I turned in my Man card and bought a mini-van

[dainthomas]

Originally posted by: vi edit

Originally posted by: dainthomas

Originally posted by: Papagayo

Originally posted by: moshquerade
how many kids will you have after this one?

I have 1 currently. We are planning to have just 1 more. It's so nice not to have to bend over to put the kid in childseat.

Why do you need a minivan for two kids? I'd think three at a minimum, which is why I'll never be subjected to one.

Toss in Grandma and Grandpa or a couple friends and you appreciate that easy to reach third row.

3rd row seating in an SUV like a Pilot is a joke.

My friends can drive their own damn cars. Ditto Grandma and Grandpa. If they really want to ride with me I have bungee cords and tie-downs in the bed. 😀

Reminds of people who'd buy Suburbans with the reasoning that they NEED to haul around their kid's entire soccer team or boy scout troop.

 

[Papagayo]

Originally posted by: rh71

Originally posted by: Papagayo

Originally posted by: moshquerade
how many kids will you have after this one?

I have 1 currently. We are planning to have just 1 more. It's so nice not to have to bend over to put the kid in childseat.

You can do that in an SUV too... just not the Sportrac.

I think SUV gets worse.. I heard people saying that once the engine does get worn little, the MPG will get lot better.. I've heard some even get close to 30 on high ways..


SUV and my old sport trac are basically same (interior wise)..
I'm not missing that at all..

 

[Evadman]

You can gain your man card back if you put something with > 600 HP in it; or add a jet engine.

 

[ShawnD1]

Originally posted by: Papagayo
CRV and Rav 4 gets about same as the minivan..

http://automobiles.honda.com/c...cations.aspx?group=epa
http://automobiles.honda.com/o...cations.aspx?group=epa

The CRV gets about 25% better city, 17% better highway.


I don't know why the OP needed a van for a family of 4. I drive a Honda Civic that regularly has 4 grown men in it, and it seems to work just fine. Real world gas mileage is 31mpg city, 42mpg highway. EPA estimate for 2008 model is 26/34 (the boys at the EPA suck at driving).

Then again it's not my money. I hope your van lasts forever 🙂

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: Evadman
You can gain your man card back if you put something with > 600 HP in it; or add a jet engine.

Or put some racing strips on the sides.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: CPA

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: Papagayo

Originally posted by: moshquerade
how many kids will you have after this one?

I have 1 currently. We are planning to have just 1 more. It's so nice not to have to bend over to put the kid in childseat.

honestly, with just 2 kids, you should've went with something smaller and more fuel efficient.

why "should" he have?

Well, he can do whatever he wants, it is his money...but he's already bitched about gas mileage and last time I checked most small cars could fit 5 passengers. My parents never owned anything larger then a chevy corsica while my two siblings and I were growing up and I don't recall ever suffocating to death in the back seat.

When we were kids we were lucky to have car seats, let alone rear facing ones. Try sticking a rear facing car seat in the back seat of your corsica and let me know how much leg room you have left in your front passenger seat.

 

[ShawnD1]

Just put a cool paint job on the side and it won't be gay. Example

 

[Papagayo]

deleted..

 

[suse920]

Originally posted by: ShawnD1

Originally posted by: Papagayo
CRV and Rav 4 gets about same as the minivan..

http://automobiles.honda.com/c...cations.aspx?group=epa
http://automobiles.honda.com/o...cations.aspx?group=epa

The CRV gets about 25% better city, 17% better highway.


I don't know why the OP needed a van for a family of 4. I drive a Honda Civic that regularly has 4 grown men in it, and it seems to work just fine. Real world gas mileage is 31mpg city, 42mpg highway. EPA estimate for 2008 model is 26/34 (the boys at the EPA suck at driving).

Then again it's not my money. I hope your van lasts forever 🙂

You fit 4 grown men in a honda civic?.... i love that car, buts its freakin tiny. Having to bend my head down to see lights= no go for me.

Grats on the new car. I actually loved driving around my mom's 02 Odyssey. Glad you chose a safe car for your family

 

[xochi]

Used to have one, it was my wifes ride but it was a great van. We both have family that live far away, so we made road trips often. Our gas milage was about the same 19-20 mixed hwy/city.

 

[Arkaign]

Minivan >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> SUV

 

[Homerboy]

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: Papagayo

Originally posted by: moshquerade
how many kids will you have after this one?

I have 1 currently. We are planning to have just 1 more. It's so nice not to have to bend over to put the kid in childseat.

honestly, with just 2 kids, you should've went with something smaller and more fuel efficient.

Ill disagree.
with 2 kids you also have the "Stuff" for 2 kids
and friends of the 2 kids... and their stuff to haul around.
Not to mention the family dog...
and your stuff when you take the casserole over to grandmas for Christmas....
we have 2 kids and only got a minivan because it was a deal we couldn't pass up. It was the single best purchase we made for our kids and our "family" ever.

Do you NEED a minivan? no. Does a minivan make life with kids WAY easier? yes.

 

[Homerboy]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Minivan >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> SUV

yes no question

 

[TXHokie]

My Odyssey gets about 19 local and 25 highway (just took a long trip last weekend). Interesting that a fill-up on the minivan is about same as my beat up 98 Accord. Minivan + little kids is awesome.

 

[ShawnD1]

Originally posted by: suse920
You fit 4 grown men in a honda civic?.... i love that car, buts its freakin tiny. Having to bend my head down to see lights= no go for me.

Yep, it's a very roomy car. You must be a very tall person since I'm 5'8 and the seat goes far enough back that my feet can't reach the pedals, and down enough that I can't see high enough over the dash to accurately judge where the nose of the car is.

 

[Throckmorton]

People *plan* to have kids? What's the logich behind that?? Talk about a foolish investment. It's already cost you $30k

 

[AndrewR]

I've heard the Odyssey has had some transmission issues. Anecdotal evidence from some web research I did, but there you go. 🙂

As for the argument against minivans, IF we are able to adopt a second child, we'll be getting a minivan -- probably the Chrysler Town & Country, though I'll need to update my research when that happens (would likely be the 2010 model year). Anyway, with one kid and one large (~75lb) dog, we hardly have room for road trips to the beach, which happen several times per year. With a 2nd child in a 2nd car seat, there would be ZERO room in the Jeep Liberty for luggage unless we put it on the roof (and it would be a tight squeeze for the dog). Sooooo...minivan.

We're both getting pessimistic about our adoption chances though so it might be moot.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Evadman
You can gain your man card back if you put something with > 600 HP in it; or add a jet engine.

nah, as long as he takes the seats out and uses it to haul sand and cut sod in the back it's ok.

 

[todpod]

Originally posted by: vi edit

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: CPA

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: Papagayo

Originally posted by: moshquerade
how many kids will you have after this one?

I have 1 currently. We are planning to have just 1 more. It's so nice not to have to bend over to put the kid in childseat.

honestly, with just 2 kids, you should've went with something smaller and more fuel efficient.

why "should" he have?

Well, he can do whatever he wants, it is his money...but he's already bitched about gas mileage and last time I checked most small cars could fit 5 passengers. My parents never owned anything larger then a chevy corsica while my two siblings and I were growing up and I don't recall ever suffocating to death in the back seat.

When we were kids we were lucky to have car seats, let alone rear facing ones. Try sticking a rear facing car seat in the back seat of your corsica and let me know how much leg room you have left in your front passenger seat.

I used to run rear facing car seats in a Corsica no problem, I'm 6' tall. Also was running 2 booster seats and a rear facing car seat in our PT Cruiser, The car seat has been flipped around and we are down to one booster seat and we get to loose that in 3 weeks. Leg room never was an issue. The kids are a little cramped, they are 9,8, and 2

 

[AdamK47]

Is it light blue? That seems to be the popular color for those who want to go all out when turning in their man card.

 

[dquan97]

We got a '08 Sienna for a growing family of 5. The power sliding doors does help when kids are running towards the van and your hands are full to pry it open.

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: dquan97
We got a '08 Sienna for a growing family of 5. The power sliding doors does help when kids are running towards the van and your hands are full to pry it open.

you obviously don't do it right.. you get the kids to carry everything.. and if they drop it, they're getting left behind.....

 

[Muadib]

I take my gf mom's 2006 Odyssey when I go to NC sometimes. It just so happens I'll be taking it down tomorrow.

Let me first tell you that there is no way in hell you are going to see 25 mpg. When I last drove it, about 6 months ago, I averaged 19 mpg during the 600+ mile trip. Getting it to drop to 3 cylinders is a challenge. Unless you stay at 55, it kicks into 6 cylinder mode. I should say that I like to move when I drive, so when I could, I was doing at least 80mph. I'll be sure to reset the computer, so I can give my average mph this time.

I just love taking it on the road. Hers is a loaded Touring edition. The roominess can't be beat. The 3rd row is a true seat, unlike many suv's. The power side doors make getting in & out a breeze. The driver's seat is just so comfortable. The DVD player keeps the kids quiet. I could go on & on just singing it's praises.

Maintenance wise, it's been perfect. She doesn't listen to me though. She changes the oil every 3000 miles, instead of following what the car says. Whoever said you can't teach an old dog, was dead on.

If I had kids, I'd get one in a heartbeat.

 

[ShawnD1]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: Evadman
You can gain your man card back if you put something with > 600 HP in it; or add a jet engine.

nah, as long as he takes the seats out and uses it to haul sand and cut sod in the back it's ok.

My dad did this with his old-style van. He let me ride on top of the sod on the trip home 😀

Let me first tell you that there is no way in hell you are going to see 25 mpg. When I last drove it, about 6 months ago, I averaged 19 mpg during the 600+ mile trip. Getting it to drop to 3 cylinders is a challenge. Unless you stay at 55, it kicks into 6 cylinder mode. I should say that I like to move when I drive, so when I could, I was doing at least 80mph. I'll be sure to reset the computer, so I can give my average mph this time.

You were getting bad mileage because you suck at driving. Rule of thumb is that mileage drops about 10% for every 10km/h over 90, and you were going 130km/h. Assume the estimate is based on 65mph (100km/h):
25 * 0.9 * 0.9 * 0.9 = 18mpg when going 80mph.

OP, I would be optimistic. My parents have a Nissan Xterra 4.0L SUV and even that thing gets 25mpg on the highway. Your Honda van probably pushes just as much air, and the engine is just a bit smaller. 25mpg shouldn't be a problem if you don't drive too crazy.

 

[crab]

Originally posted by: Evadman
You can gain your man card back if you put something with > 600 HP in it; or add a jet engine.

😀 My 03 Econoline has about 600hp