Talk me off the ledge...

[mobes23]

...in a little less than 2 hours, I'm going to look at a minivan. Never thought I'd get to this place, but three kids needing bigass carseats and I can't see any other way to make it work.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Minivans are fun.

{Poasted via palm pilot}

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

Lame!
Get a Chevy Tahoe with 3rd row seats instead!

 

[Mediocre Man]

...in a little less than 2 hours, I'm going to look at a minivan. Never thought I'd get to this place, but three kids needing bigass carseats and I can't see any other way to make it work.

You will be very happy. I have owned several mini vans, and they are literally the most comfortable, convenient, creature friendly vehicle a family can own

 

[RR7]

all the mini vans I have rented for hood to coast have always been awesome. I say go for it. I hate the old fashioned "oh no a guy in a mini van" sort of thinking. I really wanted one after last year.

 

[MickZagger]

shoot me in the head before I ever drive a minivan. When I see a guy driving a minivan I think to myself that guys wife has him by the nuts.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Lame!
Get a Chevy Tahoe with 3rd row seats instead!

Yeah! At 6 MPG.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

A buddy of mine bought a mini van for this same reason. He tolerated it for almost a year, then couldnt stand it anymore. Traded it in for a Tahoe and is very happy.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

...in a little less than 2 hours, I'm going to look at a minivan. Never thought I'd get to this place, but three kids needing bigass carseats and I can't see any other way to make it work.

I had a Ford Explorer and it was very roomy.

 

[crandc]

Sorry, feeling too groovy right now. Work had solstice barbecue lunch, tons of food, pina colada & Heinekin, needless to say, having trouble getting work done this afternoon. Sitting here cruising board, listening to Beethoven Symphony # 6 and eating my ice cream from the lunch. What's not to love?

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

Yeah! At 6 MPG.

regular get about 18 mpg... hybrid gets about 21.

 

[MickZagger]

Sorry, feeling too groovy right now. Work had solstice barbecue lunch, tons of food, pina colada & Heinekin, needless to say, having trouble getting work done this afternoon. Sitting here cruising board, listening to Beethoven Symphony # 6 and eating my ice cream from the lunch. What's not to love?

Spark up a joint, Crand.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Sorry, feeling too groovy right now. Work had solstice barbecue lunch, tons of food, pina colada & Heinekin, needless to say, having trouble getting work done this afternoon. Sitting here cruising board, listening to Beethoven Symphony # 6 and eating my ice cream from the lunch. What's not to love?

Oh sure, make us all jealous.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

shoot me in the head before I ever drive a minivan. When I see a guy driving a minivan I think to myself that guys wife has him by the nuts.

I used to roll a eurovan for a few years, nicknamed the bang bus. it was great, i had a sleeping bag there and everything. hah. :MARIS61:

used to get trashed at bars, then sleep in the van until i sobered up.

 

[mobes23]

Lame!
Get a Chevy Tahoe with 3rd row seats instead!

Lol -- already kind of did that. We got a highlander, but you have to take out the middle car seat AND latch it back in every time. Just not workable with that many rug rats running around.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

get a honda odessey. i've driven those a lot, they are like driving a car and great. the new ones are pimpin'.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

...in a little less than 2 hours, I'm going to look at a minivan. Never thought I'd get to this place, but three kids needing bigass carseats and I can't see any other way to make it work.

I'd rather jump. So just do it already!

 

[mobes23]

shoot me in the head before I ever drive a minivan. When I see a guy driving a minivan I think to myself that guys wife has him by the nuts.

Believe it or not, I'm more for the minivan than my wife is...which is probably more immasculating than if it had been her idea lol

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Sorry, feeling too groovy right now. Work had solstice barbecue lunch, tons of food, pina colada & Heinekin, needless to say, having trouble getting work done this afternoon. Sitting here cruising board, listening to Beethoven Symphony # 6 and eating my ice cream from the lunch. What's not to love?

That's how most of my days at work go, minus the BBQ (though we have those on occassion, or just go out to eay). It's a good feeling.

 

[jlprk]

You should drive a Volkswagon camper with poptop. Beyond Palm Springs, the front tire under me went flat and I hardly felt it. I could have kept driving to Arizona.

Between Las Vegas and LA, the wind can get bad around Barstow. I floored the gas pedal for over an hour continuously to barely stay at 55 mph,

 

[Masbee]

...in a little less than 2 hours, I'm going to look at a minivan. Never thought I'd get to this place, but three kids needing bigass carseats and I can't see any other way to make it work.

Minivans are ugly and boring to drive.

But, they do work for kids and all the crap you have to haul around with them. The one thing you only get with them (and cargo vans) is sliding side doors, which are undeniably handy with kids. But, good god damn, they are ugly. And, did I mention, boring to drive?

I don't like the Chevy Tahoe suggestion. The car is expensive, heavy, gets poor mileage, poor ratings (read the reviews), and has poor residual value. You only want a vehicle like this if you have to tow something big. And even still, not a great car. Surbuban is better.

The Chevy to look at is the Chevy Traverse. Much more sensible.

If you have a big budget, look at the Acura MDX. Has a 3rd row, and is a really great vehicle if you need the AWD and luxury features. Top crash protection ratings.

For a lot less money, I would also look at the Ford Flex. HUGE interior space. Top crash protection ratings. It looks unusual, but I like the look of it a lot more than any of the (very ugly) minivans.

You might also look at the Toyota Highlander and the Mazda CX-9. They don't have tons of extra room, but have 3rd row seats, are well regarded vehicles and are easier to move around and park.

If you are determinded to look at minivans, note that the new redisigned Toyota Sienna is not as good as the outgoing version. You might consider used. The Toyota V6 (non AWD) is the only minivan that Consumer Reports says has even an average repair record. The Honda, Nissan (new design this year) and Toyota are all rated about the same. The Kia and Dodge minivans are not competitive.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

just dont get a lame one, odysseys are nice

 

[MickZagger]

This is the only van I'd ever rock out with my cawk out:

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

What about the Mystery Machine?

 

[blazerboy30]

No self-respecting guy would drive a minivan. Do the only realistic, logical option... ship one or two of your kids off to a boarding school.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

At least if he gets a minivan.... he'll always have a place to call home (in a van down by the river).

 

[THE HCP]

Lame!
Get a Chevy Tahoe with 3rd row seats instead!

You know what....... I would consider trading my Audi for one of those actually.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

No big deal - just my new whip....

 

[THE HCP]

My wife actually refuses to get one. I told her how much easier it would be for her and the kids, but she refuses.