Family of Five's Needs for Van/3rd Row Seat After Teenage Years

[Anonymous]

we have 3 kids older twins going to college next year and youngest going to HS. our Sienna still runs but needed several costly (1k+) repair/maintenance work done since last year. been thinking about getting a replacement but don't know if we still *need* a van or an 3-row SUV after next year or a regular 5-seater would be sufficient 99% of time. if your family has faced similar choices please share your experience. thanks.

[Anonymous]

We have one in college and another on the way next year. I just put $1500 into our 200k miles Odyssey. In the last 6 months: road trip to national parks in the west, transporting a 700cc motorcycle, several hundred pounds of mulch, ultimate Frisbee team, trips to the dump and moving the kid out of one dorm in May and into another in August.

Obviously, I'm addicted to the space. I keep saying this is our "last" minivan but I did not hesitate when it needed new tires and a battery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have one in college and another on the way next year. I just put $1500 into our 200k miles Odyssey. In the last 6 months: road trip to national parks in the west, transporting a 700cc motorcycle, several hundred pounds of mulch, ultimate Frisbee team, trips to the dump and moving the kid out of one dorm in May and into another in August.

Obviously, I'm addicted to the space. I keep saying this is our "last" minivan but I did not hesitate when it needed new tires and a battery.

thanks. yeah the space in minivan can't be beat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:we have 3 kids older twins going to college next year and youngest going to HS. our Sienna still runs but needed several costly (1k+) repair/maintenance work done since last year. been thinking about getting a replacement but don't know if we still *need* a van or an 3-row SUV after next year or a regular 5-seater would be sufficient 99% of time. if your family has faced similar choices please share your experience. thanks.

Mine are slightly younger (still in HS) but we just caved and got one more van. It’s a new Odyssey and I have to admit it’s very luxurious apart from the fact that it’s still a minivan on the outside. We looked at every 3 row SUV at $55k or below and didn’t find anything as roomy or comfortable. So Odyssey it is.

[Anonymous]

You have a five person family so of course a five-seater is plenty when only three will be in the house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:we have 3 kids older twins going to college next year and youngest going to HS. our Sienna still runs but needed several costly (1k+) repair/maintenance work done since last year. been thinking about getting a replacement but don't know if we still *need* a van or an 3-row SUV after next year or a regular 5-seater would be sufficient 99% of time. if your family has faced similar choices please share your experience. thanks.

How will you take the kids to college with all their stuff in a 5 seater? Do you not plan to take any more family vacations?

[Anonymous]

A 4 door pickup with a removable camper cover is great idea. Useful and still able to pile in many people in the cab and bed of the truck in the camper.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:we have 3 kids older twins going to college next year and youngest going to HS. our Sienna still runs but needed several costly (1k+) repair/maintenance work done since last year. been thinking about getting a replacement but don't know if we still *need* a van or an 3-row SUV after next year or a regular 5-seater would be sufficient 99% of time. if your family has faced similar choices please share your experience. thanks.

How will you take the kids to college with all their stuff in a 5 seater? Do you not plan to take any more family vacations?

This. You'll need a van/SUV for college hauling and maybe for the first apartment.

[Anonymous]

We transitioned from a sienna to the grand Highlander. It’s a fantastic car for this time in our lives! Lots of flexibility and room.

[Anonymous]

I still need my minivan for camping. I’m hoping my 3 kids start having kids themselves and I have a minivan the rest of my life.

[Anonymous]

You need the three rows unless you are planning on disowning your twins. Moves, breaks, etc. Maybe repair the van and move primary to different car to cut down on usage and maintain van longer?

[Anonymous]

One of ours has graduated from college and we still have a minivan. Useful for moves, for family outings, for family trips that include the dog . . .

When all the kids have graduated, will we get another minivan? Maybe not. But they sure are useful.

[Anonymous]

My youngest is 13 and we just bought our 3rd minivan. I don't get the hate. They are awesome. But then again, I'm not shallow.

[Anonymous]

Well, since we are sandwich generation: the second row became the space where seating ripped out and wheelchair rolled in for grandpa.
Third row is The New Second Row

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have one in college and another on the way next year. I just put $1500 into our 200k miles Odyssey. In the last 6 months: road trip to national parks in the west, transporting a 700cc motorcycle, several hundred pounds of mulch, ultimate Frisbee team, trips to the dump and moving the kid out of one dorm in May and into another in August.

Obviously, I'm addicted to the space. I keep saying this is our "last" minivan but I did not hesitate when it needed new tires and a battery.

thanks. yeah the space in minivan can't be beat.

My neighbors refer to them as suburban pickups. The old beaters can haul a lot and once the kids are out and they become third cars you don't care about, they can haul an even wider variety