Minivan vs 7 passenger SUV [Archive] - REVscene Automotive Forum

Wetordry

07-23-2011, 01:06 PM

minivan ftw (especially with stow&go)

- you dont have to fold your baby stroller, just chuck it in the back
- sliding doors help alot if you are in tight parking spaces and it is easier to put baby / child in their car seats
- you dont have to lift objects high up and into the trunk like SUV's
- lots of room, and you can slide from front seat to back seat
- you can fit 4 sets of golf clubs / hockey bags / luggage whatever
- insurance will probably be cheaper

just get a minivan, skip the luxuries and get a 2nd car! (something sporty)

hillmar

07-23-2011, 02:03 PM

I'm planning on having 2 kids only.... And I'm torn between the
2011 Honda Odyssey Touring vs the 2011 Mazda CX-9 AWD GT with Navi.
They are priced pretty similar knowing that I can get a bigger discount on the CX-9 vs the Odyssey ( Honda dealer said their isn't much room to move on the minivan market in price). Both end up close to 50k MSRP.

racerman88

07-23-2011, 02:59 PM

The minivan is more convenient with the sliding doors and will have more storage space. That could be an issue when you have to carry a stroller with the SUV.

ilvtofu

07-23-2011, 03:23 PM

IMO a full size 3 row seat SUV is excess 90% of the time and I wouldn't suggest it. Tight fit in parking spaces, sub par fuel economy, and the 3rd row is usually an uncomfortable and hard to access. If you don't think you need the 7 seat capacity I'd definitely go with a smaller crossover or a hatchback/wagon

Sliding doors are way better for putting your kids into child seats especially in tight parking spaces. and usually SUV's would be the opposite with big heavy doors and high seats loading kids could be a PITA.

wasabisashimi

07-23-2011, 03:39 PM

What about the GMC suburban truck, seats lots and still got a giant trunk

hillmar

07-23-2011, 04:16 PM

What about the GMC suburban truck, seats lots and still got a giant trunk

Well if I go second hand.... it opens up a bunch of SUV to the mix. Q7, QX56, Sequoia, LX470, Escalade, and Navigator. But in all reality, when do you see a children soccer game with a parkade full of these cars.

ajax

07-23-2011, 04:20 PM

Well if I go second hand.... it opens up a bunch of SUV to the mix. Q7, QX56, Sequoia, LX470, Escalade, and Navigator. But in all reality, when do you see a children soccer game with a parkade full of these cars.

Escalades and Navigators? Just go to a soccer game in Surrey.
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k3mps

07-23-2011, 04:34 PM

also a lot of vans are fwd, some available with awd (sienna)
so unless you really want / need 4wd.

the really fun vans were the ones with shorter wheelbases

CorneringArtist

07-23-2011, 05:21 PM

If you say you're gonna have "just" two kids, then is the size of a minivan really necessary? For two kids, I'd roll a station wagon, even if there are few options like most Volvos, or the A6 Avant or Allroad.

IF you really need the space from a minivan/SUV, the new Siennas aren't too bad, and the new 4-Runners are rather spacious.

oldsnail

07-23-2011, 05:30 PM

i have a 2008 Acura MDX. I opted it over a minivan and also explored that route. Aside from awd, not many vans offer this option. the minivan can indeed haul more luggage and probably sit more comfortably when there are 7 passengers.
i just cant really picture myself driving a minivan. and i cant find a pair of sunglasses that look cool driving a minivan.

i looked into many 7 seater suvs before choosing an MDX. i was looking for a used 7 seater suv that has depreciated a bit after a few years.
ie. BMW X5, the rear seats are for children.... Cadilac escalade, the rear seats dont give much luggage space when folded..
i actually find the honda pilot better for rear access than the mdx, but i wanted to luxury features of the acura and got that.

mdx has loads of space when you use 5 seats. most of the time , i dont need to fold the stoller.. but it is higher up from ground level than vans. also, i found the mdx a good height for me to engage the babyseat while i find wagons and some vans bit too low.

fliptuner

07-23-2011, 06:06 PM

If you say you're gonna have "just" two kids, then is the size of a minivan really necessary? For two kids, I'd roll a station wagon, even if there are few options like most Volvos, or the A6 Avant or Allroad.

I agree. What do you need an SUV for? So you can see more? Cause it's got 4WD?

5dr hatch/wagons get better fuel economy, more fun to drive, cheaper to begin with, more maneuverable and are about all you'll need for a family of 4.

There's also the Mazda(speed)3 wagon and Mazda6 wagon.

!Aznboi128

07-23-2011, 06:34 PM

Have you thought about a Mazda 5?
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Spectre_Cdn

07-23-2011, 06:39 PM

Subaru Outback or another wagon, or Mazda 5 5-spd
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asian_XL

07-23-2011, 07:15 PM

2 + 2 + 3 is the way to go for a family car.
My family has a Alphard and my family friend owns the newer Land Cruiser, you can never compare both. Minivan has big slide doors and larger interior space, getting to the back row is much easier. I never understand why they design a 3th row for SUV.

Manic!

07-23-2011, 08:16 PM

Ford Flex?

http://www.latestautoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Black-2010-Ford-Flex-Exterior.jpg

Teh Doucher

07-23-2011, 08:25 PM

^ with the ecoboost motor, thats a good buy for sure.

valent|n0

07-23-2011, 09:50 PM

GX470 or GX460 for the win for me
Land cruiser prado with V8

Dragon_27

07-23-2011, 10:31 PM

i went wit full size suv cause it looks nicer and it has more luxury features. i would never buy a minivan. also, once i fold down my seats, i can put in a xl metal cage for my two pitties and also still have room for 2 adults to sit comfortably in the back.

i own a gas guzzling qx56. higher up, you do see a better view and also parallel parking i find easy, as i do have my rear view camera/parking sensors to assist me and you gotta love the 4wd ridin on bigger rims. i also like muscle roaring v8 sound, so i think it would be pretty weird to put a intake/exhaust on a minivan...

some_punk

07-24-2011, 07:14 AM

some how this comes to mind right away when threads asking for advice comes up
‪A Day in the Life of an Internet Car Forum‬&rlm; - YouTube

minoru_tanaka

07-24-2011, 07:32 AM

Why do two kids need 5 seats? Why isn't a sedan enough? 3 kids I understand cause the fights over the window seats are worth avoiding

hillmar

07-24-2011, 09:45 AM

Why do two kids need 5 seats? Why isn't a sedan enough? 3 kids I understand cause the fights over the window seats are worth avoiding

That has crossed my mind... but with 2 children, and childseats installed in the back seat that would eliminate any seating for the rear, leaving with just 2 seats for yourself and the wife. Leaves no space or room to take the grandparents to family outings or vacation. Or even space to take a friend or another child to the mall, parks, etc.
With a 7 passenger seating, 1 car seat can go the rear, and 1 to the second row leaving seating for another 2 passengers.
Reading what people have said in this thread, it comes down to if you will sacrifice praticality for the negative image that is portrayed with a minivan.

AWDTurboLuvr

07-24-2011, 10:10 AM

What hillmar said. Child seats have become so big, especially rear facing seats, that there is very little room for anyone else (or anything else for that matter) in a 5 passenger sedan. Once they are in booster seats or out of seats in general, a sedan is more than adequate.

I don't get the image thing though...when I see someone struggling to fit an infant or baby into their SUV at the mall, I don't think they're cool. I have a few friends who are onto their second child now and they all moved from their CUV/SUVs to a minivan or at the smallest, a Mazda5. You're raising a family, not trolling down Robson.

Wykydtron

07-24-2011, 11:12 AM

Have you looked at the Kia Sorento? Comes available with 3rd row.

Death2Theft

07-25-2011, 12:19 AM

Buy the minivan rent the 4wd SUV when u need it. Or you could be nig rich buy the suv and some 30 inch rims and feed your kids off the 99 cent menu. Just so you can have your "looks".

Death2Theft

07-25-2011, 12:25 AM

So the roar of the v8 reminds you of how much gas your sucking down pushing your sofa on wheels around? Or do you really think your fooling anyone into thinking your suv sounds like it's "FAST"

i own a gas guzzling qx56. higher up, you do see a better view and also parallel parking i find easy, as i do have my rear view camera/parking sensors to assist me and you gotta love the 4wd ridin on bigger rims. i also like muscle roaring v8 sound, so i think it would be pretty weird to put a intake/exhaust on a minivan...

tiger_handheld

07-25-2011, 07:27 AM

have an uncle that just bought a 06 quest. came with a rear dvd player for kids.

ScizzMoney

07-25-2011, 08:43 AM

Toyota Sienna would be my choice. SUV is a pain in the ass with the kids. Sliding doors are the best, especially knowing that the kids won't ding anyone else's door by opening them. I would feel safer trotting kids around in a Van than in a Car. I also find some people tend to back off a little bit when driving around a Van as well, because they often know there are kids in them. My observations anyway.

originalhypa

07-25-2011, 09:07 AM

2011 Honda Odyssey Touring

That's what I bought this year, after pouring over the data of every quality minivan on the market, and test driving a couple of the smaller 6-7 passenger SUV's on the lots. In the end, we stuck with the van. I have three kids between 6-8 years old and the minivan fits our lifestyle well.

Sliding doors are the best, especially knowing that the kids won't ding anyone else's door by opening them. I would feel safer trotting kids around in a Van than in a Car. I also find some people tend to back off a little bit when driving around a Van as well, because they often know there are kids in them. My observations anyway.

You sir, have keen observational skills.
I have my 20g STi, 2010 modded Tundra and 67' Beaumont to get my performance rocks off. When I'm driving the Odyssey, it's right lane, A/C on, easy cruising with XM satellite radio and drinks in the "cool box".
:cool:

Gumby

07-25-2011, 11:26 AM

Hmm... this thread is an eye-opener. Most of the pros/cons have been covered already.

I have 1 kid (with plans to have 1 more), and a 2005 Honda Pilot. I always thought it was "cooler" to drive a SUV as opposed to a minivan, but eliminating the risk of my kids dinging other people's doors is an attractive feature. :)

Some day down the road, I predict that I will switch over to an Odyssey...

toyota86

07-25-2011, 11:51 AM

http://www.hiwtc.com/photo/products/3/08/98/89824.jpg
hiace anyone?

Seriously, if I were to by a brand new family hauler, it would be the mercedes e350 wagon. awd, seats 5 like the sedan and has 2 rear facing seats for 7 people total.

shenmecar

07-25-2011, 12:14 PM

http://www.caranddriver.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/reviews/car/10q1/2011_toyota_sienna-second_drive/gallery/2011_toyota_sienna_se_photo_66/3274834-1-eng-US/2011_toyota_sienna_se_8_cd_gallery.jpg

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/12/2009/12/2010_toyota_sienna_exterior_design.jpg

The new Sienna SE is pretty good looking IMO.

3.5L 266hp, with optional 4wd.

Mancini

07-25-2011, 12:36 PM

I would feel safer trotting kids around in a Van than in a Car.

Minivans are notoriously unsafe.

07-25-2011, 12:38 PM

^

y is that

Lomac

07-25-2011, 12:49 PM

As others have mentioned already, a minivan is a far superior vehicle for hauling kids, espeically when compared to an SUV. Yes, both types of vehicles have stigmas and stereotypes attached to them, but once you have kids and realize the benefits of a van, you'll start to care less about what other people may think of a van. Apart from the ease of loading kids that are in baby seats, they're far easier when you're trying to load strollers and bags of crap (er, I mean kids toys). Plus while you may think that because you and your SO only have one or two kids that you don't need a third row... well, what happens when your kids want to hang out with their friends and maybe go to Chucky Cheese or Castle Fun Park? Suddenly that five seater doesn't work.

Lomac

07-25-2011, 12:50 PM

Minivans are notoriously unsafe.

:facepalm:

fliptuner

07-25-2011, 12:56 PM

Plus while you may think that because you and your SO only have one or two kids that you don't need a third row... well, what happens when your kids want to hang out with their friends and maybe go to Chucky Cheese or Castle Fun Park? Suddenly that five seater doesn't work.

Noise control and you don't want your kids' friends parents finding out how hard mom can throw a shoe from the front seat....wait a sec....

:okay:

Stinks

07-25-2011, 01:17 PM

Just get both! I have a Toyota Sienna (wife's) and a Toyota Highlander (mine) with same engines ~268HP 3.5L V6.

We use the Minivan for most family trips (Camping, Road Trips South/East). The Minivan is much more roomy and practical for my two daughters (4yo and 2yo), plus it can load gear like crazy and there is room for Grandparents/Cousins.

I drive the SUV (mid-size) as my daily-driver and also around town. I like the 4WD too. Third-row goes up & down when necessary but definitely does not hold cargo like the Minivan.

124Y

07-25-2011, 01:24 PM

This?

‪SWAGGER WAGON‬&rlm; - YouTube

Vulgate

07-25-2011, 01:50 PM

I was in the same situation last summer.
I have 2 kids and I opted to get an MDX.
First a van wasn't an option for me as the wife did not want a van.
I looked at the cx-9, highlander, mdx and venza.
my top choices were cx-9 and mdx. In the end I felt the MDX was bit of higher quality than the CX-9.
The CX-9 had great seating arrangement though as you can slide the 2nd row and get in from either side.
btw, if you are looking for car seats, I highly suggest you look at the Sunshine kids seats. they are a bit more compact and you can use them both backward and rearward facing. I switched from a Graco Nautilus to a Sunshine kids car seat. It is a bit more expensive but that extra hip room is worth it.

vitaminG

07-25-2011, 02:12 PM

Nobodys wife wants to be seen in a minivan these days like theyre too good for it.

I personally would have no problem rolling around in an odyssey touring, they are really nice minivans, and pretty damn FAST too.

vyrospec

07-25-2011, 05:18 PM

have you considered volvo xc60?

ilvtofu

07-25-2011, 05:58 PM

dodge journey? can probably get some good discounts and they're not expensive to begin with. A little old though

asian_XL

07-25-2011, 07:51 PM

Minivans are notoriously unsafe.

http://www.revscene.net/forums/attachments/forum173/5534d1302705629-ncbrka01_20110413085036_big.jpg

http://www.revscene.net/forums/642781-my-car-news.html

yes, It flips like no one.

fliptuner

07-25-2011, 08:31 PM

No, I flip like no one!!!

:troll:

hk20000

07-26-2011, 12:28 PM

How about the mercedes R class??
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freakshow

07-26-2011, 12:50 PM

I always found that the Sienna offered roughly the same feature set as the Odyssey, but for a much better price point. The Odyssey is a nicer van, but I think you can save a few bucks, while not losing too much by going with the Sienna. This applies to new and used.

originalhypa

07-26-2011, 12:59 PM

How about the mercedes R class??
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An Alabama built Benz?
:lol

troll off!

I always found that the Sienna offered roughly the same feature set as the Odyssey, but for a much better price point. The Odyssey is a nicer van, but I think you can save a few bucks, while not losing too much by going with the Sienna. This applies to new and used.

The Sienna is a wild looking van, and I preferred the way it looks over the Odyssey.

But.....

those pricks at the Toyota service dep't are a bunch of tools. Toyota rarely has issues, but when they do they are not going to admit it. I found that with my Tundra, and the horrible service I received at the service dep't was the reason why I went with the Honda. They are heads and tails better than Toyota when things go wrong.

Manic!

07-26-2011, 01:02 PM

How about the mercedes R class??
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Mercedes quality has gone down hill.

hk20000

07-26-2011, 01:10 PM

^ but it does have a diesel option which no other SUV/Van is offering right now.

fuel savings is pretty important when you really have no choice but to move such a big vehicle.

AWDTurboLuvr

07-26-2011, 04:03 PM

dodge journey? can probably get some good discounts and they're not expensive to begin with. A little old though

The 2011 Dodge Journeys look much nicer, inside and out. The pentastar V6 is good, but I wish they would mate it to a better transmission as the current 6-speed is kind of rough.

However, for the price, it's feature laden and quite roomy.

AWDTurboLuvr

07-26-2011, 04:05 PM

^ but it does have a diesel option which no other SUV/Van is offering right now.

fuel savings is pretty important when you really have no choice but to move such a big vehicle.

The electrical gremlins that plague that car have me shying away from it as a large people mover. I'd rather look at a Highlander Hybrid if I was looking for an alternative fuel car-based SUV.

Bahhbeehhaaaa

07-26-2011, 05:26 PM

The Sienna SE AWD is a good option, 10 years ago ill pick a SUV because of it's AWD system and mini vans are FF. Now i'll pick Sienna because AWD is there for you to choose.

edit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQn6PU02Z4U&feature=player_detailpage

Edison_Chen

07-26-2011, 06:35 PM

^ the Sienna AWD doesn't come in the SE package. AWD only comes in the LE or the Limited Pkg.
I've looked at the Honda Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna, and I like the Honda Odyssey more than the Sienna. I'm probably going to purchase a 2012 Honda Odyssey EX-L w/ RES towards the end of the year.

Bahhbeehhaaaa

07-26-2011, 08:20 PM

ohh, Ok. I thought they do. Maybe i got it mixed up with the last Gen Sienna. Any how, I love both Sienna and Odyssey.

vitaminG

07-26-2011, 09:33 PM

The 2011 Dodge Journeys look much nicer, inside and out. The pentastar V6 is good, but I wish they would mate it to a better transmission as the current 6-speed is kind of rough.

However, for the price, it's feature laden and quite roomy.

Chrysler is gonna have the ZF 9-speed pretty soon so lack of ratios wont be an issue for long

originalhypa

07-27-2011, 12:18 PM

The 2011 Dodge Journeys look much nicer, inside and out. The pentastar V6 is good, but I wish they would mate it to a better transmission as the current 6-speed is kind of rough.

However, for the price, it's feature laden and quite roomy.

You get what you pay for with the domestic manufacturers. After being raped by both Dodge and GM after buying "great deals!", I won't be going American again for a long time. They are absolute shitboxes, straight up.

AWDTurboLuvr

07-27-2011, 12:30 PM

You get what you pay for with the domestic manufacturers. After being raped by both Dodge and GM after buying "great deals!", I won't be going American again for a long time. They are absolute shitboxes, straight up.

Right, but companies change, some for the better, some not. I'm not saying that they are perfect cars, but they are not the same cars that you and I drove a decade or even 3 years ago.

I mean, Toyota in 2011 is not the same Toyota as 1993-1996. Look at the amount of hard plastics in use in the 2011-2012 Sienna. Aside from the V6 in the current RAV4, it's pretty much obsolete compared to it's rivals. I'm definitely not saying that the big 3 are perfect now, but they've come a long way in the last few years.

originalhypa

07-27-2011, 01:26 PM

Right, but companies change, some for the better, some not. I'm not saying that they are perfect cars, but they are not the same cars that you and I drove a decade or even 3 years ago.

So I'm supposed to give them the benefit of the doubt because they've had 3 good years? What about the garbage they sold from 1986 - 2008?

What about Ford's 1.2 million F150 recall?
Ford expands pickup recall - Business - CBC News (http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/story/2011/04/14/business-ford-recall.html)

Or Dodge's steering failing?
Recall Alert: 242,780 Dodge Ram Pickups - PickupTrucks.com News (http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2011/07/recall-alert-242780-dodge-ram-pickups.html)

They've proven that Toyota's recalls were a witch hunt, and cleared them of any wrong doing.
Toyota cleared in recall scandal - Autocar.co.uk (http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/255366/)

But that opens up a whole new group of questions, first of which is simply why did the NHTSA, a subsidiary of the US Government, proclaim an act of war against Toyota around the same time the US gov't bought GM?

If GM's quality was so much better, why did they have to get the gov't watchdogs involved in a situation that didn't warrant it?

I mean, Toyota in 2011 is not the same Toyota as 1993-1996. Look at the amount of hard plastics in use in the 2011-2012 Sienna.

:lol

So Toyota is attempting to drop the price of their vehicles by using the same materials as their competition, and suddenly that makes them garbage?

Have you ever seen the brakes that Toyota uses? Personally, I'm glad they use cheap plastic in order to maintain the quality of braking and suspension components compared to the domestics. Have you ever see the tiny ball joints that the F150 uses? It's pathetic!

Aside from the V6 in the current RAV4, it's pretty much obsolete compared to it's rivals. I'm definitely not saying that the big 3 are perfect now, but they've come a long way in the last few years.

:okay:

Okay then champ.

It's easy to come a long way when you're starting with garbage. Hell, Lada had come a long way before they went bankrupt too.

:lol

AWDTurboLuvr

07-27-2011, 04:29 PM

So I'm supposed to give them the benefit of the doubt because they've had 3 good years? What about the garbage they sold from 1986 - 2008?

What about Ford's 1.2 million F150 recall?
Ford expands pickup recall - Business - CBC News (http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/story/2011/04/14/business-ford-recall.html)

Or Dodge's steering failing?
Recall Alert: 242,780 Dodge Ram Pickups - PickupTrucks.com News (http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2011/07/recall-alert-242780-dodge-ram-pickups.html)

They've proven that Toyota's recalls were a witch hunt, and cleared them of any wrong doing.
Toyota cleared in recall scandal - Autocar.co.uk (http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/255366/)

But that opens up a whole new group of questions, first of which is simply why did the NHTSA, a subsidiary of the US Government, proclaim an act of war against Toyota around the same time the US gov't bought GM?

If GM's quality was so much better, why did they have to get the gov't watchdogs involved in a situation that didn't warrant it?

None of those cars were ever discussed in this thread or relevant as competitors to the vehicles that the OP was talking about. I am aware of these ongoing recalls and the issues that Ford is dealing with SYNC and their failing transmissions in the new Mustang. As well, I never said that the Toyota recall was real, so why bring it up?

So Toyota is attempting to drop the price of their vehicles by using the same materials as their competition, and suddenly that makes them garbage?

Have you ever seen the brakes that Toyota uses? Personally, I'm glad they use cheap plastic in order to maintain the quality of braking and suspension components compared to the domestics. Have you ever see the tiny ball joints that the F150 uses? It's pathetic!

When did I say the drop in interior materials signify that Toyota is garbage? Again, if you have a personal issue with domestic vehicles, that would be great to discuss, especially if it was a SUV or minivan. I had issues with my previous domestic cars as well, but none of them are relevant to this thread.

:okay:

Okay then champ.

It's easy to come a long way when you're starting with garbage. Hell, Lada had come a long way before they went bankrupt too.

:lol

That is true, which is why I didn't suggest a Lada. You've brought nothing useful to the thread. If you have an issue with the current Dodge Journey (the only domestic vehicle I suggested the OP should take a look at), then please shed some light.

originalhypa

07-28-2011, 10:51 AM

That is true, which is why I didn't suggest a Lada. You've brought nothing useful to the thread. If you have an issue with the current Dodge Journey (the only domestic vehicle I suggested the OP should take a look at), then please shed some light.

Bitch please.

I recommended the 2011 Odyssey, a vehicle THAT I ALREADY OWN, after driving many of the current available options on the market. I then recommended against the Dodge, based on past experience, and then proceeded to post facts that state the domestics really haven't changed, other than their marketing. If you can't see this, you simply don't belong on a car enthusiast website.

Maybe there's a nice knitting forum you can go to?

Bahhbeehhaaaa

07-28-2011, 11:18 AM

Ferra

07-28-2011, 11:59 AM

x5 with the 3rd roll seats can seat 7, but it is very inconvenient and cramped, and there is very little trunk space left in the back
if you seat more than 4-5 people, definitely get a minivan....
a 7 seat SUV just isn't practical (it makes you feel like you have a higher social status than driving a minivan, but I think if you have kids, that shouldn't concern you too much...)

Dodge caravan was VERY CHEAP the last time I check. You can get a basic one for 16K + fees & tax, $19K out the door. (cheaper than a honda fit...)
My parent had one for 2+ years, and they never had any problem with it... I drove it a few times and it is not that bad? (it is a minivan..what do you expect lol)
For the price, i think they are well worth it..

hk20000

07-28-2011, 12:04 PM

The electrical gremlins that plague that car have me shying away from it as a large people mover. I'd rather look at a Highlander Hybrid if I was looking for an alternative fuel car-based SUV.
Yes but if you are buying brand new you can also get extended warranty so your electric gremlin become random opportunities to try out other models of Mercedes when your R class wants to take a crap.

I doubt the newest one will be as troublesome seeing that it has already been on the market for a long time and it has just undergone a facelift so all bugs should be worked out by now.

It does loook hella boss when slammed on 22s
http://www.mercedestuningmag.com/wp-content/gallery/r-class/mercedes-r-class-wald-1.jpg
The diesel 4WD 7 seater version starts at just over 50k msrp, which is surprisingly good value for money when a Sienna is just under 50k after you spec it out to V6 AWD.

AWDTurboLuvr

07-29-2011, 12:03 PM

Bitch please.

I recommended the 2011 Odyssey, a vehicle THAT I ALREADY OWN, after driving many of the current available options on the market. I then recommended against the Dodge, based on past experience, and then proceeded to post facts that state the domestics really haven't changed, other than their marketing. If you can't see this, you simply don't belong on a car enthusiast website.

Maybe there's a nice knitting forum you can go to?

That's great, I didn't see that there. I also recommended the Oddy. I still don't know why you don't say which Dodge vehicle you owned??? I mean, I had an Omni, would my past experience in that have any relevance to this thread? Probably not.

Please point out where I said your facts aren't true. You're anger seems to have clouded your judgement and your ability to comprehend.

AWDTurboLuvr

07-29-2011, 12:11 PM

Yes but if you are buying brand new you can also get extended warranty so your electric gremlin become random opportunities to try out other models of Mercedes when your R class wants to take a crap.

I doubt the newest one will be as troublesome seeing that it has already been on the market for a long time and it has just undergone a facelift so all bugs should be worked out by now.

It does loook hella boss when slammed on 22s
http://www.mercedestuningmag.com/wp-content/gallery/r-class/mercedes-r-class-wald-1.jpg
The diesel 4WD 7 seater version starts at just over 50k msrp, which is surprisingly good value for money when a Sienna is just under 50k after you spec it out to V6 AWD.

I would maybe lease a new MB as their rates are generally more attractive than Toyota (leasing-wise), but not buy outright as the depreciation and resale on those aren't very good compared to the Sienna. As well, that's a base R350 Blu-tec, it'll easily run you $60K+ once you add premium package 1 or 2.

In terms of style, yeah hands down the R-class looks a lot nicer. However, the Sienna has a much more comfortable ride (the R350 Blutec has a terrible ride for a luxury cruiser) and is much more practical. Save yourself some coin, get the Sienna and buy a weekend toy instead.

some_punk

07-29-2011, 08:03 PM

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/311571/1992-chevrolet-astro

Ls1 powered rape van

twitchyzero

07-29-2011, 10:10 PM

The Sienna SE AWD is a good option, 10 years ago ill pick a SUV because of it's AWD system and mini vans are FF. Now i'll pick Sienna because AWD is there for you to choose.

edit:
‪2011 Toyota SIenna SE- Jon Lancaster Toyota‬&rlm; - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQn6PU02Z4U&feature=player_detailpage)

AWD vans have been around for a while...unless you only buy Japanese

originalhypa

08-02-2011, 10:01 AM

That's great, I didn't see that there. I also recommended the Oddy. I still don't know why you don't say which Dodge vehicle you owned??? I mean, I had an Omni, would my past experience in that have any relevance to this thread? Probably not.

I had a Dodge Dakota, and was part of the Dodge club. Guys with SRT Dakotas with replacement rear ends after 30,000km. My own rear diff grenaded after 48k km and the Dodge dealer replaced it under warranty, AFTER charging me a $500 deductible. I know people who bought 300c's and new trucks, and said "never again!".

It comes from personal experience.

Please point out where I said your facts aren't true. You're anger seems to have clouded your judgement and your ability to comprehend.

I'm far from angry, but a bit dismayed at your ignorance, and inability to admit that only a fool would buy a new Dodge. Especially if they can afford something better, since Dodge hasn't changed anything outside of their marketing, and grill design.

dodge... my family used to own a 2003 caravan. leaks every where, i swear it needs a diaper or somthing

Thank you.