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Here's the best part of the minivan dilemma. Used they are a steal. Because they adorn rental lots by the tens of thousands, they are artificially depreciated to some point...like the Chevy Cruze....hard to take a beating that bad short of going to a Wal-mart parking lot and watching a parent belt one of their kids...just sayin'.
Soooooo, a 5-7 year old, excellent shape, minivan (toyota or honda, skip the rest) mid-trim level (don't buy leather you tool), goes for 35-40 points on the dollar with 75K or less on the clock.
What is 24Kish new in 2010-2012 (CE or whatever Honda's equivalent is) will now go for 8-10K. Not bad....SUV's will command 10pts more and suck more gas.
I have to disagree a little. It's true that the minivan value drops like a rock...except for the Toyotas and Hondas. Having sold a VW Routan and recently shopped for a used Odyssey...it's rough. You can get a Chrysler or Kia under $10k and 75k miles easily. The best deal I found on an Odyssey was a 2011 with 66K miles for $15000. It was gone before we could get to it. Anything lower than $15k and you were looking at an older body style. The Toyotas were even more expensive. A 2012 mid tier Odyssey with under $75k is going to be closer to $20k
Normal height they just drive over the curbs making right turns because they don't know how to turn. So they drive over the curb and the quarter panel under the sliding door gets crushed. Mini vans sit lower to the ground.
It's about the best bargain going. And let's not forget the Grand Caravan is packing that 280hp Pentastar V6, the same engine they put in the Ram 1500. I bet that minivan moves with that engine. Good looking van too, still has nice angles to it unlike the other minivans. Seats all fold down out of sight. Heck I'd get one but I need something with more towing capability.
It'll scoot if you floor it. I rented a Grand Caravan R/T last summer, and managed 28 mpg from NC to FL, and got 27 on the trip back. My wife's 2010 Corolla only managed 32 on the same trip the previous year, and we had a hell of a lot more room. My wife was so enamoured with the minivan that she sold the Corolla and got a Sienna (not a big deal except she had previously told me: "I'll NEVER have a minivan!")
Location: Stuck on the East Coast, hoping to head West
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My kids are grown and I'm still driving my minivan (Toyota Sienna). Most reliable, practical vehicle I've ever had. I've owned a minivan since 2000 (Plymouth Voyager). I don't care what people say or think.
My husband is an SUV person. Personally, I don't see the appeal of the SUV. What exactly does it want to be? I'd much rather drive a truck or minivan.
But back to my minivan, I love it! Easily fits 7 people comfortably. I can reconfigure the seats to fit my dogs, luggage, and or sports stuff. I'm always going to have one.
I still see plenty on the road, especially Siennas.
On Sunday morning I was out about town in my T&C, and I counted five Chrysler minivans in a one-hour period. It was surprising because normally, Siennas are the most common species in these parts.
On Sunday morning I was out about town in my T&C, and I counted five Chrysler minivans in a one-hour period. It was surprising because normally, Siennas are the most common species in these parts.
Actually the Dodge Grand Caravan is the most popular minivan in America right now:
The new Pacifica is eating into the Sienna and Odyssey sales.
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