Minivan Time fellas

Best used minivan under $10k

  • Grand Caravan

  • Town and Country

  • Toyota Sienna

  • Honda Odyssey

  • Other

  • Don’t do it man

  • Just put one kid in the trunk


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MidnightSwinger

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My third child is due in March, and it’s time to upgrade the family hauler. Currently it’s a 2010 Nissan Sentra, great car, but won’t fit 3 car seats.

Who has a minivan? What’s good and what’s bad about it? I’m not stuck on Mopar in this case, although I know they do quite well in the Minivan world.

My terms:

Under $10,000 as I would like to pay cash or finance very short term. I can’t afford a big payment.

Under 100,000 miles

Under 10 years old

Other than that, I’m open. I don’t want a minivan, but the value and practicality make them a good choice for my situation. If you have 3 kids in car seats, and don’t drive a minivan, but what you drive still fits my above criteria, I’m all ears.

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Say NO TO Toyota Nissan Hyundai Kia and Hon-duh. I wouldn't have any of those even if for free, on a dare.
My vote? I'd look for another Dodge B van in a heartbeat I miss my 87
 
Say NO TO Toyota Nissan Hyundai Kia and Hon-duh. I wouldn't have any of those even if for free, on a dare.
My vote? I'd look for another Dodge B van in a heartbeat I miss my 87
It needs to be under 10 years old, no compromise. My wife insists. I’m pretty sure she set that rule to keep me from going old Mopar.
 
My third child is due in March, and it’s time to upgrade the family hauler. Currently it’s a 2010 Nissan Sentra, great car, but won’t fit 3 car seats.

Who has a minivan? What’s good and what’s bad about it? I’m not stuck on Mopar in this case, although I know they do quite well in the Minivan world.

My terms:

Under $10,000 as I would like to pay cash or finance very short term. I can’t afford a big payment.

Under 100,000 miles

Under 10 years old

Other than that, I’m open. I don’t want a minivan, but the value and practicality make them a good choice for my situation. If you have 3 kids in car seats, and don’t drive a minivan, but what you drive still fits my above criteria, I’m all ears.

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We had a 2006 Town and country and we really liked it's versatility. We sold it a couple of years ago with 170,000 miles on it and bought a Dodge Journey. We miss all the room in a mini van so our next vehicle will probably be another one. The newer vans are a lot nicer too! Make safety a priority for the kids also. Don't know which van is best for that.
 
I don’t have a vote, but if a mini van is what’s good for your family, get one! I’ve never worried about what people think of me.
 
I don’t have a vote, but if a mini van is what’s good for your family, get one! I’ve never worried about what people think of me.
I agree 100%,being a gear head and racing enthusiast makes me just hate them.

But I’m not racing, and I want something I don’t have to work on. Gas,oil,brakes and tires.
 
We had a 2006 Town and country and we really liked it's versatility. We sold it a couple of years ago with 170,000 miles on it and bought a Dodge Journey. We miss all the room in a mini van so our next vehicle will probably be another one. The newer vans are a lot nicer too! Make safety a priority for the kids also. Don't know which van is best for that.
Exactly, that’s why I’m looking at 2012 and newer. The safety features make them wort the extra coin over the previous generation.

If I could swing the $600 a month payment I would have a Pacifica Hybrid AWD in the driveway.
 
I have two buddies and a cousin with the Honda and they all love it. they each have three kids in the 4~11 range. all of them absolutely rave about the versatility, space and ride. to admit, it is roomy and the ride is cushy.

one buddy uses his as a parts chaser as well. he removes the seats (super easy) and throws down a piece of poly that is custom cut to fit the floor. engines and rearends no problem at all!

all of them bought second hand CPO's with warranty and haven't done anything buy brakes, tires and general maintenance.
 
I'd look for another Dodge B van in a heartbeat I miss my 87
As much as I hate to say it, steer clear. I was in the market for one and everything I found had rotted frames.
As for the OP, I've had a few Grand Caravans over the years. Last one probably saved my life. Was in a nasty wreck and the impact zones did their job. The car was totaled, but I walked away, shaken, but not hurt.
The Town and Country's are nice as well. They are just fancy Grand Caravans.
I'm currently using a Chrysler Pacifica as my daily. It's a decent car, but I'm getting bored with it. It's got over 170K on it. Leather all the bells and whistles. Plenty of room though.
The nice thing about the American v Japanese is cheaper and is easier to work on. At least in my opinion. I can easily do routine maintenance on my Pacifica.
 
I had a 1996 Town and Country and loved it. I now have a 2020 Caravan and it's a piece of ****. As a matter of fact other than a SRT8 or Hellcat I just wouldn't buy another new Chrysler product. The paint jobs on the Rams are the worst I've ever seen. And don't take this lightly as I've been a Mopar guy since the 60's. Now I don't know about what a 2010 or so would be like but my advice would to look at a Honda, Toyota or a Subaru.
 
Exactly, that’s why I’m looking at 2012 and newer. The safety features make them wort the extra coin over the previous generation.

If I could swing the $600 a month payment I would have a Pacifica Hybrid AWD in the driveway.
Caravans are very versatile vehicals and generally easy to work on,however they are prone to issues. If you are looking at a used one be sure to listen for any ticking in the valve train, indicating a roller rocker,lifter or worn cam lobe. I would also check to make sure the oil cooler is not dumping oil into the engine valley. Wouldn’t hurt to drop the trans pan and look for chunks as well. If air conditioning is a must, make sure it works as the rear under body lines and rear evaporators are common, expensive repairs.RJ
 
Caravans are very versatile vehicals and generally easy to work on,however they are prone to issues. If you are looking at a used one be sure to listen for any ticking in the valve train, indicating a roller rocker,lifter or worn cam lobe. I would also check to make sure the oil cooler is not dumping oil into the engine valley. Wouldn’t hurt to drop the trans pan and look for chunks as well. If air conditioning is a must, make sure it works as the rear under body lines and rear evaporators are common, expensive repairs.RJ
Good to know, I want something I don’t have to work on at all.
 
id go toyota or Honda if you can find one under 10 years old in your price range.
For sure. I never had a mini van, but our '07 Accord is perfect, with 137,000 miles. Tires, brakes, maintenance. There was a power window issue. Fixed it by youtubing.
:D
I think it's even worth getting a small loan, and I don't like loans! They cost a bit more, but you get what you pay for, in this case.
 
I work at a dealership and we sell Kia ford and Chryslers. I would by a Kia Sedona. They are a good vehicle and have very good performance.
 
Do you even need to ask? Chrysler didn't invent the minivan, but they dang sure perfected it. Go Mopar.
 
Just took our 3 kids and two of their friends today for a trip to the trampoline park and mall in our "16 pacifica which is my wife's vehicle. I have a crew cab RAM. No Brainer which vehicle we take on any kind of road trip or needing to pick up a bunch of stuff, I hope she never grows tired of having a van cause it's the best second vehicle to have. The tough part is going to be finding one that's in good shape for under 10k. You might be in the old you can pick any two, but not all three (cheap, fast, good) instead (cheap, good, low mileage)
 
Just took our 3 kids and two of their friends today for a trip to the trampoline park and mall in our "16 pacifica which is my wife's vehicle. I have a crew cab RAM. No Brainer which vehicle we take on any kind of road trip or needing to pick up a bunch of stuff, I hope she never grows tired of having a van cause it's the best second vehicle to have. The tough part is going to be finding one that's in good shape for under 10k. You might be in the old you can pick any two, but not all three (cheap, fast, good) instead (cheap, good, low mileage)
That is my reality usually, never enough money, but I know better! $10k isn’t a set in stone number, but it would allow me to pay mostly cash and avoid a high monthly payment.
 
look into any transportation companies nearby or limo services. They often have minivans with high mileage but they are well taken care of. I myself have a 2010 RAM with 205k miles on it now and nobody would ever want to buy it from me if they knew the mileage, but if they saw it they would be all over it. I take meticulous care just because when I bought it new in 2010 $33,000 was a ton of money for me to think about spending on a new truck. Glad I bought it when I did, I can't get over the prices of new ones. But if my engine blows or tranny goes, I will invest in new ones cause it will still be a lot cheaper than replacing with new.
How is the rust situation in WA for cars usually? Mass highways used salt brine quite liberally so rust is always an issue with used cars here. I'm personally more concerned with rust than miles usually.
 
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