02-06-2025
What used minivan for less than $30,000 is best for my young family?
I am in the market for a used minivan to support my young family (front- and rear-facing car seats, strollers and a big dog). I am looking for utility and reliability at a reasonable price. I have no use for a lot of the features of newer models - I can't use Stow 'n Go or Magic Slide seats with a car seat, our kids are too young for RES/CabinTalk, etc. My wish list includes heated front seats, leather interior and Apple CarPlay (but I can do without).
What guidance can you provide? I'm hoping to keep it under $30,000, taxes in. – Brendan
Mark Richardson: Ah – a new father who recognizes the practicality and value of a minivan. I was that person once.
Miranda Lightstone: A long, long time ago, Mark.
Richardson: Yeah. Minivans have changed a lot in the 25 years since I first started to appreciate them.
Lightstone: I know most think your soul goes to die in a minivan, but they are hugely practical and can actually be enjoyable to drive. I've always been a fan, especially of the Toyota Sienna because: all-wheel drive.
Richardson: All-wheel drive is nice to have, but unless Brendan lives out on some rural gravel road, he probably doesn't need it. AWD adds weight and complexity to any vehicle, not to mention the extra cost.
Lightstone: No matter what, he's bound to encounter some snowy conditions wherever he is in Canada and, with a family on board, it provides that extra stability and reassurance on the road.
Richardson: But most used Siennas are well over Brendan's $30,000 cap. Toyotas hold their value well, especially now when used Siennas are an alternative to the new Siennas that are American-built in Indiana.
Lightstone: I'd look to the Chrysler Pacifica next then. You want practicality, this minivan has it all.
Richardson: No it doesn't, or at least, not all in the same vehicle. If you want the plug-in hybrid version, you can't have all-wheel drive or Stow 'n Go for the second row. There isn't enough space under the van for all the features together.
Lightstone: You said yourself that Brendan won't want all-wheel drive, and he's already said he doesn't want Stow 'n Go, which folds the second row beneath the floor.
Richardson: He might like a hybrid, though, and the plug-in hybrid is too expensive for his budget. Chrysler doesn't offer a regular hybrid minivan, like the current Sienna, which would be less costly but still over his budget.
Lightstone: Hybrid is a great feature in today's economy, and especially with a vehicle that has a larger footprint like a minivan.
Richardson: I think he'll want to keep his van for a while, however, and he'll want that extra space from Stow 'n Go once the kids are out of car seats. Stow 'n Go has been around for 20 years now, so it'll be in those less costly, older Chryslers and Dodges.
Lightstone: The idea of Stow 'n Go is lovely, but have you ever tried to fold those seats into the floor? I have and it made me realize that being able to fold seats down normally without storing them inside the floor of the car is more than okay for added storage later on down the road.
Richardson: They're still in the way, though. And yes, I've folded away many Stow 'n Go seats didn't find it difficult. But the challenge here is finding the best van for less than $30,000, because used car prices are so strong right now.
Lightstone: Ah yes, while dad figures out the Stow 'n Go, mom figures out everything else…
Richardson: Stow 'n Go means I can also go to the hardware store and buy some eight-by-four sheets of plywood and fit them all in the back with my tools, because the extra seats aren't in the way. Contractors love the feature for that.
Lightstone: Some contractors, anyway – the ones who don't drive pickup trucks.
Richardson: Let's get back to basics. Brendan should be able to find a basic edition of the 2020 Honda Odyssey with less than 100,000 kilometres that will come in on budget. That's still the current generation and it's very reliable – it should have at least another 100,000 kilometres of easy-maintenance driving in it.
Lightstone: I have always liked the Odyssey – it drives well and is super comfortable and easy to maintain. But what about a used Kia Carnival? It's not often on buyers' radar but it really is worth looking at in terms of practicality and price.
Richardson: The Kia was less expensive to buy new than the Honda or Toyota, but it really doesn't offer any additional features to sell it as a used vehicle, unless it's priced attractively. These days, used prices are all over the map.
Lightstone: Alright Mark, so I've managed to give Brendan three decent options here – Sienna, Pacifica and Carnival – and you've offered up the Odyssey. What else have you got up your veteran sleeve as a suggestion if those don't fit the bill?
Richardson: There's basically a choice of five different vans sold in Canada over the last decade: the most expensive to buy used is the Toyota Sienna.
Lightstone: We know I prefer a higher-end vehicle, even used, because the end result is a vehicle you want to drive and own. Brendan does have to live with this vehicle and like it every time he gets behind the wheel.
Richardson: Then, in rough order of price, there is the Chrysler Pacifica, Honda Odyssey, Kia Carnival and Dodge Grand Caravan. None of them are bad – the Grand Caravan used to have a questionable transmission, but that was a long time ago. Brendan should fix on his budget and then compare what he can get from each of those five, but I'd recommend the Odyssey or the Grand Caravan.
Lightstone: I stick by the Sienna and Carnival as top choices for Brendan. But it will come down to him test-driving them back-to-back on the same day so he can really get a sense for each one.
What car should you buy? Write to Mark and Miranda at globedrive@ and use 'What car' as as part of your subject line. Emails with different subject lines may not be answered.
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