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I said for years I would never drive a minivan but with a 19 month old and another baby on the way my Ford Focus just isn't going to cut it anymore. My husband and I are looking for a used minivan with reasonable mileage. Any features that you would recommend or advise to stay away from?
I always check Consumer Reports for the vehicles that are top rated and have the least repair problems. We have a Honda Odyssey and it has been a real workhorse. It is a 1997 that we purchased used and have had very little problems from it. I prefer bucket seats - it makes for easier getting in and out and floor usage, imo, instead of bench seats.
I agree check out reviews for different ones before you buy one. When I had my minivan I would have liked to have had the remote to open the doors but that is because I had twins. My most important thing is safety.
In December '02 we traded our '99 Escort for a year old Ford Windstar with 27k miles on it. In January '09 the Windstar had 101k miles on it, had averaged 19.555 mpg while we had it, and was still in great condition, but my wife saw an '02 Crown Vic that she wanted, so the minivan was traded in. I've driven a couple of Chrysler minivans and they drove and handled just as well as the Ford. And a couple of years ago, neighbors bought an '04 Honda Odyssey (2 small children). It has the power sliding doors, as MaggieMay mentioned. I've driven it a few times when I took them to the airport to go visit family and brought the van back to the house. That Honda is very nice. No personal experience with the Toyotas and Nissans, but I'd be looking for either the Chrysler or the Honda since Ford no longer makes a minivan.
Yes, the Honda minivans, at least the last time I checked, are always highly rated. You probably can't go too wrong with one of those.
Thanks guys we are planning to start test driving in the next few weeks. I do like the idea of bucket seats and the dual sliding doors.