Minivan buying dilemma.

I'm in the process of trying to buy a used minivan for my growing
family. I had my heart set on a Toyota or Honda. They're always
rated number 1, and I've had very good success with previous Toyota's
I have owned. Where I live these are difficult to find and when you
do find one they are always priced at a premium. Around here, BC in
Canada, a 1998 to 2000 Toyota Sienna goes from $17,500 to 21,000 CAN$,
depending on mileage and condition. At least that's the least amount
any dealer has been willing to sell one to me for. However, you can
find any number of used domestic minivans for 12,000 to 14,000 CAN$,
and that's usually 2000 to 2001 models. So, do I take a chance on a
newer, cheaper, domestic van or do I go for an older more expensive
import? What would you do? Thanks in advance for anyones response,
looking forward to reading them.

(Bob) writes:

> I'm in the process of trying to buy a used minivan for my growing
> family. I had my heart set on a Toyota or Honda. They're always
> rated number 1, and I've had very good success with previous Toyota's
> I have owned. Where I live these are difficult to find and when you
> do find one they are always priced at a premium. Around here, BC in
> Canada, a 1998 to 2000 Toyota Sienna goes from $17,500 to 21,000 CAN$,
> depending on mileage and condition. At least that's the least amount
> any dealer has been willing to sell one to me for. However, you can
> find any number of used domestic minivans for 12,000 to 14,000 CAN$,
> and that's usually 2000 to 2001 models. So, do I take a chance on a
> newer, cheaper, domestic van or do I go for an older more expensive
> import? What would you do? Thanks in advance for anyones response,
> looking forward to reading them.

Right now, I would recommend, as the owner of a '98 Windstar, that you
go for the Toyota or Honda. My transmission was replaced at 33,600
miles under warranty, I've replaced every joint in the front
suspension at least once, put in a new steering rack, spent enormous
money on the brakes, and I still have an electrical system that leaves
the dome light on at awkward times for no apparent reason. We try to
drive the Subaru as much as possible instead, despite its extra 20,000
miles. Oh, the GEM (General Electrical Module) failed under warranty,
too, leaving me with random windshield wiper operation in driving rain
hundreds of miles from home.

It's just very tedious owning a domestic minivan.

--
-Stephen H. Westin
Any information or opinions in this message are mine: they do not
represent the position of Cornell University or any of its sponsors.