Why do you hate minivans? (

KRISTA555

A sincere question out of curiosity...

 I understand that everyone has their own personal taste- that's cool. But, in my experience, it seems that people who don't like minivans REALLY hate them. They practically go into convulsions when you mention the thought of them ever owning one.

My best friend is one of those people, and when we bought our minivan she said she didn't want to congratulate me on it because it's a minivan and she hates them that much. She's not the first person I've come across like this. We had several people say "wow you got a great deal... but it is a minivan...and I will NEVER buy one"   umm..ok? Thanks for sharing?

 Just curious where the strong feelings come from?  Is it because it's a "mom-mobile"?  Is it because they are just not aesthetically pleasing to look at? 

I'm a psychology nerd so these human behavior things interest me. Just wondering why they seem to incite such wierd reactions from people.

*note- Before you side-eye  that we bought a van with only one child, my BIL is handicapped and we often drive him places.

ajtjirsnow

I hate minivans. lol. I really hate most SUV's too. I am not a fan of anything beyond your means. My husband likes to joke that I think I'm going to save the world by driving a smaller car. With that said I completely understand that some people really just need a minivan. We are a family of 4 and we will certainly need a larger car in the near future. But I would prefer a large sedan I guess..

monkeyqueen

I used to not want a mini-van basically because it didn't seem "cool."   There were a lot of other vehicles I liked the look of better  Lame, I know:)

We have one now (Dodge Grand Caravan '10) and I love it.   Mini-vans are so practical, they're cool!

AbJams

I don't think people realize that an SUV is really just a sqaure mini-van with 4 wheel drive. Oh, and those "crossover" SUVs? Station wagons. We had a mini-van for awhile when I was a kid and it was AWESOME. We have a 93 Chevy Lumina... not exactly our daily driver but I love driving that bad boy. Also, I sat in a VW Taureg at the auto show last year and it was magnificent.

BFab11

I love, love, love minivans and I'm trying to talk DH into getting me one. We don't need it now, but we'll hopefully be cooking baby #2 soon and I want a van when we have 2 car seats to fit in the back.

JoBieger05

I don't hate minivans and have no issues with them. I don't feel like they are too big, but then I like big. I had a small carolla, but was rear ended and the car was totaled and then FI, now DH, was sent to the hospital(week before my wedding)...so now I am very pro big vehicle. I can't get into a smaller car without feeling like I'm going to have a panic attack. I wouldn't mind getting the new Nissan Quest. I think it looks quite nice.

naylon511

I don't hate them and I certainly get the practicality - they are just NMS.  I guess it's just looks for me, yea.   I much prefer driving an SUV.  We have two one very large (so, basically the same size and practicality of a mini-van) and one smaller SUV.

I actually hate driving sedans - I feel like I'm sitting on the street, haha.

MNgirl326

 I used to hate both mini-vans and SUV's because I couldn't possibly understand why people needed so much extra space.  I thought they were wasteful.  

Now that LO is in a huge convertable carseat and I am considering TTCing next year, I get it.  Babies have A LOT of crap that they need just to go away for the weekend.  

We will probably be getting a mini-van or an outback of some sort for our next car.  With that said, I don't need a fully loaded one, with I-pod hookups and DVD players in the headrests.   They can read, look out the window and play games, just like we did when we were kids.  

emsumm

I really love our minivan (Sienna).  I think people who don't like them don't want to drive a mom-mobile...but the ease of getting both carseats in is priceless, and the extra room for a road trip for all their gear has more than come in handy.  Plus, it's comfy, and I think it looks nice!

Qmommy

I don't have a problem with minivans.  But since you're interested in peoples reactions in general.  I hate the term "handicapped".  I prefer people first language.  A person with a disability vs.  a handicapped person.   A BIL with a physical disability  vs. my handicapped BIL.  

 

c4162

Oh, boy. I'm going to sound like such as snob, but whatever.... I drive a luxury sedan that handles like buttah. Unfortunately, I know that no minivan will compare on the handling. (not even other sedans in the line do) So that spoils me. I always thought they were too "soccer mom-ish" and I would always thought I was way too cool for one. Now as LO#2 approaches, I am beg. to reconsider. If I found one with fantastic handling, I would contemplate switching (because I love the convinience of those side doors!)

KRISTA555

Qmommy:

I don't have a problem with minivans.  But since you're interested in peoples reactions in general.  I hate the term "handicapped".  I prefer people first language.  A person with a disability vs.  a handicapped person.   A BIL with a physical disability  vs. my handicapped BIL.  

 

I understand how that would bug you.  I refer to my BIL in that way because that's how he refers to himself.

weheartsofie

I don't hate minivans but I've never, ever cared about what type of car that I drive.  I drove the same car for the past 8 years and DH made me get a new one before LO was born because I was driving a 2 door w/150,000 miles one it.  Now my new, fancy car is a ford focus hatchback. 

ToastieSimons

I personally hate them because it seems all the ones I've encountered on the road were driven by morons.  I got stuck behind one in my old hometown doing 35 in a 45.  We made a right under a train trestle that you can't see around and she hit the brakes and came to a stop.  Then started again.

I got stuck behind one on my way to school who stopped at each street to read the street sign, of course in a no passing zone and trafficky rush hour.

I also hate SUV drivers.  They think their 4wd makes them invincible.  In snow/sleet/ice days they're doing 55mph while everyone else is crawling at 25mph and weaving in and out.  they're the ones that cause accidents in their wake.

I also hate people that drive vehicles beyond their needs.  I know people who drive expeditions for their one kid, same with minivans.  If you have no reason to have a vehicle with 7 seats or room beyond, then why have it?

monkeyqueen

ToastieSimons:

I personally hate them because it seems all the ones I've encountered on the road were driven by morons.  I got stuck behind one in my old hometown doing 35 in a 45.  We made a right under a train trestle that you can't see around and she hit the brakes and came to a stop.  Then started again.

I got stuck behind one on my way to school who stopped at each street to read the street sign, of course in a no passing zone and trafficky rush hour.

I also hate SUV drivers.  They think their 4wd makes them invincible.  In snow/sleet/ice days they're doing 55mph while everyone else is crawling at 25mph and weaving in and out.  they're the ones that cause accidents in their wake.

I also hate people that drive vehicles beyond their needs.  I know people who drive expeditions for their one kid, same with minivans.  If you have no reason to have a vehicle with 7 seats or room beyond, then why have it?

Maybe you just hate other drivers?    

ajtjirsnow

ToastieSimons:

I personally hate them because it seems all the ones I've encountered on the road were driven by morons.  I got stuck behind one in my old hometown doing 35 in a 45.  We made a right under a train trestle that you can't see around and she hit the brakes and came to a stop.  Then started again.

I got stuck behind one on my way to school who stopped at each street to read the street sign, of course in a no passing zone and trafficky rush hour.

I also hate SUV drivers.  They think their 4wd makes them invincible.  In snow/sleet/ice days they're doing 55mph while everyone else is crawling at 25mph and weaving in and out.  they're the ones that cause accidents in their wake.

I also hate people that drive vehicles beyond their needs.  I know people who drive expeditions for their one kid, same with minivans.  If you have no reason to have a vehicle with 7 seats or room beyond, then why have it?

 

And this! lol. I couldn't agree with you more!

Brougham7-15-06

The thought of a mini van used to make me cringe...I hated the thought of it because I feel like it makes me "old"...however who owns an odyssey now??? This Momma does.  It just made the most sense and was the most practical with future children. Most 4 door cars can really only fit 2 car seats, maybe 3 if one is a booster, and we also have a honda pilot, but if you have 2 car seats then there is no way to get into the 3rd row without climbing into the back.

DH and I were really against it, but after some thought we broke down and bought one in Sept.

:-)

kegger620

yuck I hate minivans. It's like this unwritten rule that once you become a mom you have to buy one, because your number one job is shuttling junior around everywhere you go. LOL I know but thats how I feel. I think once you own the van, you might as well wear the mom jeans to match

 

doremi29

kegger620:

yuck I hate minivans. It's like this unwritten rule that once you become a mom you have to buy one, because your number one job is shuttling junior around everywhere you go. LOL I know but thats how I feel. I think once you own the van, you might as well wear the mom jeans to match

 

Haha!  Agree :-)  I have an SUV and find that, for my family, we get much more use out of an SUV with 4wd than a minivan.  You can get SUV's with 3rd row seating, so there's really no difference there.  We snowmobile, so we haul a trailer a lot in the winter and our driveway is tough in the winter.  I don't know what I'd do without my gas guzzler!

kaylakaylakayla

I just think they're ugly. Plus I like more of a stylish vehicle. I can find an SUV that has most of the same features of a minivan, but doesn't make me feel like an old lady.

I have no explanation for it, but I definitely associate mini vans with older boring women. And I just think they aren't attractive.

Ashleygoo

I'm shallow, I like the look of an SUV to a minivan. Plus, like PP mentioned, most of the minivan drivers I've come across think that since there are so many air bags and its so safe, they can drive how every they want. Then again, I live in the south, home to everyone who thinks they can drive like nascar drivers. Ugh.

KRISTA555

Ashleygoo:

I'm shallow, I like the look of an SUV to a minivan. Plus, like PP mentioned, most of the minivan drivers I've come across think that since there are so many air bags and its so safe, they can drive how every they want. Then again, I live in the south, home to everyone who thinks they can drive like nascar drivers. Ugh.

OMG you just validated everything I've been thinking about the drivers here in Savannah. I can't BELIEVE how people drive here. I thought it was a Savannah thing.... I guess not...lol

KRISTA555

ToastieSimons:

I personally hate them because it seems all the ones I've encountered on the road were driven by morons.  I got stuck behind one in my old hometown doing 35 in a 45.  We made a right under a train trestle that you can't see around and she hit the brakes and came to a stop.  Then started again.

I got stuck behind one on my way to school who stopped at each street to read the street sign, of course in a no passing zone and trafficky rush hour.

I also hate SUV drivers.  They think their 4wd makes them invincible.  In snow/sleet/ice days they're doing 55mph while everyone else is crawling at 25mph and weaving in and out.  they're the ones that cause accidents in their wake.

I also hate people that drive vehicles beyond their needs.  I know people who drive expeditions for their one kid, same with minivans.  If you have no reason to have a vehicle with 7 seats or room beyond, then why have it?

I'm sure people think that about us when they see me get my one baby out of our minivan when BIL or neices and nephews are not with us.  Eh well.

avada_kedavra

i've always hated them. even when i was younger i hated riding in them.

i have a teeny honda fit and it fits 2 car seats just fine. 

IrishBrideND

Because some people care more about being cool than being practical. If you have more than 2 or 3, they really are the practical choice.

Dreamsicle23

I love big, obnoxious, gas guzzling SUVs.  Minivans are just not cool.  I don't care if other people drive them, it's just not for me.  My aunt has 4 kids and her first "mom car" was a Caravan and she hated it. 

I drive a crossover now, and I don't plan on anymore kids but when this thing meets it demise I have my eye on a sweet Tahoe.  Do I need it?  Hell no, but we all have lots of things we don't need. 

metzy144

I just think they are really ugly. We live in a place where you need at least one vehicle with 4 wheel drive, so I will always have a GMC or Chevy SUV.

mojito14

I have been an SUV driver most of my adult life. Now I own a minivan.

I see how you guys judge moms like me, I suppose. Not that I care really.

I do also drive a 63 corvette convertible (but I can only fit one kid in that), but it should balance it all out right?

Ashleygoo

KRISTA555:

Ashleygoo:

I'm shallow, I like the look of an SUV to a minivan. Plus, like PP mentioned, most of the minivan drivers I've come across think that since there are so many air bags and its so safe, they can drive how every they want. Then again, I live in the south, home to everyone who thinks they can drive like nascar drivers. Ugh.

OMG you just validated everything I've been thinking about the drivers here in Savannah. I can't BELIEVE how people drive here. I thought it was a Savannah thing.... I guess not...lol

DH brought up a good point to me the other day when we were driving up from FL. Everyone now drives in the left lane (the fast lane) cos they like to drive fast (like nascar). SO, now the far right lane is the fast lane, since no one wants to be considered slow. I realize that some cops will ticket you for passing in the right lane (since its "illegal" and all) but who cares, no one drives over there anymore! It only validates our theory that all southern drivers want to be in nascar. hahahaha