Minivans, family and new baby on the way..

[WK2008]

I have had three minivans for work in the past five years. The GM crossovers are junk and have had many unresolved issues. Not to mention they have no space in them compared to a minivan. The caravans lose their value so fast you will have a 2012 worth 40 new with rebates end up worth 20 in two years. They are notorious for trans issues and, really are not a great fit and finish. We had two Siena's for company vans and they are more expensive but bulletproof. I agree that 50 grand for a minivan is steep but take a look at the resale value and the true cost of ownership.

If you really need a minivan my vote is for a mid trim sienna and for 2 grand you can add leather in all three rows.

[Bnine]

General rule of thumb with minivans is that they are disposable. Everyone I know that runs them buys used for 2-3k and runs them into the ground for a few years and then grab another one.

They go down in value so fast, they really arent worth buying new unless you have money to burn, or can lease as a business expense.

[WK2008]

General rule of thumb with minivans is that they are disposable. Everyone I know that runs them buys used for 2-3k and runs them into the ground for a few years and then grab another one.

They go down in value so fast, they really arent worth buying new unless you have money to burn, or can lease as a business expense.

Or if you spend the money on the Sienna they will last and hold their value.

[Bnine]

whatever

You can buy a complete used van for what it cost to do a brake job on an import. Unless you are running a warrenty, imports never pay. They eat the gap in maintenance costs every time. Specially toyota. And their wearables like brakes, struts and bushings wear out just like everyone elses. Only difference is the parts cost three times as much.

[Bnine]

lol, a quick auto trader search shows most 05 and 06 siennas going for 15k. An 07 caravan goes for 5......................

[WK2008]

Well I guess if you want to take your chances on a used one that's the chance you take. I have seen plenty of grand caravans with moderate mileage grenade the transmission and its a 3000 touch.

It's all in what you can afford and are willing to pay. Some guys drive brand new rigs and some drive clunkers. Neither is really wrong but it just comes down to what you can afford I guess.

[binare]

And ya don't take your chances with a new vehicle? Personally Id rather take my chances with 15k then 50k. And just because people ask a high price, doesn't mean its selling for it. Especially for Toyota these days. Can afford and should afford are two different things. Common sense seems to get checked at the door when it comes to buying vehicles most of the time.

My advice Raf, and I'm being honest and genuine here. Go used, let someone else take the new car hit. Get it cheap enough you can cover the "chances" without it hurtin your feelings if they ever do actually happen and just bank the rest. How many years would that difference pay down your mortgage? How many  years would that difference pay for your kids school? Renovations on your house with that money add money back in your pocket? Get my point? Sure the flashy new minivan is fun and cool, it wears off a lot faster then the payments will, we all know that.

I know its the American dream to owe as much money as humanly possible, thank god we aren't Americans... Sometimes we need to remember that.

[corsjeep]

We have a 08 GMC Acadia, bought brand new and have a tick over 170k on it now. Its been dead reliable and still feels tight. We looked at several minivans before purchacing this, in fact we traded in our 02 Honda Odessey for the Acadia shortly after spending close to $4500 on a new tranny for the Honda at 130,000kms. One of the biggest reasons I bought that Honda was for resale value, at the time it was close to $7 grand more than the Grand Caravan we were going to buy. In the end It cost me quite a bit more for the Honda, more maintence ($1000+ timing belt replacements) much more costly for repairs. Was not worth it in the end.

I find the large crossover has just as much utility as the van did in a cooler package that I dont mind driving. When we lived in Red Deer my next door neighbour was the service manager at a Toyota, he said the reliablity really took a dive from 07+. I have a family member with a 2011 Toyota Venza thats a huge pile thats allways in the shop. I no longer think the imports have much edge over the domestics, times have changed.

[cLAY]

Went thru something similar when I bought our Dodge Dakota. I looked at the Tacoma as an alternatives and liked it better but when looking at the prices for 2008 models the Taco was $10K more, had less options and more milage. However when you compared the truck's prices brand new the Taco was only $4k more than the Dakota. They Toyota held its resell WAY better than the Dodge. If I had been buying new I would have bought the Toyota hands down but used that $10K hit was too much.

Being a mechanic I'm just fine with buying used and personally would be hard pressed to buy new and take that hit driving off the lot. I can see why others would be attracted to it, you know its not been abused and have the warrenty. If you can afford it, why not? My wife sister and her husband lease a new vehicle every 2-3 years. No idea what they pay per month but they've never had a breakdown, or unexpected repairs. Just oil changes/brakes that were done on their respective schedule and then returned and a new lease. No surprises.  For them its just a people mover and they don't want hassle. I imagine they pay a premium for it but thats their choice.

[Vinman]

They Toyota held its resell WAY better than the Dodge.

I remember reading last year that the Tacoma holds its resale value better than any other vehicle in the world.

[BUKI]

Just buy an Aztec and be done with it

[JackstandJohnny]

I remember reading last year that the Tacoma holds its resale value better than any other vehicle in the world.

still made in the same factory as a GM/Ford/Dodge with the same north american parts, materials and............. labour.


you pay a premium on toyota/honda crap only because there are import quotas on these said brands (yes, even though they are produced domestically) and the resale has nothing to do with quality or value, but for a lack of supply due to the import quota's.

thats why people have to PAY YOU to take an XJ off their hands........ there's millions of them around......

[TL-Iguana]

thats why people have to PAY YOU to take an XJ off their hands........ there's millions of them around......

Resale Value

Unlike your ZJ

[ornamental]

xj with fulltime option?    we looked at buying newish JK rubi's and decided what that will depreciate in one year equals the whole value of a XJ.   i wouldnt want to pay more for a vehicle thats full toys and food crumbs anyways.

dont you know a thing or 2 about xj's?

[raf2379]

I know that xj's are poop on fuel economy, and I will have the urge to do a lift and 31's and that will again hurt fuel economy. its coming down to few options, 2010 or newer Explorer, flex, chrysler or toyota minivans, grand cherokee possibly a liberty, merc R-class. 3rd row seating prefered. will be testdriving all of these in november. at the end its what the wife is comfortable driving in, its for her not me. I have my toys 91 Probe GT for the summer and will be buying a good used truck to tow the xj.