The Right Car for Me: Larger, Reliable, Fuel Efficient, Family Vehicle

Larger, Reliable, Fuel Efficient, Family Vehicle

camonblaze

We currently have a couple vehicles that almost work. My '14 Tundra is our current go to vehicle for family trips with the dogs. We have room for my wife and I, the two kids in their rear facing car seats and the dogs can be kenneled in the bed with plenty of left over room for cargo in the back and some room in the cab for stuff that needs climate control. The downfalls here are, 14-15mpg hurts on long trips and I'm trying not to run up the miles before it's paid off.

Our other vehicle that gets some family use is a '15 Sorento. We actually like this quite a bit (despite the engine blowing at 76k--Kia replaced it without question). It's great in the snow and rain and I feel comfortable with my wife driving it. The issue with this one is for long trips, we can either bring the dogs or our cargo for the trip (cooler, clothes, other necessities) and, really, the dogs are a tight fit even if we bring nothing but them and us. Fuel mileage is good enough at about 25 highway.

I'd like to get the best of both vehicles here. Reliability, safety and fuel efficiency with space for the dogs (a 45 2 kids in car seats (maybe future proof with 3?) and cargo space for a weekend trip. Honestly I'm thinking used minivan. AWD is a bonus, but I'd feel fine with FWD and studded tires to save a few bucks. We can use the truck in a pinch. We're looking to downsize on cost which caps us at about $10,000 and upgrade on family functionality. I'd be fine going a bit older with lower miles (maybe under 100k?). I currently drive an '01 corolla with 90k miles as a delivery vehicle for my second job that gives me hope in older vehicles.

In my brief search it looks like Chrysler is probably not the way to go... Any thoughts or recommendations. Do I need to just choose between a whichver sienna or oddysey pops up first within my budget?

Priorities: Front seat room / Rear seat room & comfort / Reliability & durability

Need minimum of 5 seats

Will consider both new and used cars
Maximum mileage: 100000
Maximum age: 12 years

Maximum price: US $ 10000

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If you haven't found a car yet, I would suggest a Sienna over an Odyssey for the added reliability and AWD availability. The Odyssey is also good and handles more like a big Accord instead of a boat like the Sienna. The Odyssey just isn't quite as reliable. I'd imagine the AWD option in the used Siennas are super expensive compared to the FWD, so make sure you're getting a good deal.

We've had a 2002 Odyssey since new and it has given itself a run for its money.

Yeah, the minivans are great because you can fit tall things comfortably and still have a lot of room leftover. The dogs could roam around in the trunk. If you don't ever have people in the back seat, you can take out the second row seats and expand the cargo area.

I'd avoid a used Chrysler/Dodge minivan because of reliability. The Sedona doesn't have as great of interior packaging and the old ones were pretty lackluster.

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