CD Article: 2007 Minivan Challenge

[ktm525]

On warranty maybe but once it is on my dime... I'll tow with the truck.

[Turbo Bob]

While our minivan days are now well behind us, the two things I do miss are the ability to buy just about any sized television set, or other odd-shaped item and load it into the back of the van,

Just bought a bike yeaterday (road bike) and getting it into the TSX was an issue, managed it in the end though...

I'm sure the manager of the courier depot wondered what all the cardboard and polystyrene was doing outside when I picked up the surround sound system in the Exige.. 

[cndndrvr]

I'm with Mitlov on this.  A minivan is the wrong vehicle for this family.  A stationwagon is the best choice.  It handles better, has plenty of space, uses less gas, cheaper to purchase and operate, etc.  For the 5% of the time they need the space of a minivan they could easily rent one.  I can already guess the ending of this review - it was nice to have the features and space of the minivans, but it was overkill.  Final judgement - they will spend their money on a CUV.  This assumes they will stick with one kid.  If there is another kid in their future, a minivan makes more sense.  CD and Paul Wiliams, you are wasting a great opportunity on the wrong family.

[airbalancer]

While our minivan days are now well behind us, the two things I do miss are the ability to buy just about any sized television set, or other odd-shaped item and load it into the back of the van,

Just bought a bike yeaterday (road bike) and getting it into the TSX was an issue, managed it in the end though...

I'm sure the manager of the courier depot wondered what all the cardboard and polystyrene was doing outside when I picked up the surround sound system in the Exige.. 

Should got a bike rack
I still have figure out to fit ours on the 323 before we go down east

Wagon are great, but how many wagons are out there, and how many are cheaper in price then a base Carvan or Montana?

[Turbo Bob]

While our minivan days are now well behind us, the two things I do miss are the ability to buy just about any sized television set, or other odd-shaped item and load it into the back of the van,

Just bought a bike yeaterday (road bike) and getting it into the TSX was an issue, managed it in the end though...

I'm sure the manager of the courier depot wondered what all the cardboard and polystyrene was doing outside when I picked up the surround sound system in the Exige.. 

Should got a bike rack

I know, I know, spent up on the bike though...

[safristi]

does it have Traction control and a heated seat....!!!!

[Turbo Bob]

does it have Traction control and a heated seat....!!!!

Yes.

[safristi]

... Where's ME Sausages.....................

[banfield]

As the happy owner of a 2006 Dodge Caravan (short wheelbase; Canada edition), bought new for $17,000 (plus freight and taxes), I have to point out the obvious price advantage of this vehicle - a "stripper" with air and automatic but no power windows or locks (fine for me - less to break!).  This is my third Dodge minivan; was very happy with the previous two (zero transmission problems - you have to remember to change the tranny oil every 50,000 km using Chryler's Mopar fluid only). I have also owned two Mustangs, three VWs, a Volvo and a Honda CRX, all bought new. The Dodge minivans have been the best vehicles on balance.  Not a sporty drive obviously, but realistically how sporty can you be on today's congested roads.  I just got back from a camping trip in which we pulled a 2200-pound tent trailer to a seasonal site two hours from home, parked the trailer, added a couple of hours of holiday driving to neighboring towns, and at the end of the week drove home without the trailer.   I averaged 25 mpg.  Without a trailer, on the highway I can get 30 mpg with a light foot and obeying the speed limit. City driving yields 23 mpg.  Not great but the lower insurance rates (compared to, say, a high-mileage Japanese sedan), make up for it to some extent.   This minivan is a tad too big for me on the outside, but the "carry all your stuff" interior is a joy. Another bonus is that the insurance rates are so much lower than for the other vans (logical, since the high-dollar vans such as the Odyssey cost about twice as much to buy). Regrettably, the 2008 Chrysler vans will not offer a short wheelbase model. A famous auto designer commented that there are really only three kinds of cars - race cars, sedans, and minivans; anything else is just a pretender.

[wing]

I was reading Dave and Carolyn's comments and it seems they are enjoying the minivan so far.  One thing to note for them, if they are reading.  If you think the Minivan uses a lot of gas you would be very disappointed with pretty much any SUV you were previously considering!

[soj]

Not to take anything away from Dave, Carolyn and their newly arrived sproglet (very cute by the way) but they're the wrong demographic to be testing minivans.  As many have pointed out:

- 1 kid plus (bigger) dog, any 5 door hatch
- 2 kids, sans dog, pretty much anything you like short of a coupe
- 2 kids plus dog = wagon or somekind of SUV/CUV
- 3 kids or more, dog or no dog = minivan or giant SUV

That of course leads to the next question.  How after coming up with a great test concept does CD then go out and blow it by selecting a set of new parents?  As those of us who have gone through it know, when your first arrives you have a tendency to not want to leave home without taking everything including the kitchen sink.  As you get trained you realize the kitchen sink is not necessary nor half the other crap you lugged around.  I would suggest that using one rear seat and the rest of the space for hauling stuff, is a total waste of a minivan, let alone a test of its capabilities.   

My advice to Dave and Carolyn, buy a cargo box, hang tough and save your money, you'll need it to buy your diesel powered compact MPV when # 2 arrives and gas is $1.50/liter.

[cndndrvr]

I would suggest a rack for the bicycles, a carrier for the dog, and a cargo box for gear; it's safer that way.  Considering they would prefer to spend less than $35000 on a well equipped vehicle, my top 3 picks are:

1. Ford Focus wagon (Ford Family discounted right now)
2. Chev Malibu Maxx
3. Used Honda CR-V

Any other suggestions?

[chrischasescars]

I just got back from a camping trip in which we pulled a 2200-pound tent trailer to a seasonal site two hours from home, parked the trailer, added a couple of hours of holiday driving to neighboring towns, and at the end of the week drove home without the trailer.   I averaged 25 mpg.  Without a trailer, on the highway I can get 30 mpg with a light foot and obeying the speed limit.

Those stripper Caravans were a great deal. Nice vans too, if, like you say, you take care of the transmission.

If you plan to tow that trailer regularly, I'd suggest having an aftermarket trans fluid cooler installed. It can greatly extend the life of an auto tranny.

On the minivan topic: I like them quite a lot for their utility, but I think many small families are too quick to decide that they "need" one. Friends of mine who have a three-year-old just realized, after almost two years of deliberation, that they don't actually need a minivan - something I've been trying to convince them of for at least that long. They have two cars right now - a first-gen Santa Fe and a 2002-ish Accent, both leased. With both leases ending soon, they're now considering leasing a couple of Sonatas - one for him to drive to work and the other for mom to drive baby around in during the week.

Like I said, minivans are cool, but with one child, I think it's less of a necessity and more of a desire for that much space.

I agree with cndndrvr on the Focus wagon; looks like a great deal with the family discount.

[carcrazy]

I think the best vehicle for a one child familly (my case) is a small CUV (CRV, RAV4, Outlander just to name few of the best). A wagon or hatchback could do it too, but it could be a bit tight in some circumstances like rear facing car seat, mom traveling in the back with the child - leg room is rather small usually, going away for a long weekend or vacation - the stroller and baby stuff takes up too much space with little left for the rest.
I think a sedan would not really fit the bill as well as a small CUV. It depends on how much one is willing to compromise though.

[stodge]

Doesn't the Malibu Maxx have a shorter trunk than the sedan? I would have thought that wouldn't suit a family so well.

[chrischasescars]

I think a sedan would not really fit the bill as well as a small CUV. It depends on how much one is willing to compromise though.

True - in many ways, compact CUVs and SUVs have replaced the small station wagon.

Doesn't the Malibu Maxx have a shorter trunk than the sedan? I would have thought that wouldn't suit a family so well.

The Maxx does have a shorter trunk, but it's still pretty spaccious. Plus, the Maxx has a longer wheelbase, which equals a bigger back seat - perfect for those rear-facing car seats.

[cndndrvr]

Doesn't the Malibu Maxx have a shorter trunk than the sedan? I would have thought that wouldn't suit a family so well.

The Maxx is half an inch shorter than the sedan but the hatchback design gives it a larger usable cargo volume than the sedan, 23 vs 15 cu. ft.  The Maxx also has sliding and split folding rear and passenger seats.
My picks are based on what I think are vehicles that are reliable and good value.  If they find their Sportage cramped for space because they frequently take their kid, dog and gear all at once and they want everthing inside the vehicle then perhaps they do need to move up in size and a Toyota Highlander may better suit their requirements.

[safristi]

Rarely see a :MAXI onna street............................................... ... fly me to tha *OON..........

[Jay]

You should ALWAYS check your blind spot, irregardless of the vehicle you drive.......

[kakuenc]

Dont know how Dave got 12.6L/100km on the Entourage.
I have had my Entourage since July 2006. my 99% city driving is giving me close to 18L/100km. We dont drive aggressively so I think its just the way my Van is!