Discussion Minivans, why all the hate?

[MrSquished]

Minivans were only hated because, yes, the not cool factor. Since cars are often an extension of men's penises, it was considered the ultimate loss of your manhood when you ended up driving the kids and dog around in a minivan. You'd been completely emasculated. It was a sign that you may as well chop it off, whatever little weewee you actually had.

 

[NutBucket]

Not just men. Lots of women hate them too because of the image (my wife being one of them)

 

[Captante]

iirc the mazda5 was within an inch of the original dodge caravan in every dimension

I almost bought a "leftover" Mazda 5 (not to be confused with the CX5) when I last was shopping for a NEW vehicle. While it was a much nicer and FAR better made vehicle then the Chrysler minivans it missed the mark in what people wanted. It was setup more like a "tall wagon" than a van.

I ended up going with a 2ed generation Scion xB FWIW.

 

[igor_kavinski]

whatever little weewee you actually had.

So the hippies driving vans in the 60s had little weewees?

 

[Captante]

Minivans were only hated because, yes, the not cool factor. Since cars are often an extension of men's penises, it was considered the ultimate loss of your manhood when you ended up driving the kids and dog around in a minivan.

I've had several different women tell me ANY kind of van ("free-candy" kind or otherwise lol) that isn't an obvious "work-truck" is "creepy" for a guy to drive.

It was a sign that you may as well chop it off, whatever little weewee you actually had.

So the hippies driving vans in the 60s had little weewees?

Somebody is trying just a little bit TOO hard!

 

[KMFJD]

Buy US Military surplus vehicle and convert it yourself.

Example

I've seen a couple of those (well they where German unimogs) and they are glorious, but i'd like something affordable

 

[Tsinni Dave]

I've seen a couple of those (well they where German unimogs) and they are glorious, but i'd like something affordable

View attachment 73688

A couple years ago I was working over on Moresby island and staying in my van when one like this came by a few times on the road. They had shipped it over from Europe thinking that they were going exploring or something. I talked to them on the ferry for a few minutes. Impressive machine, but they should have spent another 10 minutes on google or something rather than that extra $100K but to each their own. They did manage to almost get run over by logging trucks a few times because they never found out about the need for VHF on the back roads. We were giving each other warnings of their locations whenever they were on the road. We were running the old Pacific "Fat trucks" which are off highway supersized trucks which could have flattened them and never even had to shift down while doing it.

Edit - ours were in much rougher shape and looked and sounded MEAN.

 

[IronWing]

Somehow watching that review of minivans made me want an old Oldsmobile VistaCruiser.

Brady wagons were way better than minivans. For everyday utility, minivans were way better than modern SUVs.

 

[KMFJD]

A couple years ago I was working over on Moresby island and staying in my van when one like this came by a few times on the road. They had shipped it over from Europe thinking that they were going exploring or something. I talked to them on the ferry for a few minutes. Impressive machine, but they should have spent another 10 minutes on google or something rather than that extra $100K but to each their own. They did manage to almost get run over by logging trucks a few times because they never found out about the need for VHF on the back roads. We were giving each other warnings of their locations whenever they were on the road. We were running the old Pacific "Fat trucks" which are off highway supersized trucks which could have flattened them and never even had to shift down while doing it.
View attachment 73694
Edit - ours were in much rougher shape and looked and sounded MEAN.

When i went up to Dawson City i saw 3 of them parked at Tombstone Territorial Park (2 German and a Swiss) they where impressive and would be great for overlanding on less than perfect roads. Speaking of logging roads, i never knew about the vhf radio's either, work had me go up one in northern BC up to one of our sour gas sites, needles to say i git a talking to, and then my boss got a talking to and then his boss got a talking to, after that they had someone meet us at the highway and guide us up there.

 

[Brainonska511]

Minivans were only hated because, yes, the not cool factor. Since cars are often an extension of men's penises, it was considered the ultimate loss of your manhood when you ended up driving the kids and dog around in a minivan. You'd been completely emasculated. It was a sign that you may as well chop it off, whatever little weewee you actually had.

The age-old question of: "Is it manly to take care of your kids?"

 

[Red Squirrel]

When I was looking at a new vehicle I kinda toyed with a mini van. I haul a lot of things like lumber and stuff and with all the seats down or removed you can fit sheets of 4x8 goods in most minivans I believe. Something I'd want to check before I actually buy of course. Stuff stays dry and it's also easier on gas.

Though I also need the clearance of a truck for bush roads and such and sometimes I do carry dirty loads like top soil, gravel, sand, ATV etc so ultimately went with the truck as it's still more versatile. At least older trucks. The newer trucks have such a small bed now you're almost better off with the mini van if the goal is to carry stuff.

I like to look at used cargo vans or even buses for fun sometimes as doing a camper van/bus would be kind of fun. One of those hippie VW vans would be cool.

I actually found an actual city bus for 10 grand. That would be way too big though lol. But it's fun the sort of stuff you can find on sites like Kijiji if you look at commercial vehicles.

 

[Stopsignhank]

We had a Ford Aerostar. It was ugly as a warthog but we got it in the cool green color. I hauled some much in that thing. Take the seats out and there was a lot of room

Buy a fridge and have it delivered for $75? No thank you, I will go get me van. That kitchen table will fit right in here. I remodeled our house and hauled so much stuff to the dump in that van. I think I even brought home Half a cord of firewood in it.

 

[brianmanahan]

I've had several different women tell me ANY kind of van ("free-candy" kind or otherwise lol) that isn't an obvious "work-truck" is "creepy" for a guy to drive.

 

[brianmanahan]

uncle rico's van isn't creepy, it's right on

 

[waffleironhead]

Yup, but nice when you have three kids in auto chairs, you need that fanny pack. View attachment 73678

That berlingo sure has come a long way. I drove an older model in iceland and it wasnt that nice looking at all.

 

[TheVrolok]

Full size vans eat shit. They get stuck in a patch of wet grass. Put them on a 4x4 truck platform, and they start to get interesting. I'd be happy to have a real 4x4 minivan. Something you can pound offroad, but has a sliding door. My needs have gravitated towards pickup bodies, but I could work with a van.

My first car was an AWD Ford Aerostar, 1990 Motor Trend TRUCK of the Year lol. Actually loved that thing.

 

[Captante]

My first car was an AWD Ford Aerostar, 1990 Motor Trend TRUCK of the Year lol. Actually loved that thing.

I drove a RWD version of one of those for roughly a year doing NYC courier work.... tough as nails but wasn't great handling.

 

[Zorba]

A sliding door gives you lots of room to fit big stuff in. A little finagling with a tarp, you have a nice covered porch for your camper, and it's easy to get in and out.

It also keeps your kids from door dinging other cars.

 

[TheVrolok]

I drove a RWD version of one of those for roughly a year doing NYC courier work.... tough as nails but wasn't great handling.

Horrible handling. Once you hit like 70 things got really dicey.

 

[Zorba]

Minivans were only hated because, yes, the not cool factor. Since cars are often an extension of men's penises, it was considered the ultimate loss of your manhood when you ended up driving the kids and dog around in a minivan. You'd been completely emasculated. It was a sign that you may as well chop it off, whatever little weewee you actually had.

Then they did a bunch of research that showed they could convince women they were less likely to be car jacked / raped if they say higher in a more "manly" SUV. I think car manufacturers also actively campaigned against minivans because the SUVs had much better margins.

I've looked at minivans a few times and the salesmen always are like "Oh how many kids do you have?" "1” "Oh wouldn't you rather have XX giant SUV so you don't look like a pussy?"

 

[Zorba]

I personally love Minivans, been my dream car since I was in second grade. I might get one when it's time to replace the Forester, but I don't like how big they are for a daily driver. To me it just feels like more effort driving around in a bigger car.

 

[lxskllr]

You get used to vehicle size. I like being higher off the ground, but I'm not a fan of big trucks. I want the smallest vehicle that'll get the job done. Mid size pickups fit that pretty well. Last truck was a dakota, and I'm currently driving a frontier.

 

[Kaido]

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[biostud]

Minivans were only hated because, yes, the not cool factor. Since cars are often an extension of men's penises, it was considered the ultimate loss of your manhood when you ended up driving the kids and dog around in a minivan. You'd been completely emasculated. It was a sign that you may as well chop it off, whatever little weewee you actually had.

Which is kind of weird, considering that if you drive around with a car full of your own kids, then it is very much a proof of what is between your legs is actually working, and at some point also have been on active duty.

 

[WelshBloke]

I kinda want one of these.

Kinda.