Anonymous wrote:So people are justifying their carbon footprint with their need to heft significant sports equipment for their children. My god, America.

Yes. 1 minivan on the road carting 5 children to practice has a significantly smaller carbon footprint than 5 Civics each "carting" a separate child to practice.

Please tell me you understand that?

We sold our 2 year old Subaru Outback for a new odyssey. Same mpg. We also have a Prius.

We've had no issues with two kids in our Prius--that thing can carry a ton. Especially for very young kids, it's not like you're schlepping around a carpool, or lots of sports gear, etc. We're expecting our third in a few months and debating a minivan. Getting three in a Prius would be tight and probably a complete PITA. We want to keep things small for as long as possible, and the fact that there's no hybrid minivans currently in the US is an enormous turnoff. The Tesla Model X, on the other hand, looks quite appealing

2 kids in a Mazda 5, and we still have 2 extra carpool seats (3 if one of the kids can sit up front). So much less bulk and gas than a minivan.

So people are justifying their carbon footprint with their need to heft significant sports equipment for their children. My god, America.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mistakenly got one when I had my third child b/c I thought I needed it (all in carseats). I had it for a year and got rid of it because I hated it so much. It was convenient, I'll give you that, but I am vain enough that I felt like I had given up on life every time I approached that damn thing. Traded it in for an SUV and never looked back. No one NEEDS a minivan.

Wow, that is really sad. I can't imagine caring that much what other people think. I definitely can't imagine my car dictating my identity. Wow.

Looks like that person cared more about what HE/SHE thought, not about what other people thought. I think lots of our choices dictate our identity, no? The clothes we wear, the way we decorate our home, the names we choose for our children, why is a car any different? Why shouldn't someone choose a car that they like? I'm missing something here.

Anonymous wrote:

Then no one needs an SUV.

? Can you fit seven in a Prius? I wasn't aware of that.

Regardless of whether people choose an SUV or a minivan, some people have 4 children and need more seating than a Prius.

I have 3 kids, they all play sports, and they all have friends. I could easily fill a church van with kids and equipment almost every day of the week.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a good thread. I'm pregnant with my 2nd and my DH is itching for a van. I'd rather wait a few years, just because we already have a paid off car that will die in 3-5 years most likely. Sounds like elementary age through high school is the most useful. That's perfect. We can buy it when my oldest is 6 or so and it should get us through.

I'm secretly excited, mini vans really do seem like the perfect family car...

Don't wait until elementary school. A preschool child/toddler can climb into the minivan on his own, the windows are tinted so you can breastfeed in private, there is plenty of room inside so you can change a diaper, etc.

+1. Should have bought one sooner like when #1 was born. Space, privacy. Changing of the diaper in car rather than a nasty changing table. Nursing in the car rather than a bathroom. Nice on long trips to stretch out and sleep.

I have an 8 and 12 yo, and a 70 lb dog. Both kids play sports with gear and the middle schools often has activities where I need to fit in another kid. This is my 2nd minivan, yes I got my first when the oldest was a baby and it lasted 9 years. This one should take both kids to college, then I am getting something smaller. i swore I would never get one, but it's the most practical vehicle for our lives. I give zero fucks what others think.

I had a minivan when the kids were between 4 and 11. They are teens now and I drive a small SUV. Honestly, I miss the minivan- it was great for trips, toting the dog around and there isn't anything that competes with cargo storage.

Anonymous wrote:Can we all agree that functionally, there isn't much difference between a minivan and a 3-row SUV. People who think they are too cool for a minivan get the SUV and pretend it isn't a minivan which is fine with me, but don't spend a lot of time talking about how much better it is than a minivan. They're pretty much the same thing.

Yeah, right!
Except the fact that in order to get same cargo space in 3-row SUV I have to spend more $$ and drive crazy huge behemoth.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mistakenly got one when I had my third child b/c I thought I needed it (all in carseats). I had it for a year and got rid of it because I hated it so much. It was convenient, I'll give you that, but I am vain enough that I felt like I had given up on life every time I approached that damn thing. Traded it in for an SUV and never looked back. No one NEEDS a minivan.

Then no one needs an SUV.

I will never understand people who are all smug because they do not own a minivan, but then have a SUV. Now Prius owners, you can give me your smug looks : )

Prius.. Not, Tesla maybe.

Anonymous wrote:I mistakenly got one when I had my third child b/c I thought I needed it (all in carseats). I had it for a year and got rid of it because I hated it so much. It was convenient, I'll give you that, but I am vain enough that I felt like I had given up on life every time I approached that damn thing. Traded it in for an SUV and never looked back. No one NEEDS a minivan.

Then no one needs an SUV.

I will never understand people who are all smug because they do not own a minivan, but then have a SUV. Now Prius owners, you can give me your smug looks : )

With grandparents who hate to drive, sports equipment, and lack of ability to pack light, I think we are about ready to but a replacement minivan for our 10 year old one.