Why Do people Hate Minivans So Much?

[DISshopkeeper]

I'm one in that thread that said I will never buy a minivan. And I won't.

To me, they are the epitome of "momdom" and are totally un-hip. I have no interest in driving one.

My 7 passenger crossover is perfect for my family ~ and it still looks cool.

Interesting post when juxtaposed with your signature line!

 

[HeatherC]

SaraJayne...what kind of crossover do you drive? We looked at several because we were open to a different kind of car. But when I saw the trunk space in the Quest we decided on that.

My kids are also pretty tall and Dh is 6'5" so that came in to play as well since we also do alot of long road trips and really needed space.

If it was just me, I would be driving at BMW 325i Convertible. But alas...these people I live with take up too much room.

 

[disykat]

I admit I'm looking forward to not having one anymore in a few more years, but I'm on my second mini-van and will keep it until I'm no longer hauling kids back and forth to college.

I've loved the utility/convenience of my mini-vans and paid the same for my latest in 2006 as I did my 4 door compact in 2001.

I had other cars I would have preferred, (I liked the crossovers) but they were 10K more. There's no way I could justify that kind of money on my budget without a NEED, although I actually had the money. Putting that money into my kid's college funds made more sense to me. I've been fortunate, I guess, to generally feel satisfied living within my means - and my means are mini-van level.

 

[sajetto]

I have an Eddie Bauer Ford Explorer and HATE IT. I haven't driven it in months, except to haul a washer and dryer using the trailer hitch it has.

I have one child and own a Honda Odyssey Touring van and have had it for the past year. LOVE IT I intend to drive it for a long time, my retired parents are looking to buy one also.

Obviously that whole "once you've had an SUV" thing doesn't apply to me at all.

 

[SaraJayne]

Interesting post when juxtaposed with your signature line!

What does my signature even say? I have them turned off, so I never see it.

Ok, just checked. My opinion is just like any other in this thread.

 

[SaraJayne]

SaraJayne...what kind of crossover do you drive? We looked at several because we were open to a different kind of car. But when I saw the trunk space in the Quest we decided on that.

My kids are also pretty tall and Dh is 6'5" so that came in to play as well since we also do alot of long road trips and really needed space.

If it was just me, I would be driving at BMW 325i Convertible. But alas...these people I live with take up too much room.

We have a Traverse LT with 2 captains chairs in the middle row instead of a standard bench. Since we are a family of 4, it gives us all the space we'd ever need.

 

[DISshopkeeper]

What does my signature even say? I have them turned off, so I never see it.

Ok, just checked. My opinion is just like any other in this thread.

So true...

 

[HeatherC]

The Traverse's are really nice. That makes sense...see I have that third kid which puts you over the edge in so many ways.

 

[Pigeon]

I dislike them both equally. I've managed to raise two kids and have a dog without "needing" one. I'd much rather have something more environmentally friendly.

 

[SaraJayne]

The Traverse's are really nice. That makes sense...see I have that third kid which puts you over the edge in so many ways.

Depends on the ages. Until they get to 11 or 12, they can sit in the 3rd row.

 

[spacemountainmom]

I don't get it either. I was driving an extended cab pick-up when the second baby came along. It really sucked putting his carrier in the back seat and still sucked when he got big enough to use the regular carseat. I begged dh to get me a minivan with four doors. We were able to get a Grand Caravan and I absolutely loved it. We sold the car we had, dh took my truck and I drove the van for the next 6 years. There was enough room for us and a couple friends and still had decent cargo space. I fully planned on getting another one when the time came.

DH's parents wanted to sell their 2nd vehicle and dh jumped on buying it from them so I had to give up my van for a Ford Explorer. I drove that for a year and did not like it half as much as the van. We sold the van to my girlfriends' parents and they still are using it. I never was that thrilled with the Explorer so when it was time for my old pick-up to be replaced, I talked dh into a super crew and I drive it. He drives the Explorer now and dd16 will probably inheirit it in the near future.

I really don't care about the coolness factor. I liked the space in the van for people and stuff and it was easy to drive and park. I don't get the "momobile" thing, I AM a mom! That being said, I really love my 4x4 super crew and really can't see myself driving anything else. We do have a boat, four-wheelers and a camper so we need something big that can pull our toys.

 

[descovy]

My minivan is a very practical car... Especially with 3kids. I use my 3rd row daily. Folding or climbing over the second row on a daily basis for vanity sake is not an option.

I'm beyond needing my vehicle to make a statement about me. I express my self in how I do my hair or how I choose to dress. I can live that I do not drive a car that expresses "me.". I cried the day we had to give up my fully-loaded zippy cute car for a minivan. But I grew up and got over it. 8 years later now, and yes it will probably be replaced by another minivan when the time comes.

It's boring as hell, but I didn't choose it my status symbol.

 

[Iri920]

As for me, a mom of 3 that has driven a mini van and now drive a Suburban, I would almost rather walk than drive a mini van. I am sooooo over them. am at the state again in my life, 48, where I don't want to look like a mom mobile, and mini vans just aren't cool. As my DH always tells me, once you get a woman up, you will never get her back down, and I have to agree with him.

PS my suburban was way more space than my mini an ever had. Plus it drives better and I can see so much better out of it.

Yes, because driving a Suburban doesn't scream soccer mom. I'm a young hip mom and I rock my mini van like nobody's business. I don't need a "cool" car, what I need is a car big enough to haul my kids and their junk comfortably and my mini van serves that purpose. I don't know why mini vans get such a bad rap but to each their own.

 

[Nancy]

Love mine too- we get better gas milage like you said, more space, ease of just about everything. So I guess us smart moms are uncool- oh well I'm not in high school anymore and dont care about whats "cool".lol

LOL so true. I am past the Mom stage..by kids are now 19, 22 and 23 so the only hauling I do is when we are taking stuff to and from college for the 19 year old. I love my mini van..been driving one since I was pregnant with DD #1..so 23 years now. Although I wouldn't really consider the Chevy Astro a true mini van..it was pretty big.

I like driving my van better than DH's car. I see the SUV/AWD cars that are out now and they look like smooshed down mini vans..or a cross between a mini van and a station wagon..so not sure why they are cooler other than saying you drive an SUV and not a mini van.

I actually think my next car (when my 10 year old mini van craps out) will be whatever version of an AWD that is out at that time. I won't be needing the van by then, but I won't drive a regular car anymore...and this is someone who drove a 2 seater sports car for years before joining the "Mom" car brigade.

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

I love my Odyssey. Its great on gas, fits the kids and all their equipment and even extra teammates! It's a 2005. I would love the new model but since this one is paid off I'd rather not take on a new payment.

 

[monorailsilver]

Well I am on my first mini van & I am still not a lover of it.

I went from a 5 seater SUV to a 7 seater mini van. Why? Basically cost. We both wanted the Acadia but money wise that wasn't an option.

We have the Dodge Grand Caravan SXT but I didn't want the dvd/navigation system so we don't have that which also means I don't have alot of other perks that the SUV had.

I hate the steering column, it doesn't tilt.

Getting it the back stinks, getting out stinks too.

The 2nd row captains seats are not made for adults. I feel like a squished sausage when I sit back there. Oh & I am not tall either so I can only imagine someone over 5' 3" sitting there.

Yes it is easier to move around in but that is it.

Oh & it drives crappy in the snow, even with brand new tires that are rated good for snow.

 

[eliza61]

I just think they are god awful ugly. pretty simple for me. I'll never buy one because they are ugly.
Yep I totally admit to being vain enough that when I go car shopping I don't want some thing I cringe every time I walk past it. If I won a minivan I would probably still sell it and get some thing else.

hate em. don't knock anyone else from buying one but not for me.

 

[Fjobe]

I think some people just don't like the look or feel that goes along with a van. I'm a van owner, and there are specific vans mentioned in this thread that I think are ugly and wouldn't choose to buy given the choice (if I won it or something, I'd drive the wheels off). I feel that way about other styles of vehicles as well. Why would I buy a vehicle I didn't like the look of? I don't buy clothes or shoes I think are ugly, so I'm certianly not going to spend 1000x more money on something I think is ugly or doesn't properly portray my personality.

 

[Fjobe]

I just think they are god awful ugly. pretty simple for me. I'll never buy one because they are ugly.
Yep I totally admit to being vain enough that when I go car shopping I don't want some thing I cringe every time I walk past it. If I won a minivan I would probably still sell it and get some thing else.

hate em. don't knock anyone else from buying one but not for me.

Okay, I promise I did not read your post before I posted despite the similarity (right down to mentioning winning a car - although I'd keep the ugly thing). I was typing up my reply while you posted.

 

[mhsjax]

Yes, because driving a Suburban doesn't scream soccer mom. I'm a young hip mom and I rock my mini van like nobody's business. I don't need a "cool" car, what I need is a car big enough to haul my kids and their junk comfortably and my mini van serves that purpose. I don't know why mini vans get such a bad rap but to each their own.

Wow you mini van drivers sure do get defensive. Sorry but I HATE vans. I don't care what you or anyone else drives. I answered the question asked and in my opinion they scream boring mom. Sorry, but that is the way I feel. And no a truck doesn't scream soccer mom as much as a mini van.

I don't need a cool car either, I drive a truck. It is a Chevrolet for goodness sake not some designer car. But cooler than a van IMHO. My truck hauls my 3 kids and all my stuff very well thank you. I have two rows of captains seats, and a bench in the back. Tons of room for their stuff on our trips to the Carolinas. to the mini van lovers, great for you, I just don't happen to be one of them.

PS, I would love to see anyone"rock" a mini van. Not sure that has ever been done.