Minivan owners...come in please!

Deltadee

I'm looking for feedback on how you like your minivan and if you would would recommend it.  I am buying a minivan to the list of things that I never thought I would do, but motherhood is crazy that way!  It just seems to be so practical for our family and better on gas mileage that our suv (that is making me cry every time I pull up to the pump).

TIA! 

carlinlp

We have a town & country and I LOOOOVE it.  I fought it for a long time too but it just makes so much sense for us, had a ton of room, the kids have their own spaces and no longer bicker or hit one another.  We can fit way more people in it that my old explorer and it is awesome for road trips.  I love having the tv in it that we can pull down when we want and ours has the second tv in the back so ty doesn't have to be subjected to little kid tv if he doesn't want too but that is usually only on long trips anyway.  All our seats fold down so it's really like a truck in many ways and holds a ton if we need it - the stow and go really sold me.

eta:  the doors are my favorite feature - no more kids flinging doors open and i love that i can open them in the front seat or with my key remote.  awesome for carpool or herding kids in and out.

Deltadee

Thanks for the info!  I'm going to send you a message on FB.

smatthe

carlinlp:

We have a town & country and I LOOOOVE it.  I fought it for a long time too but it just makes so much sense for us, had a ton of room, the kids have their own spaces and no longer bicker or hit one another.  We can fit way more people in it that my old explorer and it is awesome for road trips.  I love having the tv in it that we can pull down when we want and ours has the second tv in the back so ty doesn't have to be subjected to little kid tv if he doesn't want too but that is usually only on long trips anyway.  All our seats fold down so it's really like a truck in many ways and holds a ton if we need it - the stow and go really sold me.

eta:  the doors are my favorite feature - no more kids flinging doors open and i love that i can open them in the front seat or with my key remote.  awesome for carpool or herding kids in and out.

Main reason I went for a mini-van vs. a 7 passenger SUV.  I can just hit the remote and kids climb in all by themselves.  And they don't fling doors open on other cars!  I just wish I could have afforded the remote trunk opener.

 

CharStensrud

I have a Honda Odyssey that I absolutely love! The thing I like most about it is that you don't have to step up to get into it like an SUV.  It is at the same level as a car so it is really easy to get in and out of with a little one.  I like the spaciousness (is that a word) of it but it really doesn't feel huge when you are driving it.  There are I think 8 different ways you can rrange the seats too!  I love the handsfree entry and also you get a good discount on your insurance b/c of all the safety features.  I too thought I would never have a minivan, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. 

 Good luck!

erincutts

So glad you asked this! We too are thinking about switching over but I just can't seem to make myself do it!

Emer

CharStensrud:

I have a Honda Odyssey that I absolutely love! The thing I like most about it is that you don't have to step up to get into it like an SUV.  It is at the same level as a car so it is really easy to get in and out of with a little one.  I like the spaciousness (is that a word) of it but it really doesn't feel huge when you are driving it.  There are I think 8 different ways you can rrange the seats too!  I love the handsfree entry and also you get a good discount on your insurance b/c of all the safety features.  I too thought I would never have a minivan, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. 

 Good luck!

I totally agree with all of this.  I drove an Odyssey for two years and LOVED it.  The space is incredible and the car is just smart.  It's built for a family, so it has all kinds of features you never knew you wanted.  The automatic doors are awesome and I absolutely recommend getting the auto lift gate on your remote.  I used that all.the.time for groceries, stroller, etc. when your hands are full.

I totally recommend test driving several kinds of minivans, but once I drove the Odyssey, I was hooked.  It feels great- strong, but easy to drive.

I am 5'6" and DH is 6'4" and we both fit nicely.  It was easy for the kids to get in and out- it's awesome.

A&R2006

Add me to the list of converts - I never thought I would drive a minivan, but I love ours!  We got a Honda Odyssey right before DS was born, and I can't imagine having anything better for our family right now.  Love the automatic doors - I can open both of them and get the baby settled while DD climbs in by herself.  She is small and can't get into an SUV by herself.  Also, the automatic door gate is awesome when you have groceries, trying to get the stroller in and out, etc.

One of the best features for us is how easy it is to rearrange seats, and how much stuff we can carry.  We frequently have out of town guests, and it's easy for someone to get in and out of the 3rd row, plus we still have room behind the 3rd row for the stroller, groceries, luggage, etc.

We are big fans, and I think we will have a minivan at least until both kids are out of carseats/boosters.