Question about SUVs/minivans for family of 4

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I honestly don't understand why people who are choosing between a minivan and SUV for kids and hauling stuff purposes choose an SUV.

The car companies' market research on this is really interesting. Among buyers with kids, the statistics are very similar for minivan and SUV buyers: similar income, age, education, number of kids, etc. But there are big differences on other measures. Minivan buyers tend to be happier with their lives on average. SUV buyers are much more likely to say they miss being single and wish they hadn't had kids. And the divorce rate is significantly higher for SUV owners than minivan owners.

Oh sure. So I'm likely to be happier with my life if I buy a MV? I don't think so.

No, if you were happy with your life to start with, you'd have bought a minivan. If those findings are real, I'd love to read that study.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I honestly don't understand why people who are choosing between a minivan and SUV for kids and hauling stuff purposes choose an SUV.

The car companies' market research on this is really interesting. Among buyers with kids, the statistics are very similar for minivan and SUV buyers: similar income, age, education, number of kids, etc. But there are big differences on other measures. Minivan buyers tend to be happier with their lives on average. SUV buyers are much more likely to say they miss being single and wish they hadn't had kids. And the divorce rate is significantly higher for SUV owners than minivan owners.

Oh sure. So I'm likely to be happier with my life if I buy a MV? I don't think so.

I think you're getting the causation backwards. The point seemed to be that parents who are already happy with their lives are more likely to buy a minivan, not that minivans make people happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I honestly don't understand why people who are choosing between a minivan and SUV for kids and hauling stuff purposes choose an SUV.

The car companies' market research on this is really interesting. Among buyers with kids, the statistics are very similar for minivan and SUV buyers: similar income, age, education, number of kids, etc. But there are big differences on other measures. Minivan buyers tend to be happier with their lives on average. SUV buyers are much more likely to say they miss being single and wish they hadn't had kids. And the divorce rate is significantly higher for SUV owners than minivan owners.

Oh sure. So I'm likely to be happier with my life if I buy a MV? I don't think so.

Sigh. Correlation =/= causation. Don't know why this has to be repeated so often.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I honestly don't understand why people who are choosing between a minivan and SUV for kids and hauling stuff purposes choose an SUV.

The car companies' market research on this is really interesting. Among buyers with kids, the statistics are very similar for minivan and SUV buyers: similar income, age, education, number of kids, etc. But there are big differences on other measures. Minivan buyers tend to be happier with their lives on average. SUV buyers are much more likely to say they miss being single and wish they hadn't had kids. And the divorce rate is significantly higher for SUV owners than minivan owners.

Oh sure. So I'm likely to be happier with my life if I buy a MV? I don't think so.

Sigh. Correlation =/= causation. Don't know why this has to be repeated so often.

I was being sarcastic. I'm quite happy with my life and my choice to become a parent, I just don't like minivans. Sue me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I honestly don't understand why people who are choosing between a minivan and SUV for kids and hauling stuff purposes choose an SUV.

The car companies' market research on this is really interesting. Among buyers with kids, the statistics are very similar for minivan and SUV buyers: similar income, age, education, number of kids, etc. But there are big differences on other measures. Minivan buyers tend to be happier with their lives on average. SUV buyers are much more likely to say they miss being single and wish they hadn't had kids. And the divorce rate is significantly higher for SUV owners than minivan owners.

Oh sure. So I'm likely to be happier with my life if I buy a MV? I don't think so.

I am guessing this is a correlation and not causation study.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I honestly don't understand why people who are choosing between a minivan and SUV for kids and hauling stuff purposes choose an SUV.

The car companies' market research on this is really interesting. Among buyers with kids, the statistics are very similar for minivan and SUV buyers: similar income, age, education, number of kids, etc. But there are big differences on other measures. Minivan buyers tend to be happier with their lives on average. SUV buyers are much more likely to say they miss being single and wish they hadn't had kids. And the divorce rate is significantly higher for SUV owners than minivan owners.

I'd be interested to see this study? Do you have a link you can post or at least know the name of it?

I've seen these results referenced in a number of different places. The only one I can find online right now is a NYTimes article from a decade ago. It's at http://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/17/business/was-freud-a-minivan-or-suv-kind-of-guy.html and that only mentions some of these results, not all of them. And perhaps more importantly, it doesn't give a detailed reference that would let you go back and find the original study (or studies).

[Anonymous]

Over my dead body will there be a minivan in our lives. Don't want one, don't need one and LOVE the fact I can't participate in carpooling. We have a community that is walkable and we walk whenever we can - another friend then another situation - meet them somewhere or don't go. I don't want something bigger on the road, I don't want to pay the gas prices, I don't want to be a distracted driver like most mini van drivers out there are. So So glad I haven't bought one. If we REALLY need a larger car we can rent one for a special event other than that its not necessary as a daily driver.

[Anonymous]

Rent one? That is such a wise fiscal decision. Oh wait, no its not. Most MVs take the cheapest gas, FYI. Most SUVs have a huge surtax that are making them further and further out of reach. But if your "no-MV" statement is such a priority, say moreso than owning a house, by all means. You must be a fiscal genius.

[Anonymous]

Get the Mazda5. Once you drive it and see it you will realize why it is the answer to all these stupid arguments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rent one? That is such a wise fiscal decision. Oh wait, no its not. Most MVs take the cheapest gas, FYI. Most SUVs have a huge surtax that are making them further and further out of reach. But if your "no-MV" statement is such a priority, say moreso than owning a house, by all means. You must be a fiscal genius.

I don't think she's saying she'd buy an SUV over a mini van. I think she's saying she owns something smaller -- like a sedan or hatch back. Believe it or not, some of us don't drive either a MV or an SUV!!!

[Anonymous]

Don't tell me, the MV haters are one of those that has to own a new car every few years - another fiscal genius moment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't tell me, the MV haters are one of those that has to own a new car every few years - another fiscal genius moment.

I'm a MV hater and I drive my cars until the repair bills start totaling more than the car is worth. I'm perfectly happy with my life, I just don't like or want a MV. Ever. Sue me too!

[Anonymous]

We love our Acura MDX, we have used the 3rd row seat many many times, for things others have mentioned. Playmates, carpools, etc.
Or we can lay it down for more trunk space
We bought our used and it was no more expensive than a used CRV, plus we have always loved Acuras and have rarely ever had any problems.
We have had 4 different acuras in 14 years, they were all bought used and were all wonderful

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We really needed a minivan with our two kids up until they turned 10 and 12. It was impossible to carpool without one, due to booster seats, etc., and I found that when I helped my friends out and picked up their kids, I picked up ALL of them, so I was often transporting up to five kids.

Interestingly, now I don't think I need one -- I just drive our Prius, which is a pretty small car. My son who's 12 is 5'5" and weighs 140 lbs, so he's fine in the front seat. And I can get three girls in the back, so I can transport four kids easily. And they aren't all going places in packs these days, so it's more trips with fewer kids.

All this to say -- get the minivan. You may only need this one and by the time it's time for your next car, you can get something with only two rows.

OT, but wow. My 12 year old son is 4'11'' and 87 pounds.

I know! He's a big kid -- looks down at me by several inches.