Calling All Soccer Moms
So we're giving our VW Passat back to the dealership in August. We were leasing it and its time has come. (Please, no lectures on the stupidity of leasing. We learned our lesson!) While Laura and I would love to go without a car in the city (most people do go without) we just can't. Ira demands the finest of traveling luxuries. There will be no stinkin' A train for him. No M79 bus is good enough for our Ira. Okay, I'm just kidding. It's just that Ira isn't mobile in that kind of way. And so a car is needed.Laura and I have always said that our next car purchase would be one that is less harmful on the environment. A car that gets really good gas mileage or a hybrid maybe. But, alas, we are foiled again. We learned quickly that there is a reason why families with special needs children have big cars. The equipment overwhelms a sedan. And so Laura and I are on the look-out for a minivan.
But not just any minivan. I did the research. I read Consumer Reports and it boils down to either the Honda Odyssey (top left picture) or the Toyota Sienna (top right picture). These cars, year after year, get the best overall ratings. And so I'm calling on all soccer moms of suburbia to help me out: Of the two minivans in question, which is best? (I reserve the right to delete any comments making fun of me driving a minivan around Brooklyn. I'm fully aware that this is the last straw; that this does indeed mean that I forfeit whatever coolness was left lurking around my presence.)
And by the way, anyone out there know of a reputable dealership that gives good deals?
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posted by jch at
10:03 PM
19 Comments:
Kate and I looked at both of these minivans actually (before we ended up going with the Honda CR-V). We both liked the Honda Odyssey more than the Sienna. One of the big reasons was that the bench-style back seats in the Honday were more condusive for attaching kids' car seats than the bucket seats in the Toyota. However, in your case, the bucket seats may add more versatility to accomodate Ira's equipment... Have you test drove either yet?
I can recommend two good Honda dealerships, but they are both across the river in NJ.
Hey Tom, checked out Consumer Reports on the Kia Sedona to see what I missed in my research. CR said this about the Sedona:
"Redesigned for 2006, the all-new Sedona is much better than its unimpressive predecessor, which bowed in 2002. Along with its South Korean corporate twin, the Hyundai Entourage, the Sedona has adopted the basic dimensions and includes most of the best features from the category-leading Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. In Consumer Reports tests, the Sedona rates higher than domestic rivals from Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors, but trails the Odyssey and Sienna."
In other words, it's good but not as good as the Odyssey and Sienna. Still might be worth checking into. Thanks for the heads-up.
Joe,
Trey now drives a minivan, and it was hard on his ego at first. However, he LOVES it now (don't tell him I told you). We have named it the "hubba bubba". :-)
Oh, and I'm a Honda girl.
ca
Sorry that I don't have any car info for you (with 5 kids, we had to abandon minivans a long time ago), but having visited Manhattan recently on a family trip, I understand your minivan coolness issue. As we were stuck in a mile-long line trying to exit the Holland Tunnel on Memorial Day, my husband commented that we were probably the only people driving through Manhattan in a conversion van with a car top carrier with Kentucky plates. Of course he was right... I'm sure we got honked at simply because of the Kentucky plates!
Hands down - Odyssey.
Joe, just having a car in NYC makes you cool.
As far as a dealership goes, you might check out Atkinson Toyota in College Station. My understanding is that Mr. Atkinson is an ACU board member and with your ties to both ACU and College Station, maybe you could get a good deal on a minivan. I have not dealt with Atkinson directly but I hear good things. Let me know if you need someone to drive it to NY. :)
I've got friends with the Toyota, and family with the Honda. I agree, it is just personal preference. You might try taking Ira & all of his "stuff" and seeing which is more accomidating.
As for a dealership... are you planning to finance through the dealer, or through a credit union? When we bought our car, I called all the dealers and asked for the "Fleet Manager". Our credit union had a list of dealers that they "prefered" and you used the fleet manager to get a good quote. I requested a quote over the phone for a vehicle with XYZ options, and told them I wouldn't come to the lot without one. I got a couple of places to give me a quote... others said they "couldn't" and when I told them what I had they typically replied with "We can't beat that." I had NO desire to drive all over Houston to all the Isuzu dealerships & get haggled. In the end we only visited the dealer with the best price, and drove it off the lot within an hour.
Joe, We have been praying for Ira since his birth. The mini vans are your choice you cant go wrong with either. I work at a dealership in Abilene, Arrow...and I would love to do anything I can to help yall with this purchase. I know it isnt close, but we will find a way to get it to you! Let me know if I can help at all.
Joe,
It's not a mini-van.. it's a FUAV. That's Family Urban Aerial Assault Vehicle! My husband will not drive our van.. only the FUAV.
Our minivan.. ahem..I mean FUAV is the Toyota Sienna. We have had Toyota's in the past and have had absolutely NO trouble with them. It handles very nicely and is a very comfy and quiet ride. My vote is for the Sienna.
Good Luck!
Joe,
For a local dealer, you might consider Baron Honda in Patchogue on Long Island. Route 112 off Sunrise Highway about 20-30 minutes east of West Islip. We can put you in touch with Miss Maureen's brother.
http://www.baronhonda.com/en_US/
Joe,
I don't know anything about the Odyssey or the Sienna, but I do know about the Kia Sedona. We have a 2004 and have enjoyed it. I think the best part about the Kia is the 10 year, 10,000 mile warranty. The only change I would make would be in getting a mini-van that has extended space in the back trunk area for all the gear. I believe the newer Kia Sedona's have that additional space now and probably so do the Sienna and Odyssey.
My parents have had the Honda Odyssey for several years and are about to purchase a new one.....it's a great vehicle.We've never had Toyotas in our family so I have no comments there....
We have an Odyssey & really like it!
Whatever you choose, really make sure you check the safety report on it.
I also like a site called http://fightingchance.com/ My friend in Los Angeles used their techniques to lower the price on his Saab and while we were rushed to make a choice for our car (the gas pedal was hissing!), the next time we are able to buy something I'm going to use their services.
Best of luck with whatever you buy!
Ally (mother of two, proud Nissan Altima owner)
I can't remember which is which because I'm too poor to buy such a snazzy ride, but some of the vans only have LATCH connectors in certain seats. Make sure you check to see if the configuration works with your current and possible future needs. Even if you use the car's seat belts you will want to attach the tethers if your carseats have them.
1. Toyota RAV4 (you can get all the equipment in it)
2. Honda Odyssey
3. Toyota Sienna
Rob and I actually went with the Toyota Town and Country. We have been incredibly pleased and particulary like all the features. But alas, not even all the cool features can make you feel cool when driving a red minivan. At least you have the New Yorker cool quotient to help you out! Love from StL
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