Question Compromising on safety...

P1ally · Sep 12, 2011

I've been on the hunt for the perfect van for a while, and it's so frustrating. I'm looking at 2006-2008 certified used Siennas or Odys. But I keep running into a problem. With the Siennas, I can find the right trim level and miles for the right price, but no stability control! The Odysseys have stability control, but the gas mileage sucks on the lower trim levels. (MPG is a deal breaker- my commute is 30miles each way.) Going to one of the better trim levels (EX-L or touring) is big bucks.. I'm already going to spend 3k over what I originally set my budget at.

So WWYD? Hold out for the perfect van, or buy one without stability control (traction control, w/e it's called)

tl01 · Sep 12, 2011

Well, i would calculate out how long it will take to break even on the gas mileage increase on the cheaper ody... Over the more expensive with one. So let's say it is $1000 cheaper... How many miles until you reach that point?

If you tell me your price ranch and mileage preference, I'll keep an eye out. I need something to do when I'm nursing DS2 for the 6th time at night

. Are you only doing CPO?

VanIsleMommy · Sep 12, 2011

IMO if I couldn't find the features I wanted WITH stability control, I would just buy a really good set of tires. Traction control isn't worth anything if you're driving around on bald tires

tl01 · Sep 12, 2011

So I was a little bored while nursing DS2. I decided to calculate the difference based upon gas mileage. You will save approx $165 a year by buying the model with the better gas milage with the Ody. So, if you are thinking of an Ody, and you find a great deal on a nice van that is a lower trim level... consider how long you'd have to drive to pay the extra in mileage. If the van was just $1000 less, you'd have over 6 years at the increased gas price to pay off the savings. If the van was an even bigger savings... say $2000 less then you'd have 12 years. This is based on the epa estimate for both vans driving 15K a year... a combo of highway and city driving. My guess is you won't have the van for 12 years, so, assuming the lower trim level has the safety features, I'd forgo the gas savings. Does that make sense?

SafeDad · Sep 13, 2011

VanIsleMommy said:
IMO if I couldn't find the features I wanted WITH stability control, I would just buy a really good set of tires. Traction control isn't worth anything if you're driving around on bald tires

That is true, but it is also true that even the best tires cannot do what a stability control system does. Both are proving to be essential.

Traction control alone (without stablity control) is not an essential safety feature.

VanIsleMommy · Sep 13, 2011

CPSDarren said:
That is true, but it is also true that even the best tires cannot do what a stability control system does. Both are proving to be essential.

Traction control alone (without stablity control) is not an essential safety feature.

oops I read this as traction control but she was speaking about stability control, my mistake. I assume stability control reduces the rollover risk?

SafeDad · Sep 13, 2011

Yes, and to help prevent loss of control in various other situations.

Traction control alone generally allows a little power to move from one wheel to another, in case a wheel is slipping. It can help to get going a little quicker in some slippery situations.

Guest · Sep 14, 2011

You're in San Diego. I'd be willing to compromise without stability control if you can find what you want.

Out of all the cars I've driven/ridden in, I've only had stability control kick in once in SoCal. And it was when we did NOT want it to kick in (middle of the street after a rain waiting to make a left turn). I've had it kick in in NorCal when I prolly wanted it to, but never in SoCal. Course, it's a little like airbags, but at the same time, not b/c it's not a last line of defense thing like airbags but more preventive measure. However, in SoCal, it's just so rare to encounter a situation where you'd need it. Particularly while driving a minivan.

As further clarification, stability control kicked in on a BMW that one time. My friend goosed the start harder (altho still not really hard at all; not like he was racing or anything but simply trying to avoid oncoming traffic) than I imagine a typical minivan driver would.

Question Compromising on safety...

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