Diaper Swappers

yellowitchgrl · 03-10-2013, 03:28 PM

With the day care kids we've basically outgrown our 8 seater toyota sienna minivan (which I didn't think was going to happen). I'm looking at saving up for a 12 seater, and need to decide how much I'm going to need to save (we may also have more kids and this is going to become a problem then).

I am not a huge fan of domestic cars. The ones we've owns have all broken down (a lot) and needed repairs for a lot of minor things, but the 3 toyotas have all gone until we drove them into the ground.

When I went looking for larger vans (which I'd prefer over an SUV because of car seats- climbing over seats is an issue, we need "walk through" space) I saw that I was basically stuck with Ford or Chevy. I have not had good luck with either brand in their cars/trucks. It's been repairs and repairs after repairs until we get rid of them and replace them.

There is a Nissan 12 passenger van and a Mercedes Benz Sprinter (neither of which I've found anyone here saying they have). Anyone have one? Do you like it, was it worth the extra money?

So which (12+ passenger) van do you have, how has the repairs and time in the shop been? I'd rather not spend the extra $$ but I have to tell you that time in the shop annoys me to no end and I'd rather spend more and have a reliable car than one that breaks down a lot.

So if you've driven a Ford E series to 200,000 miles without more than general maintenance- please share that and reassure me!

7 for now · 03-10-2013, 05:08 PM

I have a GMC Savanna 12 passenger van. We ordered it new in 2008. It now has 135,000 miles on it and only had to do routine maintenance. I love it.

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yellowitchgrl · 03-10-2013, 05:50 PM

That is what I want to hear

Cherise1502 · 03-11-2013, 10:51 AM

Ford E 350 here with 89k miles and never had more than a normal maintenance repair! Runs and drives great It's a 2003

MDever · 03-11-2013, 11:00 AM

I dream nightly of that Nissan van

yellowitchgrl · 03-11-2013, 11:09 AM

I read a great review of the nissan but I really do not want to do any more car payments, so saving up is key (although I could get 14k-ish for my van right now) but saving up is my plan. I like that there are head rests in the nissan, don't like that only 3 seats have latches. That's annoying.

I just love the idea that if it really gets to be a pain I could trade my van and get a used bigger van, but at this moment I want to try to keep the toyota since the gas mileage is better.

BUT as I said, not had luck with other car brands so I need my hand held on that.

thirdtimemomma · 03-11-2013, 11:09 AM

Chevy express. We love it. Drives like a minivan instead of a truck.

yellowitchgrl · 03-11-2013, 11:22 AM

lol I'm okay with driving a beast. My truck (which was my primary vehicle for a few years) is a massive truck. I look ridiculous climbing in and out of it, I assure you, but I've always owned trucks.

I will look at the express

yellowitchgrl · 03-11-2013, 11:23 AM

lol I'm okay with driving a beast. My truck (which was my primary vehicle for a few years) is a massive truck. I look ridiculous climbing in and out of it, I assure you, but I've always owned trucks.

I will look at the express

7 for now · 03-11-2013, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellowitchgrl

lol I'm okay with driving a beast. My truck (which was my primary vehicle for a few years) is a massive truck. I look ridiculous climbing in and out of it, I assure you, but I've always owned trucks.

I will look at the express

My dh has a Chevy Colorado. My 12 passenger Savanna seriously turns and rides MUCH better than that little truck.

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03-10-2013, 03:28 PM	#1
yellowitchgrl Registered Users Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,774 Ratings: 25 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Reviews of 12+ passenger vans? With the day care kids we've basically outgrown our 8 seater toyota sienna minivan (which I didn't think was going to happen). I'm looking at saving up for a 12 seater, and need to decide how much I'm going to need to save (we may also have more kids and this is going to become a problem then). I am not a huge fan of domestic cars. The ones we've owns have all broken down (a lot) and needed repairs for a lot of minor things, but the 3 toyotas have all gone until we drove them into the ground. When I went looking for larger vans (which I'd prefer over an SUV because of car seats- climbing over seats is an issue, we need "walk through" space) I saw that I was basically stuck with Ford or Chevy. I have not had good luck with either brand in their cars/trucks. It's been repairs and repairs after repairs until we get rid of them and replace them. There is a Nissan 12 passenger van and a Mercedes Benz Sprinter (neither of which I've found anyone here saying they have). Anyone have one? Do you like it, was it worth the extra money? So which (12+ passenger) van do you have, how has the repairs and time in the shop been? I'd rather not spend the extra $$ but I have to tell you that time in the shop annoys me to no end and I'd rather spend more and have a reliable car than one that breaks down a lot. So if you've driven a Ford E series to 200,000 miles without more than general maintenance- please share that and reassure me! __________________ Sarah. Christian. Married to Jonathan (7/03), Proud Mama of 6 boys! Andrew (4/6/04) and Luke (12/14/07),, James (2/19/13). My babies born into heaven : Zach(7-19-09) , Toby (12-09-09) and Simon (6-9-11) WAHM behind Sarah's Stitches HyenaCart 10% off HC with the code: DSE, Etsy, Facebook Last edited by yellowitchgrl; 03-10-2013 at 04:37 PM.

03-10-2013, 05:08 PM	#2
7 for now Registered Users Join Date: May 2010 Location: SE Idaho Posts: 862 Ratings: 1 Feedback: 100%	I have a GMC Savanna 12 passenger van. We ordered it new in 2008. It now has 135,000 miles on it and only had to do routine maintenance. I love it. Sent from my iPhone using DS Forum __________________ Homeschooling, cd'ing, bwearing, bfeeding, delaying/selectively vaxing, non-circing, PT Nurse mama to: 6 beautiful princesses and 3 handsome princes V-19, G-17, E-12, S-10, C-7, J-5, S-2, J 7-23-11, J-30 weeker 11-17-12 Yes, We know what causes it!!

03-10-2013, 05:50 PM	#3
yellowitchgrl Registered Users Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,774 Ratings: 25 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Reviews of 12+ passenger vans? That is what I want to hear __________________ Sarah. Christian. Married to Jonathan (7/03), Proud Mama of 6 boys! Andrew (4/6/04) and Luke (12/14/07),, James (2/19/13). My babies born into heaven : Zach(7-19-09) , Toby (12-09-09) and Simon (6-9-11) WAHM behind Sarah's Stitches HyenaCart 10% off HC with the code: DSE, Etsy, Facebook

03-11-2013, 10:51 AM	#4
Cherise1502 Registered Users Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Joplin Posts: 415 Ratings: 44 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Reviews of 12+ passenger vans? Ford E 350 here with 89k miles and never had more than a normal maintenance repair! Runs and drives great It's a 2003 __________________ Crystal - Wife, Mother to Cody(17) Eric(9) Chloe(6) Ethan(2)and baby boy Carsonour amazing almost pain free home birth boy @ 9lbs 2 oz Christian, non-vaxing

03-11-2013, 11:00 AM	#5
MDever Registered Users Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 5,307 Ratings: 33 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Reviews of 12+ passenger vans? I dream nightly of that Nissan van __________________ Melony-Wife to my AMAZING DH Roger and SAHM to our tribe. DD1 Emmaleigh 1/02,DS1 Avery 8/03,DD2 Ainsley 9/05, Bonus T 8/06 & DD3 Poppy 12/10, DS2 Fionnlagh 2/13 we are a crunchy, CDing, EBF, bed sharing, babywearing, intact, very cautious/delay vaxing, ERF, homeschooling FAMILY.