Another Wagon/Minivan/SUV question

[Unregistered]

I'm looking for your personal comments/opinions regarding wagons vs minivans vs SUVs. I'm trying to decide what is most appropriate for our family. I have 3 boys - almost 12 (5'1" and 95 lbs), 5 (95 percentile height - can't remember what that is and 35 lbs who rides in a FP-GWM) and almost 3 (don't have current height, but also tall and 27 lb - Century Next-Step DX). We also have a 55 lb yellow lab.

We were looking at the Volvo XC70 (love those safety features!), but realized that our oldest is too big for the 3rd row seat. Also, no room for the dog crate. I'm leaning toward an 03-Odyssey or an 04-Sienna. My husband REALLY wants a Suburban - I don't want the fuel bills. Also, my oldest son plays ice/in-line hockey so we're always hauling his gear and sometimes that of his friends.

We're currently driving a 97 Dodge Grand Caravan with almost 100,000 miles (and lots and lots of $$$$ in it we'll never get another one).

So....what works for you and why?

Thanks

 

[Unregistered]

If you are looking at the 04 Sienna, have you considered the 04 Nissan Quest?

 

[Unregistered]

04 Nissan Quest

Canyou tell me why you have made a suggestion for the Nissan Quest? Do you have one? What are it's pros/cons?

Thanks!

 

[SafeDad]

Hi-

In the past, SUVs have had relatively poor safety records. With poor handling, poor braking, mediocre or missing crash test data, stiff truck frames and high rollover risk, the safest wagons and minivans were much better choices.

Some of the newest SUVs are reversing that trend. The Volvo SC70, Honda Pilot and Acura MDX are all based on car frames and should all be relatively safe. All have 3 row seating. Even a couple truck based models like the 2003+ Ford Expedition have improved, getting stability control, side curtain rollover airbags, wider tracks as well as shoulder belts and head restraints in all seating positions.

While you may find the sliding doors and lower step in height to be handy for loading passengers on a minivan, some of the newer SUVs are now safe choices. Be sure to get stability control and side curtain airbags if they are optional!

Also see our guide on family vehicles:

http://www.car-safety.org/family.html

Good luck!

 

[Unregistered]

Thanks Darren - I've been thinking of checking out the Honda Pilot. The Volvo XC90 is a bit too pricey for me, especially since my husband is set on getting a used S60 for work. I'd like to be able to put a little bit of money away for retirement, lol! Two sets of car payments are going to hurt, but we don't have much choice - both are vehicles are nearing the end of their usefulness and reliability.

So what do you think about a used MDX? Have you heard much about them?

 

[SafeDad]

Safety wise-

The Pilot, MDX and Odyssey all share the same platform. All have received top ratings in crash testing done so far. I think any of them is a great choice. They do lack stability control and side curtain airbags, though all have extremely wide tracks and above average handling that makes for good rollover ratings.

Of the minivans, the new Toyota Sienna is about the only current choice similar to the XC70 in terms of safety features. Unfortunately, there are no crash test results yet.

I don't have any input on reliability, but you might try Consumer Reports and JD Power. My impressions is that most current models are pretty close in reliability, and there really is not a huge difference among models any more, with a few exceptions.

 

[mamamia]

I have and love a 2004 Sienna

We've had the SIenna for about 8 weeks. We have put on about 2500 miles including a 300 mile trip with our two toddlers (age 13 months and almost 3 years). We had a ton of gear to take with us-double stroller, pack and play, a small ton of clothing) and everything fit behind the ample storage space behind the third row.

THings that I love about the van-

great gas milage-ave 23 mpg-mostly around town driving

40/60 split fold flat 3rd row seats. They are light and easy to use, and I am only 5'2" and have no trouble doing it. I can configure the van to hold 2, 3,4,5,6 or 7 people depending on how I fold the 3rd row seats and take out the captain's chairs

side curtain airbags covering all side glass, traction control, vehicle skid control

flip forward captains chair so there is easy access to the 3rd row.

roll down second row windows-the girls LOVE that!

can move the passenger side captain's cahir to the middle of the second row if I want.

the passenger front row seat folds down into a table-nice with toddlers.

I can fit 5 car seats in the van. It was important to me to be able to fit 3 car seats across the third row.

I would highly recommend this van to anyone in the market for one. Advantages over SUVs are safety (for some SUVs), better gas mileage, lower insurance, and more flexibility with seating.

Happy shopping!

 

[Unregistered]

Another thought....Suppose I narrow my search down to an Odyssey vs a Pilot. Where would you recommend I place my kids and their seats? Right now, in our Grand Caravan, I have the youngest behind me (driver's side) and the middle boy directly behind the youngest in the rear seat. My oldest sits prett much where ever he wants (I know, he's not yet 12, but he got used to sitting in the front when we had the middle seat out of the van and the 3rd seat moved up. He's just too big to sit comfortably between the 2 seats.

Would you put all the seats in the back in both? or would you put them in the middle? or would you split them like I've done now. I've heard that if you put a seat on the passenger side middle in the Pilot, you can't access the 3rd row seat. Is this right?

Thanks again!

 

[Unregistered]

Just bumping for attention

It's been a few das and I haven't gottenany more comments, especially in regards to the placement of seats in a mini-van versus a Pilot. If this needs to be posted on the Car Seat forum, let me know and I'll go there.

Thanks!

 

[SafeDad]

Hi-

There is no easy answer to this question. The best arrangement depends on the best fit of the child seats. Any arrangement with the kids in back is safe. Ideally, the older kids would be toward the center of the vehicle, since they do not gain the benefit of a harness or the shell of a carseat for additional protection in a side impact. That assumes there is a lap+shoulder belt in the center positions, which is true in the Odyssey and Pilot.

Other than that, place them however is most convenient. If they are properly restrained in back, they will be very safe. You may also use the "Free Carseat Inspection" link under the top banner to find a tech near you to give more advice in person.

Good luck!

 

[UlrikeDG]

1) Minivans are roomier. We looked at both the Odyssey and the Pilot, and the Ody had lots more space, both for passengers and for luggage.

2) Minivans are easier to load and unload. I can't imagine trying to lift an infant carrier seat into my Pilot.

We needed a vehicle that could seat 3 across the center row, and the 2004 Sienna is not available here (Germany). We got a Pilot, as that was the next best choice, but I think a minivan would have been much better if there had been one that met all my safety and space requirements.

Because the Nissan Quest minivans prior to 2004 have not performed well in crash tests, I would not even consider one until the 2004 model has been tested.

 

[Unregistered]

Thanks fr the tips! I picked up brochures for the Sienna, Odyssey and Pilot. Now to find the time to test drive. If only my husband were ever home we could get a sitter and both go.

 

[Unregistered]

Finally test drove!

I drove a 2004 Toyata Sienna and a 2003 Honda Odyssey. We looked at teh Pilot and immediately ruled it outbecause the back seat is made for midgets. My soon to be 12 year old is already 5'1" and it would be a very tight fit for him.

The split rear seat on the Sienna (not to mention all the safety features) sold me. I can fit my boys and a dog crate in it easily. The Odysey just wouldn't do it for me.

 

[mamamia]

I bet you'll LOVE it!

I have had my 2004 SIenna for several months now, and can't say enough about it! I hope you love yours as much as we love ours!

What color did you get???

 

[Unregistered]

Hi Mamamia!
We haven't ordered our van yet. I'm not certain what color we will go with. The van we test drove was Desert Sand Mica. I like the Blue Mirage Metallic (I think). My husband says no to red or white (and I agree) ad no to the dark blue (Statosphere Mica).

What do you have? BTW - what model did you end up with? What did you add on? My husband wants the climate control and power seats, which means the XLE. Any tips for price negotiations?

 

[mamamia]

I have a 7 passenger LE with option package 7. I have the light blue and I love it!! I ordered it sight unseen. I just didn't want the sand or silver since those are high production colors. I would post a pictures, but I have no idea how. I have seen the dark grey, dark red and dark green in addition to silver and sand. I do like my light blue the best, but of course that's m e. I think the dark colors are nice, but we live in NEw England and with all the salt on the winter roads the van would just look filthy all winter long.

Negotiating...hmm...I paid about $500 under MSRP. I think to get a good deal you should try emailing all the local dealers telling them what you want and what you are willing to pay and see if anyone bites. I needed my van within about 2-3 weeks for a vacation, so I was willing to pay MSRP. I would have had to rent a minivan for vacation, and that would have run us close to $1000 for a week. If you don't need the van right away you may have better luck with negotiating. I know dealers in this region are not yet budging from MSRP.

I paid $500 under MSRP because the van showed up at the dealer with a few extras-autodimming mirror, cargo bag, wireless headphones, and we told then to take them out. THe salesman was like "Are you sure?" and I said "yup. we don't need those things." They weren't in the mood to swap out the mirror, and left the other things in as "extra." Whatever! I wasn't paying for that stuff.

We initially wanted the XLE but went with the LE because leather seats simply get destroyed by car seats, and it wasn't worth the extra $4000 to us. I would have loved to get dual power sliders and a power rear hatch, but again we just did not want leather seats. Option packages vary from region to region, so this may be moot where you are. In option package 7 we got the traction control, vehicle skid control, rear audio (My 3 year old loves to listen to her music with the headphones)., side curtain airbags, daytime running lights, and probably a few more things. We didn't get the dual port tow hitch as we don't have anything to tow, and it didn't seem like we needed to spend an extra $400 right now. All in all, we are very happy with our choice. Good luck!

 

[Unregistered]

Thanks for sharing!

We're looking at the XLE Package # 5. It adds the vehicle stability control, traction control, rear disc breaks, windshield wiper de-icer grid (have this on my grand caravan and it's a must for snowy winters), daytime running lights, power tilt/slide moonroof with sunshade (don't want this but it comes with this package), driver and front passenger seat-mounted side and three-row side curtain airbags. The leather seats aren't standard on the XLE, only the XLE Limited.

I'm like you with the colors. I don't want what everyone else has. We have a Light Iris 97 Dodge Grand Caravan. You very seldom see that color.

I wonder why so few of the packages have the side curtain airbags? Do only the really anal safety people want them?

 

[mamamia]

The packages have changed since we got ours, so leather was it if we wanted all power doors. Sounds like your package 5 is similar to the 7 on the LE.

Package 7 includes: Trip Computer/Homelink, Power Right Side Passenger Sliding Door, Rear Seat Audio, Vehicle Skid Control with Trac and Brake Assist, Rear Disc Brakes, Windshield Wiper De-icer, Daytime Running Lights, Driver & Front Passenger Side Bolster Airbag, All 3 Row Side Curtain Airbag, P215/65R16 tires with 16-inch Alloy Wheels

Not sure why side curtain airbags aren't standard, but my guess is cost. Who knows? I was wishy-washy on them-kids in car seats and all, but seems like they are helpful even to small children in car seats. So I am glad we went for them!

BTW-not sure if this interestes you or not, but I have fit 5 car seats in the minivan. 2 RFing in the captains chairs, and three combo boosters in the rear row.

 

[Unregistered]

After much searching, I've finally decided to buy a Sienna from a dealer's allocation. If you want one in less than 4-6 months you don't have much choice. Toyota seems to be ignoring those people who want to custom order a mini-van. The dealers seem to be terrified to try to do anything different. I'm going to end up with a lot of bells and whistles I don't want/need (although DH will tell me it will help with resale). Bottom line, I'll be getting rid of my money pit (1997 Dodge Grand Caravan LE) for a nice, safe new van. It will be dark gray, which I really am not thrilled about, but it will be mine!