Would you consider or buy a minivan - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

blueriomedina · #1 05-21-2016, 09:31 PM

I have two MB that I have enjoy through the years but lately I been looking at the minivans, yes the minivans. Yesterday I drove the Honda Odyssey EXl 2016 and is a very nice vehicle with plenty of room and more than adequate horse power. I really don't care much for the crossovers SUV's they all seem the same with limited inside space.

I would appreciate your comments and opinions from this forum would you consider buying a minivan

Thanks
Best regards
Oscar

t walgamuth · #2 05-21-2016, 11:04 PM

My wife is driving a 2012 Mazda5 minivan. It drives very car like due to its more compact size than most minivans and it has six bucket seats. Very roomy! good performance too and not too bad economy.

Mölyapina · #3 05-21-2016, 11:36 PM

Minivans are pretty underappreciated. The handling isn't as good as a sedan/wagon, but they are comfortable, very safe, and able to haul all sorts of stuff or people at the drop of a hat -- like you said, more cargo space than a crossover/SUV. They're also great road trip cars if you have a family, and I think the most practical new car you can buy if you don't need to regularly go off-road or something.

Shortsguy1 · #4 05-21-2016, 11:50 PM

We bought a 2015 Sienna LE recently. The sliding doors are really better than swinging doors for kids. I know they aren't cool, but damaging your or another car isn't very cool either.

For a family, they really are the best car out there. Having space between the kids does reduce the fighting. They enjoy their "captains" chairs and A/C controls.

We went for the entry level model because we don't need all the bells and whistles. My sisters family can afford the very best of everything (we cannot), but I haven't seen any features on her Infinity or her husbands Audi which we need.

The car is a little wallowy/wavey on curvy roads, and the power steering helps too much, but the A/C works, which is more than I can say for most MBs I read about on this forum.

I originally wanted a Mazda5 (like Tom's family above), but it is not designed to do any towing. I wanted the option to rent a trailer from Uhaul and that sort of thing, so that nixed the Mazda. We went for the Toyota over the Honda simply because the reliability is better according to most measures. I think the Honda is a better driving car, but simply needs a bit more loving care to keep it healthy in the long run.

tjts1 · #5 05-22-2016, 01:35 AM

How about a Mercedes minivan

You're probably better off with a sienna or Odyssey

MBeige · #6 05-22-2016, 03:30 AM

We have a 2.5 and 1 year old boy, and a CPO 2010 Odyssey EXL. The electric sliding doors and lift gate helps so much when my hands are full and my key is just dangling on my belt ring. Hold the buttons and they open up. I also love the auto-roll down of the windows on a hot day when I hold "unlock" after disabling the alarm. My wife can sit comfortably between them in the 2nd row if the kids want her closer while en route. I simply fold down the front center console and my wife can scoot over from the front seat.

Sometimes we haul along the extended family, or guests, and easily fit them inside the van with room to spare. If going on a road trip with all 8 spaces occupied, consider using a roof mounted cargo box. It comfortably seats 8 with tons of 3rd row leg room. Only downside is the ground clearance is only maybe 4" (some vans have it higher). We considered a late model (2008) Pilot, EX-L. It felt too old, and the 3rd row didn't have adequate room (basically useless).

I've driven the 2014 Sienna also as a rental, that thing is too wallowy on the bends for me. Odyssey has far better handling, IMO.

Mercedes Metris is too pricey (starting at $40k when a new Odyssey is $30k). I did look around when I first saw news of it.

If 4-wheel traction is required, Toyota offers an AWD version of the Sienna. The Kia Sedona is a close 3rd option for the new vans, I heard they are pretty good also but not as expensive. IMO the Sedona looks better than the Sienna of the same generation. I can never reconcile the Sienna's design, some angles are good while some are "meh".

When we were looking around we considered the Nissan Quest, and it's by far the worst performer (safety-wise) of the new minivans. We didn't even bother looking at the sister minivans Chrysler T&C and the Dodge Caravan. Seats are too thin and aren't comfortable on long drives, and safety isn't as good as the others.

They are not without their faults, our model is known for transmission problems, p/s problems, etc. Toyota's Sienna (of the same generation) has their own issues as well. I say do your research and pick your poison.

This is just my opinion.

oldsinner111 · #7 05-22-2016, 10:50 AM

No never again,I had a dodge caravan that went thru 5 transmissions in 6 years.I will never buy transverse engine and trans anything.They squeeze a engine and trans in,hoping it will last.You can't build a longlasting automatic that small,for one the engine cooks it.Even manuals don't last like the trans of old.

kerry · #8 05-22-2016, 03:01 PM

Friend of mine recently reproduced and bought an older minivan. Rode in it on a trip to Santa Fe a few months ago. Pleasantly surprised.

Angel · #9 05-23-2016, 06:49 AM

Its all about price:
If you have $40k or that much to lease - Get a Honda or Toyota - you wont be unhappy.
If you have $30k - look at Chrysler or Kia - you'll get a lot more options for the same money

If you have less than $30k, just get the newest Honda or Toyota you can afford

I have an '09 Sedona and a '14 Sedona - mostly the same van - No problems with either so far, but the '09 has only hit 110k miles, so I expect alternators, half-shafts and water pumps soon...
I think that Chrysler has been making better products since the last re-design in 2008, but I think that every new car will be on borrowed time after 200k.

-all Minivans are front-engine, fwd.
edit - EXCEPT - the Mercedes pictured above

It bothers me, but the newer Ford Expedition (turboV6) and GM large SUV's (Tahoe, Suburban with the V4/V8 motor) are getting similar fuel economy as the minivans, seating the same # of people and doing so with mostly truck parts (ie: available at every McParts in your zip code). I still grabbed the minivan but I know a bunch of soccer moms that love their domestic ladder-frames.

Your mileage may vary

-John

E150GT · #10 05-23-2016, 08:16 AM

Dont buy a new one. Youll get hosed in depreciation. I had a customer who got a few year old minivan with 70k miles for $1700. Nice comfy car with ac and he doesnt care if it gets scratched or dirty and it hauls most of what he needs it to.

Shortsguy1 · #11 05-23-2016, 09:26 AM

Toyota has a huge number of new 2015 Sienna LEs still on the lots, so prices are very fair. We paid 28K a few months ago, plus tax, license, etc. Depreciation on Siennas and Odysseys isn't like other cars. For whatever reason, they seem to hold their value very well. Because we bought the entry level version, it costs less new than a 2 y.o. version of the higher end models. I would rather have two years of use of a brand new car than have an electric motor open and close the rear liftgate. I never thought I would buy a new car because of the depreciation, but economically, our decision worked best for us (and we are on a tight budget).

Is driving a Sienna a joyful experience? Not really. It is a utilitarian vehicle and a very useful one at that. But many of us can appreciate a car for its utility and those types of people would enjoy owning a Sienna or Odyssey. If you plan on owning the car for a long time, my research suggests that those two or the Mazda minivan are the most reliable options.

koooop · #12 05-23-2016, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjts1

How about a Mercedes minivan

You're probably better off with a sienna or Odyssey

These Merc's are the van of choice for our local rehab homes, commonly referred to as a "Druggy Buggy".

koooop · #13 05-23-2016, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shortsguy1

Toyota has a huge number of new 2015 Sienna LEs still on the lots, so prices are very fair. We paid 28K a few months ago, plus tax, license, etc. Depreciation on Siennas and Odysseys isn't like other cars. For whatever reason, they seem to hold their value very well. Because we bought the entry level version, it costs less new than a 2 y.o. version of the higher end models. I would rather have two years of use of a brand new car than have an electric motor open and close the rear liftgate. I never thought I would buy a new car because of the depreciation, but economically, our decision worked best for us (and we are on a tight budget).

Is driving a Sienna a joyful experience? Not really. It is a utilitarian vehicle and a very useful one at that. But many of us can appreciate a car for its utility and those types of people would enjoy owning a Sienna or Odyssey. If you plan on owning the car for a long time, my research suggests that those two or the Mazda minivan are the most reliable options.

A used up Odyssey vs. Sienna vs. a Chrysler with 120,000 miles? You'll never get the extra $10,000 back that you paid for that Honda.

elchivito · #14 05-23-2016, 12:09 PM

My "driveway" would eat up a mini-van in months. So, no.

Shortsguy1 · #15 05-23-2016, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koooop

A used up Odyssey vs. Sienna vs. a Chrysler with 120,000 miles? You'll never get the extra $10,000 back that you paid for that Honda.

Not sure what your point is. My family needs one car which is ultra-reliable, so we never even considered cars with 120,000. And we didn't buy a Honda. Not having to repair another car myself (two is plenty) and not having to bother with local mechanics has a lot of value to me. If you value your time and the hassle of breaking down and getting the car to a shop, buying a new Toyota can be very attractive. I am not telling others what to do. I am simply sharing the factors that I considered. Not to mention, there is a lot of value to the peace of mind that comes from having your family in a very safe and reliable car for at least most of their driving. This offsets the times when I take the kids in my '68.