Minivan experts - We can't afford an Odyssey/Sienna - what else?

[*Spoiledinmyhouseofblue*]

We bought in June 2007 a brand new 2007 Kia Sedona. We have the short base and I LOVE IT!!!! My nieghbor has the long base 2007 Kia sedona and it is nice too.
I think brand new we paid 20,000 even for the 2007 Kia Sedona short base.

 

[mommyto2angelgirls]

i bought a honda odessey brand new in august 2007. i test drove the hyndai entourage and loved it more then the honda. it came down to the fact i was trading in a 2006 honda odessey with 3,000 miles and honda was giving me way more for the car then hyndai. i'd look at the entourage it wasa great van. like someone else said check carmax they have great deals. you may also be able to get a good deal on a leftover from 07 still.

 

[Defrost]

I'll second (third, fourth, etc) the Sedona. My friend Gypsy has one and it's quite roomy and carseat installs are a breeze. Her model even has four full sets of LATCH, which means she's got two top-tether anchors in the 3rd row, unlike the one in most minivans. She's got at least as much cargo space as our friend's Town & Country.

As for the Mazda 5, it's in your price range and I love mine, but I doubt it'll meet your needs. It's the size of a car, really. Think of it more as a station wagon and that's about right. Adults in the 3rd row would be pretty cramped, though it's definitely not the worst I've seen, and my 5'3"+ 13 yo rides back there comfortably enough.