GeoffM

Wifey likes large cars - in fact I guess I do too. Apart from a standard family car in the UK, we have a Japanese import vehicle that seats 8. We use it frequently, even though there are only 4 of us, as it's just so convenient and isn't too bad on the MPG either. So we're looking for something in the US.

Dodge Caravans seem a good candidate. Obviously I can look up reviews elsewhere, so what I'm asking is, what are good equivalents? All I've been able to do is look through one dealer's list at a time to pick out what looks like the type of vehicle I want. Even the websites that list vehicles from multiple dealers seem to have rather poor data attached, so selecting "car" from a drop-down returns motorbikes in the search and other quirks which don't really help.

Looking at spending $10k-$20k for a used vehicle.

Thanks.

nethead

The most popular minivans in the US are Toyota Sienna, and the Honda Odyssey, they are also the best rated but generally the most expensive. We have a Kia Sedona, which is built on the same chassis as the Honda but is considerably cheaper it is also pretty safe (top 3) in crash tests.

If you would rather have a SUV than a minivan you can get a third row of seats in some, such as the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander, to name a few there are others I can think of.

Sheepdip

Can't beat the Suburban

Terrible on the MPG though!

GeoffM

Thanks - that's useful as I hadn't noticed a couple of those.

GeoffM

15/21 ouch! Even my 1997 Toyota Hi-Ace does 24 mixed (measured rather than from spec)!

nethead

I don't think many vehicles in the States have good MPG unless it's a hybrid.

AdobePinon

Remember that the gallon is smaller here.

fatbrit

A US gallon ain't the same as a UK one -- so the mileage is actually a touch better than it looks.

I think that most people will actually spend about the same on motoring. The cheaper price of gas is offset by thirstier vehicles and longer distances.

The best website for looking at vehicles is edmunds.com.
The best website for finding out what will happen when you enter the dealer's lair is carbuyingtips.com.

Karen68

We have a Volvo XC90 and a Chrysler Aspen. Aspen is OH's SUV. They don't make it anymore, but he loved it so much he bought the lease out as he couldn't get a new one. It does drink gas, having a 5.7 Hemi engine, but it goes like a rocket, seats 8 and is really well built. The steering is really light and it has a tiny turning circle for its size. It's better in the snow than my Volvo. It's about the size of a Ford Expedition or Chevy Tahoe - bigger than you'll get in the UK but not as big as a Suburban or Yukon XL, both of which you could live in. He doesn't work for Chrysler (or Ford or GM for that matter) so unbiased!

GeoffM

That would explain generally lower MPG. Oops. Still, it's the lowest I've seen anyway.

Thanks.

Thanks. I guess as long as one can still get parts, then it doesn't matter if it's not in production.

Going back to more typical 4-door mid-size cars, is a 2 litre engined UK car equivalent to a 2 liter US engined car roughly? In terms of equivalent oomph, would you aim slightly higher, for example?

BTW I'm not a car person. They're functional to me, that's all. If something goes wrong, it goes to the garage!

Bob

Domestic US motors tend to be shit for reliability on the whole, but they also tend to be much cheaper to repair.

But, local condition's apply, for instance, Honda is massively popular in my neck of the woods and you get a set of brakes redone for a couple hundred bucks here, but up in Maine, where they aren't as popular would cost double the amount, but the flip is true for a Saab, able to get a set done about $300 cheaper up there compared to where we live.

By the way, you'd be hard pressed to find even a lawnmower sized car to have anything smaller than a 2.3L engine.

Other things to consider and this is more about location, reason why Toyota/Honda people carriers are more popular down our way and even up in Maine, not just the size, but pretty low CoG, so they don't tend to tip over in the snow/ice roads.

The salt on the road also rots stuff like the Dodge, so a second hand one could fall apart on you unless you check it out properly....and some folks would ship them across the country to flog them where the locals might not even think of salt damage in the warmer states, same for sea salt damage from the coastal areas.

Depending on where you are, diesel might be a good option, but in New England and a few others it really isn't a option because of the hassle in finding petrol stations for them.

cranston

When you have your short list check out youtube. There are many excellent car views available.

We have the Honda Pilot and its a great car.

Jerseygirl

My favourite is the Ford Expedition. I've had quite a few large SUV's from the luxury makers but IMO the Expedition is the best.

Wibblypig

I wanted one of those but too expensive...so settled for a Ford Explorer I would still like one though as even Explorers look tiny here!!

Karen68

OH looked at leasing one a couple of months ago. He really liked it but the lease payments for a high spec one were a whopping $850 a month, with a supplier discount (and our credit rating's good!). Presumably that means it depreciates quickly and a second hand one should be fairly reasonable. Another reason why he stuck with his Aspen!