Seeing as the search is cream crackered still, figured another what car thread can't hurt....

Although it's not exactly something I aspire to, I'm beginning to accept the reality that minivan ownership might be on the cards once we get to Canada.

On a tight budget - up to about $12K hard cash, preferably no more than 4 years old.

Therefore, any comments on the following :-

Nissan Quest
Mazda MPV
Ford Freestar
Dodge Caravan
Chrysler Town and Country

Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna looked good, but out of budget.

Nissan Quest was initially my favourite option, but a google shows that it's supposed to be awful in terms of reliability (bit surprising considering its supposed to be Jap!).

I was looking at basically the same scenario until recent events overtook the need for a van, and had a 2004 Oddessy with 90k lined up for $14k.

If you have to stick to the budget I would still go for the Honda or Toyota, and give up on the less than 4 year old criteria.

Never heard good things about Dodge/Chrysler longevity, I hated the Windstar driving experience with a passion when we had one at work (and they have transmission issues), The Mazda is pretty small for a van, and is said to be thirsty, the Nissan, as you said, has reliability issues too.

How about the cost of leasing a new Honda? High residual values can keep the monthly payment affordable...

Ford Edge of me...OH can drive a trolly, i don't care...lol

I have to say the Honda appeals - supposed to be good and you can't fault Honda reliability....

What sort of discount can you expect off a forecourt price for cash?

Had thought about a lease, but couple of things put me off - new immigrant with no credit history and will be on a work permit initially, so no guarantee's (although there is the intention) to be around for the full length of a lease.

Only other factory to consider is we're heading for Windsor, so I can understand people aren't exactly fond of people driving imports....

maybe a grand if you are lucky...depends on the dealer, how strong demand is, and how long its sat in inventory. Less on the Honda unfortunately as they are in demand.

The deal I had was through a private sale, listed on the kijijji by a relative of a friend, local papers are a good source too.

As far as leasing goes, I started off here on a work permit, and leased a jeep for the first 30 months, so its definitly an option thats on the table, although you will probably need to put a security deposit down and might not get the very best rates. Its a good way to establish other credit too though.

The Windsor thing might be an issue, but probably not, unless you plan working at an automotive plant, in which case you can make use of the buying plans available to employees anyway.

Funny you should mention that.... I will most probably be doing some work at a automotive plant, but for a 3rd party IT company.... Not sure if I'd run the risk of being lynched at dawn if I swan in with a Honda

Lets put it this way, My bosses rented mazda (owned by ford remember) was keyed when he visited a Ford assembly plant. You are probably safe, but a non UAW made car might not be....

Where's that leave me then? Seeing as the domestic ones are a bit dubvious quality wise....

Out of the domestics, I liked the look of the Freestar - what was wrong with the drive on that?

These are the same people who follow NFL football/NASCAR/watch Detroit local news, read the Detroit Free Press, own a Japanese TV, stereo, furniture from Sweden, drink Mexican swill beer, wear clothese from China and then get on their high horse that everybody has to buy a 'domestic' car. A little bit of the UAW and Buzz Hargrove goes a long way.

Drive one and you will know! Bloody Horrible, and the transmission is a weak link.

Id stick with the honda/toyota and live with any idiocy that might or might not happen. Its probably not as bad as its made out to be...

We're on our second Dodge Grand Caravan Sport (?) and have nothing bad to say about them. 2002 and 2003 model years were good - unfortunately I wrote off our 2002 and now have a 2003 complete with DVD system. It's a fantastic vehicle. The Stow'n'Go with the seats that fold into the floor are all very well, but the seats are pretty hard and if you are going to have family over and lots of trips this may be worth bearing in mind. There are plenty around so you can get a good deal on them. Imports are all very well, but you pay over the odds to start with and repairs are $$$$

Are the seats that fold into the floor only on the models that are explicitly stated as "Stow N Go" models? Is there there option to remove the seats on non StowNGo ones? I'd like the option to maximise the storage space at some points to enable trips to Ikea etc.... Is there anything wrong with models after 2003?

Does it have to be a mini-van? Subaru Forresters are pretty reliable and cheapish. AWD too for winter.

Yes, all seats are removable on the non Stow'n'Go. Make sure the third row is the split seat - the single bench version is soooo heavy!! After a certain date (2006 I think) all Grand Caravans were stow'n'go. As I said before 2003 was the best model year - a dealer told us that as well.
I'd try and go for a Sport model as well as it has the captain seats in the centre row.

That might explain why I've not seen many pre 2003's for sale, but loads after.....