My Sienna SE rode a lot stiffer than the regular Siennas. I'm not a big fan of the bouncy floaty feel either. I would say my Expy rides a lot better than my old Sienna, yet doesn't feel floaty. We really enjoy the new ride!
Anyone gone from Minivan to Expedition Max?
- Thread starter Husker4theSpurs
- Start date
Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.
My Sienna SE rode a lot stiffer than the regular Siennas. I'm not a big fan of the bouncy floaty feel either. I would say my Expy rides a lot better than my old Sienna, yet doesn't feel floaty. We really enjoy the new ride!
Dodge Grand Caravan GT.....It’s not very grand and it’s not very GT
I don’t think we will rent another minivan after this. I’m sure there are better ones out there but this one is really loud and the low rear deck is actually a pain in my lower back with all the bending down to grab or reach stuff. The sliding doors aren’t as cool as I remember because with the I lose the cubby space in the door where I put shoes, snacks, and water for the kids. Even my kids are complaining about the road noise and they are 2.5 and 3.5 yes old... ive spoiled them with the Navigator hahaha
plus there is no Bluetooth in this thing... I thought that was ubiquitous now.
plus there is no Bluetooth in this thing... I thought that was ubiquitous now.
Husker4theSpurs
Well-Known Member
That was a pretty crappy van to receive!
Makes sense. We don’t rent often so we should probably quit renting from budget and move up to a little more classy rental company. The airport we flew into had all the rental agencies in one location and I was seeing far nicer vehicles leaving from all the other agencies. I laughed when they pulled mine up... it’s all murdered out... all black everything, even the wheels. It’s ridiculous looking, but the red stitched seating really adds a touch of ‘GT’ to the Grand Caravan GT haha
Deadman
Full Access Members
My buddy rented a Caravan and he said the trans was something special. He said it would run up to like 5,000 rpm in 1st gear and then dump into 3rd gear and nearly choke it, so then it slammed back down into 2nd gear and then it was ok. Eveytime, even on light throttle! lol.
Scott2015
Member
BC (before children), we had an 02 4x4 Explorer EB 4x4 which was great for camping and skiing for the two of us. When we had children, we traded it (RIP Explorer) in for an 06 Toyota Sienna Limited FWD and that was our go every where car and my wife still drives it to this date (just rolled 150K and the most expensive repair has been to replace the power sliding door motors). Back on topic, the Sienna worked great for us until we had our 3rd kid. While we could fit everything in the minivan, the weight was probably right at the max payload and there was little reserve power left. We bought a CPO 15 Expedition EL XLT 4x4 and this now is our roadtrip car and it has done great ferrying us all over the California deserts and mountains. With judicious use of the throttle, I can eek out 20MPG while the Sienna fully loaded would only best this by a few more MPG. Now we're comfortable, have plenty of room and hill climbing/passing power. If only it has power sliding doors 
The power these things produce versus a minivan can’t be stated enough. Being in this rental minivan this week I have had to change my driving style a LOT to adjust to its anemic performance.... and I’m a pretty passive driver. It feels less safe to me to be honest.BC (before children), we had an 02 4x4 Explorer EB 4x4 which was great for camping and skiing for the two of us. When we had children, we traded it (RIP Explorer) in for an 06 Toyota Sienna Limited FWD and that was our go every where car and my wife still drives it to this date (just rolled 150K and the most expensive repair has been to replace the power sliding door motors). Back on topic, the Sienna worked great for us until we had our 3rd kid. While we could fit everything in the minivan, the weight was probably right at the max payload and there was little reserve power left. We bought a CPO 15 Expedition EL XLT 4x4 and this now is our roadtrip car and it has done great ferrying us all over the California deserts and mountains. With judicious use of the throttle, I can eek out 20MPG while the Sienna fully loaded would only best this by a few more MPG. Now we're comfortable, have plenty of room and hill climbing/passing power. If only it has power sliding doors
I’ll also add that I don’t like the lower deck in the rear. I’m 5’6, so not tall at all, and the bending that far over sucks.
Husker4theSpurs
Well-Known Member
I am going to rent an Expedition Max for a week to see what it's like to live with compared to our 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Limited. Now if I could just get the rental company to quit renting it out from under me! It's hard to rent a SPECIFIC car around here at times - no I don't want a Suburban!
JasonH
Full Access Members
I am going to rent an Expedition Max for a week to see what it's like to live with compared to our 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Limited. Now if I could just get the rental company to quit renting it out from under me! It's hard to rent a SPECIFIC car around here at times - no I don't want a Suburban!
Try Turo.
Husker4theSpurs
Well-Known Member
GC2019
Well-Known Member
Both have their place. If my kids were little, I would be squarely in a mini van. You just can’t beat the ability to go from the front seat to the back seats through the open area to tend to the kids.
If my kids were teens or bigger, an SUV.
If my kids were teens or bigger, an SUV.
JExpedition07
That One Member
I’d never do a minivan but I see the point to them. A full size SUV puts you in the cool kids club though.
Dorzak
Full Access Members
i went from minivans to Jeep Patriot to Expedition. The seats in second and third row are much more comfortable for adults. I am 6’2” and pretty heavy. I could not sit comfortably in the second and third rows of minivans. 2003 Chevy Venture and 2006 Dodge Caravan.
4A is useful for wet roads. On the EL/Max the side doors are pretty large.
The biggest inconvenience is the difference in height for loading cargo. However for seatbelting kids I don’t have to bend over like I did with other vehicles.
With both rows the the space seems wider and longer than what I had in the minivans and my understanding is the Pacifica is smaller than the generation of Caravan I had.
Minivans? Wrong forum!! You are looking for www.gaydate.com
Husker4theSpurs
Well-Known Member
Husker4theSpurs
Well-Known Member
So I picked up an Expedition Max and will have it for a week. Some initial thoughts:
It drives much smaller than it is. Really enjoying it. My initial fears were that it would feel huge to drive, but not the case at all so far. The blindspot on the B pillars is pretty pronounced, but not a huge deal as there is a lot of safety equip like BSM etc. I'm averaging about 4-5 mpg less fuel economy than our 2018 Pacifica minivan in mixed driving--not bad. Cargo space behind the 3rd row is adequate but maybe not much better than our minivan, just a different shape.
The 2nd row leg room is amazing and it's nice to have the ability to slide the 2nd row forward and back. Having the bench seat would be a nice bonus over our minivan's captains' chairs. The 2nd row seems roomier than the Navigator I spent time in--the hard backs of the Navigator's front seats maybe take up more space?
It has about 16k miles on it and I have to say it seems kind of rattle-y and not super well put together? I guess rentals do get the crap beat out of them.
I will be back to report more after some time with the Expedition Max. Really looking forward to see how it is to live with--getting kids in and out, parking, drive thrus, etc.
It drives much smaller than it is. Really enjoying it. My initial fears were that it would feel huge to drive, but not the case at all so far. The blindspot on the B pillars is pretty pronounced, but not a huge deal as there is a lot of safety equip like BSM etc. I'm averaging about 4-5 mpg less fuel economy than our 2018 Pacifica minivan in mixed driving--not bad. Cargo space behind the 3rd row is adequate but maybe not much better than our minivan, just a different shape.
The 2nd row leg room is amazing and it's nice to have the ability to slide the 2nd row forward and back. Having the bench seat would be a nice bonus over our minivan's captains' chairs. The 2nd row seems roomier than the Navigator I spent time in--the hard backs of the Navigator's front seats maybe take up more space?
It has about 16k miles on it and I have to say it seems kind of rattle-y and not super well put together? I guess rentals do get the crap beat out of them.
I will be back to report more after some time with the Expedition Max. Really looking forward to see how it is to live with--getting kids in and out, parking, drive thrus, etc.
lurch
Well-Known Member
I don't think they are in the target market... The gay couple down the road from me have some pretty nice sports cars and an RV not much need for all of those minivan seats. Or a woman to tell them how they are wasting their money.
