OT: Which minivan?

[MAD02]

Not a minivan, but you can find a Volvo 940 wagon in good condition for cheap. With the rear facing rumble seats it'll hold 7 comfortably and haul tons of cargo. Later models have the inline 6 while early ones had the 2.3 redblock in NA and turbo. 

 

My sister does have a newer Kia minivan but the name escapes me. She loves it and that thing has so many storage areas and cup holders it'll make your head spin?

[AustrianVespaGuy]

Thanks to all for the help! Found an '09 Odyssey today with 110k miles, proper service history, a good price, and even in the dark blue color that is my favorite on that car, so I'm grabbing that one!

@Hodgepodge I did really like the T&Cs also, but I couldn't manage to find the 'right' one for sale.  Right being one with the 4.0L and NOT 200k+ miles on it already   But they were a very nice place to be in the inside, even nicer than the same-car-different-interior VW Routan, which I thought was supposed to be the other way around, but whatever. So a valid opinion, but market just didn't cooperate for me there.

[Conserv]

It’s already been said above in other ways, but without a doubt the vehicle most likely to be cruising near 90 on I-81, in a 70 mph zone — without slowing for police cruisers or worry of a ticket — is a gray Odyssey, one that hasn’t seen a car wash in 5+ years....?

 

I did Atlanta-to-New York runs dozens of times while we lived in Atlanta, and was amazed how the Odyssey’s stood out for their ability to drive fast with impunity.

 

I saw one get pulled over on I-85, but she must have been going over 90 mph in a 65 mpg zone when she blew past me! ?

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

Edited May 9, 2019 by Conserv

[JsnPpp]

50 minutes ago, AustrianVespaGuy said:

Thanks to all for the help! Found an '09 Odyssey today with 110k miles, proper service history, a good price, and even in the dark blue color that is my favorite on that car, so I'm grabbing that one!

@Hodgepodge I did really like the T&Cs also, but I couldn't manage to find the 'right' one for sale.  Right being one with the 4.0L and NOT 200k+ miles on it already   But they were a very nice place to be in the inside, even nicer than the same-car-different-interior VW Routan, which I thought was supposed to be the other way around, but whatever. So a valid opinion, but market just didn't cooperate for me there.

Awesome! You will be happy I am sure.  Remember to check timing belt and get it done if it hasn't already (100k mile service). Use as negotiation if it hasn't been done.

 

Congrats!

[AustrianVespaGuy]

39 minutes ago, JsnPpp said:

Awesome! You will be happy I am sure.  Remember to check timing belt and get it done if it hasn't already (100k mile service). Use as negotiation if it hasn't been done.

 

Congrats!

Thanks, but owner showed me the receipt of having it done just over a year ago at the dealership! Helped me make up my mind quickly.  Though I admit I forgot to check to make sure a new water pump was on there also, but oh well, less of a time bomb than the belt itself even if it wasn't replaced (though it probably was anyway).

[AustrianVespaGuy]

And to bring this thread to full closure, here she is! Meet Midnight, our new family 2009 Odyssey! And seriously, thanks everyone for all the replies and opinions shared, I really do appreciate it!

Edited May 10, 2019 by AustrianVespaGuy

[BeMyWay]

 

2008 Mazda 5 (aka M5), came with a manual or auto tranny.  It has some very fixable issues (limited rear camber adjustment), just finished a 5500 mile journey, getting around 26 avg for the trip.

It has treated us well.

[D Seattle]

Congratulations on your Odessy.  My best friend who is a big wrncher has one and swears by it.  But for me, there is only one right answer to a family/grocery hauler.   Great performance. Unstoppable in snow  Comfortable as driving s couch. Seats seven.  Back seats come out, middle folds down, has a ten thousand pound towing capacity, and safe as hell to protect the little ones in an accident.  

[xr4tic]

I could never do a Mini-van, told myself I'd never do an SUV, but ended up with a Durango SRT for a family hauler (4 people)

 

475HP, AWD, Launch Mode...I'm starting to come around.  And my wife even likes it.

 

[roman.lysiak]

Vanagon only if it come with a subie conversion. Working on mine now. Family owns a 2008 odyssey. Bulletproof investment.


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[Donnelly]

Looks good.

I was going to say to look locally for a Honda or Chrysler that is in great condition. 

The best ever minivan and the one that Honda & Toyota copied was the 1996 to 2000 Chrysler. A Dodge Caravan Sport (not Grand Caravan) was actually fun to drive. I used one years ago to haul my racing kart and jet skis around in so I didn’t need a trailer. Like all vehicles minivans are now bigger and heavier.

The stow-n-go seating is hard to beat so that puts it on top over the Honda.

I still have an AWD 2000 Dodge Sport I bought five years ago for $3000 and it now has 116,000 miles on it.

[Geoff Raynak]

On 5/7/2019 at 8:57 PM, Teelinger said:

VW Vanagon.

 

@Teelinger and I are brothers from different mothers!

 

here is our family wagon:

91 syncro

svx swap

sewfine and recaro interior

 

 

[02Pilot]

On 5/10/2019 at 5:59 PM, AustrianVespaGuy said:

And to bring this thread to full closure, here she is! Meet Midnight, our new family 2009 Odyssey! And seriously, thanks everyone for all the replies and opinions shared, I really do appreciate it!

 

You sir have missed an opportunity:

 

You and your family are now condemned to a life of being less awesome than you could have been.

 

[AustrianVespaGuy]

^ How so? A rainbow-shitting unicorn paintjob isn't THAT hard to replicate Have found my first unplanned upgrade though, been reading about Honda's VCM (variable cylinder MIS-management) and the various ways to go about disabling it! At least not quite as ridiculous as buying a GM with a manual transmission that by design doesn't let you shift into 2nd gear, am I right? Lol!

[Dug Nichols]

We bought a 2006 Honda Odyssey in 2009 (lease return) when our kiddos were 4 & 2. It's been a fantastic vehicle for us and we still have it. Just took a 2700 mile road trip in it this Spring, it's quite the comfort delight on a long trip. Hauls 8 people, tows all the toys, and up here in Minneapolis it's often better than a pickup for hauling in the winter. 25 - 27 mpg on a road trip. It is BY FAR the least expensive vehicle per mile we own. (I'm a nerd and have spreadsheets for all vehicle expenses and calculate $/mile)