What is the most bulletproof mini van 20k can buy?

[HI SPEED]

I'm shopping for a new van for my mom. Looking for something that will be sound mechanically for years to come. We drove a 2010 town and country that was ok, lots of bells and whistles. Then we drove the honda oddesy, which felt like it was in a different league. Not nearly as many features, but drove much better.

What is the current workhorse mini van? I don't care about creature comforts for little ankle biting children, as this will be for work. I know that the honda used to have more tranny problems, then thailand. Is that still the case, or are they okay now?

Bluetooth, and leather would be great but we are prioritizing low miles, and reliability.

[Silenius]

A brand new dodge Caravan with the pentastar!

[tjl]

Mazda 5?

[Golgo-13]

Mazda 5?

I second this suggestion. Great van.

[two.twoliter]

Toyota Sienna

[Impeccable]

Toyota Sienna

This, even though I like the Odysseys styling and handling better I just don't trust that tranny. 2005-2010s were plagued with self shredding torque converters along with fault VCM systems(though moreso on pre-refresh models). 2011+ 6-speed autos having been having problems already, though I hear honda bought some of them back to tear them down and see what the issue is, the 5-speed 2011+ seem to be ok.

[RWD_only]

Toyota Sienna

Yep. Not even up for discussion.

[Minty_Fresh]

earlyu 90's GM. i work valet and they are the most common car i drive. turns out they don't need oil to stay running, rod knock, **** it. regulars have been coming for months with the same knock or tap...... still make it in.

[red16vdub]

Toyota Sienna

^^^^ This definitely



Stay away from Dodge / Chrysler

bajan 4g

[Live-Wire]

Toyota Sienna

Everyone I know with one is happy/ minimal problems (if any other then routine maintenance).

My only problems with them are finger-tip light steering with no feel. And the seats absolutely suck (no one else seemed to have a problem... so it could be just me. I found Chrysler has far better seats tho).

[firstorbit84]

came for pic of actual bulletproof minivan. leaving disappointed

[gas, meet foot]

If you want new, your options are limited by that price. Of the two even close to that price bracket, I'd suggest the Transit connect based solely on a need to use it for 'work'.

Setting aside 'new' for more options, here's a snapshot of CPO used vans in my area at your price range. Of those, I'd go with the Toyota or Honda. I'd be behind a T&C, but don't see one with the Pentastar in that price range.

[McBanagon]

Too bad VWs run so high. If it wasn't for your limit, this could be on the list.

[IsraelGT]

I would say the Sienna and the Oddy.
We are on our second Sienna and both have been great. We know four families with the Honda (2005 & 2006) and they've been problem free as well.

[MatchStick]

Mazda 5?

yep - you can get a new base Sport for under $20k easily.

granted, it is not as versatile in terms of true minivan features as a Sienna or Odyssey - it's an MPV that has sliding doors, most MPVs (that you can't buy here in the US) have traditional doors.

and Mazda is offering .9% financing on any loan term currently.

[BRealistic]

Sienna... No question.

[Wanganrunner]

Ody's have lingering V6 auto trans issues, although I'm not sure about the current generation.

I'd get a Mazda 5, the current Chrysler, or a new Quest just because I <3 the new Quest even though it's sort of impractical (seats don't fold flat). Looks great though.

[Dr. Woo]

...I <3 the new Quest even though it's sort of impractical (seats don't fold flat). Looks great though.

I thought I was the only one. Too bad it's the size of a Unimog. Still, great-looking spawn-mobile.

[AndyG86]

Ody's have lingering V6 auto trans issues, although I'm not sure about the current generation.

I'd get a Mazda 5, the current Chrysler, or a new Quest just because I <3 the new Quest even though it's sort of impractical (seats don't fold flat). Looks great though.

Tranny problems were in the last generation. The newest is problem free. 06+ is what you want to look at for ody.

Toyota or honda gets my vote

[pho]

I thought I was the only one. Too bad it's the size of a Unimog. Still, great-looking spawn-mobile.

Yes.

[mac dre]

My mom has an 07 Odyssey we've owned since new. It's been on numerous road trips from
Missouri -> Connecticut. The van has never missed a beat, even loaded up with luggage and people. The only issue was a power steering pump, which was replaced under Honda. Can't remember if it was a recall (i think it was).

On the Sienna vs. Ody
- Odyssey is the better driving of the two, more dynamic, sharper steering.
- Top level sienna models are very lexus like. plush
- Gas mileage will be equal, Ody has the cylinder deactivation
- Road noise could be lower in the Honda

[McBanagon]

I would check out the Supervan



You would save a fortune on fuel, since it apparently runs on Theremin

[roadtripper]

you can't get an entourage new anymore, but you can still get a kia sedona. they have really porked up in price, but maybe a slightly used one.

i bought my wife one about three and a half years ago for $17.5K new. 5/60 B2B, 10/100 powertrain. 250 hp. never had a single problem. killer app.

[zmt]

Sienna's gonna be the most reliable van for that price range, but if you're okay with rolling the dice a tiny bit, the odyssey is a much better driving vehicle. Better all around really IMO.

[Aonarch]

Toyota Sienna. My mom has had a early 2000's and it is bullet proof.

[Spell Check Desk]

Best bang for the buck would be a Caravan/T&C. Trans issues have long been solved, any dead transmissions we see now are generally customer neglect.... even the 41TE.

The 41TE was never a bad unit to begin with, it was the 31TH that was problematic.

[gti5dr06]

Best bang for the buck would be a Caravan/T&C. Trans issues have long been solved, any dead transmissions we see now are generally customer neglect.... even the 41TE.

The 41TE was never a bad unit to begin with, it was the 31TH that was problematic.

american's still give you the most bang for your buck. Still I'd try the Sienna/Odyssey to see if that's more to your taste. Ideally you'd bring a bunch of stuff that you plan on storing/using in the minivan and see which takes it better. Honda's problem today is the lightning bolt styling if anything. Even the 5AT versions are much improved having sat in a friends '12 odyssey compared to my first gen VCM 08 accord.

[EuroSpic_TT]

came for pic of actual bulletproof minivan. leaving disappointed

you and me both haha

[-teknien-]

AVP package Grand Caravan. 21k. Current incentives are around 2-3k. 5 year 100k powertrain, you cant go wrong. plus the new 3.6 is a beast!

[Spell Check Desk]

american's still give you the most bang for your buck. Still I'd try the Sienna/Odyssey to see if that's more to your taste. Ideally you'd bring a bunch of stuff that you plan on storing/using in the minivan and see which takes it better. Honda's problem today is the lightning bolt styling if anything. Even the 5AT versions are much improved having sat in a friends '12 odyssey compared to my first gen VCM 08 accord.

Price would scare me away from an Odyssey or Sienna. Last I heard they were almost $10K more than a comparable Chrysler minivan.

Not that I'm in the market for a minivan but I do work at a dealer. NO not in sales thank god!

[Spell Check Desk]

AVP package Grand Caravan. 21k. Current incentives are around 2-3k. 5 year 100k powertrain, you cant go wrong. plus the new 3.6 is a beast!

First round of Pentastar engines seemed to have a problem with one of the cylinder heads, we did something like 4 or 5 of them in a six month period. Mind you they were all rentals that were probably getting the piss driven out of them.... and we've had the occasional 6speed 62TE trans fail but 9 times out of 10 it was the underdrive compounder. Cheap and relatively easy to fix, doesn't require a rebuild.

[Jade Wombat]

I know it' a bit odd, but the MB/Dodge Sprinter is not even on anyone's radar??

[compy222]

a slightly older odyssey should do very well.

i like the mazda5 a lot. its actually pretty good to drive considering its 3 underpinnings.

[-teknien-]

First round of Pentastar engines seemed to have a problem with one of the cylinder heads, we did something like 4 or 5 of them in a six month period. Mind you they were all rentals that were probably getting the piss driven out of them.... and we've had the occasional 6speed 62TE trans fail but 9 times out of 10 it was the underdrive compounder. Cheap and relatively easy to fix, doesn't require a rebuild.

yup, cam phazers... problem is fixed though.

Havent seen any trans issues on the 12's. 11's def saw a few. now you get a 5 year 100k powertrain.

[GPHawaii808]

AVP package Grand Caravan. 21k. Current incentives are around 2-3k. 5 year 100k powertrain, you cant go wrong. plus the new 3.6 is a beast!

Current incentives are only $500 for the AVP. Finance with Ally and you can get $750 & 1.9% (48mos).

All other Grand Caravan models only receive a $1750 Consumer Cash. Military members receive an additional $500.

The AVP is not really an option for Hawaii. Yes, we can get them, but do you want to put the kids in the back of a minivan (with all that glass) with NO Rear AC?

CPOV 2010 Chrysler T&C LX at $20K OTD.