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Smileyd17
kids
Member since 5/05 20997 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Mini Van Moms- Come in!
I am trying to find/figure out what our plans are with 3 kids and our current vehicle... if its going to work.
FLAME me if you must but I was not interested or wanted to be the mini van mom but I think with what is coming....it might be the case. 
I DO have a very very mild car payment so going into something new is already killing me!
Suggestions, reviews, anything you can give me to help me out would be grateful.
LOVE the Chrysler Town n Country and uh, NOT happening. That monthly payment is a killer!
TIA!
Message edited 1/19/2010 10:14:31 AM.
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Posted 1/18/10 4:29 PM  |
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Deedlebugs
Blessed
Member since 12/05 10281 total posts
Name:
Kiki
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Re: Mini Van Moms- Come in!
Honda Odyssey! This is what we bought in September and we are in love with it. I was a little freaked out about getting a minivan but the no-stress car situation is just heaven. It also rides like a luxury car, isnt too bad on gas, has lots of fun features and upgrades. Best car decision we ever made. Before the mini we had a SUV with a 3rd row and with Nina and DH's 2 boys, it was just useless.
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| Posted 1/18/10 4:32 PM |
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laurabora
LIF Adult
Member since 4/07 2712 total posts
Name:
Laura
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Re: Mini Van Moms- Come in!
We had the Honda Odyssey (as you may remember ) and it was great. Also really liked the GMC Acadia which has a minivan interior but doesn't look like a minivan!
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| Posted 1/18/10 4:37 PM |
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Diana1215
Living on a prayer!!!
Member since 10/05 29450 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: Mini Van Moms- Come in!
OK Deb, this is what I learned yesterday about minivans.
I went to see the Toyota Sienna. I asked the guy to break down the leasing payments for me. He came back with two scenarios:
1. 7500 down, 325/mnthly payment.
2. 4000 (or 4500 can't remember) down and 46/mnthly payment.
I literally stormed out of there - they were trying to rip me off like crazy, and he ended up saying - what if I could do 4000down 325 a month....but, that is so far off from the 7500 down that I was so turned off I ran the hell out of there (after I had to fight them to get my car keys back)
So, then I went to Honda and looked at the Odessey.
I got two deals, on the lower and middle model.
The lower 3500 down/330 a month
The higher model 3500 down/360 a month.
I would love to know what the Town and Country offer was. FM me if you want. 
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| Posted 1/18/10 4:44 PM |
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Diana1215
Living on a prayer!!!
Member since 10/05 29450 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: Mini Van Moms- Come in!
Posted by laurabora
We had the Honda Odyssey (as you may remember ) and it was great. Also really liked the GMC Acadia which has a minivan interior but doesn't look like a minivan!
Can I ask - how much were the monthly payments on th Arcadia? I would love this one also but don't want to break the bank!
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| Posted 1/18/10 4:45 PM |
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NYchic
Girl & boy
Member since 6/09 2357 total posts
Name:
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Re: Mini Van Moms- Come in!
Posted by Diana1215
OK Deb, this is what I learned yesterday about minivans.
I went to see the Toyota Sienna. I asked the guy to break down the leasing payments for me. He came back with two scenarios:
1. 7500 down, 325/mnthly payment.
2. 4000 (or 4500 can't remember) down and 46/mnthly payment.
I literally stormed out of there - they were trying to rip me off like crazy, and he ended up saying - what if I could do 4000down 325 a month....but, that is so far off from the 7500 down that I was so turned off I ran the hell out of there (after I had to fight them to get my car keys back)
So, then I went to Honda and looked at the Odessey.
I got two deals, on the lower and middle model.
The lower 3500 down/330 a month
The higher model 3500 down/360 a month.
I would love to know what the Town and Country offer was. FM me if you want.
I've been told to NEVER put down any $ on a leased car. Reasons people have given me...you don't own the car ever - the dealership does. If something were to happen early on and you put a lot down - you could get screwed. Also people say you're better off holding onto whatever $ you would have put down to save/invest and put towards higher monthly payments.
I hear you though - I'd much rather a lower monthly payment on a lease even if it means putting $ down. My father and DH would not ever allow me to put $ down though......just curious what others thoughts are on this?
PS - a shame on the Siena. My parents have it and I LOVE it.
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| Posted 1/18/10 5:45 PM |
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Bebalina
<3
Member since 6/05 2922 total posts
Name:
N
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Re: Mini Van Moms- Come in!
I have no experience w/mini vans, but always lease, and never put more than $3500 down, typically that usually just covers taxes, and first month payment.
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| Posted 1/18/10 5:48 PM |
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laurabora
LIF Adult
Member since 4/07 2712 total posts
Name:
Laura
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Re: Mini Van Moms- Come in!
Posted by laurabora
We had the Honda Odyssey (as you may remember ) and it was great. Also really liked the GMC Acadia which has a minivan interior but doesn't look like a minivan!
We were getting quotes to lease, I don't remember exactly how much but I want to say that, pretty much fully loaded, it was $380 a month with $3k or so down (that included paying taxes up front). I see it advertised for $350 a month now but I assume that's for a lower model than I saw.
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| Posted 1/18/10 5:54 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Mini Van Moms- Come in!
Posted by NYchic
Posted by Diana1215
OK Deb, this is what I learned yesterday about minivans.
I went to see the Toyota Sienna. I asked the guy to break down the leasing payments for me. He came back with two scenarios:
1. 7500 down, 325/mnthly payment.
2. 4000 (or 4500 can't remember) down and 46/mnthly payment.
I literally stormed out of there - they were trying to rip me off like crazy, and he ended up saying - what if I could do 4000down 325 a month....but, that is so far off from the 7500 down that I was so turned off I ran the hell out of there (after I had to fight them to get my car keys back)
So, then I went to Honda and looked at the Odessey.
I got two deals, on the lower and middle model.
The lower 3500 down/330 a month
The higher model 3500 down/360 a month.
I would love to know what the Town and Country offer was. FM me if you want.
I've been told to NEVER put down any $ on a leased car. Reasons people have given me...you don't own the car ever - the dealership does. If something were to happen early on and you put a lot down - you could get screwed. Also people say you're better off holding onto whatever $ you would have put down to save/invest and put towards higher monthly payments.
I hear you though - I'd much rather a lower monthly payment on a lease even if it means putting $ down. My father and DH would not ever allow me to put $ down though......just curious what others thoughts are on this?
PS - a shame on the Siena. My parents have it and I LOVE it.
ITA on down payment. If the car was to be totalled you would lose that money.
You NEVER want to put too much money on the down payment.
For my car (not a minivan) we negociated that the deposit and tax was concidered as our down payment. It was about $1700.00
The Toyota and Honda minivan get fairly expensive.
I was thinking about a mini van too and I know the Town and Country does get good reviews by people. Not as much in car review people though.
Oh.. and NEVER go to the Toyota delearship on Old Country Road in Wesbury by Century 21. Biggest crooks you will ever meet. I brought DH there one night for "entertainment". He was not disappointed. We did get the entertainment. The guy wanted to lease us an Highlander (basic model, no leather, nothing) for $600 per month. And I have good credit. 
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| Posted 1/18/10 5:56 PM |
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dooodles
When you wish upon a star
Member since 5/05 11997 total posts
Name:
Because 2 people fell in love
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Re: Mini Van Moms- Come in!
We have the Crysler and LOVE it! It was the only minivan we looked at or considered, but I also did not buy a new minivan. I knew we are going to want to update again in the next year or two so getting a used one was perfect for us. Space and comfort are great!
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| Posted 1/18/10 6:36 PM |
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neenie
Member since 5/05 22351 total posts
Name:
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Re: Mini Van Moms- Come in!
I have a '10 Grand Caravan.
I liked the Town & Country better (obviously, since its the fancier model ), but didn't want to pay a ton for a minivan. I'll pay alot when the kids are grown and i get a car for *me* lol
I've never leased- always bought my cars, but especially didn't want to lease a minivan b/c i have no idea what kind of damage DC might be cable of creating... and i didn't want to pay to find out.
I got the veryyyy basic model. It has the stow and go seats which i LOVE (they fold down into the floor, or while theyre up, you can use the floor underneathe for storage).
I wanted to put more down, but they had some promotion going for some rebate and if i put more down i wouldn't have qualified for it (really weird! lol)
Anyway, it ended up being $5k down, $330/month for 60 months. I pay more, but that's what the plan was set up as.
When we first decided to get a minivan (we're road trip people, so size/storage was the main reason for us going that route), we thought about getting a pre-owned T&C b/c i loved them and they had some good options, but after really thinking about it, DH and I decided that we'd rather have a new car with less of the fancy features, than a pre-owned one that we had to worry about its history (i know you can have problems with new ones too, but that was what we felt was the right decision for Us).
Being a minivan mom isn't so bad- the convinience FAR weighs out the not-so-hot-look, imo
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| Posted 1/18/10 7:21 PM |
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Deedlebugs
Blessed
Member since 12/05 10281 total posts
Name:
Kiki
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Re: Mini Van Moms- Come in!
Deb, I got a great price on my Honda. FM me if you want some info.
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| Posted 1/18/10 7:40 PM |
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sasha96
lovin' my 2 little ladies!
Member since 5/05 7401 total posts
Name:
Julianne
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Re: Mini Van Moms- Come in!
I love our Odyssey!!! We got it in November and got the best price from Huntington Honda $400 below invoice with only taxes and destination added on. It is such a pleasure...drives so smoothly, sliding doors, comfy, room for everything, flexible to re-arrange seating, etc. When my cousin came to visit and we used her 3rd row SUV for 2 older kids and 1 carseat it sucked! There was no trunk room for the stroller and other stuff plus you couldn't fold the seat to get past the convertible carseat...the kids had to jump over the second row.
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| Posted 1/18/10 8:15 PM |
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monkeybride
My Everything
Member since 5/05 20541 total posts
Name:
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Re: Mini Van Moms- Come in!
Kia Sedona EX. I love my van. Love the warranty it comes with. I've got leather. All power doors. DVD player. Lots of little extras.
I am SO happy with it.
Totally affordable too. When we bought it last year we got $5,000 off or 0%. We did the $5K off because we're paying it off this year.
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| Posted 1/18/10 8:19 PM |
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SweetCin
My green-eyed boy
Member since 5/05 13499 total posts
Name:
Cin
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Re: Mini Van Moms- Come in!
Deb, we just got the Town & Country in April & absolutely love it...it has every imaginable feature & is just so easy getting the kids in/out (so much easier than an SUV) & the auto doors & hatchback is awesome. The backup camera is great, as is the DVD players in the back; heated seats & auto start. We have nothing but good things to say about it.
We only saw this & went to see the VW, but we found out they used the Chrysler model, so its similar (but seemed like less space).
Also the 3rd row is actually comfortable for adults..so if G was back there its actually not a bad ride; although its a little tough getting back there to do a carseat.
If you like the T&C, what about the Dodge?
ETA: I used to be "that mom" that always said I'd never do a minivan & now I'm so happy I did. It's very easy to drive too
Message edited 1/18/2010 8:25:00 PM.
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| Posted 1/18/10 8:20 PM |
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nmp070106
My girls!!
Member since 8/06 5843 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: Mini Van Moms- Come in!
we have the Toyota Sienna and I love it. The payment is not to bad and I got the package so that all my oil changes and fixer upers are included in the price...... you are going to love it I was against it at first but now I would never go back to anything else until the kids are older...
ETA: I put 2000 down and my payment is 350 a month sunrise toyota....
Message edited 1/18/2010 9:27:59 PM.
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| Posted 1/18/10 9:24 PM |
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Diana1215
Living on a prayer!!!
Member since 10/05 29450 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: Mini Van Moms- Come in!
OK, so I just got back from looking at the Arcadia (which I LOVE but it's out of my price range) and the Town and Country. Looks like I'm going to be a minivan mom...Town and Country it is for us. I think I'm still in shock 
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| Posted 1/18/10 9:28 PM |
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smiles
Life is good!
Member since 2/06 1450 total posts
Name:
S
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Re: Mini Van Moms- Come in!
Have you ever thought of buying a pre-owned van?
I bought my Grand Caravan with all the bells and whistles, stow and go, seats that face forward and back, a table in the back, it even has a regular outlet that you can plug games and appliances in. HA!
Anyway, it has 20,000 miles on it and was about a year and 3 months old when we bought it. I got it for under 14,000.00. Blue book value was just over 20,000 and brand new my van would have been about 32,000.
Just something to think about if you love the Chrysler.
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| Posted 1/18/10 10:02 PM |
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Smileyd17
kids
Member since 5/05 20997 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: Mini Van Moms- Come in!
Thanks so much ladies!
I havent gotten out to look yet and just nervous. I know most of these dealerships are out to get $$$. Im a hard azz too so if they are way out of my range, Im walking out!
I also wont be leasing, def a purchase/finance.
Message edited 1/19/2010 9:47:57 AM.
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| Posted 1/19/10 9:47 AM |
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MrsFlatbread
Skinny jeans are in my future
Member since 6/06 10258 total posts
Name:
Baby Momma
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Re: Mini Van Moms- Come in!
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| Posted 1/19/10 10:02 AM |
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MommyAgain
lovemygermies
Member since 6/08 3195 total posts
Name:
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Re: Mini Van Moms- Come in!
this is a funny post for me becaue i too said i would NEVER drive one..but now have no choice with the needed 2 carseats, and a way for my son to get into the back without jumping over the 2nd row..also, the bigger trucks will kill me with gas mileage (i do 130 miles a day 2-3 days a week and at least 60 the other days)..
Anyway, we saw a preowned sienna last nite that was GORGEOUS if you can even imagine calling a mini van that..
i have no desire to spend this much on a van im hoping my dh will take over soon, but just so YOU guys may benefit..it was an 07 Sienna, less than 30k miles, PIMPED OUT LOL beautiful leather, heated seats moonroof 6 disc cd, dvd player, etc..it had EVERYTHING...both doors were powered..it was high 20's..id really like to keep what we buy in the 17-20 area, since we will need another car soon too..it was at sunrise toyota if any of you are interested..it was seriously beautiful.
we've checked out the siennas, the grand caravan, the town and country (which i like the best) i wanna see the Quest which dh hates but i love..and the odyssey.. we saw the Hyundai Entourage (they only made them in 06 07) Oh and we saw the Kia..
by far the least expensive was the Grand caravan and the Kia..the sienna was the highest..
we're still actively looking, i guess is taking so long cause im not really into it..but once you step inside one, youll see how needed it is lol good luck!!
Message edited 1/19/2010 10:11:48 AM.
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| Posted 1/19/10 10:10 AM |
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Diana1215
Living on a prayer!!!
Member since 10/05 29450 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: Mini Van Moms- Come in!
Posted by Smileyd17
Thanks so much ladies!
I havent gotten out to look yet and just nervous. I know most of these dealerships are out to get $$$. Im a hard azz too so if they are way out of my range, Im walking out!
I also wont be leasing, def a purchase/finance.
you don't even want to know what went down with me at Toyota - I was a lunatic....went crazy on the guy. Who the hell holds my key hostage 
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| Posted 1/19/10 10:13 AM |
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Smileyd17
kids
Member since 5/05 20997 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: Mini Van Moms- Come in!
Posted by Diana1215
you don't even want to know what went down with me at Toyota - I was a lunatic....went crazy on the guy. Who the hell holds my key hostage
Shut up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is going to be REAL fun!
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| Posted 1/19/10 10:16 AM |
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leighdvm
My golden boys!
Member since 3/06 4419 total posts
Name:
Michele
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Re: Mini Van Moms- Come in!
I am planning on either the Sienna or Odyssey and you know what? We are hot enough to rock ANY type of car we have! 
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| Posted 1/19/10 10:56 AM |
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Superkat
More a stranger than a friend
Member since 5/06 9730 total posts
Name:
K
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Re: Mini Van Moms- Come in!
We have the Honda Odyssey. We bought it used with the extended warranty until 100k miles. It is an amazing vehicle!! FM me if you want to know what we paid. You will be pleasantly surprised!
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| Posted 1/19/10 11:07 AM |
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