The Dreaded Minivan

eat111315 · May 2015

The time has come to get a minivan. In October we'll have three kids the oldest being just four so I think it's unavoidable. I'm not crawling in the back of a third row in an SUV and I can't see squeezing three car seats in a second row, so here we are!

Here are my thoughts and I would love any input:
1. Dodge caravan. Pros: affordable, stow and go seats are somewhat dreamy. Cons: I think it's hideous (although I'm trying to remember I won't be staring at the outside of it), not great resale
2. Odyssey. Pros: always a top pick, good looking car, high resale, etc etc. Cons: pricey
3. Kia Sedona: Pros: similar features of the odyssey/sienna. Cons: relatively high price given it's a kia.

Rikki_5 · May 2015

How about the Nissan Quest? It's a bit pricey but doesn't look so "minivanish" lol! I've always had good experiences with Nissans. Good luck!

Amazing450 · May 2015

We just got a Toyota sienna and love it

ChristyD6 · May 2015

Following bc we are headed there too

eat111315 · May 2015

I considered the quest too but it didn't seem so different from the odyssey and I think for the price difference is rather go the odyssey. I think it was a little bigger too which wasn't a feature I was looking for.
@Amazing450 how is getting in the back? I was envisioning have to remove one of the middle seats to get good access.

bgriest · May 2015

My SIL just got a new SUV due to expecting her 4th this summer. She got one that has 2 bucket seats for the middle row and then a bench seat for the back row to make getting in and out easy for her and the kids.

CaitLewis15 · May 2015

Lol my bestie literally just texted me that she finally bought a mini. She said a little piece of her soul died but she got over it really fast

They bought a Town and Country and she lurves it

Kitkatmoro · May 2015

Love my Kia Sedona... in fact it's my second one! Gets good gas mileage. . Has a nice get-up-and-go.

Amazing450 · May 2015

eat111315 said:
I considered the quest too but it didn't seem so different from the odyssey and I think for the price difference is rather go the odyssey. I think it was a little bigger too which wasn't a feature I was looking for.
@Amazing450 how is getting in the back? I was envisioning have to remove one of the middle seats to get good access.

It seats either 7 or 8 the middle row has a removable center seat which sits nicely in the trunk not taking up any space. When removed there ate four cup holders you can easily step over. Both my children love it. They're six and 16 months.

ajhellmuth · May 2015

We have a dodge caravan and I love it! Never really thought I'd have a minivan but it has lots of room & makes life easier. Especially when your packing a stroller or two, or a wagon lol, or just overnight bags for a weekend etc. I'm not one to research vehicles but just wanted to let you know it's not sooo bad

Pink283 · May 2015

I have a kia sedona and love it! I never thought I'd be a minivan mom. We chose the kia sedona because we found one at a much lower price than a toyota sienna or honda odyssey (which are both great choices also).

on_the_move · May 2015

We are in the same position with having #3 and needing more room, we decided on the Odyssey. I really loved the resale value and we are saving a bit of money by going with a lower trim level than I originally wanted (the one without the nav system, but with the DVD player) Another nice thing was that in the middle seat you can pull the 3 seats apart from each other, hopefully making it possible to put 3 carseats in that row if we want to.

eat111315 · May 2015

Thanks, ladies for the input! I feel like I'm overthinking this and just need to get out there and buy one. My current car is a tiny scion (awesome city car and a parellell parker's dream) so it's going to be quite a change. We're going out next week to make a decision.

MamaOwl15 · May 2015

The Odyessey is pretty awesome as far as minivans are concerned. My parents have one that's at least 12 years old and it still runs great. You can't go wrong with a Honda. It's worth the initial investment.

Jame414 · May 2015

Def go with Honda. We have a odyssey touring Ed. It's awesome. I would not recommend Sienna from personal experience. It is roomier and has awd. However, no place for spare or have to use run flats which are terrible. Also had tons of problems with water leakage that it smelled like an old shoe.

twogirlsandagreen · May 2015

My best friend has the Honda and it is awesome. It is my favorite of all my friends' minivans. I have a Suburban with captains chairs in the second row. Accessing the third row for my suc and her minivan is the same (she keeps her middle seat in second row stowed). Her car is not any more convenient for that. The sliding doors are nice though - I worry about my kids opening our doors in to the next car. Her van also has tons of awesome storage compartments that I lust after. But not enough to drive one haha.

lsugirl81 · May 2015

I can't do the minivan. We are doing a sequoia with captains chairs in the middle row. My 5 year old will climb in the back since he can strap himself in. I'm in the process of teaching the 2 year old how to buckle himself in as well. My husband tried to say we needed a van because the kids need help getting in. I'm proving him wrong

JamieDubs · May 2015

eat111315 said:
The time has come to get a minivan. In October we'll have three kids the oldest being just four so I think it's unavoidable. I'm not crawling in the back of a third row in an SUV and I can't see squeezing three car seats in a second row, so here we are!

Here are my thoughts and I would love any input:
1. Dodge caravan. Pros: affordable, stow and go seats are somewhat dreamy. Cons: I think it's hideous (although I'm trying to remember I won't be staring at the outside of it), not great resale
2. Odyssey. Pros: always a top pick, good looking car, high resale, etc etc. Cons: pricey
3. Kia Sedona: Pros: similar features of the odyssey/sienna. Cons: relatively high price given it's a kia.
It's a shame. I'm sorry for your loss

tuinstrab · May 2015

Chrysler Town and Country all the way. I love our mini van and have no shame in it at all!! Ive never had a car with so much space. Its amazing!!

LiveNLove44 · May 2015

Two of our neighbors just bought the Dodge caravan within the last 6 months. Both families only have two kids at this point with no current pregnancies, but both also love the versatility. Have fun test driving and let us know what you get and why!

doe2813 · May 2015

I had a Mercades wagon with a rear facing fold out third row because I was never a fan of SUVs and refused to be a minivan mom but with baby #5 on the way we had no where to put a stroller so my SO traded in his Speed sports car for our minivan. We got the Dodge Caravan and I love it! The stow and go is great and it was so affordable!

komorebi · May 2015

I have a chrysler town and country. I love my minivan. We are expecting number four and i love the space. The newer vans have so many features and I'm not trying to look cool, since chances are I'll have had poop on me that wasn't my own in any given day. I think the color of the van helps though. Good luck.

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