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OK, then this is my real question to cut to the chase: When buying an early 2000 something minivan...and the miles are going to be close to 100,000 or maybe even a little above it, what models are the most reliable and dependable from a mechanical standpoint? What models will go through the 100,000 to 175,000 range still going pretty strong?
Thank you. (need a minivan and don't have much money)

Submitted: 76 days and 18 hours ago.

Category: Car

Value: $13

Status: CLOSED

Hello a well maintained 2003+ Honda odyssey, or a toyota sienna would be your best bet for those years, the caravans, windstars, and gm vans all had a lot of issues in the early 2000's, The early kia sedona minivans had a lot of reliability issues, the mazda and nissan vans weren't as bad, but no where near the honda(2003+) or toyotas.

If you have any other questions please let me know. If you're happy with the information I've provided please click accept.

Accepts:
Expert:	Josh
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Answered:	9/7/2009

ASE Certified Technician

11 years of experience, Factory training for Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Saturn

76 days and 18 hours ago.

Reply

I had one follow up question but clicked passed it. I want to know then if the 2003 Kia Sedona with 100,000 miles is about the worst choice I could make then out of all the bad ones?

Posted by Josh 76 days and 18 hours ago.

Answer

As long as it's been well maintained it's not that bad of a choice, no worse than any of the domestics at least. Keep in mind you're going to have to replace the timing belt, spark plugs, coolant, and transmisison fluid at 120,000, which will cost you somewhere in the range of $1000.

76 days and 12 hours ago.

Reply

Thank you for your informative answers. I accidently hit the first "accept" button when I really wanted to do the follow up question first. Then it seems like I have two differenct issues and maybe should owe for 2 times instead of one.....which actually I wouldn't even mind paying if I were not so broke that the first $13 drained my checking account. So, I hope we are "square" as I like the service and want to come back and ask you more questions when I have more money. I hope we're cool!

Sincerely,

GiGi

Posted by Josh 76 days and 6 hours ago.

Answer

Yeah, we're fine, you only have to pay as much as you wish. Good luck finding your new van.

75 days and 23 hours ago.

Reply

OK, I have a new question and have $13 to pay for it. I do appreicate your help. First, there are not Toyota, Honda, not even Masda or Nissan minivans in the early 2000ish model with only 100,000 miles that I could even afford. To afford them, I'd have to go back a couple more years(98?) and have about 150,000 miles on them before they are in the price range I can afford-like all those not so good models that are 2000 something and have under 100,000.

So given that choice, would the totota and honda and maybe nissan and mazda still be better choices with the extra miles and being older models. Or would the new, less miles on the american models be a better gamble then?

Accepted Answer

The Honda and Toyota vans on average last 200,000+ with the domestics lasting around 150,000 miles on average, nissan and mazda are somewhere in the middle.

I wouldn't hesitate to suggest a 95-98 honda odyssey/isuzu oasis(same van, just has an isuzu logo) It's essentially just a larger version of the accord, the only thing is it doesn't have sliding rear doors, so if you needed that I'd suggest a sienna, which is essentially a camry mechanically so both have great reliability.

At this point it's more or less a matter of personal preference, just find the one you like, both the honda/toyota's at 150k and the domestics at 100k will have about the same life left in them.

Accepts:
Expert:	Josh
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Answered:	9/7/2009

ASE Certified Technician

11 years of experience, Factory training for Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Saturn

75 days and 22 hours ago.

Reply

Thank you, you've been great and that helps a lot. "I Accept" ; )

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Accepted Answer

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I had one follow up question but clicked passed it. I want to know then if the 2003 Kia Sedona with 100,000 miles is about the worst choice I could make then out of all the bad ones?

Answer

As long as it's been well maintained it's not that bad of a choice, no worse than any of the domestics at least. Keep in mind you're going to have to replace the timing belt, spark plugs, coolant, and transmisison fluid at 120,000, which will cost you somewhere in the range of $1000.

Reply

Answer

Yeah, we're fine, you only have to pay as much as you wish. Good luck finding your new van.

Reply

Accepted Answer

Reply

Thank you, you've been great and that helps a lot. "I Accept" ; )

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