Dear Mr. Cato and Mr. Vaughan: I need a vehicle that will accommodate my three, 140-pound Newfoundland dogs with whom I frequently travel on weekends to teach Water Rescue seminars. During the week, I look after my two-year-old old grandson, and soon his baby sister. Both require car seats. I would like to drive a vehicle that allows me to leave car seats in place from week to week but also has ample floor space for my dogs. It seems to me that a minivan is likely the only choice. But which one, how old, how many kilometres – all must be considered? Can you suggest a used vehicle that is likely to be reliable and what I should be on the lookout for? – Elizabeth in Guelph, Ont.
P.S. I’ve attached a photo of the dogs to give you an idea of their size.
Cato: Take a look at those dogs. They’re huge!
Vaughan: They’re Newfs, Cato – giant and strong, calm and loyal. Wonderful dogs. They’re as big as you and far better company.
Cato: Wonderful water rescue dogs, especially with their web feet. Speaking of coming to the rescue, I shall rescue you from your grumpy self by going straight to the point. I believe that here, on this rare occasion, you might even be of some assistance. You’re a past minivan owner, after all.
Vaughan: I’ve had several Dodge Caravans and several Gordon Setters. Dogs and minivans are made for each other. But mine – the minivans – were the short-wheelbase version that Chrysler hasn’t sold in years. They gave me laudable service, but I believe the long-wheelbase vans Chrysler sells now are too big.
Cato: Not for Lizzie. She needs room for three Newfs and two kids with child seats. She’s interested in buying used, but I still want to briefly touch on what a screaming deal the outgoing 2010 Chrysler minivans represent.
Vaughan: Correct. For 2011, the Grand Caravan gets a restyled exterior and a hugely improved interior so Dodge dealers are practically giving the old ones away.
Cato: You’re unusually close to the truth there. Take the basic Dodge Grand Caravan. It stickers at $27,445, but to blow out the remaining 2010s, to make room for an updated 2011 version, Chrysler Canada starts the deal-making with an $8,000 factory-to-dealer cash incentive.
Vaughan: Lizzie, you can even beat that price lower, so you’re looking at a brand-new, large minivan for less than 20 grand complete with a factory warranty.
Cato: The bumper-to-bumper warranty is three years, in fact, and the powertrain is covered for five years or 100,000 km. Roadside assistance is the same: five years, 100,000 km.
Vaughan: Cato has a point here. With the fortune you’re spending on dog food and vet bills, you might want that new-car warranty for peace of mind.
Cato: I want to caution you, Lizzie, that the Grand Caravan is not the most sophisticated minivan out there. The V-6 in this Grand Caravan we’re discussing is rough and unrefined, but it’s not awful and you always have that warranty on which to fall back.
Vaughan: Cato, Lizzie did ask us for a used van recommendation.
Cato: Okay, let’s compare a new Grand Caravan with a 2007 Toyota Sienna minivan. The Canadian Black Book people say a basic ’07 Sienna with 70,000 km on the clicker is valued between $13,100 and $15,290. No warranty on that used Sienna, by the way. For a few thousand more, Lizzie can get that new Grand Caravan. That’s my point.
Vaughan: Another obvious place to look is an older Hyundai minivan. They used to sell something called the Entourage, which is an apt name given Lizzie travels with one of children and dogs.
Cato: The big point I’d make here is that when it was crash tested by the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Entourage earned a Top Safety Pick rating. Pretty good. And a used 2007 one is pretty cheap. CBB says Lizzie should be able to find one for between $9,301 and $11,240.
Vaughan: Still a used van with no warranty, but that’s half the price of a new Grand Caravan.
Cato: Lizzie, my vote is for a new Chrysler minivan. For you it makes sense to take the Chrysler deal.
Vaughan: Those are hungry-looking dogs, Lizzie. I think you should save the dough and get a used Hyundai.
Michael Vaughan is co-host with Jeremy Cato of Car/Business, which appears Fridays at 8 p.m. on Business News Network and Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. on CTV.
HOW THEY COMPARE
| 2010 Grand Caravan SE | 2007 Hyundai Entourage GL | 2007 Toyota Sienna CE 7-passenger | |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 3,078 | 3,020 | 3,030 |
| Length (mm) | 5,144 | 5,130 | 5,105 |
| Width (mm) | 2,000 | 1,985 | 1,965 |
| Height (mm) | 1,750 | 1,760 | 1,750 |
| Engine | 3.3-litre V-6 | 3.8-litre V-6 | 3.5-litre V-6 |
| Output (horsepower/torque) | 175/205 lb-ft | 242/251 lb-ft | 266/245 lb-ft |
| Drive system | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Transmission | Four-speed automatic | Five-speed automatic | Five-speed automatic |
| Curb weight (kg) | 1,960 | 1,996 | 1,880 |
| Fuel economy (litres/100 km) | 12.6 city/8.4 highway | 13.2 city/8.8 highway | 11.7 city/8.1 highway |
| Base price | $27,445 ($19,445 after incentives) | $9,301-$11,240 (Canadian Black Book) | $13,100-$15,290 (Canadian Black Book) |
Source: Car manufacturers
