We drive a late 90′s volvo station wagon that has 7 seats. I have learned to love it. I affectionately call it the Swedish Tank, and it has allowed me to stay out of a mini van.
Prior this, I had a Toyota Matrix. I love me a matrix. Love. When you drive a matrix, you say ‘WHEEEEEEE’.
When you drive a Swedish Tank, you say “Vroooooom”.
Neither is apparently here nor there, as my tank now needs some work. Like a few thousand dollars of work. Bad month for that.
This is where, you readers, get to weigh in.
Do we fix it, staying with the devil we know?
Scrap it, and get another car payment for something newer, and hopefully more reliable aka the dreaded minivan?
What I would eventually love is the Honda Pilot. We’ve test driven one before and I’m almost as in love, as I was with my Matrix. Sadly, it’s not within budget. Even a used one.
But a minivan???
I have a violent, visceral reaction to driving a minivan. My apologies to all of you driving minivans. I do not feel that way about you. Not even a little bit.
But me? A minivan?
Can’t see it.
I may as well buy a house in the ‘burbs, get a white picket fence, and reprogram myself. Which is ridiculous. I can see the many merits of having a minivan and that it doesn’t change who I am.
I am trying to figure out why I am letting the idea of a large peice of metal and plastic bug me so much.
January 23, 2012 at 4:59 pm |
I’m with you on the minivan. NONONONONONONO.
But I also drive a Matrix. And I only will ever drive Toyotas. So. I am of no help to you at all.
January 23, 2012 at 5:39 pm |
I have a Pilot and do love it. Got it used for a good deal and hope that it will last me many many more years. I also have an aversion to the minivan. That being said when I am in one, I totally see why people have them and if we ever (god forbid) have to replace the Pilot in the next 8 years then it will be a minivan for me.
My son’s preschool teacher has a buick (not a minivan- more like an SUV) that has a 3rd row and it seems really nice. Have no idea what they are like price wise though.
Anyways, back to your dilemma. I’d probably be inclined to fix the beast I know. But that’s just my 2 cents
January 23, 2012 at 5:47 pm |
Toyota Sienna…… it’s a minivan, this is true, but it’s ohhhhhh so useful with a big family!! Maybe it could be a “yipppeeee” instead of a “wheeeeee”, which is almost as good =)
January 23, 2012 at 9:20 pm |
Get a minivan and cover it with non-conformist, socially responsible, and pro-everything you love bumper stickers. Be a minivan trend setter and enjoy the freedom of hauling people and all their equipment in leisure.
January 23, 2012 at 11:06 pm |
Not sure if you are teasing me
but I like the idea! However, we’ve decided to fix the existing tank and try to use it until we can make a payment on a Pilot.
January 23, 2012 at 11:06 pm |
I”m tellin ya, the Kia Rondo. It’s not much bigger than a Matrix but 7 passenger. I love mine.
January 23, 2012 at 11:33 pm |
Problem is then adding a dog, some overnight bags or a costco shop. Not sure we could do it without stacking on our heads.
January 24, 2012 at 2:19 am |
SU-BURB-AN. It’s awesome. And of course you don’t get a minivan! Especially a Dodge Caravan, those things are death traps.
January 24, 2012 at 3:18 am |
I couldn’t make the jump to the minivan either. If you decide not to fix the beast you know, look at the Mazda5. It seats 6, technically a “microvan” but I call it a station wagon. And reasonably priced. Good luck.
January 24, 2012 at 3:22 am |
two words: roof rack.
January 24, 2012 at 7:01 pm |
dude. I unapologetically love, love, love my minivan. for a million reasons. I’m not really a car person, though, so I go for function, and minivans, when you have lots of kids, are as functional as they come, for all the reasons you have heard before.
but I love volvos too, so there you go….
January 25, 2012 at 8:36 pm |
hi! just catching up. I love/hate my minivan, but I need it to last for at least 3.5 more years, so i pet it and tell it how much i appreciate its service. seriously. After that i would love to buy a huge gas-guzzling suburban or something. it’s against everything i stand for environmentally, but i’m so freakin short that i’ve swooned over huge cars for a long time. i might get a cheap used one just to drive to the grocery store
.
January 26, 2012 at 9:10 pm |
1 word…Delica