Thinking of buying a minivan..any suggestions?

We've been test driving vans and cars for the past 3 months. I've read everything there is to read about every single vehicle known to man. ;) We bought a Toyota Avalon because our first Toyota, 4 years old now, is such a sturdy, reliable car. We keep our cars until they have to be towed away by Goodwill, so over 10 years!

I like the quality, reliability, materials, gas mileage, safety and service of the Toyota more than the Chryslers. We had a Chrysler mini-van for years, and after we got the Toyota I realized just how clunky and rattley the Chryslers are. We test drove the Kia Sedona, and although they are much less expensive, if you're going to keep your car for that long, go with the better quality vehicle with the higher resale value.

Both of our Toyotas were built in the US, shipped by American truckers, sold by Americans at an American car dealership, so I don't feel that we're betraying America by buying a Toyota. Toyota plans on building 25 more plants here in the US over the next couple years, which will help our economy and the workers here.

Have fun!

Dodge Caravan, I am a mechanic, and I don't see many Toyota vans. Mainly because no one buys them because they are garbage, and the ones i do see are falling apart because they were built poorly. The Dodge Caravan (also the former Plymouth Voyager, and Chrysler Town and Country) are all very good and reliable vans. I see very few problems with them, and I have seen them run for over 400 000km. If you do end up with the Caravan, make sure it has the 3.3L or the 3.8L engine, the 3L engines had a few more problems then the 3.3 and the 3.8's.

We have always had a big car, ala Grand Marquis, but a few weeks ago we purchased a Town and Country and my goodness I wish we would've had a van all along. The roominess is amazing, both in the front and back seats. We have the second row captains chairs, which make it extremely nice. I'm 6'1" and I can sit in the back seat without my legs getting anywhere near the front seat.

The ride is extremely nice and it has decent power. Tons of room and the bells and whistles are sweet!

And for the record, there is a lot more room in a mini-van then in a mid-sized SUV, there is no comparison whatsoever. Also who cares what other people think of your ride, as long as it is exactly what you want. People think they need SUV's and 4x4, when in all reality the only time it will go off road is when they back up into their flower beds.

We have a Dodge Caravan, like the Town & Country. We like it and it is a bit bigger than the Toyota. But I will admit, if we could have afforded it, We would have bought the Toyota or a Honda Odyssey. They get better gas mileage and have a better reliability record.

Hope that helps.

Look into Kia Sedona. They are reasonably priced, have GREAT gas mileage and last quite awhile. They are also the top rated safety vans in the nation. You can get the complete entertainment package for about $4000 over price. Really not much for the kind of service you get if you have a good dealer. I love my van. It seats seven, the back seat folds into the floor. The middle seats are captain seats (nice on trips, no fighting about who is on who's side). It is roomy but not super bulky or big and it sets lower so it is sleek looking. Plus, if you keep up on you maintenance, you get a good loyalty trade in when you are ready to get rid of it.

i own a repair shop,and i can tell you the best choice right now is the town and country,,there real nice vehicles and do not give a lot of problems,,i do a lot of work for all the local car lots,,and when they get these vehicles in stock,,they don't last too long,id recommend you at least go drive a few,and then compare,,i think you,ll like the town and country,,good luck hope this help,s.

My advice would be: If you want to get a vehicle the size of a minivan, scrap that idea and get a full or mid sized SUV.

SUV's are so much cooler and more guy-ish, they look so much better and they are not as stupid as mini vans.

Plus theere is only a small diference in gas mileage. But it is worth it because you feel so much better in an SUV.

I can recomend a good SUV to you if you describe what you are looking for, but here are my top 5 favorite SUV's

1. Range Rover

2. Porsche Cayenne

3. Lincoln Navigator (not the newest design though, they killed the navigator with that ugly thing)

4. Oldsmobile Bravada

5. GMC Yukon

I would recomend any of those, they all are very very good cars.

Buy American..you live here..support the American workers..We have had 2 Chrysler products..1 a van and 1 a truck..liked them both..also if you need parts they are much cheaper.

Okay...if you must buy a mini van, at least buy something that is built well, reliable, and will last 8-10 years...go with the Toyota!

Great choice.