Minivans
Categories: LifeI heard a radio morning talk show ragging on minivans, insinuating they are uncool. I’ve occasionally heard other people (family, friends, strangers) rag on minivans, and pick on me for driving one — it’s Cowgrit’s vehicle, I only drive it sometimes. Interestingly, I have rarely heard anyone who actually owns a minivan complain about them (as a type of vehicle). Minivans are great. Especially for what they are designed for — families, with two or more children.
Our family had a sedan and a station wagon for the first few years of Calfgrit8′s life, and we did just fine. Loading in and our of either vehicle was not particularly problematic. But we bought a minivan the week before Calfgrit4 was born, and we discovered how much easier travel could be.
We could get ourselves and both children in and out of the vehicle so much easier — no bending over with 10-15 pounds of child and carrier. No more squeezing in and over the kids to buckle belts. Heck, just the automatic sliding doors (both sides!) made getting in and out so much easier.
My brother mentioned, “How lazy or weak must you be to need automatic doors?” Well, he’s never tried to handle an infant carrier, groceries, car keys, and a car door all at the same time. We have a friend who has a minivan with manual sliding doors, and she’s commented, “They’re a pain in the ass.”
I even like driving the minivan. It’s more comfortable than my sedan, and has better view of the road. And oh my God, I can’t imagine how our drive to Florida would have gone if we three adults and two kids had to ride in a station wagon. The minivan is like a bus.
When one of my (childless) friends rode in our minivan one time, he commented, “This is nice. I’d like to have this kind of van. But without kids, people would think I’m a molester out cruising for victims.”
My previous boss said she made her husband drive their minivan, because, “I’m too cool to be seen in a minivan.”
Oh well, I love our minivan. And if you need to rag on it, then you can kiss my big ol’ leg-room, head-room, comfortable-seat, back-seat-folding-down, plenty-of-power, family-hauling butt.
Bullgrit
yes, i do give you lip on the grocery getter… but, i would not turn one down. the ease i could get my gear in and out would be fantastic. although, a 4runner is so much more stylish…
one more thing, the day you can load an entire 5 piece drum kit(drums, hardware, cymbols), enough clothes for at least three to four days on the road, in-ear monitors, sticks, another rider and all else that i need for the trip in a honda accord and be sure you have your keys, come chat with me….i know i made the comment about the doors….wow, they would be nice to have….
I love driving the mini van because I can actually look down at others….LOL
I agree. My ego was a little apprehensive about getting a minivan after our 2nd was born, but it has been the most useful, comfortable vehicle I’ve ever owned. I still have my Jeep, but I have no qualms about driving our van. If I happen to have it with me at work, I volunteer to be the lunch transportation rather than us all packing into a pickup, or compact car that one of the other guys have. I’ve also gotten the same sort of comments about it being nicer than they thought once they get in it and ride with me.