MiniVan Input
Posts: 243
Okay Possibly if there's a miracle, we might be able to get a wheelchair van which will make travel with Bekka soooo much easier especially because she's getting a powerchair Friday, yay!
Our options include a Honda Odessy, Toyota Sienna, Chevy Uplander, Chysler Town & Country.
Do you have one of those? If so what are your likes and dislikes about it?
Town & Country
Posts: 1960
I've had 2 Town & Country's in 4 1/2 years, and I would buy another one in a heartbeat! I love it! We've never had any major issues...just normal maintenance. Originally we wanted a Odyessy or Sienna because we thought that foreign cars were better quality or were more reliable and held their value better. In the end, we didn't want to pay the higher price tag (we bought used), and we don't regret our decision a bit. Yes, the Honda or Toyota may hold their value better, but we figured paying less in the beginning would make up for it. And we've never had a reliability issue at all.
Are you getting an Braun EnterVan? My parents had one 5 years ago after my mom's car accident. They had it for about 2.5 years, and it was a Town & Country. It was SO handy! They were also very happy with the purchase. For the price of the van when they bought it new, it really decreased in value fast! Our situation happened in an instant, so we didn't have much time to browse around for a good used van. They ended up taking a pretty big hit on it when they sold it, but it really wasn't an option to not have it. My mom had to keep her legs elevated and she had a halo on her leg, so we needed a good amount of space to manuver her around in and out. It was plenty spacious, drove nice, and most importantly it was easy to use and move the wheelchair in and out.
Congrats on the new wheels for Bekka, and hopefully it works out to get the van!
Jessica
~ Mommy to Luke and Shawn
Chryster T&C
Posts: 314
We just bought a 2009 Town & Country and we like it a lot, however I am very disappointed in the gas mileage. I knew going in that the sticker shows 16 MPG vs the Dodge Caravan which we had before was 18. After testing out the mileage over a month now and trying to drive efficiently it is still a little under 16 MPG. I don't understand the difference because the Dodge and Chrysler vans are the same van, but the window sticker shows a difference in the mileage unless you upgrade to a limited van then you get the better mileage.
One of the dealers we went to was Braun Chrysler in Winamac, IN. They are basically owned by the Braun Corp as a way to get vans in at a better price to convert to the Entervan. You might want to try dealing with Braun Chrysler and see if they can give you a deal. We didn't buy there, but the sales guy was very nice and spent lots of time with us and wasn't pushy. His price wasn't bad but we got just a little better somewhere else.
Thanks!
Posts: 243
Thanks alot! I'm going to check into Braun Chysler, I'm not happy with the customer service at Superior Van so far they're in South Bend. Where is Winamac? lol We're from Niles but I'm willing to travel for good service and deals.
Melissa
Blessed to be Bekka's Mommy
Our miracle is Four!!
1 lb 5 ozs 13" to 30.6 lbs 38 1/2" Time sure flies!
Winamac
Posts: 314
It is a pretty small town located straight west of Rochester and straight south of Laporte (further south than west). We live on the south side of South Bend and it took us just over an hour to get there. You can find their location and phone on the Chrysler site. Maybe even give them a call and say that you are looking for an Entervan and see what they say. I assume that most of their sales are done through another outlet like Superior Van, so they probably don't get many calls for them.
Toyota
Posts: 242
We bought a 2005 Toyota Sienna CE and love it! We are simple people, so we bought a new one without all the bells and whistles, with the intent of driving it until it dies, which will be a long, long, time, if you are familiar with Toyota. We have had no problems, the ride is smooth, and there is plenty of room. 4 carseats fit comfortably. The trunk is very deep and spacious and the back row seats can stow individually. The two buckets seats can be taken out of the van completely. The back windows go down half way which is great on those perfect warm days of spring and summer. We like having a CD player and cassette player and all the cupholders too :)
Being the basic model, I do wish it had tinted windows in the back and hubcaps that are bolted on. The other models have those.
Are you having a wheelchair lift put it?
yes
Posts: 243
Yes we are going to put in a ramp or get one that already has one in it. We went to Superior today and got a nicer person. My biggest problem is the inequity in my car. We found a van today that would work but we're not sure if we like it and we would have payments for 8-10 yrs. You can get a longer loan for a mobility vehicle because they're so freaking expensive. We need one it would make my life sooo much easier than unfolding a ramp, setting it up and putting the chair in and out the back of my car. Then putting Bekka into her carseat. I have a Ford Freestyle (wagon/SUV). It's just a big leap for us. The payment is about the same I'm paying now, it's just the 8 years that scares me I guess. I still have 2 yrs of college and you never know with the economy. The van we're looking at is an awesome deal but it's a full size tank! lol The original owner passed away shortly after buying it new. We used to have an expedition so I'm used to driving something big. Hubby can haul his band stuff it in on the weekends..... uh decisions, decisions!
Melissa
Blessed to be Bekka's Mommy
Our miracle is Four!!
1 lb 5 ozs 13" to 30.6 lbs 38 1/2" Time sure flies!
van
Posts: 1960
I tell ya, I've seen the prices for these vans and I remember how much my parent's paid for theirs almost 6 years....it's like taking out a mortgage just for a car! Have you checked Craig's List or ebay for a used one? At least buying used allows someone else to take the first year or two's worth of depreciation! My paarent's kept theirs for 2.5 years, took a big loss on it, but they didn't really need the van anymore and wanted out from under the payment on it. I would guess that if you aren't in a huge hurry to buy one, you could probably get a decent deal from someone needed to get rid of one. I think my mom and dad ended up selling their Town & Country (it was fully loaded with leather, etc) for $22,000 and it was just over 2 years old. And I'm sure you know that's less than half if you are paying full price for a brand new one! I agree with you...8 years seems like an awful long time to have a car payment!
Jessica
~ Mommy to Luke and Shawn
Can't buy used right now
Posts: 243
Ya the fully loaded van in the showroom was $50,000!!! The manual basic model was $35,000. That's a small house! We can't buy a used van right now because we need to get rid of my car first and of course I owe more than we can sell it for sooo we're stuck for now.
Melissa
Blessed to be Bekka's Mommy
Our miracle is Four!!
1 lb 5 ozs 13" to 30.6 lbs 38 1/2" Time sure flies!