VW Routan v. Toyota v. Chrysler (Minivans)??

atc282

So I'm finally surrendering and purchasing a mini-van, especially since I'll have another little one this fall.

Which mini van do you drive and please give me your honest feedback about it. We're going to look at the follwing:

VW Routan

Toyota Sienna

Chrysler T&C

 Thanks so much!

FloF9

Oooh I don't own any but I would have to say my choice would be the VW Routan....

Temp6313048411121614

I really liked the look of the Routan, but it was important to me to buy American (even though DH has a Honda).  We have a 2007 Chrysler T&C.  Are you looking at new or used?  I love the Stow N Go with the T&C, we keep all baby supplies (diapers, wipes, change of clothes) and groceries in the floorboard.  SNG was VERY important for us.  My mom has a new (I think 2011) T&C and I Love that the back windows on hers rolls down.  I love my T&C.  I will say that I'm having some sort of issue with it right now (some kind of whining noise), but I plan to get that fixed soon.

jesidz

I just got my "new to me" 2008 Chrysler T&C and I have really enjoyed it. My priorities were affordability, low mileage and power doors/hatch so it worked for us. I also prefer to buy American and the Honda's and VW's were significantly more expensive ($7kish + more for comparable years/miles). Our 2008 has stow n go (which is super nice) captains chairs, power doors and hatch and only 27K miles on it. It does not have leather or DVD but I didn't want those.

BeccaLandes

I had heard some bad things about the Routan.  

Originally we were looking at the Odyssey and the Sienna for our family, but price just ruled them out (seriously, how many people with 2+ little ones can afford those vans?).

A 2009 Town & Country kind of fell into our laps 2 weeks ago and we bought it-- so far I have been totally happy with it.  We have automatic doors, captain's seats in the 2nd row, the stow-n-go seating, etc.  It is soooo easy to run errands, and we drove home from Maine in it with 3 adults and our twins and so much room to spread out, it felt completely luxurious! 

eta: This is the first American vehicle I've owned! 

Rangergal9

We have a 2011 Sienna and I love it.  We thought it seemed to have more room than the Odyssey (although they didn't have the new model out yet).  I love the power doors and that the middle seats are on tracks so they can slide all the back.  

FloF9

Becca - please explain....I'd like to know.

sawyer918

The Routan has been recalled sooooo many times.  My cousin owns one and hasn't had any of the problems they were recalled for but is getting sick of taking it in.  THey are made by Dodge. 

hunt2005

My big thing was safety. Routan wasn't even on the list of top-rated or recommended. We chose the Sienna. 2007, low miles, everything in it. I LOVE it. No stow n go, but I felt like that would end up getting filled with unneeddd things anyways. I'd definitely drive them all. I liked the feel of the Honda and Toyota better than Chrysler.

#6

Not only is the Rutan having a lot of problems its a LOT smaller than the other vans you listed.  When I bought my Nissan Quest (which I LOVE) in 2009 (brand new) I test drove every.single mini van.  I took notes of what I liked, didnt like, the safety etc.

When I test drove the Quest the 2 sales people helping us didnt even know the 2nd row seats folded all the way down sort of like the T&C but not into the floor.  They are flat though.  I had done tons of research on the Quest because I really liked the look of it and the fold down 2nd row.  I had 3 in carseats and it was a PITA to get them all in and buckled.  I used to fold one of the seats all the way down so I had room to get around inside and buckle them all up.  Now they can do it so I have 2 in the 2nd row and L in the 3rd row.

I really liked the Honda as well.  It would have been our 2nd pick.  Wasnt too thrilled with the T&C for the price.   

Test drive them all.  Its the only real way to compare them.  

 

Hibiscus2007

We bought a used 2006 Chrysler T & C, it kind of just fell in our lap...great price, very low milage, all the bells and whistles, I was able to even trade my 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee for it.  Therefore, I didn't really research the other minivans, but I LOVE my T&C.  I love the Stow n go seats, I keep one of the captains chairs folded down into the floor so it is easy to get all the kids in a buckled etc.  I have the 3 babies across back row in 2 Sunshine radian carseats and a britax marathon all on 3rd row.  My toddler is in the captain chair.  There is lots of room in the cargo area b/c of the stow n go it is very deep for stuff!  GL