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To Minivan or Not? Moms Sound Off in "The Minivan Wars"
"I don't care how much my SUV costs me, you'll never catch me in a minivan!"
"The sliding doors, the space, I don't know what I would do without it."
"I wouldn't be caught dead..."
"My elderly parents and kids matter to me more than looking cool."
If you want to start a heated debate amongst moms, forget about politics. Ask them about their cars. Then ask them if they would ever consider driving a minivan. Now put on your safety goggles and buckle up because the conversation could get very bumpy.
I recently polled a large group of moms, asking them for their candid car stories and reasons why they loved or hated their vans. It wasn't just for fun. I'm currently in the market for a new car. As the mom of four kids, size is really an issue for us. We have two young stroller-aged kids in carseats and two older ones that frequently bring along their nearly adult-sized friends and piles of school and sports gear. Thus there are days when I have wondered if I'd be better off with a maxivan. Something akin to the airport shuttle. Especially if they'd drop me by the terminal and let me gate check myself for the next flight to Tahiti.
When you have three or more kids, everyone knowingly advises you to get a minivan. It's practically a given. A given that makes many moms bristle - like you've questioned their right to vote.
While every vehicle option seems to come with strings (be they social, environmental, or other) no vehicle stirs up strong emotions amongst moms quite like a minivan. It's the old station wagon on steriods and as a social icon, it's fully loaded with more than a DVD player and leather seats.
When I set out to write this piece I hoped to set aside my own emotions and learn from the insights of others. And in my quest for automobile enlightenment I came across some fine tales.
Stay tuned over the course of the next few days. We're bringing you both sides of the argument and we welcome comments from readers as well. I already know what I am buying. Perhaps this discussion will help another mom (or dad) make up their mind as well.
In the meantime, here's an episode of "Mom my Ride" for you. It's an oldie, but a goodie!
Part 2: The Minivan Wars: Moms Against Minivans
Part 3: The Minivan Wars: Moms Who Love Their Minivans Speak Up
in | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Car Reviews, | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Editorial | Permalink |
Tags: minivan, Moms
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Previous Reader Opinions...
This should be an interesting article. I was dead-set against a minivan and don't consider myself a mini-van driving mom, yet we are getting one this week. We just think the conveniences are awesome and for the money it is a no brainer. I never thought I would be excited for a mini-van, but I am! (I did get the nicest looking one I could find, in black!)Posted by: Jen | July 7, 2008 6:47 PM
I LOVE my minivan. It fits my three kids comfortably and I have tons of room in the back so I can carpool with other moms when we have outings.Posted by: finnaryn | July 8, 2008 2:45 PM
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