Minivan (comparison)

[kw...@taurus.cs.nps.navy.mil]

Dear Friends:

Thank you for your responses.

From your responses, I have realized that most of van owners are
pretty happy with their own vans.

Therefore, I decided to try out all interesting vans
in my specific driving area.
My area includes HWY, hilly and winding roads, downtown
and open rural roads.
Thus, I need smooth ride, acceleration, passing and stopping power,
and cornering.

Actually, my area demands a lot from a minivan (even a car).
In order to come back to our house,
I have to drive up a quite steep HWY, follow hilly and winding roads,
and pass small downtown. (Obviously, when I got to shop or work,
I have to drive down a steep HWY. I found a van needs significantly
less braking effort than others to maintain speed.)

I also have to consider a summer vacation trip. Front air is good for me and
my wife, but my kids need rear air. Summer vacation places also
very demanding for a minivan. There are usually hilly and winding roads
unlike a usual flat Interstate HWY. Smooth ride, acceleration,
passing and stopping power, and cornering are all important.

Finally, safety. 4 wheel ABS is a must. A lot of accidents can be prevented
if ABS makes a van stop before hitting some object. (I have experienced this
situation.) I like dual air bags (not a single one).
I don't want to be alive without my lovely wife.
(No minivan comes with dual air bags.)
ABS will minimize a front-end collision.
Still seat belts are one of the best protection. Buckle up!

Base on the above criteria, I tested Quest, Previa, MPV, Voyager.
Here are my conclusion by order of my preference:

Quest:
Likes: good engine, best ride, no rolling during cornering, quietness
reclining 2nd and 3rd row seats, rear-radio control(my kids like),
flexible seat arrangement, good engine braking(needs less braking)
Dislikes: no dual air bags

Previa:
Likes: space, flexible rear seat arrangement
Dislikes: engine (4 cylinders, excessive engine noise, vibration),
mid engine setup(for maintenance), no tachometer,
center seat bolted to floor, no dual air bags

MPV:
Likes: engine
Dislike: little baggage space (with 7 people), no reclining rear seat
not flat floor, swing out middle door, no dual air bags

Voyager:
Likes: Infiniti auto system, space(long wheel base only)
Dislikes: Not refined interior such as switches, no head rest for rear seats,
reliability?, no dual air bags

I bought Nissan Quest, and I am very very happy with Quest.
It sound a lot like comments from other minivan owners.

My suggestion?

Please try out all of minivans that you like.
Then you will know differences.

If you don't have time to try out all, use my judgement.

Thank you.

Sehung

ps. If you want to know more about my findings, please e-mail me.