We are debating about purchasing or leasing a minivan. This is hard because we always said we would never get one. We currently have two SUVs, but looked at a minivan recently and realized how nice it might be. I have made fun of all my friends that have bought one, so for me to cave is asking for ridicule.
I will be the main driver, so I am looking for feedback on whether it is worth it, and if so what minivan would you suggest.
Thanks
But now have a Chrysler Town and Country 8 seater in the driveway. A sweet ride, and you will see this on the first road trip. The ultimate Soccer Mom ride, but dad drives it as well. It's not as bad as you think it is, 20 MPG and good sound, make sure you go with a DVD player if you got small ones. It makes a road trip more enjoyable, the kids strapped into the center seat watching Dora contently, mom driving and you are bagged in the rear with all your shit behind you.
-Mike DT1 MPCG My Site, http://www.milehidad.com/ and my Blog, http://www.milehighdad.net/.
Make Babies, Not War!
I Wanna Know How Forever Feels...
I fought it tooth and nail. I told my wife that I hated them and would never ever get one. I didn't care what she said. We really, honestly, fought over this issue more than once.
Then, we had our third child. The odds were stacked against me. The final straw was that my wife said she would let me get a new one instead of used AND she would let me pick the color.
So, I caved in. We got a 2007 Honda Odyssey last year. It is loaded to the hilt with every option imaginable. I picked black because I thought it was a little classier and less soccer mom. She let me pick my own license plate too. It reads, "DADSVN".
We researched, shopped and compared very, very carefully. The Honda Odyssey and the Toyota Siena were the best of the best. I liked the way the Honda looked better, so it won.
I love it now. I am so glad we got it. It is so helpful to have with three kids. And, the options really, really come in handy.
One tip: If you go with the Odyssey, the "Touring" model is supposedly the top of the line, but you don't get the optional folding jump seat for extra seating capacity. The EXL has 99% of the same options, plus the extra seat. Spring for the rear entertainment system. It is worth it's weight in gold. Also, get an "internet quote" from several dealers and then take it into the dealership to haggle with them from there.
Thanks guys. My kids love Dora also. We have some DVDs. Thanks for the tip.
Funny thing, we test drove the Honda already. It was great. I have the Pilot now, so Honda was my first choice. Thanks for the tips about the Touring version. Saves some cash.
How much hell did you catch from the friends? Just curious.
It really wasn't that big a deal to anyone but me. They will just be envious that you got a new vehicle. When you start talking about DVD systems, navigation systems, dual climate zones, leather seats and seat warmers, they will shut up pretty quickly.
No more shit than when it was anounced what I would be doing or a living. You gotta walk the walk to talk the talk.
-Mike DT1 MPCG My Site, http://www.milehidad.com/ and my Blog, http://www.milehighdad.net/.
Make Babies, Not War!
I Wanna Know How Forever Feels...
Once we went up to three we got a van as well, so the one we were looking at had a auto-door, which I was not really looking for "For goodness sake I can open my own freakin' door", now after 4 years I love that door like I love my family. I only wish they had come on both doors. One of the thinks I like the most is that I can get everyone out of their car seat and still have them in the car, no mad dashes across the parking lot. Also being able to get some space between Buddy (from hense forth known as the instigator) and the Girls (now known as the not always so innocent victims) is always nice, and as to people giving me grief, I think only Andy North in KC said anything, but that is just because he says something about everything!!
db
Father of three,
Mac (6), Tavie(4), and Buddy(3)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Denver_Dad/
Definitely get the automatic doors. My wife and I both have Oldsmobile Silhouette vans. Mine has the automatic side doors and hers doesn't. We take mine way more than hers just because of that. If you can get the automatic hatch, do that too. I frequently wish we had that on one van (mine :P). By the way, I love our Oldsmobile vans (which I never thought I'd say), but the one problem they (the Oldsmobile Silhouette vans) all seem to have according to a mechanic friend of mine, the motors on the automatic windows go out. He's already had to change mine and my wife's needs to be done.
Check out my ramblings on life at http://www.sahdguy.blogspot.com/
I'm on the other side. When I went to look for a new car my wife told me to look at Mini Vans, but at the time I was not going to be a SAHD and decided for the business car. I grabed a Passat 4motion- leather package...etc. Since then and now a SAHD, 2 cars needed to get christmas presents home from Grandma 1, the same for Grandma 2. 2 cars to Vermont for the weekend. On and On and more to come. When I take my son shopping and have the stroller I can't get the damn thing in and out and also can not get a thing into the trunk without stuffing. Get the mini van.
...and are completely happy with it. I wholeheartedly agree with Uke and DKremers: get the automatic doors, if possible. Getting my kids in the car with groceries in the rain makes it totally worth it. I can just pop the door to my 3yo's side, he climbs in and buckles up, I pop the door to the driver's side with the infant seat's base for my 6-month old girl, and the rear gate is opening in the meantime for the beer, er... groceries.
We can take 4 adults, 2 kids, and our 2 dogs on a 10-hour trip and barely feel fazed. The convenience definitely outweighs any perceived uncoolness.
Anyway, MileHi's got it right... when you're wearing the Baby Bjorn and the diaper bag with the preschooler in tow, who cares what you drive!
~Glenn
Joined: 2008-03-07
Dad Points: 216