Here's Why Minivans are Actually the Best Vehicle to Buy
Vložit
- čas přidán 12. 05. 2023
- Minivan review. Here's Why Minivans are the Best Vehicle to Buy, DIY and van review with auto mechanic Scotty Kilmer. The best vehicle to buy. Minivan review. Minivan vs crossover, which is better? The truth about the buying a minivan like Toyota Sienna or Honda Odyssey. Should I buy a Toyota Sienna. Are minivans cool? Are minivans fun to drive? Car advice. DIY car repair with Scotty Kilmer, an auto mechanic for the last 55 years.
⬇️Scotty’s Top DIY Tools:
1. Bluetooth Scan Tool: amzn.to/2nfvmaD
2. Mid-Grade Scan Tool: amzn.to/33dKI0k
3. My Fancy (Originally $5,000) Professional Scan Tool: amzn.to/31khBXC
4. Cheap Scan Tool: amzn.to/2D8Tvae
5. Dash Cam (Every Car Should Have One): amzn.to/2YQW36t
6. Basic Mechanic Tool Set: amzn.to/2tEr6Ce
7. Professional Socket Set: amzn.to/2Bzmccg
8. Ratcheting Wrench Set: amzn.to/2BQjj8A
9. No Charging Required Car Jump Starter: amzn.to/2CthnUU
10. Battery Pack Car Jump Starter: amzn.to/2nrc6qR
⬇️Scotty’s Top DIY Tools:
1. Bluetooth Scan Tool: amzn.to/2nfvmaD
2. Cheap Scan Tool: amzn.to/2D8Tvae
3. Professional Socket Set: amzn.to/2Bzmccg
4. Wrench Set: amzn.to/2kmBaOU
5. No Charging Required Car Jump Starter: amzn.to/2CthnUU
6. Battery Pack Car Jump Starter: amzn.to/2nrc6qR
🔥Scotty Shirts and Merch ► goo.gl/pTAeca
Subscribe and hit the notification bell! ► goo.gl/CFismN
Scotty on Social:
Facebook ► / scottymechanic
Instagram ► / scotty_the_mechanic
Twitter ► Scottymechanic?la...
This is the people's automotive channel! The most honest and funniest car channel on CZcams. Never any sponsored content, just the truth about everything! Learn how to fix your car and how it works. Get a chance to show off your own car on Sundays. Or show off your own car mod on Wednesdays. Tool giveaways every Monday to help you with your own car projects. We have a new video every day! I've been an auto mechanic for the past 50 years and I'm here to share my knowledge with you.
►Here's our weekly video schedule:
Monday: Tool giveaway
Tuesday: Auto repair video
Wednesday: Viewers car mod show off
Thursday: Viewer Car Question Video AND Live Car Q&A
Friday: Auto repair video
Saturday: Second Live Car Q&A
Sunday: Viewers car show off
►Second Daily Upload Every Afternoon of Live Car Q&A videos as well!
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
#savagescotty - Auta a dopravní prostředky
![[Vowel]물고기는 물에서 살아야 해🐟🤣Fish have to live in the water #funny](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3G9MH063Cx4/mqdefault.jpg)
Ford CEO: "We Just Lost Billions and We're Breaking Up the Company": czcams.com/video/5MZeTeqdsTw/video.html
Thanks for watching! Like and Subscribe for More Vids Daily ► czcams.com/channels/uxpxCCevIlF-k-K5YU8XPA.html
⬇️Scotty’s Top DIY Tools:
1. Bluetooth Scan Tool: amzn.to/2nfvmaD
2. Mid-Grade Scan Tool: amzn.to/33dKI0k
3. My Fancy (Originally $5,000) Professional Scan Tool: amzn.to/31khBXC
4. Cheap Scan Tool: amzn.to/2D8Tvae
5. Dash Cam (Every Car Should Have One): amzn.to/2YQW36t
6. Basic Mechanic Tool Set: amzn.to/2tEr6Ce
7. Professional Socket Set: amzn.to/2Bzmccg
8. Ratcheting Wrench Set: amzn.to/2BQjj8A
9. No Charging Required Car Jump Starter: amzn.to/3i7SH5D
10. Battery Pack Car Jump Starter: amzn.to/2nrc6qR
⬇️ Things used in this video:
1. Common Sense
2. 4k Camera: amzn.to/2HkjavH
3. Camera Microphone: amzn.to/2Evn167
4. Camera Tripod: amzn.to/2Jwog8S
5. My computer for editing / uploading: amzn.to/301tYt9
Subscribe and hit the notification bell! ► goo.gl/CFismN
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
lmfao because you can live in it in Biden's economy -Good one Scotty!
@@mordys6305 - What economy???
Many times there is road work going on in my city and regular cars can't pass the debris without hitting them so many people including me wants to buy the next car in SUV form.
Hi Scotty! Glad I don't speed in Britain.
Gov rollout of AI 4D radar traffic camera systems. It can read your cell phone. See your face. And can determine if you are or are not wearing a seatbelt. The Brits call it: 'Big Brother Cash Machine!'
@@ag135i Modern cars have gotten lower to the ground. Look at the 80s Volvo 240.
The best part about mini van's is it's actually an affordable place to live.
I like mine for sleeping in while travelling, hotels are very costly just for a few hours sleep. Hostels have the benefits of hotels plus cooking and showering facilities and sharing space with people from around the world.
@@hoboonwheels9289 that's a smart way for sure to save money and some hotel's can be kinda of dirty and expensive on top of that.
Speaking about housing crisis, this might one of many solutions 😮
That was my thought also. If everything goes to hell in my life, a minivan works just fine!
And, I’d be willing to bet that it could be customized by companies that cater to conversions for traditional vans.
Scotty is the only guy that can get me this excited about a minivan
Read the above comments
Those and mine= love for a simple box
on wheels. CB
true dat
He's convincing me to switch from thinking about a 4Runner to a Siena.
He's also the only guy who can get other guys excited about minivans, and to drive up the prices no doubt as a result.
My wife's sienna just got totalled when someone ran a stop sign. The nest overall vehicle we've ever had hands down. Moved a whole house with it and you'd accidentally 80mph without knowing it. The only downside was that it would occasionally get stuck in our driveway if it had snowed real bad (fwd).
Mini-Vans are all function over form. I’m a proud owner of a ‘22 Odyssey and that thing is an absolute game changer. 500 miles to the tank on the highway, comfortable interior, loads of hauling space, and best of all SLIDING DOORS.
Sliding doors are the best!
Air flow through open windows will go from window to window (but not reach the floor).
Air flow through open sliding door will reach both floor and roof.
On hot summer day, open one or both sliding doors for more airflow while parked.
Are the 2nd row seats removable in the Honda?
@@EricS977yes
I bet, they're beautiful
25 years in the US: dodge caravan and then Sienna, there is nothing better hands down. Kids, family, home repairs, shopping, camping, outdoors, biking sailing etc. You can travel and sleep in it. They induce peaceful driving and thus last a long time.
Home repairs - in my 191" Sharan I can easily fit 2m pieces ~75", all rows down (completely flat)
Hard to bet with any SUV in Europe.
And Sienna is even bigger inside - like a Tardis :)
Brand of vehicles can be a touchy subject for many people
Got 3 Toyota Siennas. One for work as a mobile mechanic, 2 for family. Can't beat em! I try to tell people minivans are where it's at, but they don't listen. Too caught up in what the market tells them.
I used to have a 91 Ford Aerostar. Now looking to get Toyota Sienna between 2007-2010 in the future to replace the Aerostar.
@@JuanN64Projects go 08+ they have timing chains vs a timing belt.
Dang bro, that's a sweet little fleet. Do what works for your fam
What do you think about 2012 Toyota Sienna Le with 140k miles for $14k?
I have twins on the way and me and my wife are trying to get upgrade from our Lexus rx330. My wife wants the 2021 sienna hybrid but I don’t want to be in debt for to long and the market is messed up right now $36k for 2021 Toyota Sienna hybrid is steep to me lol.
I’m leaning more towards the 2012.
@@mando2.049 thats about going price for them. If its near mint and has service records id say go for it. But id try and get it for 12 or 13 out the door
After owning all sorts of cars and trucks for 45 years, I finally bought a minivan (2015 Transit Connect). I used to think if you owned a house, you needed a pickup truck. I now think a minivan is a better choice. I agree with Scotty on this one.
Take into consideration the caravan/Pacifica seats fold flat into the floor, and that allows full 4x8 sheets to fit easily inside, I can pickup drywall on a rainy day, something I couldn't do with my 6'4 truck bed.
After i bought (long time ago) xsara picasso 2002 I was amazed :O The glass surface was huge, space too, you could took out seats just by pressing a button....amazing car that was!!!
After that i had c4 picasso, but i just wasn't pleased as i was with xsara picasso :(
Why are people buying claustrophobic cars and why are they even made, it's just another mystery to me???!???
Whenever I travel for work, I always rent a minivan. They are so much more comfortable and gas efficient.
Good video, but I have to say pickup trucks are the worst vehicle on the road for many of the reasons you listed about the suv, but In my opinion far more dangerous to others on the road for a multitude of reasons. One of which is the ridiculously large mirrors that stick out past the edges of their lane. My friend recently clipped his mirror passing an oncoming truck. $1400 to replace the mirror. Yet another problem on a ling list.
Unless you're loading up with a literal ton of bricks on a regular basis, very few people NEED one of those big trucks. A van fills 90% of use cases, and if you don't need a van, even better! It's much more economical to get a hatchback sedan for most uses and just spend your gas savings on a rental truck when the need arises.
Minivans are looked down by all who focus on looks and style. It is all about image and the need to be cool. Anyone who has owned a minivan can attest how useful and versatile they are. They can fit more cargo than many trucks (when height dimensions are not an issue) and carry all protected from the elements. Odyssey and Sienna are top sellers for very good reasons. I no longer need such a large vehicle but I still miss the flexibility and appreciate all the benefits I used to have with the minivans I had.
I was never opposed mini-vans to begin with, but what really sold me on them was when we moved 20 or so 4x6' heavy mirrors, and did it in my in-law's Sienna. My Father in law was explaining how they designed the space to fit plywood sheets comfortably and it made me rethink when I would ever need a truck over the many uses of a minivan.
Trucks are way more capable for moving things
@@censored4christ162 I'm not using that function often enough to get a truck. But the fact that I didn't need a truck when I did haul something impressed me.
Refrigerator washer dryer sofas motorcycle etc
Have fun trying to movie soil, fire wood, new furniture in your van. Everyone always says "Man! I need someone with a truck!"
@@cross8215 I have 4 close family members with trucks at this point, one of which is a landscaper. For the rare occasions I need soil/loose stone in the bed of a truck, I'd call them. But moving items for special events, IKEA trip, camping and paddleboarding, van works great. Plus the expected every day necessity of moving kids in and out, van can't be beat. My comment is to say a van doesn't exclude some generally believed "truck exclusive" functions.
This is subject to my usage, so certainly there are people who need and use trucks for good reason, but for people who want the just in case options a truck might fulfill they might instead be able to complete the task with a van (or rent a truck for $25 from home depot).
Proud owner of Honda odyssey. My Mobile Man Cave! Took all the seats out and can haul, camp, cruise anywhere with tons of space. Lots of quickness and drives like a luxury car. Never owning anything else now 👌
Odyssey = awesome
As if that’s a flex lol. Maybe to the vid.
Proud owner of a 2006 Chrysler T & C, I love this vehicle, but in New York the salt has eaten it away. Still has a great ride, good engine, and I love the room. Kids are grown and I've been shopping around for something else, but nothing compares to the ride of that old van. Any ideas?
What Trim did you choose for such satisfaction? I’m looking to purchase for roadtrip camping. Need the 2nd seats out.
@@jaylaaclaxton7113 status over utility, typical. Scotty discussed this in the video, mothers/women typically prefer suvs because status/cool factor. The reality is nobody cares what you drive other than you. Everyone is too focused on themselves to actually care. Same thing for most men that buy big lifted ‘offroad’ trucks despite rarely hauling/towing and wont even drive it on a dirt road.
For those with a family, you simply cannot beat a minivan when it comes to getting car seats in and out and how flexible the interiors are-making it easy to clean the inevitable mess your kids will make. Also you get more space in the same footprint of an SUV or smaller.
As a European with "sensible" views of car practicality...
Best cars -> Estates, if you need more seats -> minivan
I don't what trucks even are for 🤣
The mess when the kid is sick also. Bleach helps keep the germ away.
Ha, I've never had kids and I've had 5. My niece used to tell me it made me look like a creeper
I own a 2014 Chrysler T&C, and I too understand this. Had kid messes, pet stains, dings on the doors, you name it. Even had a vulture drop a literal animal bone on top of my windshield, and nothing was damaged. 😅 This minivan is best held family secret. Most millennials my age are into SUVs and crossover. These minivans are so practical, affordable, economical that I am over the stereotype about the soccer moms. I can’t afford the Cadillac Escalade or the Cadillac Escalade esV. I could care less of my brand or image as my concern is being able to pay money for gas, and easily fit a vehicle in a car garage. I am not paying for a highlander either since the trunk space and 3rd row are too small.
All my neighbors have to park their giant f150s and dodge ram trucks outside as it won’t fit inside their garage.
Heck I even rented a 2021 Infiniti Qx-60 for a trip to NY, and it was rubbish as the back seats were too small, and luggage space was extremely cramped even while handling an adult wheelchair and 4 large boxes. I emailed rental company and said that I hated the QX60 and will never ever buy one.
@@jbvilla82and the gas mileage ain't bad either. I have an 05 Grand caravan with a 3.8lt, 16" wheels, run my tires at 40psi, and consistently get 25-26 mpg freeway with 200,000 miles. I imagine you get the same or even better.
Finally someone is talking about this. You can also sleep in a van very easily. I can fit a double mattress with lots of extra space. Love my mini van
Have had 2 Siennas over the past 27 years...they are absolutely the most useful vehicles...wife has been doing real estate/home improvement for all those years and we utilize the van for everything...we haul furniture, 2X4s, tile, wood floors, etc (yes we do push the weight limit)...and the biggest difference with our pick-up is everything we leave in the van is at least semi-secure and we can lock it up and go somewhere for lunch or leave in driveway and deliver the haul next day...and the best thing...after everything is unloaded...we use it for its original use...to pickup groceries, the kids and all their friends....highly highly recommend the Sienna for its reliability, its utility, and it can still fit for every occasion (vacations, fishing trips, dinner nights, picnics, etc.)...and we live in the DC area...so we do airport runs for visiting family and friends at least every other month...and it fits any load of luggage and the family...go buy one...I also used to say our household will always need a pick-up...Ive changed...I've sold our pick-up since we barely use it...we will always have a quality minivan.
100% agree
I’m currently on my 5th Chrysler mini van. The current version, a 2017 Pacifica, has 99,000 miles. Total cost of repairs so far $0.00. The previous van was a 2006 Grand Caravan. It’s currently owned by my son and has 305,000 miles. Yeah, it burns a quart of oil every 2000 miles. It’s gonna happen with that many miles. I religiously change the engine oil & filter every 5000 miles. I change the transmission oil every 50,000 miles. Oil is cheap, engines and transmissions are expensive.
Im going to get one. With kids, the sliding back doors make the most sense. The third row actually has some leg room. Plus a used one can be had fairly cheap.
I agree...while the Caravan is the only Dodge product I would even consider owning, I love the two I own
You took good care of them, good job!
@@dandrson7903 I am recommend to you the sienna or odyssey .They are 10x more reliable .You will thank me later.
@@dandrson7903isten to abdu then choose the sienna. The odyssey has had issues in the past yet still way better choice than a Chrysler (or any American auto maker for that matter)
I love minivans! People spend way too much on 3 row suv's when they can just get more of a practical vehicle. To be honest i think that minivans are cooler than suv's because most people buy an suv over a minivan because they want to look "cool" but people who buy minivans don't care if their cool or not so buying a minivan just shows that you don't care what other people think of you.
I drove for 15 years and besides my best friend, none of my friends know what I drive and I don't know or care what anyone else drives. Nobody walks me to my car so doesn't matter to me. I want a mini van lol.
it shows that you can activelly think about what you need and how much you will spend on a car
What year?
I've said this for, well, decades now. People don't need SUVs and are simply wasting money. They cost more to buy and cost more to maintain and cost more to operate. People really only need a sedan for 99% of their driving needs. For those who actually need more space, a minivan is the best bet. Only a few really need an SUV.
We used to tour in a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan. 4 guys, a stand up bass, and drums. we took out the rear row and two fender deluxe reverb amps fit perfectly in the third row fold down space. We had a top luggage from sears on top for merch. Truly amazing how much we could fit for the vehicle. Cost me $6500. Got thousands of miles and hundreds of shows on it but a jiffy lube blew it up =/
Great, I recently put 300 k miles on 2017 Dodge GT Caravan. It is still going. I was putting around 60 k miles every year on it. The problem with them is they discontinued, making it, so I rely on the aftermarket parts, which are not great. As of now I’m using it as a pick up vehicle. I’m currently driving the same model 2018. This one has 220,000 miles. It drives way better. Can you tell me what happened with Jiffy Lube? 😊
@@milancvetkovic1601 very cool about your dodge. Their utility is underestimated for sure. Unfortunately they didn’t install the oil filter correctly. So as we got on the freeway all the oil spilled out of the vehicle and the engine was destroyed as we pulled off with oil light flashing. They did pay us out with insurance but it didn’t cover the value or the new tires etc we had. Oh well :/
I'm a single middle aged man and thinking about getting a mini van for my next vehicle because they're so practical.
Another reason is that sedans are getting harder to find. And we never know if some day we'll be married middle aged men instead of single...
Me too, I'm old enough not to give a f* ck what people think. Carries more than pick up, drives better, better gas mileage, and sliding doors.
why would a single person require such a large vehicle? Are you planning to travel with a lot of luggage? camping?
@@hkiajtaqks5253 if this vans a rockin, don't coma knockin . 😆 🤣 😤
7 bicycles. They all fit in the minivan
My 2005! Honda Odyssey is still a marvel of interior space efficiency.
I love my '06 Oddy. 277k and running strong.
06 is so nice and easy to clean
I bought an older Sienna to use for camping. I love it for the space that I use to haul furniture, lumber etc. I took out middle row seats put 3rd row down in stow n go for hauling and put them back up if I need passenger seating. My daughter was so impressed she got one. Neither of us ever considered a minivan. It’s just a great option to haul bikes, wheelchairs, skis
We recently bought used 2021 chrysler voyager,
It has everything we need and nothing we don't.
Beautiful leather interior design,
Stow and go seat.
2nd and 3rd row can go completely flat,
287 hp
Gas mileage 28 highway and 19 in the city and it is actually more powerful than our Mitsubishi outlander 😅😅😂
I'm only 39 and i absolutely love everything about minivan and i wish I'd bought it sooner.
I think minivans are so underrated😊
I have 235,000 miles on my '97 Dodge Caravan SE. Original 3.3L engine and transmission - no rebuilds or major repairs. Original paint and interior. It's not pretty on the outside, but it still goes!
Good to know. 96-00 had the least problems.
We're on our 4th mini-van since 1991. I tried living without one in 2012 and that only lasted a year. Love my Dodge Grand Caravan R/T. Fold the seats into the floor and it will haul anything. Flip the seats back up and six of us can go out to dinner, no problem. Yeah, not cool to most people but I don't care. Works for me.
The kids are grown, but I’m on my 3rd Chrysler minivan, and still loving the Stow N Go. So much space for family road trips, buying furniture, mattresses, full sheets of plywood, etc. Love my van.
I have a 2002 Sienna and I have not had major repairs. Keyless entry had stopped working and that’s the major repair we did for it. Love my Sienna. Be well Scotty, thank you for all of the valuable information you provide on your channel.
My Ford Windstar (2003?) was a game changer vehicle for me, when my kids and older parents (and dogs) needed to be moved around easily. Also… I cannot say how much it saved my finances with yard/garage sales. It was better in every way (compared to an SUV) for that period of my growing family’s Life. Thanks for the video.
How many head gaskets did it get through?
I have had more mopars than you can count from 57 dodge custom royal that lastes an amazing 500,000 miles to my 82 omni 024 turbo lasted 300,000 miles to my 85 dodge caravan with the horrible horrible japanese mitsubishi 2.6 but i knew how to make it last got 400,000 out of it then a 1990 dodge shadow turbo lasted 300,000 then a 94 dodge grand caravan with the 3.3 lasted 400,000 then an 2003 caravan lasted 400,000 then went to the dodge journey suv which i regret it has no room which the vans had and it is now at 350,000 and all the vehicle i mention had not problems whatsoever and people who complain about mopars have no exerience in owning them...oh..take a look at the toyota dealerships how many cars are always in the shop
Reliability depends on the owner and the maintenance they do.
I was able to drive either a troy-bilt rototiller or my 5 horse snowblower up a 2'x3' plywood ramp into the 2002 windstar from the side after removing the middle bucket seats.
I took out the back seats & hauled hay & horse feed for my horses. Worked great!
I've never owned a mini van, never even crossed my mind until recently. Now, the room, easy access, good gas mileage and high comfort for a relatively low cost are all reasons I'm considering getting a minivan.
Get the Pacifica phev, and you can get the $7500 federal tax credit!
The sienna gets great gas mileage if you go new. But i had a new odyssey and it felt more put together, the sliding 2nd row was awesome if you have kids. But either way go hondo or Toyota. They hold value better than any other brands
Once you have that level of space and comfort you can't go back
@@kiml6095do you know if you can qualify for that in any state. I'm on the east coast and i hear we don't get as many credits as the west coast does.
We grew up with my mom in one house owning sedans, and my dad in another house sticking to Chrysler minivans. The smaller car was fine for my mom, but my dad called his multiple minivans his "trucks." We only visited him three weekends a month, but the rest of the time it was amazing for hauling stuff for work, moving furniture for the house, carpooling employees, groceries, party supplies... even working as a mini camper that is way more homely than a tent. The wide open feeling of sliding doors is amazing too, the doors and trunk hatch mean people and things getting in and out is just straightforward.
My dad owned a jaguar too, and later a cadillac... but frankly he used the minivans almost all the time. I think it would be super logical for a family to have a small city car for pure commutes (imo, an electric hatchback is ideal), and a hybrid minivan for children, hauling, and making vacations real easy and almost impulsive! If my wife and I have kids... we're getting a minivan. if not, I'll get a cargo van XD.
If you are a parent of small children you are no longer cool - and that is OK. Buy a minivan and stop reaching for "SUV coolness". Once you stop trying to be cool you will finally be free (and therefore actually cool).
Now if only all van manufacturers would use a stow and go seating option for all rear seats like Chrysler, which was extremely practical when I needed to haul anything or wanted to rearrange seating for my kids as family life changed or special trips were made.
Having rented numerous vehicles over the years, I am a big fan of minivans. Living in your former hometown of Houston, most truck-derived SUVs are used to drive strictly on the streets, and are almost never used off-road. A minivan is a superior in handling, cargo space, and gas mileage, but not cool factor. Station wagons, and their successor, the minivan, became associated with the "family man" and "soccer moms". They lacked the testosterone of a hulking SUV Crossovers were faux SUVs, but still cooler than minivans.
Here in Texas, we have a saying, "All hat, no cattle." That sums up the vast majority of suburban SUV and pickup truck owners. Minivans just make more sense for the majority of people who need to carry more than 4 or 5 passengers or haul a lot of stuff on a regular basis.
My 2003 Sienna’ has been a gem, soon will replace with a Honda Odyssey only for the removable 2nd row seats, v6 engine and having a rear bumper. Need the space for car camping and hauling the canoe. Thanks for restating what I already believe, that the minivan has the most versatility.
Make sure you test drive to see if you like the driving experience. A relative has a 2021 they bought new. The removable second row is nifty if you will actually use it, but I was not a fan of the driving experience. The UI wasn't the best I've experienced, but for reliability if you are not going with a new Sienna the Honda is the way to go.
We had an 04 sienna for 15 years. Best vehicle we ever owned!
The Sienna doesn't have a removable mid row? I kinda assumed that was standard. We had a Windstar and the removable mid row turned out handy more than once.
You can remove the seats in the new Siennas , you just got to know how it's done, not that hard.
@@MrFriesz side airbags
I bought a 2004 Sienna in 2007 and it’s still going strong. Best purchase I ever made!
I actually own a mini van myself at the age of 20. It’s a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica S Limited, and mannnnn let, let me tell you. It may not be the cooolest thing to pull up in but the experience inside of the vehicle! Great audio system, if feels like a transformer with all of the robotic doors. Panoramic roof, tooooons of room to walk around in 😂 and the luxury is great. And I get 470 miles of range on one fill up 🎉 I consider everyone looks into purchasing a minivan, just for the ease of life.
Our family owns a 2005 Sienna, 2007 Rx 350, and 2013 Venza- all have between 60-100k miles. The Sienna holds more, drives smoother, and gets slightly better mpgs. I like the fact that you can walk between the bucket seats in the middle and straight to the back to get something, and you can haul far more goods because of its boxy shape. If people just get over the look of them they would choose it outright if they had a chance to utilize all three. The footprint really isn't that much bigger either, quite honestly...
I agree with Scotty. My 2012 Honda Odyssey van is my luxury vehicle - the sliding side doors are my helping hands with groceries, getting kids and large items like a loveseat loaded and unloaded, gets 30 mpg on trips and premium sound system. I maintain every 5000 miles and have 156000 miles and want to keep it as it is comfortable for my older and short body. I like Lexus style but love the low cost of my older van.
I remember when I was having back issues, my Odyssey was the most comfortable place to sit!
Queen size 3-in memory foam mattress in the back of my 2008 with middle row seats removed and still have space behind the front seats for gear! Plus you can still pile stuff on top of the mattress when you're not using it for road trips or camping. Carry three more people by folding the mattress forward and popping up the back seats. Still a 5 passenger vehicle with cargo space and a 3-in queen size memory foam batteries‼️ So very versatile. Made drapes from cheap Costco sheets using safety pins and pointy curtain hooks. Tie some nylon cord above all the rear windows and behind the front seats, and now you have removable curtains for privacy, installed and removed in about 5 minutes or less.
I've been debating on whether we should get a minivan or an SUV. I was leaning more towards an SUV, but after seeing this, I think I'm convinced a minivan is the best option for us.
You can see in front of you better in a minivan, too. SUVs and trucks have huge front blind spots. Bad for kids, people in wheelchairs, and otherwise short people.
Oh wait, he said that in the video already, lol
I love minivans. They’re the best cars for driving fast. As super stable and road hugging as a sports car, with the low center of gravity and a wide body and long wheel base. Great for cornering at high speeds, plus you get all the utility stuff on top of that. Minivans are superior in every single way. Way more fun to drive, like being in a go cart. Plus they don’t flip over like SUVs.
I worked for Enterprise as a car relocation, moving cars dropped off at airports in the NYC tristate area, and moving them back to local Enterprise lots to be rented out again. I got to drive pretty much everything on the road. The Toyota Sienna handles the winding Pennsylvania mountain roads as well as a BMW 2 series or a Camaro or a Dodge Charger, but it feels more stable and the chassis is more communicable to the driver. It’s super easy to feel the way the body is rolling and compensate for it, it’s so dialed in on its torsional rigidity and matching tight suspension that it honestly feels designed for sports. And by sports I mean 100mph on the interstate. It’s incredibly good handling and more confidence inspiring than a sports car because of its shape and design physics, it just communicates more and is actually physically more stable.
Thank you for confirming what I remember about driving my moms when I was younger… I’m no longer in the market for a family SUV.
Agreed! I’m an aggressive driver by nature and have had performance vehicles in the past. Bought a Sienna for business and fell in love with it. I drive that thing like it’s stolen and it can handle everything I throw at it!
@@Therealmcoy1918what, Scotty's video didn't convince you? He laid all that pipe down!
Are you one of those guys who zoom by in minivans and make me scream " slow down you young whipper snapper!"
I had a job a couple years ago where I was constantly in rental cars, probably 3-4 a week minimum. I've driven basically every vehicle under $60k. And I drove them all harder than I should have. Every minivan is fast. They all do about 120-130mph.
Thanks Scotty for this great informative clip!
My kids are all grown now, but my everyday vehicle is still an extremely reliable 2006 Toyota Sienna. Its costs me so little to drive, with the middle seats removed the fuel economy is about 22Mpg in the city and insurance and repair bills are so minimal. This vehicle has done everything for me from taking my 3 kids, towing a small travel trailer to hauling all kinds of stuff, all for a very minimal cost. There is just nothing that compares to the usefulness and cost-savings of a minivan and that is why I can't justify getting rid of this awesome 17 year old vehicle.
Same, I bought a 2005 Sienna (parallel import to Switzerland) to renovate a farmhouse. We have been abusing this car for three years, still going strong 😎
I wish they would make a minivan without the carpet inside. So hard to keep clean
I used to drive a bmw 525, then I got a Toyota Sienna and it is amazing, I have never been anymore with a mechanic and the maintenance is super simple. I am very happy with minivans. Nice video by the way 😀
You are so correct. I have 3 vans currently and had 5 vans prior for the pass 30+ years. It the best vehicle experience that I had and will continue to be. Now that the children are grown and have the their own vehicles. I still favor van over SUV or pickup. I removed all middle seats and fold down the back seats turned it to a cargo van. It still looked like a family van but instead it's full of tools and equipments. Positive side, 4x8 plywood or drywall fit perfectly inside and when I get to a work site I can take only the necessary tools with me and leave the rest in the van without signaling valuable tools inside to be stolen, plus better fuel economy, less insurance coverage, smoother ride and finally the vehicle does not reflect my pride. The only negative that I have experienced is moving the refrigerator. I can still move it but have to wait a day to plug it in.
I've had about seven Chrysler minivans. I always bought them cheap from the auction or Facebook marketplace. All of them rock-solid reliable. I used them for HVAC work in Florida. They have a built-in ladder rack with the luggage rack on top and you can haul 4 by 8 sheets in the back and they're pretty good at towing small trailers up to 3,500 lb. I think the 5th generation Chrysler Vans are the best ones ever made. I have driven all of them to well over 250,000 miles with no issues. And the stow and go is for the win. The worst minivan I ever had was a 2003 Honda Odyssey. But it was still really darn good.
Seconded on the Chrysler van. Have had 2 now, and they're amazing. Our Pacifica has 140 cubic feet of cargo space with the 2nd and 3rd row folded- and you can lay a 4'x8' sheet of plywood flat on the floor. It carries more than most trucks- you can easily fit anything that isn't a large appliance.
This is very helpful information and advice for a new shopper like me. Thanks guys
I am on my 2nd Chrysler minivan (2006) I would NOT waste my money on a honda or toyota.@@Poop-Has-Corn-In-It
I agree that minivans are the most practical if you need space for either people or cargo. Sliding door is perfect for children, can't be opened against other vehicles. Drives like a car, hauls like a truck. Also better priced because of stigma. Who cares what strangers think?
Had one, a "Dustbuster" Lumina APV, tremendous vehicle. The vanishing nose was actually shorter than one imagines, so never a problem. Five rear seats were very comfortable individual reclining Captain's chairs. With those removed, it could haul a 22 cubic foot freezer still in the padded box. No Suburban can do that.
It does have a hard time to haul a giant size tv. Lol
@@johnmicheal3547 Better than a 3-1/2 foot pickup bed.
I’m mom of 6, and I would never change my mini van 😊 thanx for the review.
What van?? Soon to have 4 kids myself. Debating between Odyssey, Sienna, maybe Carnival
@@keb990I have an Odissey, 3 car seats, in the middle row, big kids on the back, works great!
@@keb990congrats on the baby!
I've had a mini van since the early 90's. I'm about to buy my 5th one. I prefer it for many of the reasons you listed. I'm a grandma and my grands are precious to me. Too the minivan is lower, which makes it easier for the kids, me and great grandma to get into. It's not too low and it's not too high. It's like an enclosed truck. I can carry what I need. I love a mini-van! ❤
I am on my 4th Honda Odyssey, started when my 4 just were infants. Now I use my 2016 to move them in and out of university. Way more cargo room then my 2018 Tundra! My kids ask me why I still drive my minivan? It is so convenient!!!
100% agree! My wife stills wants an Escalade though. I think minivans are great. My parents liked their Toyota Sienna so much, my dad sold his truck and got a second one. Minivans are are the best for comfort and MPG, great cargo space, and the best part is you can help people move but aren’t ever expected to help when it comes to the furniture or appliances. That’s a win win.
You will hemorrhage money if you listen to your wife.
Escalades are absolute garbage. Why does it matter what your wife wants? You're the man of the household.
Style and status over _ANYTHING_ else, a refrain I know all too well! It really is genetic with most women.
Keep the van, lose the wife
@@usaman7358 What a toxic reply.
I had a Chevy Express passenger van years ago and it was the best all-around vehicle I’ve ever owned. Now instead of a bunch of kids we have a bunch of grandkids so we’re now migrating from cars to something bigger but not too big. This convinced me to go with a minivan. Toyota Sienna specifically.
Bought a sienna, a lot people love it and want one. Checked all the boxes. Cargo space, tow hitch, good mpg, family car, comfy ride.
I agree with Scotty. Loved our minivans. Wish they had sliding front doors too. I never understood why moms don't want people to know they are moms. Guess what? We know.
They make great car campers too. Fold the seats down and throw in a mattress.
This a whole new level of video production and editing! And packed with useful information as always!
i made many of these points to the wife a couple years back. had been working her for a while regarding vans. took her to see an odyssey touring elite and it was all over. mama loves her van.
Picked up a very nice 97 mercury villager, low miles, like new interior, for almost nothing. I’m old enough now that I’ll take comfort over looking cool and the captains chairs in that villager are mighty comfortable. And I can throw the dogs in the back and they got plenty of room to move around. Best part is that they were a Nissan driveline and known to be very reliable so I don’t mind driving that thing around.
Hey that's awesome!
Fantastic.
Sounds good. One caution though..forget the years but the early ones for sure were prone to cracked exhaust manifolds. That was the biggest or maybe only weakness they had. 3 litre right?
Great van.
had a 94. put 200,000 miles on it. still had plenty of life left but needed somewhat expensive repairs at the end. too bad. it was a great car. only thing i did was change the timing belt at 100k.
Scotty I have a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan with over 250,000 miles that I love. Still runs and handles great. Gets less fuel mileage than when it was new and uses a little oil between changes. I turned 70 my last birthday and I don't get the mileage I use to either. So I guess we're a match! 😊 Needless to say my next vehicle will be a minivan.
Keep up the good work. See ya next time.
My 1993 Dodge Grand Caravan has been reliable & a 'little mule' for me. Had Jeny for 30 years & am 2nd owner. Besides tires, brakes & batteries, have only had to replace a power mirror switch & a starter---everything else is ORIGINAL & works well. Best part: I OWN IT ! Am Old School like you, Clyde....
Take care if it!
They are starting to get rare believe it or not.
I've always had positive thoughts of minivans because of the extra cargo room. I'm a proud owner of an 05 Freestar, ik it's older but it's so high tech for its age. I love it, my family loves it. It's very handy to have
The production of Scottys videos have gotten so good since the beginning. 🎉 Great work 👏 glad to see you are still going Scotty!
We bought our first minivan, a Ford Aerostar, after my Mazda was stolen and totaled. For the next 30 years, we had at least on minivan in the driveway. They are just so convenient for everyday life. Drove them from Maryland to Florida with four kids in tow for 20 years. The last one, a Dodge Grand Caravan, had over 250,000 miles on it when the transmission gave out. Now I'm looking at buying another one.
An illegal Mexican smashed into my girlfriends car, totaled it, and when it came time for him to pay and come to court, went to Mexico
I went from a Traverse to a 2017 Pacifica Limited and love it! We have all the bells and whistles for a fraction of the price of an SUV. The sliding doors are amazing for car line pick up and drop off. The space inside is the best! You’re right on the money with this video!
Just bought the Honda 2024 Odyssey Sport. I've got grown kids and grand kids. Never thought I'd WANT or heaven forbid OWN a minivan~! Guess what? I FRIGGIN' LOVE THIS MINIVAN! 😍
I like the idea of putting my bike inside a van for trips. Less worries about theft and much easier to insert/remove compared to racks and roofs
I had a 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan after I wrecked my 09 Civic coupe. A world away but I did love it. I sold it to my mom, and kind of wish I have it. It was great being able to fold down the seats and have the back for storage.
I have 2 2003 kia sedonas. They are awesome. One has 299k on it and still rolling.
Kia is very reliable, my Kia Borrego has been rock solid reliable with 275K on it.
You're lucky. Our Kia Sedona is an oil guzzler and is starting to have trans troubles.
Our 2006 Kia Sedona was sold at 344,000 miles in good condition with the original engine and transmission.
My wife and I never thought we would own a minivan. Then we had a second kid and it just made sense there was not enough space in the Outback for two car seats and an adult if we had to sit with the kids in the back. Just got a '17 Toyota Sienna and we love it!
Purchased pacifica van. 2017 new. Still loving it, & we are seniors.
Funny I read an article many years ago about how they surveyed a ton of people to find out what their ideal vehicle was. Their list of desired features essentially described a mini van... but no one wanted to drive one. 😂 I myself still have a 2005 Chrysler T&C. It has saved me SO much $ over the years and is still running strong! I'm really conflicted about possibly switching to an SUV. I don't want to give up 2nd row bucket seats!
If your minivan is still running strong, then you might wanna keep it around longer
Our collective psychology around vehicle choices in America is weird. We have a resistance to "obvious utility"
I've been buying Minivans since the eighties. I now have a Two thousand nineteen town and country. I absolutely love it. Two thumbs up for 😊 Minivan
I was all for buying a new SUV before renting a minivan for a family vacation. Since driving this vehicle for a week I am now sold on the minivan. They have everything a family needs
I love the Sienna and the Odyssey is a close second. I would drive either to the ends of the earth fully loaded with kids, a full size mattress, workshop tools, lumber, or even livestock headed out to the county fair!
When I was going to Myrtle Beach for my 21st birthday. My mom and I rented a Dodge Grand Caravan and it was a comfortable ride, It had Leather seats, it had slide doors that you just hold the handle and it opens automatically, it was a gas guzzler though. But it was still a great van to take on a long car trip.
Yes, one more time Scotty confirmed regardless of the car brand, the manual transmission is an advantage and makes it a better car. And saves on gas, too.
1000% agree!!! You read my mind! Thank you for affirming my thoughts! Thank your for videos. They are very informative and funny!
I have an old Volkswagen Vanagon, because there just doesn’t seem to be another vehicle that allows you to have a little flip up table to sit at, and also be able to flip the back seats down for a comfortable bed. As soon as you can do that it’s a total game changer. I’m not in it for the cool factor, I just can’t seem to find another vehicle with those features. It all allows me to use my vehicle as a little mini room, and also be able to just drive away with no plans and sleep anywhere comfortably.
I used to recoil at the idea of owning a minivan until we started taking trips cross country with small kids. For the rest of my life, one vehicle in our family will be a minivan. If we are ever a one car family, it will be a minivan.
My 2001 Town and Country has 356 ,000 miles and still going ! Very comfortable on a trip.
I had an 2006 Odyssey for 10 years. It was incredibly versatile, and I still miss having it. Kept 3rd row down a lot for a ton of room, but with the 2nd row out, it was a cavern on wheels.
Bought an Odyssey new in 2013 and had it for nine years. Absolutely my all-time favorite car.
Minivans are based. My parents had a 2002 Mazda MPV that my siblings and I all learned to drive on, and used religiously with no mechanical issues whatsoever, until it was sadly totaled in 2014. When I left my parents' house about 12 years ago, I bought and drove a 2000 Ford WIndstar until the middle manifold warped (because Ford doesn't know how to build cars). But I loved the fact that I could move house in literally two trips with it. My only mistake with that purchase was not buying a Sienna or Odyssey. I fondly remember taking road trips in the 2002 MPV back in the day, both as a child/adult passenger and the driver.
Recently I've been driving my 2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R and it handles like a dream. It has a decent amount of cargo space, tremendous safety features (passive and active), decent pickup from the larger engine, and it's comfortable. I can take it anywhere, so it's a great all-purpose vehicle. My wife has a 2020 Crosstrek that's also comfortable, spacious, and robust. That said, if she and I decided to start a nuclear family, then I'd purchase a minivan, no questions.
We have a 2004 Mazda MPV. Still runs great. Larger than a SUV but smaller than a full size minivan. It performs like new and very dependable.
I drove a ‘95 Toyota Previa in college, that van was legendary. Moving was easy, crammed all my friends into the van for a night out. We all loved that minivan, I still love minivans to this day. Will get one when I have kids.
53 years old, male, and I LOVE minivans. I'm also a diehard station wagon fan.
I actually own a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan and I use it for ride sharing like Uber. It has been proven quite effective. Only downside to using a minivan for Uber is dealing with 7 riders wanting to get in my van that’s designed for 6 passengers and one driver. But I made it work.
😂😅Lol. U got me on the 7 passengers thing. That 7th passenger will definitely be stuck in the middle of the 3rd row
I had a Chevy Lumina, the most useful vehicle I ever owned. The wife and kids were embarrassed to be seen in it so I swapped it out for an older Mercedes 300SD. The 300SD was a great car, but held less cargo and, less people. I really miss the old ant eater.
Should have swapped the wife and kids and kept the minivan 😂
My work vehicle is an Oldsmobile Silhoutte 2003 - it's awesome. Took the seats out and it holds a 6' and 4' ladder and all my tools once I took the seats out. Can fit 10' pipe, full sheet of plywood, even an 8' ladder if I need to take that. Good on gas too.
On our second family minivan. Can't beat the utility of a min-van. I only occassionally need my truck for flat bed but 90% of use the minivan is perfect for. Much more comfortable with kids/people.
Scotty you are the best! Spreading good accurate information always.
We bought a Chrysler Town and Country for my wife as she has a wheelchair. The second and third row seats store into the floor(not on top of it) making a flat floor, also side sliding doors and tailgate door are electric which are great for people with limited physical abilities. The floor is reasonably low so you don't have to be a mountain climber to get in.
I bought a Toyota Wish because it was there when I needed it. 2004, $3,000 and 200,000km. 15-18km/l. I have done another 25,000km in it with minimal issues. I'm single so don't need 7 seats but I can check tons of stuff in it. It's amazing.
Great video. Minivan fan! They are great. Roomy, can haul a ton of people and stuff and drive surprisingly well. Have been driving my Odyssey for almost 90k miles and am as happy as I was when I first got it.
You can use it like a truck, you can use it for family, you can sleep in it and travel the US. It's just so versatile
Mini vans are the best. You can haul friends, family, and cargo. Love my seinna for road trips from socal to vegas and gets great mpg!!
I travel the Midwest. When I rent a vehicle it is always a Pacifica. Practical, quiet and comfortable. Hauls my product samples and they are always available at the rental car places due to the stigma against minivans.
I’m 54, my wife is 38, and we have a four-year-old daughter. Our first child. I never thought in my 50s I would be considering minivans, but it’s definitely the way to go and I’ve been happily shopping for one and will trade in both of our crossovers.
Our family started with an '85 Chevy Station Wagon, but eventually got a used '89 Grand Caravan til the transmission went out, then a 96 which went to my sister, a 99 which took out a deer, then an 06 which admittedly also had transmission issues to the 14 Town & Country we have now and I have never once scoffed at the versatility of these econoboxes. I still see 80s/90s caravans around used by tradesmen because they're cheap and can haul a lot. Praise be the 'mini'-van, let them roll forever until Valhalla!
Always tremendous content and priceless education! Thanks Scotty!
We have a 2021 Honda Odyssey and love it! It may not be "cool" but it works great for our daily use more so than most suvs would.
I am after practicality over any coolness factor. If you can't use what's cool, that cool thing is as good as rubbish. Minivans are the most practical vehicles and are on top of my list.
I and my girlfriend decided to get a minivan, 2011 Peugeot 5008, we absolutely love it, there's so much space you can't believe, and the amount of accessories 😊
I always thought the minivans are so practical. I don't care to be cool. I care to be safety for my family and myself. 🤷🏽♀️
Toyota siennas and Honda Ridgelines (for the truck world) all day. The older Venzas are really interesting too with the comically big wheels.
I love love LOOOOVE this video format. Top notch in every way. Way to go, Scotty!