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I've tried to figure out the minivan hate. My guess is that so many of today's 20 and 30 somethings grew up in one, they are rebelling against driving "mom's car"

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Pretty simple. Looking cool is more important than practical child hauling or economy.

Ha, we thought the same on the spelling. I wonder what the deal is with paper plates. Small lot dealer?

Thanks for the input AggieDruggist89

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Ha, we thought the same on the spelling. I wonder what the deal is with paper plates. Small lot dealer?

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I didn't notice the plates. When I look at a CL ad, I'm usually looking at the background to discern if it actually in Amarillo, or if it's a scam. The contact number is 806-290-3342, which isn't obviously a dealer, and is an Amarillo area code.

The dealer plates are 35M6046 if anyone can look up dealer tags.

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I've tried to figure out the minivan hate. My guess is that so many of today's 20 and 30 somethings grew up in one, they are rebelling against driving "mom's car"

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Pretty simple. Thinking you look cool is more important than practical child hauling or economy.

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FIFY

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Ha, we thought the same on the spelling. I wonder what the deal is with paper plates. Small lot dealer?

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I didn't notice the plates. When I look at a CL ad, I'm usually looking at the background to discern if it actually in Amarillo, or if it's a scam. The contact number is 806-290-3342, which isn't obviously a dealer, and is an Amarillo area code.

The dealer plates are 35M6046 if anyone can look up dealer tags.

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If you search the amarillo craigslist site for that phone number without the hyphens ("8062903342"), you find three cars all listed today: that Odyssey, an '05 Pacifica, and an '02 Camry. I'd guess it's a small dealer operation.

Good catch. I did a Google search, but I never thought to simply search CL. The little f-er has them listed under "for sale by owner", too.

The photo locations were ringing a bell, and I discovered they were in the area of Bowie Middle School in Amarillo. The nearest car dealer is "Beaton's Auto Sales", but none of these cars are listed in their online inventory.

However, the cars they do show online have photos taken in pretty much the same area, so I think it's probably Beaton.

http://www.beatonsautosales.com/

Hmm. I tried it on Craigslist earlier and it didn't show the other two results.

Just did a 1600 mile round trip from Austin to Gulf Shores and averaged 24.6 mpg for the trip.

Been pleased with ours so far...three young kids. Tons of room, sliding doors and our 2 1/3 year old can load himself.

Any Odyssey year models to stay away from or ones to hone in on? Seems like the 2013's were good based on what research I've done.

Transmission issues were way back around 2000, so I dont think so. There is a pretty good owners web site at odyclub.com for info

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Any Odyssey year models to stay away from or ones to hone in on? Seems like the 2013's were good based on what research I've done.

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Any of these current body style is good. I had a 2010 (previous body) and it had one negative and that was road noise. This current generation has improved that greatly.

Not so fast: burban 350,000 miles all original and going strong.

Mini's are more practical and economical for sure. They can't tow much, and in a accident the suburban usually wins. Mine totaled a corolla that ran a red light and still drives great.

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in a accident the suburban usually wins. Mine totaled a corolla that ran a red light and still drives great.

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While physics wins some battles, designed-in safety features, crumple zones, and other safety engineering go a long way.

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WASHINGTON The 2016 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 SUV earned a four-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The 2016 Suburban received four stars in the front crash test, five stars in the side crash test and three stars in the rollover crash test.

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WASHINGTON The 2016 Honda Odyssey minivan earned the highest five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

On sale now at Honda dealerships, the Odyssey earned five stars in the front and side crash tests and four stars in the rollover crash test.

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Advantage, Oddy.

And an all-up 2016 Suburban weighs 5800 pounds, an Oddy, 4600 pounds, about 80% of the weight of a 'burban. Not a huge difference. A Corolla weighs more like 2800, or less than half the weight of your family truckster.

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Not so fast: burban 350,000 miles all original and going strong.

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But how many transmission rebuilds? Out of 4 we've never had one make it much past 150K before needing a rebuild or replacement.

brah...

Original Transmission, and I haven't changed the fluid in about 150,000 miles. Shifts great.

Mass matters, as it slows the rate of deceleration or direction change in collisions for the larger vehicle as long as you aren't hitting an immovable object. Mine's been tested in action. It's been hit hard enough to total the car that hit it, spun the burban around 180 degrees, and we were able to drive it out of traffic afterwards. That's saying something.

I've never really understood why they crash test cars into walls. If a Prius hits an F250 it's not going to get that 5 star rating.

As far as the minivan debate goes, sure minivans are more practical for suburban (no pun intended) soccer moms, and if you want one more power to you. However there is something to be said about about style, ride height, towing, etc. I've never had a problem opening the door of a suburban. Mini vans technical have more cargo space, it's only because they have a lot more distance from floor to ceiling. Suburbans have a lot more floor space behind the third row. I also wouldn't just assume that a minivan is going to be cheaper to keep running. As others have said though, the Suv's are probably better suited for when the kids are a little older.

Minivans "technically" have more space because they have more space.

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Minivans "technically" have more space because they have more space.

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Only if you include all the space in your calculations.

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Minivans "technically" have more space because they have more space.

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Only if you include all the space in your calculations.

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I feel like this is supposed to be a counter point but I'm not seeing it.

In any case, if you've arbitrarily decided that the only cargo volume that matters is behind the third row, then the suburban, at approximately 19 inches longer and 1000 pounds heavier does manage .9 cubic feet more of space.

Because it's a measure of total volume not space behind the third row seat, so if you are in the car with kids on a road trip that extra volume is useless for cargo, same with day to day activities. It only matters if you plan on putting the seats down and completely filling the car up with stuff.

It's really, really nice to be able to easily stow all the seats in the floor and go pick up a few sheets of plywood or sheetrock and have them fit perfectly.

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However there is something to be said about about style, ride height, towing, etc. I've never had a problem opening the door of a suburban.

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I personally think GM large SUVs are hideous. Then again style is subjective. You don't have issues with SUV doors but then again you're not a suburban mom. And ain't no sliding minivan door cause door dings in tight parking spaces like Suburban doors do.

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also wouldn't just assume that a minivan is going to be cheaper to keep running.

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Better fuel economy, reliable... how would an Oddy or Sienna cost more to keep running than a suburban, mile per mile?

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As others have said though, the Suv's are probably better suited for when the kids are a little older.

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How so?

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Original Transmission, and I haven't changed the fluid in about 150,000 miles. Shifts great.

Mass matters, as it slows the rate of deceleration or direction change in collisions for the larger vehicle as long as you aren't hitting an immovable object. Mine's been tested in action. It's been hit hard enough to total the car that hit it, spun the burban around 180 degrees, and we were able to drive it out of traffic afterwards. That's saying something.

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Lucky you, I think the longest lived one of the four made it to 160, maybe. The '94's engine died around 165K right after selling it (and about 20K after transmission work) and the 04's engine was replaced around 200K. They're used for towing a lot though, a 2500 probably would have been a better choice. It got an aftermarket transmission cooler when the replacement went in at least.

When I say "keep running" I mean maintenance, not fuel economy, just because you buy a foreign job doesn't automatically mean its never going to break down. And as far as older kids, wouldn't all this talk of car seats not matter anymore?

Total cost of ownership is going to include insurance, maintenance and how much you spend on fuel economy. This will be without question lower on a Toyota Sienna or a Honda Oddy than a Suburban.

Piggybacking off this thread. I have been looking for a used van for my wife and littles for a while. Found this on CL. I am thinking of getting it...only issue is I don't live in Austin...anyone know a reputable mechanic that could check this out before I buy?

[html]http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/5678062068.html[\html]

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As far as the minivan debate goes, sure minivans are more practical for suburban (no pun intended) soccer moms, and if you want one more power to you. However there is something to be said about about style, ride height, towing, etc.

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Well, I think we all said that if you need to tow, the SUV wins. Ride height and style are pretty subjective so...

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I've never had a problem opening the door of a suburban.

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That's all well and good, but sliding doors are just better. They are.

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Mini vans technical have more cargo space, it's only because they have a lot more distance from floor to ceiling. Suburbans have a lot more floor space behind the third row.

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While this is 'technically' true, there is much to be said for practical usable space and the minivan wins agin. And don't get me started on the third row seat on the Tahoe/Suburban.

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I also wouldn't just assume that a minivan is going to be cheaper to keep running.

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Sorry, dude. There are actually numbers that back this up.

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As others have said though, the Suv's are probably better suited for when the kids are a little older.

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Again, I just got rid of my Tahoe. I have a 16, 14 and 11 year old. I can tell you unequivocally the Odyssey is vastly superior for my kids regarding space. My 14 year old son is 6'2" and he couldn't ride in the 2nd row of the Tahoe without his knees being in the back of the front seat. My 11 hated the 3rd row seat. We occasionally have other family meembers (6+ people) and the Odyssey is vastly superior.

It just really can't be debated that simply as a people hauler, the minivan is just better.

The 3rd row on Tahoe's are awful, they did get a little better in the '15+ models though and now fold flat. Suburban 3rd row is better and the 3rd row on the Expedition is actually quite big. I didn't deny that for pure comfort minivans are better.

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Piggybacking off this thread. I have been looking for a used van for my wife and littles for a while. Found this on CL. I am thinking of getting it...only issue is I don't live in Austin...anyone know a reputable mechanic that could check this out before I buy?

[html]http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/5678062068.html[\html]

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Thats a good price on a low mileage Odyssey, and that ad reads as if written by a conscientious owner.

Any mechanic with good online reviews would offer a vehicle inspection/new buyer's inspection. You can also find mobile mechanics willing to do this but may be harder to find reviews for them online.

Curious in your Burbans were US, Mexican, or Canadian. Mine is Canadian.

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Curious in your Burbans were US, Mexican, or Canadian. Mine is Canadian.

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Sure it isn't a Cruz.

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Curious in your Burbans were US, Mexican, or Canadian. Mine is Canadian.

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The 04 is from the Wisconsin plant. Not sure about the others, they're long gone. It's held up better than the earlier ones at least, it'll probably make it to 2020 if I had to guess.

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The 3rd row on Tahoe's are awful, they did get a little better in the '15+ models though and now fold flat. Suburban 3rd row is better and the 3rd row on the Expedition is actually quite big. I didn't deny that for pure comfort minivans are better.

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I agree that the new body style Tahoe/Suburban have a better 3rd row.