Tell me about your minivan

[Brownski]

Ford transit. Is there an awd minivan-like variation?

There is but it’s not sold in the US. A midsized van called the Transit Custom- It looks like it’s sort of between an Astro and the smallest size G van from the 80s. In Europe, it comes in all kinds of variations in terms of roof height, drive train etc… I saw one on the road in Texas (they’re manufactured and sold in Mexico too). If they were available to me, I would have ordered one instead of the Sienna I’ve been waiting on for ten months.

[bodywhomper]

Thx about transit info. I’d heard there were lots of variations of size, but didn’t realize it was not available in the US (I just thought my google chops were messed up.

[bagtagley]

TLDR, Sienna comes out on top.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...ienna-compared

[Flyoverland Captive]

I’ve been eyeballing Canoo’s EV vans with interest, but it looks like by the time I’m ready to commit, they will be bankrupt. Too bad; cool concept.

[MarcusBrody]

I’ve been eyeballing Canoo’s EV vans with interest, but it looks like by the time I’m ready to commit, they will be bankrupt. Too bad; cool concept.

I've been thinking this since I first saw then announced. Cool vans. My belief they make it to mass production is limited.

[bodywhomper]

Y’all saw that rivian had a big layoff of facility design staff.

[bodywhomper]

Two big hesitations that I have about upgrading from an 06 sienna to the most base version of an awd hybrid is that i live in the woods, our cars live outside, and we are rough on our vehicles, and is a hybrid truly a middle ground for eventually getting an EV. Or is a hybrid wasting $$, ie get cheaper and slightly older awd and upgrade to EV when more are around?

[bodywhomper]

Anybody know if the sienna cvt has something similar to a engine breaking creep-type mode, ie something equivalent to shifting into a low gear on an auto or manual trannie?

Learning about the “b” mode on Priuses, and it helps me understand why I’ve seen so many crunched Priuses at the bottom of the hill that enters my neighborhood than other cars and trucks (though the icy hill seems to enjoy eating many types of cars and trucks).

[climberevan]

I inherited (sort of) a Honda Element, which I'm currently driving across the country. I have been camping out of it, and it's a pretty fun little car. 5spd and AWD is nice.

However, fuel economy isn't fantastic (21-23 hwy), and I suspect i can sell it into the Element fan market and replace it with a minivan that will get the same or better mileage.

So, what's the best thing going in the $5-7000 range? This would be pretty much a dedicated road trip vehicle, and primarily for summer use, so AWD isn't essential. I'll be pulling all rear seats and need to be able to sleep inside with, preferably, 2 bikes.

[mcski]

Give the element a chance. They are so damn versatile. I transported 7 mountain bikes an gear in one from ca to jh. Saw a really cool one w beefy tires and a pop top just the other day that made me want one

[bodywhomper]

Had a local friend with a MT element. I drove it every excuse I could get. So much fun driving stick on the windy roads in my hood.

[gravitylover]

You'll have a tough time finding a minivan worth buying at $7k, 5 is almost definitely a no go. You might get lucky and find an 09-10 Chrysler or Dodge with the surprisingly reliable 3.8 or Toyota that's getting tired that really just needs a refresh. I think that the "just jump in and go" price is still closer to the $12k that it's been since early 2022.

[gointhedistance]

Semi-related... A buddy of mine from back in the day is the author of a new children's book... our kids seem to like it! Selfless promo for a friend - check it out:
MEGAVAN. https://www.amazon.com/Megavan-Mark-.../dp/1643436872

[Brownski]

Took 10 months but finally came in. I had to drive 3 hours to PA to pick it up.



Since we were there (with a van), we grabbed a table and chairs from my SIL. Lots of room even with the middle seats in place.





Only complaint so far is that Toyota’s proprietary app + CarPlay is not as convenient and intuitive as Apple CarPlay by itself as installed in my Subaru. Hopefully I figure it out- haven’t had a chance to read the manual and play with it too much yet.

Looks like it will be sufficient for an overnight here and there- might have diagonal it. Luckily I’m under 6 feet. Any taller and it would be out of the question without the airbag bypass/ middle seat removal



On the drive home, I got about 36 mpg. I’m not sure I approve of all this data being available while driving. Some people might let themselves be distracted by it.

[Bunion 2020]

RE: Sienna, 2.5 4 cyl or 3.5 6 cyl?

[doebedoe]

RE: Sienna, 2.5 4 cyl or 3.5 6 cyl?

3.5 all the way. It's a super reliable engine. The 4 banger gets you no real fuel savings if you live in the mountains and is pretty underpowered for a modern car especially if the rig is loaded up.

[Brownski]

I think they’re all 2.5 now. Some are FWD and some AWD (like mine) but my understanding is that they’re all the hybrid

[MakersTeleMark]

Was doing a little bro talk with a buddy on my card the other night who happens to be a career valet. I asked him what the most unreliable car over his last 2 decades of knowing all types was. No hesitation he said yota hybrid mini vans. I was super bummed because I really want one.

[plugboots]

Sure, whatever.
The “yota” hybrid minivan has been out since 2021. So in 2 decades it’s the most unreliable car.
Sure, whatever. Your buddy is a moron who doesn’t understand statistical evidence.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[MakersTeleMark]

Sure, whatever.
The “yota” hybrid minivan has been out since 2021. So in 2 decades it’s the most unreliable car.
Sure, whatever. Your buddy is a moron who doesn’t understand statistical evidence.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

He drives a Tacoma.

[Yonder_River]

You definitely want to get your sense of car reliability from someone who drives them for 2 minutes before parking it.

Supposedly getting our sienna this month - we'll see.. it's been traveling by rail to WA for the last few weeks which seems nuts to me. A bit of a fugly looking car but it ticks all of our practical boxes. Nice to see how much space you get when the middle seats are scooted up.

[doebedoe]

Sure, whatever.
The “yota” hybrid minivan has been out since 2021. So in 2 decades it’s the most unreliable car.
Sure, whatever. Your buddy is a moron who doesn’t understand statistical evidence.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

+1.

A valet as an indicator of reliability? Claiming a minivan with that has been out for <2 years is the least reliable? When it's the same fucking drivetrain that has been powering rav4s and highlanders for several years prior to rave reviews across the board leading to stupid wait times? GTFO.

[doebedoe]

I think they’re all 2.5 now. Some are FWD and some AWD (like mine) but my understanding is that they’re all the hybrid

Yeah -- I was assuming Bunion was referring to early Gen 3 where both 4 cyl gas and 6 cyl gas were a thing.

[gaijin]

I think you forgot about the part of the Rav4 being the best selling vehicle in the world.

Toyota is doing just fine. And their minivans are dope as shit. Have you seen a modern Alphard? Add the Toyota Racing Department (TRD) package and you'e got a 100K first class cruiser that happens to rip shit up.

All that said-- in light of this thread's title-- I drive a Honda StepWgn. It's a tiny AWD 1.5L 16v V-TEC with a Turbo and a paddle shifting CVT. It's like 3 power settings in one motor. Unfortunately not available stateside.

It burns very little fuel going to the supermarket while on the ECO setting... because half the motor is working. (It's a V-TEC, meaning 8 valves aren't even operating.)
Turn off the ECO setting and appreciate decent daily starts. Above 2000rpm the other 8 valves open and begin firing. It's like doubling your motor.
But... need to pass that old farmer guy? Holy balls, the turbo kicks in on top of all 16 valves.

The 0-100k/hr (0-60) are nothing worth speaking of.
The 40-100k/hr (30-60) will make you grateful that it's AWD and the entire vehicle is sticking to the ground. Because it fucking shreds.

Never did I anticipate a minivan that shreds... and then shuts it down. That paddle-shifting CVT can go low at a trigger. I can descend from my ski resort, a 30 minute drive, and never touch the brakes.

By far the most comfortable vehicle I have ever driven. Which just makes me wonder what an AUDI minivan would be like.

[gravitylover]

Put the steering wheel on the right (correct ) side and send one please. Thanks.