Brides Helping Brides ™ - Anyone have a minivan?

Elizabeth Posted: Mar 07, 2004 03:44 PM

Anyone have a minivan?

We are looking into getting one and I'm just starting to do some research on them.

What kind do you have? What do you like/not like about it? Are they like SUVs with the horrendous gas mileage?

Thanks

Victoria Posted: Mar 07, 2004 04:47 PM

Re: Anyone have a minivan?

We have a Toyota Sienna (1998). My DH is the primary driver since I already had a Toyota 4Runner when he got it. I get about 20mpg overall with my truck, which is pretty good for an SUV. MY DH recorded the mileage on the van for the first few months and was surprised he did not do much better. I think the newer models are better on gas. I think the van has a very smooth ride. If you are looking for a new one, the 04 just outdid the Honda Odyssey for the first time. My SIL just got one last week and loves it. She had an Isuzu Rodeo and said she would never drive a minivan. She changed her mind a few months ago after driving mine since it is so much easier to get the kids in/out and the ride is much smoother.

anna Posted: Mar 07, 2004 07:28 PM

Re: Anyone have a minivan?

I have the Mazda MPV and LOVE IT LOVE IT!

I just found a website to compare gas mileage among all vehicles... pretty cool
Compare Gas Mileage

The MPV (and several other minivans) looks like it guzzles just as much gas as some SUVs. I just found minivans to be SO much roomier inside. The layout is just so much more family-kid-friendly, so much easier to get the kids in and out, etc.

Drive around a few of them and see what you like best !

Elizabeth Posted: Mar 07, 2004 07:33 PM

Re: Anyone have a minivan?

That's what we need Anna - more room. Plus with 2 carseats, it will be impossible to ever go anywhere that requires having a 3rd passenger with the carseats taking up the backseat.

I guess if we switch over to a minivan we are no worse off than now with the SUV. Although it would be nice to get more mileage, it's not as important as the roomier space.

anna Posted: Mar 07, 2004 07:40 PM

Re: Anyone have a minivan?

And one feature I have to RAVE about is the automatic side doors !!!! DROOL MUST HAVE IT

I am SO 'NOT' one to add all the bells and whistles, but my COMPLETE OPPOSITE dear hubby, added every single bell, whistle and bonus, and I rolled my eyes at why he was spending the extra bucks. Once you get a certain pkg, it comes with soup to nuts anyway.
Turns out the automatic doors are THE MOST addicting, convenient and accomodating feature EVER!
and I say that with just JA, I can imagine how much I'll love em with two in tow.
If youre carrying stuff, just click for the door to swing open for you, close it as you do something else. and you will ALWAYS have something in your arms (whether another child, or diaper bags, handbag, etc.) and shoving the door open and close takes effort
So I HIGHLY recommend that feature.

Might I add, please learn from my mistake:
DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT give the child the car keys to calm him I did that once to calm JA because he was arching his back, and screaming so I couldnt hold him to strap him in, and all of a sudden he hits the button on the remote to shut the door! So I was standing outside the car, trying to strap him in as the door was closing between him and I Luckily I grabbed it out of his hands fast enough. NOTE TO SELF: Dont do that again.

Ive been meaning to make him his own 'REAL' set of keys, remote and all.

cooky11111 Posted: Mar 07, 2004 08:10 PM

Re: Anyone have a minivan?

I had to sell mine about 2 years ago...I hated the way it handled in the snow!!! It would slide all over and it was a new one!!!

I now drive a Hyuandai Santa Fe and love love love it!! It is the 4wd and handles perfect in the snow!!

jenny11.9 Posted: Mar 07, 2004 09:56 PM

Re: Anyone have a minivan?

my mom JUST got the new Toyota Siena last week. She's coming here tomorrow - I'll see what info I can get you! (She's a seasoned minivan driver, so I am sure she has good feedback).

Claud2001 Posted: Mar 07, 2004 10:10 PM

Re: Anyone have a minivan?

We test drove the Santa Fe over the summer, and we didn't like the ride at all...definitely more 'truck like' than a car or van...too bumpy for our taste.

Believe it or not, I have heard fantastic things about the Toyota Siena from my OB - she drives one and absolutely LOVES it. I know that despite the stigma that minivans carry, I will be a minivan Mom the day we bring home baby #2 - and I look forward to it b/c of how easy it will be to get the kids in and out!

Good luck Liz, and let us know what you decide on!

anna Posted: Mar 08, 2004 06:49 AM

Re: Anyone have a minivan?

I have to agree. You definately cant go wrong with a Sienna or a Odyssey. Toyota and Honda are by far, top of the line.
We just decided to get all the bells and whistles with the MPV for the price of what the other 2 guys started at.
Of course, Honda and Toyota will also hold their value MUCH higher than any other minivan.

KathyKelly Posted: Mar 08, 2004 02:35 PM

Re: Anyone have a minivan?

I have the 04 Toyota Sienna XLE (7 passenger)and have nothing but rave reviews about it. Just got it around Christmas. I LOVE it!! I went from a Chrysler Town & Country and this one is by far the best!!! It has a nice smooth ride, automatic sliding doors (a godsend) with 2 kids and an automatic liftgate. Lots of little storage nooks and tons of cupholders
The 3rd row folds nicely into the floor and I can pull up 1 seat or 2 seats at a time (it is a split bench) and the 'trunk' area is deep if the seats are up. The side doors have windows that go down and built in sunscreens that pull up.
Hmm.. let me think of what else.. I have the AWD model which worked GREAT on those icy days and it has 'no flat' tires which means you will never get a flat (you can ride up to 50+ miles on it ) but to replace it the tire is about $300 each. Also it has a guage that tells me when the air pressure in my tires are going low.

It also was given the highest safety rating this year (5 star) :)

NuBride Posted: Mar 08, 2004 03:10 PM

Re: Anyone have a minivan?

OK my hubby's in the car business so I had an opportunity to test drive the following SUV's:

Cadillac escalade
Lincoln Navigator
Mercedes ML 430

We were looking for something with more room..so we got the

Grand Caravan

Blows them all away as far as I'm concerned I know the above are more like trucks but we did want more room...The ride is nice and it's high enough off the rode that you can see down. I highly recommend this mini-van.

michele31 Posted: Mar 08, 2004 04:44 PM

Re: Anyone have a minivan?

We have a Hylander and love it. It drives like a Camary BUT it is not great for 2 kids IMO. Most SUVs are just not big enough for 2 car seats, another adult in the back, plus tons of stuff in the trunk.

I think those new mini-vans with the seats that fold into the floor look really cool and easy to use.

chmlengr Posted: Mar 08, 2004 06:38 PM

Re: Anyone have a minivan?

So am I the only person who vows never, ever to drive a mini van? Everyone says I'll change my mind once the second one comes along, but I just don't see it. I'd rather drive an SUV. We'll see in a few years if everyone was right!

JennRenee Posted: Mar 08, 2004 08:03 PM

Re: Anyone have a minivan?

Posted by chmlengr

So am I the only person who vows never, ever to drive a mini van?

Nope. You have company.

We got a nice big SUV, and if we ever need more room, we'll get an even bigger SUV.

Claud2001 Posted: Mar 08, 2004 08:25 PM

Re: Anyone have a minivan?

I don't understand the stigma about a minivan. I am so not a 'keeping up with the Jones'' kind of person, so I don't feel the need to have an SUV just b/c they are more of a status symbol than a minivan...I like convenience.

And I just can't see myself trying to heave a more than 25 lb. kid UP and into the carseat...it is not easy to do in such a big SUV type car - especially if you are not 5'10' or taller. The lower profile of the van is just so much easier on the back! I look forward to my minivan days.

Elizabeth Posted: Mar 08, 2004 08:41 PM

Re: Anyone have a minivan?

Not to put words in anyone's mouth but with the minivan stigma I think it - Makes people feel old? Too suburban? Too much of a conformist? I guess it has the same stigma as the phrases 'Soccer Mom' or 'Mommy haircut', like you're 'losing yourself' as part of being a Mom because the non-Mom you would never drive a minivan (anti-minivan people, chime in here... I might be way off) I have a friend who had her daughter in a 2 door mustang convertible for almost her entire first year so it's up to the individual.

I personally have not qualms whatsoever about making the switch. It's not even like I dont really like them but it's practical. I like them and it's what we need. My kiddo is 26 lbs and quite hard to get into the middle of the back seat of our Explorer. Yes Im preggo so that doesnt help but I'm also 5'7' so I can only imagine how someone smaller does it. Even when I was not preggo, I use to have to climb into the back to get him in there.

But I also know that our lifestyle wont allow for us to just travel with our 2 kids taking up the backseat and no room for anyone else. I'd like to be able to take other passengers and that's impossible with an SUV. I know there are bigger SUVs but I dont want a bigger one. I want the roominess (sp?) and ease of a minivan.

Claud2001 Posted: Mar 08, 2004 08:50 PM

Re: Anyone have a minivan?

Posted by Elizabeth

Not to put words in anyone's mouth but with the minivan stigma I think it - Makes people feel old? Too suburban? Too much of a conformist? I guess it has the same stigma as the phrases 'Soccer Mom' or 'Mommy haircut', like you're 'losing yourself' as part of being a Mom because the non-Mom you would never drive a minivan (anti-minivan people, chime in here... I might be way off) .

Liz......the way I see it...all of what you just said now applies to everyone who drives an SUV....that is exactly what SUV's have become...LOL! Have you seen the commercials where the larger SUV is able to unload 3 additional [and larger] soccer players???

JennRenee Posted: Mar 08, 2004 09:12 PM

Re: Anyone have a minivan?

I can only speak for myself, but a minivan just isn't my style.

chmlengr Posted: Mar 08, 2004 09:37 PM

Re: Anyone have a minivan?

Posted by Elizabeth

Not to put words in anyone's mouth but with the minivan stigma I think it - Makes people feel old? Too suburban? Too much of a conformist? I guess it has the same stigma as the phrases 'Soccer Mom' or 'Mommy haircut', like you're 'losing yourself' as part of being a Mom because the non-Mom you would never drive a minivan (anti-minivan people, chime in here... I might be way off)

Sorry ladies, I wasn't trying to imply driving an SUV was better status wise or that driving a mini van labeled you in any way. Everyone I know has one, as does my MIL and she isn't hauling kiddies around I grew up as one of 6 kids, always crammed into a station wagon. A mini van back then would have been my parents dream come true.

I don't know why I don't like them. But as I said, DH will probably make me drive one if #2 ever comes along. After all he sells them too!

Elizabeth Posted: Mar 08, 2004 09:51 PM

Re: Anyone have a minivan?

Posted by chmlengr

Sorry ladies, I wasn't trying to imply driving an SUV was better status wise or that driving a mini van labeled you in any way.

Nah I didnt think you were. I got off on a 'demystifying the minivan stigma' analysis, like I said whatever works for the individual is what counts. We're lucky to have the choices today - like your parents didnt have with 6 in tow.