Best Mini Van or car for a family of 5

LilyGracesMommy · January 2014

So speaking of car seats...

We currently have one car ( DHs) a Honda Accord, With this years income tax we plan on using as a down payment for my car

I'm thinking minivan ( my in-laws just bought a 2011 toyota sienna and it's beautiful!) Prior to that I was interested in the mazda cx-9 or the Honda minivan

We will be buying used and currently have no car payment, as DH's is was bought in full, looking to have a monthly payment of 200-250

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

apmom · January 2014

We have a Chrysler town and country, and it is a solid dependable van. Works great for a family of 5 and a big dog. It's not gonna be the most exciting vehicle you've ever owned but it holds up great!

owlcup · January 2014

I told DH that the only mini van I would drive is the one with the built in vacuum.

I can't actually remember which it is though. :P

GolfWidow001 · January 2014

We have the traverse that seats 8. The only problem though, if you have a third child in the way back, it doesn't give a ton of room for extras (like taking a vacation), but good for groceries! We like it and it really drives nice, but there will only be four of us, so we can always fold down te back seats if needed.

bebemac · January 2014

I've seen a few posts with people swooning over the Honda or Toyota minivans. Those are both reliable as used with good resale value.

xnbride · January 2014

We are in the market too. I have found that the best used vans to buy (based on consumer reports) are the Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey.
Chrysler Town and Country, Ford Expedition and Dodge Caravan rated really low. Ford Flex (SUV), Nissan Quest, Kia Sedona ranked average.
The Mazda CX9 rated above average (it is an SUV).

I have my consumer reports book handy. Is there a specific one you want me to look up for you?

LilyGracesMommy · January 2014

@xnbride there really isn't a specific one, but I do appreciate the offer

Right now I'm mostly daydreaming/brainstorming for a few months down the road ... Just curious what other have/want and what things people love or loath about certain brands

justme04 · January 2014

I had every intention of getting a honda or Toyota minivan. DH ended up choosing the dodge journey, since it was his purchase. The price better fit our price range and it had third row seating and could fit 7. Which is great with a third kid on the way and a dog. It's a nice vehicle and even though I wasn't ecstatic over getting a minivan; I am kinda sad we didn't lol. The Honda pilots are nice to and third row seating is an option in those as well. We couldn't find one used which is why DH choose the Journey

austinlyns · January 2014

We have a Honda odyssey and LOVE it! This is baby #4 and we will still have room to take two more kids in the car. The more extra space, the better because when kids get older you always have at least one of their friends riding with you.

kimmyberly26 · January 2014

I love my Dodge Caravan but this LO will only makes us a family of 4. My family have always owned Dodge Caravan and they have been very reliable. We bought ours used (30K) and it is a Crew, one step down from the fully loaded and my payment is $250 a month with an extended warranty.

I would definitely think about what you want for options and go from there also and do some research into the engines. Definitely get a van with Stow and Go. With your large family, you could really use the storage under the van. The built-in DVD players are nice but so expensive to replace if they break. DD has a $60 one strapped to a headrest. I'm not sure about the other vans but I have storage on the ceiling that stretches all the way back to the back seat.

I would test drive and really check out the storage in all the ones you are thinking about. We were also looking at the Routan which I've heard great things about but there weren't many used ones that were in our price range.

apmom · January 2014

I have a stow and go. The seats fold down so easily that it is very useful. The only catch is that you have to remember to look in the stow and go compartments when you clean the van out. Sometimes the kids "treasures"
And snacks slide down in there. But still totally worth it.

kbellizio3 · January 2014

Growing up we had a Toyota Sienna. My in-laws have a Toyota Highlander and a Sienna and DH and I have a Camry (our Jeep is our bigger vehicle). I LOVE Toyota and will highly recommend them to anyone. And as much as DH complains about them (he hates working on them) he'll admit they're great, solid, reliable vehicles. All our Toyotas have made it over 100,000. Mine's at 120,000 and still going strong. High resale value too. You definitely get what you pay for and they're safe.

That being said, don't count out the Honda Odessey, they rank just as high as Toyota does (I'm just seriously biased towards Toyota). I say test drive both and see which you like (features, looks, accessories etc) and then go with what works for you. DH has already nixed us getting any mini van at all. So we'll probably stick with our Jeep and Camry. Possibly upgrade to a bigger Jeep model down the road.

mattanda2011 · January 2014

DH won't let us get a mini can even though I would prefer one. We will be getting the GMC Acadia. For me a must have was two captain seats in the second row and then a regular 3rd row. I think most band have this but I think it is a must for accessibility with little ones in the very back. I am only pregnant with #2, but they will only be 16 months apart. If we have another one this close we could be looking at a 3-4 year old in the very back and I want to be able to easily get back there to help.

flerlgirl · January 2014

We have a 2012 Dodge Caravan. I love it. A little less fancy than some but it's pretty rad. I named it Carrie. Lots of space for strollers/89997 diapers and, my favorite part, lots of cup holders.

rmjones15 · January 2014

flerlgirl said:
We have a 2012 Dodge Caravan. I love it. A little less fancy than some but it's pretty rad. I named it Carrie. Lots of space for strollers/89997 diapers and, my favorite part, lots of cup holders.

If I had to get a minivan, I think I would go with a dodge caravan. My parents got one literally 12 years ago and they just gave it away, but it was still running like a champ.

ncbelle · January 2014

DH is already looking forward to getting a minivan down the road - ha ha! Probably the Honda or Toyota (I'm partial to Hondas). But for now we will be 3 across in our Subaru Outback - until the kids are bigger, it should be just fine. Heck, I had a friend who had 3 in a prius!

LilyGracesMommy · January 2014

DH is already looking forward to getting a minivan down the road - ha ha! Probably the Honda or Toyota (I'm partial to Hondas). But for now we will be 3 across in our Subaru Outback - until the kids are bigger, it should be just fine. Heck, I had a friend who had 3 in a prius!
which car seats do you have@ncbelle? Also are the FF or RF? We have been toying with the idea of getting an outback or the vw version as well and I'm curious.

Not sure if this applies but when I first found out I was pregnant I found from the car seat safety website/blog that people had successfully and safely fit 3 across in many types of cars ( honda accord included) many used typical bucket infant seats, but mentioned the RadianRXT for older kids as it one of the slimmest seats on the market, HTH

TonyaCody06 · January 2014

I cried when it came down to buying a minivan but it has been amazing with 3 little ones! Mine are all in carseats in the middle row. When #4 arrives, I plan to move my oldest two to the back row and keep my youngest and the baby in the middle. This will keep on seat in the middle clear to access the back row. Thankfully they can buckle themselves in now.

The sliding doors have been great b/c even with arms full I can click a button and they open for me. There are so many cup holders it is amazing! Definitely look into it as an option. I was NOT a fan before but am now.

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