A reliable van other than Toyota Sienna or Honda Odyssey? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ericnguyen · #1 03-18-2006, 02:45 AM

Hello,

Besides Toyota Sienna or Honda Odyssey, what van will you recommend in terms of its reliability and good gas mileage?
Thanks.

Eric

sixto · #2 03-18-2006, 03:05 AM

Believe it or not our 97 Caravan crossed 160K miles with fewer repairs than my 91 300SE needed to get to 155K miles. The biggest repair was replacement of a tranny axle seal. Keep everything except 7176/ATF+3/ATF+4 out of the tranny and it will last. It takes a quart of oil between 5000 mile changes and there's a slow coolant leak out the rear bank head gasket.

The 3.3 does 16mpg city/20mpg highway with a heavy load and a heavy foot. I can't say how it does with less than a full load because it's always a full load. It also has a roof extension that adds a chunk of wind resistance.

The Mazda MPV is smaller and lighter than other minivans so it might have a real world mpg edge. The high-end Odyssey shuts off half the cylinders when cruising but it'll take several trips around the world for the savings to make up the cost premium.

Sixto

gmercoleza · #3 03-18-2006, 03:19 AM

My 2000 Honda Odyssey suffered from chronic power sliding door problems, and was on its 4th warranty replacement transmission by the time it hit 100,000 miles. So much for the overhyped Honda reliability - I dropped it like a Led Zeppelin and picked up a 2005 KIA Sedona. Price was almost exactly half ($17,000 with everything, and I mean everything, taxes, delivery, etc. out the door). So far, in 11,000 miles of driving since July, there hasn't been one problem. Even if the problems came out to the same, I'd be quite happy given the pittance I paid.

Interestingly, I opted to install my own overhead DVD player which allowed me to buy the base model (you usually can't get DVD without first purchasing the EX Leather, and then it's an additional $2000 option). At least interior-wise, the van appears to be built with almost identical methods to the Odyssey (I installed the DVD in the Odyssey too). Connectors, the way the panels interlock, etc. - was like deja vu, just like the Honda. I think the Koreans bought an Odyssey and purposely ripped it off.

Lycoming-8 · #4 03-18-2006, 11:52 PM

What kind of mileage do you get on the Sedona, and under what conditions? Thanks in advance.

gmercoleza · #5 03-19-2006, 01:09 PM

In the Sedona, we get (brace yourself): 14 city, 23 highway. That's with lots of stop-and-go and idling with the A/C on and kids watching movies. Yeah, I know the around-town is really bad, but for long highway trips it's reasonable. Friends of ours who have Tahoes and other SUVs routinely get about 17 or 18 on the highway. Our Odyssey got about 16 city, 24 highway. Keep in mind too, the Sedona won't handle anywhere near as nicely as an Odyssey, more like a softly-sprung Caravan or even a Buick. So it's not really an apples-to-apples comparison. But you get the picture.

In its defense, the Sedona seems to be just as well built, so far has been just as reliable (if not more so), and is way way quieter on the highway. Odyssey road noise is horrendous on the highway. Some members on odyclub.com suggested that replacing the tires with Bridgestone Turanzas greatly reduces the road noise, but I never got a chance to find out. Also, not sure if it's from the VTEC, but our Odyssey's engine always sounded like an ice grinder when you really stepped on the gas - the Sedona's engine note is far smoother and linear in timbre.

Keep in mind the Sedona was just redesigned, so the older 05 models should sell for a song if you shop it just right.

At the time, the Sedona was an Edmunds.com editor's pick for minivan. Consumer Reports rated the Sedona's reliability as average (I think it has since dropped to just below average, but still better than the DC vans). It kinda ticked me off though that they never recommended it, because they remarked that it suffered from "jiggly" handling. In all fairness, the ride really is jiggly, but considering the huge price difference I feel that should have been overlooked. Especially since reliability was average - a requirement before they will recommend a vehicle.

Our 3 previous minivans were DC vans which suffered from: peeling paint, slipping transmission, electrical problems, failed power window motors, broken electrical switches, high oil consumption, failed power steering pump, failed steering rack, chronic alignment issues (i.e. irregularly worn tires), etc. I would only buy a DC van if it was priced extremely well, given the fact that it has about half the warranty of the KIA. You'll need the extra money on hand for repairs.

Haven't had a chance to test the theory yet, but from what I have read, KIA takes care of warranty problems without flinching, no questions asked, as directed by the mothership. They are trying to build customer loyalty and establish a good reputation for themselves. I think it is working. Incidentally, I got my CR 2006 vehicle guide, and the KIA Amanti and Hyundai Elantra are recommended vehicles. I think Hyundai comes out with their minivan next year.

iwrock · #6 03-19-2006, 01:24 PM

Here is what I would get....

1988 300TE

Or the R350

gmercoleza · #7 03-19-2006, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinwrock

Here is what I would get....

1988 300TE

Or the R350

The question was regarding a minivan; neither of these vehicles is a minivan. But I would seriously like a 300TE with the 3rd row seat...

iwrock · #8 03-19-2006, 03:07 PM

They are comparable though. They all have seating for 7, they all have a small 6 cylinder engine, and they are all fairly reasonable on gas. I would also take the wagon, as they sit low, and are built like a tank.

And yes, I do have a wagon with the 3rd row of seats. I like to drive it, and it has shown it in the 225,000 miles she has accumulated. I would not have it any other way.

snp8990 · #9 03-19-2006, 08:07 PM

I honestly think that the Sienna and Odyssey are THE most "present-day" reliable cars.I think if options were not included,a Toyota Previa would be the best.I have one with 250,000 miles and it has not had anything rebuilt or major replacement.It recently had a paint touch up.I am not a big van of new minivans but I would say that the Toyota and Honda's are the best.I also have a 2000 Honda Odyssey that runs perfectly (for sale).

sixto · #10 03-19-2006, 09:51 PM

We had a 94 Previa before the 97 Caravan and I still miss the Previa. The 4-banger was more than up to the task of hauling a full load. I'm pretty sure the Caravan with ots 3.3l V6 will not outrun the Previa. Way more spacious and comfortable than the Caravan even with 120K miles on original shocks. A failing AC compressor and the inconvenience of one sliding door overtook us so we sold it for the Caravan. Didn't have to add too much out of pocket to make the switch.

I like the second gen Odyssey but I don't know how it's rated to be bigger than a Caravan. The only extra space I see is the pocket the rear seat folds into. Within my social circle I know of two 4-speeds and a 5-speed that needed transmission rebuilds. Honda covered half the bill of one 4-speed that needed a rebuild at 120K miles. That's gotta win some hearts. My sister's 5-speed was fully covered with well under 60K miles. It quit again 5K miles later so she traded it for a new Sienna since that was one major failure too many for her despite her favorable opinion of Honda service.

A TD, TE or R is nice but you can't fit 7 passengers, a stroller and a week's worth of groceries like you can in a minivan. I'd love to have a Vito.

Is the second gen Sedona built in the US or Korea?

Sixto

BauhnBuster · #11 03-20-2006, 12:43 AM

This is my own experience. I have a 2002 Montana Vision and have had no problems. 20mpg in the city and 25mpg on the Highway. This highway mileage is with a full load of 2 kids and luggage (my wife does not pack light

). Apparently they have intake gasket issues but I have yet to face it. Mine is full load with DVD and dual power sliding doors. I really love it. Just my 2 cents...

Cheers!

Shaun

86560SEL · #12 03-20-2006, 01:10 AM

Those Montana's are very nice looking vans, but safety in the off-set crash test leaves more to be desired:

http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=67

Too bad it did not receive higher scores. The redesigned model is a vast improvement.
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=232

peragro · #13 03-20-2006, 02:24 AM

Does anyone here have a Dodge Sprinter or know much about them? It seems like the small version would be comperable to a mini-van.

gmercoleza · #14 03-20-2006, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinwrock

They are comparable though. They all have seating for 7, they all have a small 6 cylinder engine, and they are all fairly reasonable on gas. I would also take the wagon, as they sit low, and are built like a tank.

And yes, I do have a wagon with the 3rd row of seats. I like to drive it, and it has shown it in the 225,000 miles she has accumulated. I would not have it any other way.

I thought the R only seated 6? Plus, the price puts it in a different league than a mid-level minivan, so it's not really comparable. As for the TE, the rear seat isn't really good for a full-sized adult, plus rear-facing passengers wouldn't be able to see a DVD player (if equipped). Although I would love a TE as a second vehicle, it just won't hold 7 people and luggage in the same way as a minivan so I don't think it's comparable.

Smokiesman · #15 03-20-2006, 10:57 AM

My wife has a 99 Town and Country and so far it has been a winner! No serious repairs comfortable road car and mileage pretty decent. It sure is nice when you have a crowd. Just pile in 7 !!!

It is now our 7th Chysler van!! Had them since 1985 !!:The 3.3 and 3.8 are pretty bullet proof motors !

Smokie