Tell me about your minivan
I know. I know. Minivans. But first, they're way better than 3 row SUV's, and if you disagree you're wrong. And second, my wife wants one for her car due to work/kid needs so I really have no say in this matter. So I've convinced myself my first point is correct :D
We currently have an old AWD Sienna that's due for replacement. I figured I'd just get one of those again (likely something used from 2016 - 2020) but the price jump for those over the competition has me looking elsewhere. Especially when snow tires on a FWD van would likely perform as well as an AWD Sienna.
Does anyone have experience with Odysseys or Pacificas from that era? Any major issues to look out for?
Tell me about your minivan
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Todd Zander
What gets 35mpg? Certainly not our ‘17 AWD sienna
The new Sienna hybrid.
I think this is a question of if you need AWD or not. We had a 2005 Odyssey w/studded snows, and it still struggled up snowy/icy hills, (front wheel drive and all the weight in the back). If you need AWD, then it is a Sienna or the new Pacifica, otherwise take your pick. Sienna and Odyssey match each other $/$ and option/option, and probably the same w/ the others, but maybe not as reliable, since there just aren’t as many Kia’s or whatever’s out there.
Tell me about your minivan
Quote:
Originally Posted by
toast2266
We were in the mini van market last year. Need AWD for our shitty driveway. We were all set to get a used Sienna, but the prices people were asking were completely ridiculous so we paid a few grand more and got a new AWD hybrid Sienna.
Upsides:
-Great mileage. high 30's in the summer, low 30's in the winter.
-Fits a spare tire - no more dealing with stupid run-flats.
-It's still a Sienna; well put together, and boatloads of room in there.
-The hybrid drives well. It's not a sports car, but it definitely doesn't feel underpowered.
Downsides:
-It's heavy. The batteries add some noticeable heft to the ass end. It needs to go pretty slow over speed bumps to not bottom out (which is made worse by the receiver hitch I put on the back).
-sounds system is underwhelming.
-There are some electrical quirks that I find annoying. The back up sensors really dislike having a bike rack on the back.
Added downside: less cargo space because can’t take second row of seats out… right?
Fwiw, I have a fwd ‘06 sienna that I run with snows in california and run it through chain control and on my sketchy-ass steep roads. I’ve definitely encountered situations where fwd was not enough or barely adequate. I also use AT tires during for the rest of the year because it gets a lot of use on steep dirt roads. I keep chains in the back year round.