Help me talk my wife out of a minivan..

[red95gts]

My company car is a 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan. Yes, it's a minivan and it's gay to drive around, but it really is the perfect vehicle for hauling a lot of people and shit. We have 4 kids and the storage space in the back and under the floorboards is amazing. We can take a 2-week trip and while we are loaded down pretty heavy, it's comfortable for everyone. The 2011+ models have 280hp and will run if you lay the hammer down. On a recent trip to/from Omaha, NE we saw 25.5mpg fully loaded, which is a huge improvement over the 2008 I had before.

The only thing on the market that even comes close to the functionality and storage space of a van is a Suburban or Expy EL. And you aren't pulling down 25mpg in those.... We also have a 2004 Expedition and I can't pack nearly as much shit in that as I can the Caravan...

Cliffs Notes: Vans are gay but sometimes a necessary evil. Especially when they are free.

[red95gts]

In spite of my post above - I second the recommendation for the Ford Flex. I rent them every chance I get and just finished a week-long trip through NC & VA in a 2011 Flex limited with leather, navigation, etc. VERY sweet ride and lots of storage space. Not quite as much as a van, but with 2 kids, you don't need that much.

[scootro]

like this thread will help you convince her! give me a break

[DieselSmoke]

We had our first kid 3 months ago and we traded in the wife's G35 for Yukon Denali. I borrow it ever chance i get.

[Couver]

Automatic Sliding doors are suck.... I know the kids will not be opening them but you will. Hit the handle on closing it stops. Not just right inside it stops. Plus just more shit to fix if and when it breaks.

[Reefer Rae]

My old lady and her Denali are like me and my guns . They will have to pry them from our cold dead hands .

[Gear_Jammer]

Uncalled for and out of line.

That's never stopped his dumbass before...

[Randy]

get her one of these bad boys

[LS1Goat]

The R/T is not a bad soccer mom rig. However, I have to admit. I was surprised just how nice the Ford Edge is after riding in one. That's the direction I would take for that particular car segment.

[UserX]

Mini vans are extremely functional, who cares what others think.

[94form2000z]

Mini vans are extremely functional, who cares what others think.

No shit..

Welcome to being a dad with a family.

Who gives a fuck what someone outside that family thinks of you?

[sig239]

[Treasure Chest]

Hurry, they're making great deals on 2011s!!

That's ok. I bought the jeep in June, and I'm trying to break my bad habit of trading cars in before they need an oil change.

[white trash wagon]

I never had kids, so I don't buy minvans or SUV's. I only buy cars & trucks

That said, minivans are a more efficient people mover, easier to get in & out of, better handling & gas mileage. I will say what defines a SUV, minivan or wagon is getting difficult as the lines are getting blurry.......Is a Ford Flex a wagon, minivan or SUV?

[Treasure Chest]

I never had kids, so I don't buy minvans or SUV's. I only buy cars & trucks

That said, minivans are a more efficient people mover, easier to get in & out of, better handling & gas mileage. I will say what defines a SUV, minivan or wagon is getting difficult as the lines are getting blurry.......Is a Ford Flex a wagon, minivan or SUV?

Flex is a crossover. Basically a minivan without the sliding doors. Like I said, my biggest complaint with a minivan (besides being ugly) would be the lack of accessibility to an infant in a rear facing seat. They're either directly behind the passenger or driver. I also liked the feeling of security having a baby in the middle seat, in the case of a side impact collision.