ugh we need a minivan: what works for your family?

[Anonymous]

My 2004 Odyssey with 175k is still going strong. I am sure a Sienna will give you the same.

[Anonymous]

Can either Sienna or Odyssey's back rows be folded into a flat surface?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, go ahead and try renting out a minivan for like a week and see how you feel--I'm sure it'll change your ugh mentality.

My "ugh" mentality isn't in how it drives but how it looks. I know my identity isn't wrapped up in the minivan, but I guess I'm just surprised that I am a mom driving a minivan now. Wasn't I just up at 2am partying in college?!?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have two young boys but are hoping for more children. If anything we need room for strollers and Costco trips and guests to fit in the car. American suburban life and materialism at its finest!

So, recommend your minivan! How many did you compare and what works best for your family?

You know that being a parent is not synonymous with materialism, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Love the Odyssey! I don't recommend trying to save money by getting a Kia or Hyundai. Sienna's are also a fine choice.

What about the three-row SUV? The Pilot is an Odyssey in SUV clothing. The Highlander is a Sienna. You lose a tiny bit of storage space and the doors don't slide but the drive trains and features are mostly shared within the platform.

I think I want all the things that make life easier: automatic sliding doors, storage, easy for kids to get in and out, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can either Sienna or Odyssey's back rows be folded into a flat surface?

Odyssey definitely does, but I think Sienna does too IIRC.

On my 2nd Odyssey, will buy a 3rd for sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, go ahead and try renting out a minivan for like a week and see how you feel--I'm sure it'll change your ugh mentality.

My "ugh" mentality isn't in how it drives but how it looks. I know my identity isn't wrapped up in the minivan, but I guess I'm just surprised that I am a mom driving a minivan now. Wasn't I just up at 2am partying in college?!?

Nobody gives f about how you look. if you are THAT concerned, don't get a minivan. again, noone cares

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can either Sienna or Odyssey's back rows be folded into a flat surface?

Odyssey definitely does, but I think Sienna does too IIRC.

On my 2nd Odyssey, will buy a 3rd for sure.

Thank you for sharing your experience. Start to consider it for future replacement.

[Anonymous]

You sound insufferable OP but I'll answer anyway. Our Honda Ofyssey Elite is amazing.

[Anonymous]

Love my Town & Country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can either Sienna or Odyssey's back rows be folded into a flat surface?

Odyssey definitely does, but I think Sienna does too IIRC.

On my 2nd Odyssey, will buy a 3rd for sure.

The Sienna's does too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Love the Odyssey! I don't recommend trying to save money by getting a Kia or Hyundai. Sienna's are also a fine choice.

What about the three-row SUV? The Pilot is an Odyssey in SUV clothing. The Highlander is a Sienna. You lose a tiny bit of storage space and the doors don't slide but the drive trains and features are mostly shared within the platform.

I think I want all the things that make life easier: automatic sliding doors, storage, easy for kids to get in and out, etc.

Mom to three here. We had an Odyssey for 9 years and then got the Pilot a few months ago now that the kids are in late elementary and middle school and I'm carting around way less (e.g. no strollers) and don't really need the ease of sliding doors/easy to get in and out/etc. I like my Pilot a lot and it's a great vehicle for where we are in life but for families with little ones I think a minivan just can't be beat.

Oh, and we sold our 2008 Odyssey with 125K miles on it for $9K so they do hold their value well and I have a feeling the family who bought it from us will get at least 100k more miles out of it so they are definitely well-made, reliable vehicles that'll keep going for a loooong time. From what I hear Siennas are the same way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can either Sienna or Odyssey's back rows be folded into a flat surface?

Yes, from a Sienna owner.

We have a 2006 Sienna. When we were looking, we were told repeatedly that the Sienna and the Odyssey are far and away the best, and there's not a lot of difference.

Our Sienna has been great. Very heavy use in the early years dealing with some extended family stuff. Now, we're not racking up mileage as fast and are hoping for one more year out of it. No problems, no complaints.

It's one thing to think about it when your kids are little, but when they really come in handy is when you are driving your preteens' friends around, and you can fit five or six.

[Anonymous]

People who act like Pilot/Highlander/MDX/Suburban look less like “mom” cars seriously crack me up. Drive whatever you want - I don’t care, but don’t kid yourself that you seem less like a middle aged mom because you drive a Pilot ffs.

[Anonymous]

Odyssey’s and Siennas are equally good. I drive a 2004 Sienna and have no plans to upgrade yet as it is still in great shape. Although that may be because I maintain my car. And your tone seems to be your not looking forward to a van. I have to say, I absolutely love my van and whenever I replace it with a new car I will more than likely replace it with another sienna van.