Need Minivan for Growing Family

September 21, 2009 7:25 AM

It's that time in my life where my family is outgrowing our vehicles, and we are looking for something larger. I'll be the main driver and I am pretty big (6'3" 230 lbs). So we want something both economical and comfortable. I looked at the Mazda5, but it is too tiny for carseats and me... So... Which 2009/2010 minivan/crossover should I choose?

I have no preference on make/model, but I do get a pretty good discount if American made from my credit union...
I'd prefer to stay below 35k.
Thanks for all and any suggestions.
Mazda5 is too tiny, little drivers space, can't sit comfortably in rear.

posted by fozzie33 to travel & transportation (15 comments total)

The new CRV is pretty nice. Ohio-made too I believe.
posted by reptile at 7:27 AM on September 21

nice, but not big enough, need a third row of seats... should have mentioned that....
posted by fozzie33 at 7:34 AM on September 21

We have a 2005 Honda Odyssey and love it. It handles more like a car and less like a van. The thing to remember about 3rd row seating is that in most SUVs you are giving up your trunk space when you use the extra seating. In minivans, there is more trunk space when the 3rd row is used.
posted by puritycontrol at 7:38 AM on September 21

2nding the Odyssey. We have a 2001 and it's still awesome. Plus, it's a Honda and will run forever.
posted by jquinby at 7:43 AM on September 21

Consumers gave the Toyota RAV4 fantastic reviews. A coworker recommends the Mercury Mariner hybrid.
posted by electroboy at 7:45 AM on September 21

Similar size here, same carseat needs. We looked at the GMC Acadia (I think it is also the Buick Enclave and Saturn Something-or-other) and the Toyota Highlander. We got the Highlander, a hybrid model, since gas was almost $4/gallon then. It was a little more than your price range, but the gas engine model is right in there. For me the minivans didn't have enough leg room because the way the engine space fit it. Plenty of front seat and back seat room. My 6'3" wife sits behind me happily when I drive.
posted by procrastination at 7:47 AM on September 21

The Dodge Caravan is still as awesome as it ever was and ridiculously cheap. Holds a sheet of plywood, many options for seating including third row. Sliding doors (do all minivans have that now? If not they should) both sides and the windows in them roll down. And finally for 2009 not totally butt ugly boring IMO.

Considering you have private credit a one year old van with average miles is about half the price of a new one if you don't absosurfly need to be the first owner. You could easily get a full load Town and Country for well under your budget.

Minivans with sliding doors are vastly superior for fitting carseats over even monstrous SUVs with hinged second doors. The only thing that comes close is pickups with suicide rear doors.
posted by Mitheral at 7:51 AM on September 21

'06 Odyssey here. It has the "eco-drive" feature which really does make a difference in fuel economy, and it's incredibly comfortable.

My 6' husband claims that the third row is plenty comfortable. And we recently took it on a day trip with another family: four adults, four kids in booster seats, no problems.

Ours is American built. I'm not sure if that meets the requirements of your credit union or of it has to be a US manufacturer.
posted by padraigin at 7:59 AM on September 21

Dude, get a Pilot. It's based off the Odyssey platform, except its more manly and you don't feel as if you're driving a minivan the whole time.

I was a big guy too (6'3", 260 lbs) when I bought it. I was too big for a CR-V or a Rav4.

You might also want to look at the Toyota Highlander or Chevy Traverse in this price/size class.
posted by unexpected at 8:04 AM on September 21

I don't know how they would work in terms of seating size, but we just looked at both the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Mitsubishi Outlander and were very impressed with both. Both have optional third row seating, although it's very cramped back there. If you're looking for a smaller SUV/CUV, I highly suggesting exploring both options.

We managed to find a 2008 Santa Fe Limited (lots of extras, like leather seating, etc.) with very low miles for around $21,000, but a brand new one checks in at just under $30,000. If you need something a little bigger, the new Hyundai Veracruz might be a good option. Recent Hyundais have been very reliable and get excellent ratings from Consumer Reports, etc.
posted by arco at 8:05 AM on September 21

Big guy, 6'2" 2#0

8 passenger Toyota Sienna, 3 buckets across in the middle, a 60/40 bench in the rear that can be folded into the floor. 3 full carseats right behind the driver.

Plenty comfortable and with a family of 6 we can still bring along the inlaws. :-)
posted by vidarling at 8:13 AM on September 21

The new 2009/2010 Subaru Forester would be worth considering. It's significantly larger than previous years. I'd still call it a crossover, but due to the larger wheelbase, length, and track, it is approaching SUV territory. The XT trim level is turbocharged and deceptively quick.
posted by freq at 9:22 AM on September 21

Nthing the Oddessey. I'm 6-5, 250, and I fit in mine (2000 model) fine. Plus it has 124K miles on it and still runs great. I even took it to college and drove it in the snow, and it performed fine there as well. The only caveat is that mine has really annoying automatic doors, but I think that technology has gotten a lot better since my car came out.
posted by Aizkolari at 9:54 AM on September 21

I've owned 4 minivans over the last 15 years. One each from Ford, Nissan, Dodge and currently a Chrysler T&C Limited. I bought each one of them used. The only reason I've never owned a Honda Odyssey is because I couldn't justify spending more money for less options! Believe me, I've wanted one but couldn't justify the expense.

For example (and I'm totally making this up), if I could buy a 2 year old Odyssey for $20k that was a low end model versus buying a 2 year old Town & Country with leather, automatic a/c, power sliding doors, power reach hatch and a nav system for the same $20k ... I would certainly opt for the Chrysler even though the Odyssey has a better engine and better reliability. But that's just me, I have my priorities just as you will have yours. Again, I fabricated those numbers ... but those are the kind of comparisons I've seen in the past.

If you do get a minivan, seriously consider spending the extra money for a model that comes w/ power sliding doors and power rear hatch. Seriously, these are an extremely helpful option and I doubt I will ever drive another vehicle that does not have doors that work when you hit a button.
posted by Dave. at 11:05 AM on September 21

The Toyota Sienna is pretty great for a minivan and it is manufactured in Indiana.
posted by andrewraff at 9:41 AM on September 24