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I have personally only driven the 2014 Sienna and 2014 Mazda 5. The Mazda 5 is a bit more fun to drive but technically it is considered a "mini" minivan because it's based on the Mazda 3 platform and it's so much smaller than other minivans.
Since you are looking for a lot of space I'd recommend you go for the Sienna. Lots of space, lots of option to choose from (if you want), and pretty good driving dynamics despite it's large size.
Well it only seats six, and is very hard to find but...
R63 AMG. Because awesome.
I've had a good deal of seat time in an R550, and I can't imagine the power in an AMG variant. Overkill probably can't even begin to explain the different levels of awesomeness.
Yeahhh Elgrand/Quest looks nice but sorry not getting a death trap for my kids. The platform is over 5 years old (current gen Elgrand went on sale in Japan in 2010).
Meanwhile, the Odyssey and Sienna are both top safety picks. Get the Sienna, used to work at Toyota and can confirm all the previous comments about the Sienna being able to haul ass, the engine has so much torque and spins its tires surprisingly easy. Pretty fun to drive for minivan standards. Can't stand the current gen Odyssey, just looks wrong and cheap.
__________________ [13-03, 11:25] MG1 when you hit the brakes, it shoots cum at pedestrian - bukkake
[12-03, 19:06] meme405 That e30 is so mexiflushed I thought we were in albuquerque
[12-03, 23:03] rb when i see a modded element. I have nothing but respect. either the parents kicked him out or the guy is killing hookers in the back
x10000 on saying no to a Dodge Caravan. My dad had a 1993 Grand Caravan and it was an absolute piece of crap. Mechanical issues galore, lots of little electronic issues, the list went on. In fact, it - along with his previous car, a Pontiac 6000 LE - ended up causing him to stay away from domestic cars forever and he now drives a Honda.
That said, I wouldn't buy any Honda with a V6 and automatic transmission since the issues with previous engine/trans combinations in all of their cars are pretty well documented.
My GF's aunt/uncle have a Sienna, having ridden in it a few times they are good quality vehicles with lots of room and a decent amount of power (keeps up with my AE86 in a straight line lol ): ).
You don't want leather seats in a minivan, especially with two toddlers. You're paying extra for something that will inevitably be covered in vomit.
On day 28 right now with my first kid, and after repeatedly wiping up spit-up and vomit off the leather couch, I think I'd lean toward leather seats over cloth as easier to clean. I remember when my brother would get carsick a lot as a kid and vomit into the fabric seats. The smell never goes away.
My dad was a Dodge/Chrysler mechanic for 30+ years. He says to stay away from the new Caravans.
Parents have had their 1st gen Sienna for more than 10 years, 130K+ KM (not much driving) and nothing more than just regular maintenance, timing belt (which is a chain with the current 3.5L 2GR-FE) and replaced the valve cover gasket. Other than that been pretty reliable.
Regardless, can't go wrong with either the Odyssey or Sienna, though the Sienna would have a better reliability track record since Honda had their transmission issues back in the day with their V6s. Also the Sienna comes in the Sport SE trim... even though it's a minivan.
Though I'd have to agree with a number of us in this thread, Leather seats is a MUST with kids as it makes for easy clean up.
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I have a 2 year old and I'm not sure why you wouldn't want leather seats. Yes, they throw food, and could vomit, but isn't easier to clean leather seats than cloth seats? I mean, with cloth, it just absorbs it. I'd splurge on the leather, it's easier to clean.
With regards to the Sienna vs Odyssey, I noticed that pretty much all the local cabs use Siennas, which must say something about reliability or long-term bang for the buck.
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Current owner of a 2014 Mazda 5, don't get one as it doesn't fit your need. the middle row is very roomy so perfect to put child seat. but you are killing your in-laws at the back row.
I didn't know minivan's could look so cool until I came into this thread. That being said why a mini van when you could go with a SUV such as a new 4runner or something like that?
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