Looking for the family wagon. Should I go with a sienna, odyssey, or Pacifica?
Toyota Sienna all day long.
I have lots of friends with Odyssey Vans, and they are okay.
I see things breaking on them at a much earlier age than toyotas though. My friend with a 2016 or 2018 with right at 100k miles the alternator went out. I have never had a toyota alternator go at such a low mileage. My 98 4runner that I sold in late 2019 with 225k miles was on the original!
My 2005 matrix with 220k miles just lost the alternator about two months ago, and cost me half an hour and $150 to fix, an odyssey will cost a fortune.
The Odyssey at 100k is already showing it's age, a much older Sienna will still be cruising along just fine.
Sienna for sure. Maybe Odyessy. No way for the Pacifica.
Odysseys have had a history of transmission problems though. Still, better than any Chrysler product
Thanks for sharing!
You're welcome!
And what about Grand Caravan or Kia Carnival?
I know Dodge Grand Caravan isn't as appealing as Sienna, but with the price difference you can pay several potential important repairs!
Korean cars, while improving slowly, have had a history of problems. Also the Carnival is a fairly new model, whereas Siennas are a tried and true car. Grand Caravans were POS from the start. My aunt had one in the late 80s/early 90s and it broke every other week. They don't even make them anymore but the modern ones are no better. The Pacifica is basically the successor of the of the Grand Caravan so either one is junk.
Try pricing a new automatic transmission, those aren't good cars at all. I don't even see them in my neck of the woods. That tells you something about their quality.
Been there done that 2 years ago… I went for Kia Carnival LXS 8 seater 2022 but got it in ‘21 a year early… I’m at 27k miles already and haven’t had major mechanical issues yet? A couple of minor recalls done for free. And a product improvement for better safety coming up scheduled. My front passenger side mirror is having minor glitch won’t adjust up or down electronically but still under warranty and already scheduled to be looked at, just don’t buy into the offers of unlimited ding protection, that don’t do anything for you but empty your wallet faster by making your total balance out the door higher. I had a ding after 3 days of purchase from a careless neighbor in my apt, ding still there company never responded or show up or called me those cursed bastard… I regretted adding that $2k+ added to my 11% apr car loan, well my credit was bad lol… we put a BIG down payment to qualify for a low $277 monthly payment. Overall I’m happy with it for s as family of 6… been to Grand Canyon and Las Vegas 3x since. Just follow up on maintenance… oh yeah I added the 3 yrs oil/filter maintenance deal another $2k+(Could have done it myself for less but I’m getting old)… came up to $54k @ 11% yours might be lower with great credit score.
My cousin have a sienna had a major mechanical issue that costed a fortune after fixing it… a co worker have an odyssey also had multiple mechanical issues too… but I guess it all boils down to the owners handling/ driving habits/ and maintenance up keeping, any brand will break or last longer depending if operated properly and maintained regularly on time, not abusing and neglecting it. I’ve owned a Nissan, Toyota, and Mitsubishi all regularly maintained by me never had major issues mechanically. Now Kia a first for me too. I can’t do the maintenance now at my age so I’m putting my faith in the dealer guys to do their job religiously or so God forbid a curse will fall upon them all.