Originally Posted By: Huie83
Good Morning-
The lease on our 2013 Explorer is up in a few months. We had our 3rd child a year ago and decided we'd like the convenience of a minivan as well as dumping a car payment.
I have been looking for a van in the $6-7K range that I can purchase outright. So far I have found the following:
*2002-2006'ish Honda Odyssey with ~150K+ miles. Closer to $6-7K. Not sure due to alleged tranny issues.
*2002-2006'ish Toyota Sienna with ~150K+ miles. Closer to $6-7K
*2004-2007 Ford Freestar, some with sub 80-100K miles, price is more in the 4K range.
*2004-2007 Chevy Uplander (or the variant Buick/Saturn etc) , some with sub 80-100K miles , price in the 3-4K range.
*2005-2007 Hyundai Entourage, around 100K miles, $5-6K
Out of these what is your opinion for a smart buy? I'd like to stay domestic if possible, I like the Ford and Chevy but reliability reviews online are scarce. I left Chrysler off the list, I just can't get over the "old person van" look they have going on. No offence to anyone that has one, just not my style
The Honda of that generation seems iffy. Never have been a huge fan of Toyota but they seem very reliable. I don't know if the difference in mileage and $ is worth it though. The lifecycle of this van for us will probably be in the 3-4 year range. I think once the wife goes back to work she'll want something newer as a daily driver. Right now this will serve the purpose of local kid running around and grocery getter. Maybe the occasional 200 mile trip to the cabin and back.
Somewhat late getting into this but if you are looking used, I think that you would be doing yourself a disservice by not at least looking at a Chrysler product. Used on these is probably the best value because of their resale values.
Even though I know that it is beyond your budget, I think the screaming deal right now is the Dodge Grand Caravan with the value package. There were a bunch of them around the Chicago area for $16,480. That is a lot of vehicle for the money and gives you a new car for probably not a whole lot more when factored out per mile if you buy it and drive the wheels off of it.
As far as the Odyssey, you probably are okay as long as you go 2006 or newer. We had a 2000 that the tranny was getting ready to woof on at 80K. Our 2006 has been fine. I think the Odyssey is the nicest of the group and holds its resale the best, guess that is why we have owned two of them.
The Sienna is comparable to the Honda IMO, but you are talking 10 years old and a boatload of miles to fit that pricepoint.
Have not heard a lot of good things about the Uplander. I know two people who have had them and have had a great deal of issues with them, particularly electrical. One of those is somewhat of a Chevy fanboy and was so impressed with it that he traded it off on a new Pilot. Don't know much about the Hyundai offering and I would stay away from the Ford (transmission issues from what I have heard and I was not impressed with the several I have driven.) This is from someone who generally likes Ford products.
Buying used with that many miles is somewhat of a gamble. You may spend a huge percentage of the savings on repairs and general refurbishment anyway (unless you get lucky and find one pristinely maintained with full records, and then you will probably pay top $ for it anyway.)
I would bite the bullet, take the 7K and put a downstroke on a GC value package and keep it for the long haul. You then have a new car, new tires, new everything, maintained your way, with a warranty.
My .02.
