair the differential. I did all the work myself. When my astrovan finally quits, I will get another astrovan.

 

[lab_nomad]

I think they stopped making them around 2005. I am wanting something quite a bit newer.

 

[urbankid12]

I have a 2006 Honda Odyssey which I been living in for about 2 months full time now and I love it!! I gutted the bottom down to the frame and took out the side panels (ended up putting the passenger side back to help protect the A/C lines other side has my desk/table protecting it) I’m 5’8 and I put a full-size twin bed in there on a wooden frame I built myself since the legs needed to be perfect height plus it’s a u shape frame so I can slide a few bags under easier.

My mini-rv has two basements/ bottom wells the back one is perfect for a bathroom space with a drain plug to let out water already built in (2 drain plugs actually under the plastic tub tray that came with it.) I didn’t mess with the top liners since there are side airbags I don’t wanna play around. I have 2 100w solar panels I put on the roof rack ( I think they might be smaller roof rack than other brands cause they seem tiny) didn’t have enough room to put the back roof rack bar on but they are bolted in place with u bolts and lock washers ( took an entire day to put them in place but they are not going anywhere!! Lol , but I usually only go 60-65 max to save on gas.) I think I get around 22mpg but I keep forgetting to do the tracking method but I did it once and got 22

I bought mine in 18 from a dealer for 6k the car fax showed lots of the expenses repairs were already done so it was a solid purchase. The battery was a dud but that’s not really worth mentioning. Did have to replace the front motor mount luckily my uncle helped ( he did it I watched) replace it. Besides that I love it!

One concern is I guess the transmissions are kinda weak so I baby it and I would never tow anything and I been trying to lighten the load to an extreme to help it live longer.. I did change the transmissions fluid and no significant signs of wear so that was a relief if you do get a odyssey change the transmissions fluid every 50k miles unless it’s to late and it was never changed idk ask a mechanic if need be I guess..

If you have the money I say go for a Toyota sennia. But if you want something of good value an odyssey could be a good fit too. I will say I’m already looking forward to getting a 2011 sennia it was out of my budget back in 18 as they were like 10-12k at least. When I bought my odyssey it was like 137K miles now it’s like 160k and still drives like a land-yacht! It’s a bit more bouncy over bumps but before this I was driving a car.

I wouldn’t scare anyone away from a odyssey but I learned how to drive city busses and I’m a very slow and defense driver I’m hoping to be able to get to 260k miles before I’m itching for a newer model ( 2011ish Toyota sennia before they become all grill design, or maybe a 2023 electric sennia the climate control electric engine would be awesome for my dog if i need to leave her in the car to go shopping) I been staying at the LTVA and I feel so proud and happy of my new home.. you couldn’t go wrong with a odyssey. If you have any questions just ask. I learned so much I would have wished I could have known beforehand but life is a learning experience.

 

[crofter]

The Toyota Sienna is all wheel drive. I considered it, but got more for my money with a used cargo van.

My brother owned a Sienna from new, and still had major problems in the high mileage years. So I think less sturdy than a Chevy Sahara as well as being smaller.  -crofter

 

[RVTravel]

Some Toyota Sienna's are all wheel drive, not all of them.

 

[highdesertranger]

I would stay away from all wheel drive(AWD). especially a used one just more moving parts to wear out and break. highdesertranger

 

[lab_nomad]

Good to know. I have read that a front-wheel drive with snow tires is almost as good as AWD. Other than stupidly accepting a work assignment in Massachusetts this winter (to build up my reputation with the company), I wouldn't really be needing to worry about it much, anyway.

 

[lab_nomad]

I have a 2006 Honda Odyssey which I been living in for about 2 months full time now and I love it!! I gutted the bottom down to the frame and took out the side panels (ended up putting the passenger side back to help protect the A/C lines other side has my desk/table protecting it) I’m 5’8 and I put a full-size twin bed in there on a wooden frame I built myself since the legs needed to be perfect height plus it’s a u shape frame so I can slide a few bags under easier. 

My mini-rv has two basements/ bottom wells the back one is perfect for a bathroom space with a drain plug to let out water already built in (2 drain plugs actually under the plastic tub tray that came with it.) I didn’t mess with the top liners since there are side airbags I don’t wanna play around.  I have 2 100w solar panels I put on the roof rack ( I think they might be smaller roof rack than other brands cause they seem tiny) didn’t have enough room to put the back roof rack bar on but they are bolted in place with u bolts and lock washers ( took an entire day to put them in place but they are not going anywhere!! Lol , but I usually only go 60-65 max  to save on gas.) I think I get around 22mpg but I keep forgetting to do the tracking method but I did it once and got 22

I bought mine in 18 from a dealer for 6k the car fax showed lots of the expenses repairs were already done so it was a solid purchase.  The battery was a dud but that’s not really worth mentioning. Did have to replace the front motor mount luckily my uncle helped ( he did it I watched) replace it. Besides that I love it!

One concern is I guess the transmissions are kinda weak so I baby it and I would never tow anything and I been trying to lighten the load to an extreme to help it live longer.. I did change the transmissions fluid and no significant signs of wear so that was a relief if you do get a odyssey change the transmissions fluid every 50k miles unless it’s to late and it was never changed idk ask a mechanic if need be I guess..

If you have the money I say go for a Toyota sennia. But if you want something of good value an odyssey could be a good fit too.  I will say I’m already looking forward to getting a 2011 sennia  it was out of my budget back in 18 as they were like 10-12k at least.  When I bought my odyssey it was like 137K miles now it’s like 160k and still drives like a land-yacht! It’s a bit more bouncy over bumps but before this I was driving a car. 

I wouldn’t scare anyone away from a odyssey but I learned how to drive city busses and I’m a very slow and defense driver I’m hoping to be able to get to 260k miles before I’m itching for a newer model ( 2011ish Toyota sennia before they become all grill design, or maybe a 2023 electric sennia the climate control electric engine would be awesome for my dog if i need to leave her in the car to go shopping) I been staying at the LTVA and I feel so proud and happy of my new home.. you couldn’t go wrong with a odyssey.  If you have any questions just ask. I learned so much I would have wished I could have known beforehand but life is a learning experience.

Thanks for your input, urbankid12.