generally - is a lower mileage older model or a newer model with higher mileage a better buy?

This is a tough one. If your goal is long distance, I don't think either is an option. Why waste your time with a 100k 2000 Odyssey? And a newer 2006-2008 has done most of it's leg work already. I mean unless your budget is like 4k, I think the better buy is a combination of lower miles and newer model car. I never buy new cars simply b/c the value of the car diminishes significantly after you drive it off the lot, but I also don't buy used cars on their last legs. I think both of these options are just that.

The best minivan out there is toyota sienna hold there value and you can get all wheel drive.what part of the country are you in. My e mail is. Senditnow6@aol.com. craig

I purchased 2009 Honda Odyssey in 2015 with high mileage of 95,000 and still running so great. It feels like new and don't even feel the engine is running. Now the mileage on the 2009 Odyssey is 130,121 miles. I plan to keep it as long as I can and maybe run until the mileage is over 200,000.

I have a 2005 Honda Odyssey with 235K mileage. I also have a 2011 Toyota Sienna Limited AWD with 115K. I average about 20 MPG with Honda Odyssey with front wheel drive. The Toyota Sienna AWD only gets about 16.5 MPG for similar driving. Both vans has 3.5 liter V6 engines. I live near Chicago with snow in winter. So I have an extra set of winter tires for the Honda Odyssey FWD. The Toyota Sienna has electric power steering and no transmission dip stick. So you need to follow the schedule maintenance closely. Both vans are great van to haul family. It seems consumer report rated Toyota Sienna with higher reliability rating, and resell value. But I do think Honda handles, absorb bumps better than Toyota Sienna. I also think it gets better mileage per gallon than Toyota Sienna. This is just my opinion on the older models of Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna.