The other day, I posed a question to a few of my co-workers--if you needed the people- and cargo-carrying capacity of a large vehicle, would you really penalize yourself by selecting something less useful than a minivan just to save your ego? And if that's true, just how sad is that? How much are we letting what others think dictate a fundamental part of our everyday lives? A surprising number said they would never drive a minivan, no matter what.
Popular culture is so anti-minivan today that driving one is so counter-culture, so in the face of popular biases, so keeping-it-real, that it's almost punk rock. In a utilitarian way, anyway.
I've driven a Toyota Sienna for a bit more than a year. It's fantastic to drive. It seats eight. Pretty good mileage. And it can haul 4x8 sheet goods.
(In the comments in the above thread:
I feel sorry for you. Keep trying to fool yourself. You're married with 2.5 kids, but you're still cool! Really! F'n boomers.
"Boomers?" The boomers are retirees now, dude.)
Someone once asked my father if he didn't feel a little emasculated, driving around in one of those sissified minivans. He said, "I'm the father of eight kids. I don't have anything left to prove."
-Simcha (whose 15-passenger van has a tasteful flaming skull decal on the back. It was put there by the previous owner, but I kinda like it.)
Posted by: Simcha | 29 January 2008 at 09:27 AM
We just sold our beloved 1992 Astrovan, extended, seats 8 in luxurious Chevy comfort. It had been our recreational vehicle for years, but if we have the bed installed then there is no place for a car seat for Zoey. Really came in handy when all of the grandparents were visiting at the same time! We replaced it with a 1986 VW Vanagon with a pop-top. It only seats 6 with belts, but it sleeps 4!
Posted by: Christy P | 29 January 2008 at 01:18 PM
I'm pg with my 3rd and my mom thinks I need a minivan. Never! Maybe if I had 4 or 5 kids, but not for 3. I'd love to have an extended cab luxury pick-up or a hybrid SUV.
Actually a friend of mine that had her 4th baby recently was amazed to discover that the infant seat for the new baby wouldn't fit.
Posted by: Marie | 29 January 2008 at 08:06 PM
I'm gonna come out and say it: I love my minivan. We have a Town and Country in which all the rear seats fold into the floor -- a fabulous feature, and one we've used repeatedly. We have as much cargo space as a Suburban. It's a free country, so I don't have a problem with people buying SUVs if they want. But those of us who don't delude ourselves that SUVs are somehow "cooler" than minivans are having the last laugh. :)
Posted by: MrsDarwin | 30 January 2008 at 10:01 AM
OK, so if the minivan is "almost punk rock", please do tell me the musical equivalent of the 12 and 15 passenger vans. Perhaps John Cage or Philip Glass??? The 12-tone system? ;-)
Posted by: Valerie | 31 January 2008 at 07:41 AM