Entering my Minivan Years

[mikethompson]

Well, we finally did it. With two young kids and the associated pile of stuff you need to take with you, the boss and I took the plunge on a minivan. Its our first 'new' car, first time we will have car payments, and our first domestic.
Its not what I would want to drive around, but its what I need to drive around.
It has a bunch of features an old soul like me has no use for, but I will get the hang of it.

 

[deepspringfarm]

Minivans are awesome...we were sad when had to get rid of it because with all our children we couldn't fit in it anymore.

 

[scloyd]

Congrats on the new mini-van.
I'm a cyclist and 3 years ago I traded in my pick-up for a mini-van. I got tired of putting my bike in a rack in the back of the truck and it being unprotected (I like to take my bike to different trails). Now, the seats in the van fold down into the floor and I just lay my bike in the back. I can leave it in the van for a week or more without worry.
I can still fit 4x8 sheets of plywood and other large purchases in it. I have no regrets.

 

[pianopuffer]

We are approaching a similar predicament with our Subaru Forrester. Two kids and two long-legged grownups do not make for a small vehicle.

 

[ssjones]

We made a '96 Impala SS make due as a mini-van replacment during our mom's taxi years. My wife was the only mom to pick up their kids in a car with a Flowmaster exhaust....(we still see our elementary school Principal, always mentions her black SS)

 

[seldom]

Oh man. The wife and I are expecting the newest, second, son to arrive within the next 2 weeks. With 2 kiddos, 2 dogs, and 2 adults it looks like my days of driving around an old regular cab 1980s 4x4 22re Toyota pickup have come to an end. We're in Germany these days and can still get away with a wagon but when we move back to the states I fear I may be joining you in the minivan club. Maybe the seats can be removed and a cut piece of plywood can be put down to make it into a temporary pickup? Or perhaps with a hitch and utility trailer it can tow? Anyhow, hey, it looks reliable so you don't need to be worried about getting broke down with the family.

 

[mikethompson]

My wife has a Passat Wagon, so between the two vehicles we have plenty of space. But having a warranty is something alien to us.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

Nice, Al. Always loved those mid 90s She's.
My first car was a minivan.. a 1992 Ford Aerostar.

I removed the middle row of seats and made it a party wagon.

Oh memories..

 

[puffy]

I had one for 5 years.I hated trying to get it in and out of parking spaces.I'm down to a small SUV now.l like it much better.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

We drove one in our family for years. Fantastic vehicles. The utility features they provide when you have children is off the charts. Good luck, enjoy the new ride.

 

[filmshooter]

I went a step further and bought a used GSA fleet Chevy express. Paid 15k two years ago for a 2009 with 20k miles. 8 passenger with 50 iches of cargo space behind the last bench. 2000 lb cRgo capacity too. We can fit two car seats, stroller without folding it, luggage, plus 5 adults, and still walk around inside. Lately we have been camping out of it.

 

[loomongous]

I was happy to leave the minivan years behind, but they do what you need them to do. Small truck for me now and SUV for the wife.

 

[josephcross]

Congrats on the mini-van. I bought a mini van last year when my Durango died. It was tough making the transition(no 4x4). It isn’t a stylish ride, but have just enough room for my 5 kids. If I had to upgrade I’d definitely get a passenger van.

 

[mso489]

There was an automobile writer who did a great column on the minivan, taking exception to the idea that it wasn't sexy. He said, hey, this is the car driven by people who have successfully attracted a spouse and succeeded in reproducing. How sexy can you get? I think he had a point. Not many kids or strollers going in a Lambro, however it may charge ones hormones.

 

[bnichols23]

Welcome to hel.., er, true adulthood, mikek. Thankfully we only had one kid, so our wagons/sedans were enough. Looks nice!

 

[mikethompson]

Thanks for all the comments guys, even you Bill :P
MSO, I remember something vaguely similar to that. The author was implying that the minivan was the purest form of vehicular verility.
The van is so much different than anything I've driven, but the kids love it, and its safe and reliable for them. That's all that matters.

 

[badbeard]

Congrats on the van! When we had our first two kids we were driving around a escort wagon, and every car trip would slowly drift towards a back seat cage match between my daughter and son. The wagon eventually gave up the ghost and a friend of mine had a Dodge Caravan he was looking to sell cheap. My relative poverty at the time helped me overcome any prejudices I had, and so I bought my first van. We added a third kid shortly thereafter, and the backseat thunderdome ceased to be a problem due to being able to get a good couple arms length between them all. I am now a minivangelist after discovering how comfortable and handy they can be outside of kid hauling.. and we are on our second van.. which is not only a minivan but it's also purple. I like to think that people see a man like me driving around in a minivan that color, they know I am not afraid of anything.

 

[mso489]

My wife and I rented a not-so-mini-van to drive to Long Island to pick up some things a friend had stored for her. They just needed it moved, so we made a vacation of it. We had fun, saw friends, made some side trips, and enjoyed the big roomy, eventually loaded and tied down with freight inside, van. I'm a deliberate and moderate driver, but I did notice people saw the vehicle better than they do the four-banger sedans and hatchbacks I usually drive. The van was a Chrysler and did a good job for us. As I recall, the seats were comfortable and the controls were well arranged and the engine and other running gear was responsive and predictable and lively for the size vehicle.

 

[cigrmaster]

Congrats on your new ride. I was a salesman with Dodge in 1984 when the Caravan came to the market. The feeding frenzy was unreal. People loved it from the get go and the mini van was born.

 

[mikethompson]

and the mini van was born.

:wink: