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ifcar


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What car for my parents?
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My parents' 1996 Caravan 4-cyl has reached the end of its life. After consuming $7,000 in repairs in eight years, it died for the second time in two days this week. They're unwilling to put any more money into it (for good reason), and are looking at a replacement.

Requirements: Third-row seat, good gas mileage, as close to $20,000 as possible (no higher than $25K). It can be used, but no older than two years, and new is preferred. They have a free loaner car, so there's no huge hurry.

Also, my father's brother-in-law works for Ford, so he is eligible for the Ford "X-Plan", which means paying no-haggle for any Ford product at invoice minus 2%, probably including Mazda and possibly including Nissan.

So far, I'm considering having them look at:

-Toyota Sienna. Arguably the best minivan on the market, and one of the most fuel-efficient.Unfortunately, it is a pricey thing, especially if you can't find a CE version available (which is likely).

-Ford Freestyle. Not as roomy as a minivan, but fuel efficient and comfortable inside. Also, the cheapest version (SE FWD) is easily available.

-Nissan Quest. A good deal on a roomy van, but reliability is questionable (no pun intended) and fuel economy is mediocre.

-Mazda MPV. Its biggest drawback is its small size, but otherwise very good considering how inexpensive they are. CR's reliability survey showed major transmission problems for the MPV, which could elliminate the vehicle before even a test drive.

-Honda Odyssey. Not the 05, unfortunately, because even the LX is pricey and it probably commands close to sticker. If they were to get one, it would be either a new or a used 04.

-Kia Sedona. It seems to be exactly what they're looking for, but I'm not sure they're willing to accept its pathetic gas mileage.

-Ford Freestar. It is generally a crappy van, especially in the area of interior comfort. The only benefit would be a very low price, which is enough to make them look at it.

-Chevy Uplander et al. They probably don't want an all-new design, and it would be disappointing to get a GM without waiting for rebates (though they're already at $1,500 I believe), but it is relatively inexpensive and fuel-efficient. It will be eliminated if the seats fail to prove far more comfortable than the current vans'.

-Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan. Very cheap, and fuel efficient with the four-cylinder. But I doubt even its long warranty can let them ignore the terrible record of their current car.


Any other suggestions welcome, as well as further insights.

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thewizard16


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The Sienna and Freestyle I think are good choices... The Odyessy is also good, but overhyped. I don't recommend the Sedona. An aunt and uncle of mine bought an 04 Sedona a few months ago, and it's not a bad van, it has an attractive interior, the leather is actually pretty good, and the fit and finish seems good. But... it feels underpowered when driving, the handling isn't that great, and little plastic clips and such in the vehicle have a tendency to break easily. I'd also consider the Toyota Highlander, you could pick up one that's a year old on the Toyota Certified thing for that amount. They have a very nice interior, an (optional, I don't know how hard it is to find one with it) third row seat, and decent gas mileage for the engine. The 4 cylinder model is better, but a 6 is nice to have. Also, the Ford Explorer fits your requirements, and you could get the X plan thing on it. I don't like the Explorer, it's not very powerful compared to other SUVs of that size, and it's gas mileage isn't great, but it'd be an option. If you were doing the X plan thing though, I'd get a Freestyle or a MPV (if it doesn't have significant reliability issues). Don't get the Freestar. They took all the problems of the windstar and added even worse styling to the mix in that redesign.

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ifcar


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quote:
Originally posted by: thewizard16
"The Odyessy is also good, but overhyped.

In what way?

I don't recommend the Sedona. An aunt and uncle of mine bought an 04 Sedona a few months ago, and it's not a bad van, it has an attractive interior, the leather is actually pretty good, and the fit and finish seems good. But... it feels underpowered when driving, the handling isn't that great, and little plastic clips and such in the vehicle have a tendency to break easily.

Acceleration isn't important, they have a 4-cyl Caravan and anything currently available is quicker. I agree about the handling, but what plastic clips are you referring to?

I'd also consider the Toyota Highlander, you could pick up one that's a year old on the Toyota Certified thing for that amount. They have a very nice interior, an (optional, I don't know how hard it is to find one with it) third row seat, and decent gas mileage for the engine. The 4 cylinder model is better, but a 6 is nice to have.

There is no third row seat room though, and no cargo space behind it.

Also, the Ford Explorer fits your requirements, and you could get the X plan thing on it. I don't like the Explorer, it's not very powerful compared to other SUVs of that size, and it's gas mileage isn't great, but it'd be an option.

It offers all the negatives of an SUV without any additional benefits. A minivan is cheaper, roomier, and more fuel-efficient.

Don't get the Freestar. They took all the problems of the windstar and added even worse styling to the mix in that redesign.

I personally like the styling, and it is improved over the Windstar in several areas. But I agree that it is a lousy van, its only benefit is a very low price.

"




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Kevin


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I'd have to agree with Wizard and say Sienna or Freestyle, I'd personally take the Freestyle just because I'm not much for minivans.  I wish the Magnum would have a third row, because my mom wants a third row and we all like the Magnum.



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ifcar


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quote:
Originally posted by: Kevin
"I'd have to agree with Wizard and say Sienna or Freestyle, I'd personally take the Freestyle just because I'm not much for minivans.  I wish the Magnum would have a third row, because my mom wants a third row and we all like the Magnum."


My parents hate the Magnum, they wouldn't be too interested even if it had a third row (which would be pathetically tiny at that). Not fuel efficient, not especially cheap, and sacrafices cargo space and visibility for styling that they can't stand.

BTW, my mother's agitating against the third-row requisite, so don't be too surprised if I post pics of a new Focus wagon instead of a minivan.

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