good people carriers?

+1 on everything Tuna55 has said so far. The Chevy Venture can be bought pretty cheap, but they also have issues with the crash-test ratings. For us, that was a deal-breaker.

We ended up with an '05 Odyssey (they're sitting at around 10K right now in terms of value), but the previous-generation Odyssey ('99-04) was pretty good as well. The big thing to watch out for is the transmissions, especially if it's been towing. Look for something with an external transmission cooler, frequent transmission fluid changes, and preferably one that hasn't been used to tow.

Anything smaller than a full size crew cab truck and you're going to need a third row with car seats. I have done minivan and the truck thing and the smaller they are the better the minivan is. I had a first generation odyssey and it was a spectacular van. Just a tall accord. It might have been easy to work on but it never broke so I don't know. They're not expensive.

Anything smaller than a full size crew cab truck and you're going to need a third row with car seats. I have done minivan and the truck thing and the smaller they are the better the minivan is. I had a first generation odyssey and it was a spectacular van. Just a tall accord. It might have been easy to work on but it never broke so I don't know. They're not expensive.

SRT4 swap

my buddy Brian has 4 daughters... he fits 'em all in here (decorated for halloween)

His woman was not amused with the themed addition.

Works for him, but I can't say it would meet your average driver's needs for reliability (he's a mechanic), or crash safety worthiness (what? legs are crumple zone).

That said, Subaru swaps.

FWIW, the first-gen Odyssey was a rebadged Isuzu, not designed or built by Honda.

In your price range, a Dodge Minivan is absolutely your best bet. Nothing will be cheaper, more reliable, and have more parts availability. You can get a choice of engines, wheelbases, AWD, etc.

As for the Astro, I have been shopping for a while and you will be looking at something with 150,000 miles or more, and in need of some work. I personally prefer them because they are easier to work on and tougher and have a stronger AWD system. If you can live with RWD then you will save some $. Look at conversion van models, they are often lower miles and cheaper.

Speaking of conversions, you can usually find a full-sized conversion van in your price range with very high miles, but great condition. Old folks tend to drive around the country on very long trips, but almost no stop and go wear. The GM V8 is pretty bulletproof, even with 150,000 miles on it. Just swap out some ball joints and enjoy lots of room.

pinchvalve wrote: FWIW, the first-gen Odyssey was a rebadged Isuzu, not designed or built by Honda.

I thought it was a Honda design and Honda built. Isuzu did rebadge it and sell it. Honda responded by doing the same thing with the Rodeo.

I have heard they have the same antilock brake failure issue the comparable Accord had. By now they should be fixed, but it cost my daughter over $1k to get fixed. It can be driven, you just won't have the antilock brakes. The crummy dealer told her it had to be fixed.

pinchvalve wrote: FWIW, the first-gen Odyssey was a rebadged Isuzu, not designed or built by Honda.

Backwards there. It was also sold as an Isuzu, but that was a rebadged Honda. At that time Honda sold an SUV that was a rebadged Isuzu though, it was sort of a corporate swap of sorts. If you can find the Isuzu version they are cheaper usually, but they are rare. I really enjoyed mine. If it weren't for a shop screwing up a timing belt replacement that I should have done myself I would have kept it for a lot longer.

Spitfire Bill is right, the 1st gen Odyssey is 100% Honda, basically a taller 90-93 Accord.

Isuzu and Honda had a sharing agreement where Isuzu got to rebadge Hondas minivan, and Honda got to rebadge isuzus SUVs.

I'll have to second the Sedona. If I ever had to enter a demo derby in a van, it would be in one of those. The first gen's weighed over 4500lbs IIRC. The down side is you'll make a LOT of fuel stops as the 3.5L V6 in those sucked gas like a $2 hooker on half price night.

They're closer to full size, but I loved my 5-speed Eurovan.

Mazda5 too small?

Thanks for the info guys, good stuff I forgot to mention, most of you don't know me personally but I'm a bit on the fluffy side, same for teh wife(don't tell her i said that...) Also reminding budget is a serious limiter... Probably looking something 00' and older... 4k is really overestimating unfortunately

Kinda interested in early prevas, midengine and options for 5speed... MR7? Loving the looks of the eurovan and the old yota vans(ones that usualy have celica wheels) dunno what they are called

Keepem comming ;)

stay away from the yota vans that have that mid mounted motor you will not want to fix one or even do basic maintenance.

We have a 95 camry wagon, with the jumper seats in back. I am sure there are plenty of motor swap options and parts are dirt cheap, junk yards are loaded with camrys too. They sell for $1500-3000 and the I4 gets around 25mpg average.

Roadmaster Wagon? 20 mpg, skylights, seats 7, tows, and has woodgrain?

What ages are the kids? If they're all in carseats or boosters, you'll need a minivan, Suburban, or Land Cruiser. Your choice there is between 12 and 20+ mpg.

I loved riding with in wagon jump seats as a kid but as a parent I look at them and can't help but see a child shaped trash compactor.

More Eurovan temptation:

They were sold in the US twice, once in 1993 with an Audi 5-cylinder and a surprisingly common manual option, and again from 1999-2004 with refreshed styling and only the VR6/auto drivetrain. One of the few VWs I really like; between an Astro and Sprinter in size. You can fit two motorcycles in back side by side, which is pretty cool, and mine always did better than 20MPG. Some interesting swaps have been done too

Left field but it is a choice and can still carry everyone and everything as well as parts are easy to find.

Only thing is they are quite the beasts to do maintenance on and MPG is not the best on earth, but it is another choice.

JtspellS wrote: Left field but it is a choice and can still carry everyone and everything as well as parts are easy to find. Only thing is they are quite the beasts to do maintenance on and MPG is not the best on earth, but it is another choice.

If you're seriously stuck with a 3-3.5k budget, a full size older van is it. Pick your favorite truck, chevy or Ford, and get that van. Utility like crazy, still modest to work on as compared to an Express or something. Stay away from the Previa if you care about crash worthiness, the same for the Astro and the 1st gen Ody.

Hate to break it to you, but vans are the only way to go with that many kids.

We did 4 kids with a Chevy Venture and a Ford E150 Conversion van.

The Venture was a great van. 20-27mpg and fairly trouble free. It went 230K hard miles before someone turned in front of it and totaled it. It still has the original engine and transmission.

The E150 was also a great van. It would tow the world as long as you weren't in a hurry. It left the yard many times hauling 12000 pounds of family, gear, and car trailer or boat. It was the go to beast for vacations. We put close to 175K miles on it.

The wife is driving a Jeep Liberty now and complaining it's too small. I think she would rather be back in a minivan even though we only have two at home full time now.

More Eurovan temptation:

This might be my favorite van. Ever. Too bad it's a VW and I know less than nothing about Euro cars...

Sonic wrote: Spitfire Bill is right, the 1st gen Odyssey is 100% Honda, basically a taller 90-93 Accord. Isuzu and Honda had a sharing agreement where Isuzu got to rebadge Hondas minivan, and Honda got to rebadge isuzus SUVs.

Oh crap, I was thinking of the SUV. Thanks for the clarification!

Sonic wrote: Spitfire Bill is right, the 1st gen Odyssey is 100% Honda, basically a taller 90-93 Accord. Isuzu and Honda had a sharing agreement where Isuzu got to rebadge Hondas minivan, and Honda got to rebadge isuzus SUVs.

Oh crap, I was thinking of the SUV. Thanks for the clarification!

5 kids here.....full sized GMC Savanna is our family hauler. It's a 1 ton 15 pass with one bench seat removed. Plenty of room for all the kids in car seats/boosters plus room left over for all the crap they like to drag along AND space left over for the Costco run. 16 MPG average. Suburban and Excursion owners envy the room and insurance is cheaper too.