SPECIFIC VEHICLE RECOMMENDATIONS - Passenger Vans:
These are the people haulers. Although there are lots of minivans available, many do not have the reliability that one would demand for a wife and kids. Several manufacturers have multiversatile interiors, but they are not worth a thing if the van tends to spend its time in the shop. The following are the most reliable of the bunch. Regular gas.
Honda Odyssey - The largest of all Hondas. Big space. Versatile interior. Has the best handling of all minivans, and a surprisingly low price. Great resale value. 6 cyl front wheel drive. Tows 3500 lb. Very high reliability. Good gas mileage for this class. Optional engine disengages half of the cylinders when cruising for best in class EPA mileage ratings.
3 - Adequate for most situations 3 - Takes 120 to 125 ft to stop. Good for non sports car. 3 - 20 to 24 mpg on regular or 22 to 26 on premium fuel 5 - Comfortable for 5 or 6 on trips, more around town 5 - Best there is. More reliable as a used car than many new cars 5 - Cavernous 3 - Can tow up to 3500 lb - outboard boat or loaded 5X8 UHaul 4 - Has space and weight capacity for heavier items 3 - Has a decent chance of avoidance
Toyota Sienna - Excellent (Toyota) quality. High reliability, but will probably have lower resale value than Odyssey due to Odyssey’s popularity and previous boring Siennas. Gets excellent gas mileage for this class. 6 cyl, front- or 4-wheel drive (4-wheel drive recommended for snow covered states).
3 - Adequate for most situations 3 - Takes 120 to 125 ft to stop. Good for non sports car. 3 - 20 to 24 mpg on regular or 22 to 26 on premium fuel 5 - Comfortable for 5 or 6 on trips, more around town 5 - Best there is. More reliable as a used car than many new cars 5 - Cavernous 3 - Can tow up to 3500 lb - outboard boat or loaded 5X8 UHaul 4 - Has space and weight capacity for heavier items 3 - Has a decent chance of avoidance
Mazda Mazda5 - This is a significantly smaller van than the Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna, actually more of a cross over station wagon. It is quite spacious for a small vehicle and easier to maneuver in tight places than a traditional size minivan. If you really do not need the extra interior space, you might check out this mini-minivan. Great versatility. High reliability. 4 cyl front wheel drive. Only slightly better gas mileage than competing minivans.
3 - Adequate for most situations 3 - Takes 120 to 125 ft to stop. Good for non sports car. 3 - 20 to 24 mpg on regular or 22 to 26 on premium fuel 5 - Comfortable for 5 or 6 on trips, more around town 5 - Best there is. More reliable as a used car than many new cars 4 - Swallows large household items 2 - Can tow a small trailer - 4X7 Uhaul/motorcycle/jet ski trailer 3 - Easy to load and handles TVs and lawnmowers easily 3 - Has a decent chance of avoidance
Ford E150 Van - This is a full size truck-type van, so if you need the towing and hauling capability of a big pickup and space for up to 15 people, this might be what you are looking for. Do not even think about gas mileage. Reliability is not that great, either. Gas V8 with rear wheel drive.
2 - Can keep up with traffic pretty well 1 - Takes over 130 ft to stop. Rather longish. 1 - Below 15 mpg on regular or below 16 mpg on premium fuel 5 - Comfortable for 5 or 6 on trips, more around town 2 - Good for low initial price/short ownership span/low miles 5 - Cavernous 5 - Can tow over 5000 lb - Horse trailers/Travel trailers/big boats 5 - Serious space and weight capacity 1 - Must rely on brakes alone
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