Minivan Buying Confusion...

QuassEE · Aug 6, 2010

If it's a fear of the unknown, and you really only need the base model.. Go to CarsDirect.com and put in a request through them. They'll have the dealer call you with exactly what you want. As I said, it's under 25k for the 2011 Sienna base. I bought one of my cars using CarsDirect and it was a great experience.. (I've since moved to Canada.)

-N.

Guest · Aug 7, 2010

I'd consider the base, but leave about $600-800 for something called Huper Optik.

It's a tint. Yes, that sounds like a fantastically high price for tint. Until you've been in a car with it. SoFla gets about the same kinda heat I experience out here in CA (cept with humidity). It's worth every single frickin penny. I'd give up the power doors for it.

Gsanmb · Aug 7, 2010

codex57 said:
I'd consider the base, but leave about $600-800 for something called Huper Optik.

It's a tint. Yes, that sounds like a fantastically high price for tint. Until you've been in a car with it. SoFla gets about the same kinda heat I experience out here in CA (cept with humidity). It's worth every single frickin penny. I'd give up the power doors for it.

Wow, I've never heard of this, I will have to check it out. We definitely could use something that reduces heat/glare!

Going to drive the Quest today then we'll see...

Gsanmb · Aug 7, 2010

Drove the Quest, and, well, meh. Nothing special, and the accelerator pedal was vibrating under my foot which had on a thick-sold shoe so that's not good.
Didn't love the handling either, so that's out.

Went and drove a base model 2011 Sienna. Liked it, but the salesman was definitely not interested in dealing with me so I left. Anyway I have to hash it out with dh.

We're now looking for a late model Ody or Sienna at a bit of a higher trim model with as low mileage as possible for as low a price as possible. I'd rather have a few more extras and creature comforts since I'll be driving it til it's done, than a brand spanking new vehicle anyway. I guess we'll see! I made a list of the top 10 contenders, spreadsheet (mileage, price, make/trim, distance away, blue book value) so dh can see what's what at a glance.

Will report back if/when there's something to report!

Gsanmb · Aug 14, 2010

UPDATE: We bought a 2010 Honda Odyssey EX. YAY!!!!

I am thrilled, we pick it up later today. We got a great deal on it (overstock.com) and it was less than many of the used ones we were looking at. I didn't mind giving up leather seats or dvd/nav so it has everything else I wanted.

Cleaning up the Nauti and Monterey today. Sold our Venture to a family in our school who needs a van for grandma to pick up from daycare. I installed the Scenera for them rearfacing (baby is just over a year old but we talked about extended rearfacing) and explained how to use the LATCH and tether! Plus I convinced them to use the integrated child seat for the two and a half year old instead of a booster (being that they were not going to buy another harnessed seat) since she still fits great in there. So I feel good all around about that.

(Got the slate green with olive upholstery...nice!).

Minivan Buying Confusion...

QuassEE

Moderator - CPST Instructor

Guest

New member

Gsanmb

New member

Gsanmb

New member

Gsanmb

New member

Car-Seat.Org Facebook Group

Sponsors

Forum statistics