About to drive down to Louisiana today in our new minivan and man is that thing the shit. I've always been a bit of a closet @BigBird constantly talking up vans to others, now here I am with one of my own. The best part is this thing (Pacifica) drives 10x better than my wife's CR-V it replaced.
It's crazy how well most new cars drive and how easy they make long trips. I drove a Audi Q3 from Charlotte to Connecticut and while there where somethings I hated about the car it made that trip a breeze.
Ive transported a few bikes with a rental minivan... most needed the windshield removed as the opening was only 48" tall on the tailgate. The seats that fold into the floor are brilliant. With some planning & 120v access you could definitely comfortably camp in one. The other plus is the range... one could go 450 miles at 80mph easy... maybe even 500+ if you gave up a few mph.
There’s been a time or two I’d have liked to have a mini van. It’s like a pick ‘em up. Could use one a day or two a month but just can’t deal with the soul crushing ownership the other 28 days a month.
I had a company minivan (Dodge Caravan) for many years as my only car. It was great for hauling stuff, whether demo equipment to customers, moving my friends, carting sheets of drywall or plywood, etc. They get a laugh, but for the $, one of the most useful vehicles around for getting stuff done.
I can't wait till the Wifes new Sienna gets here in a few weeks. Partly because her equinox just shit the bed again (PCM) and partly because it's going to be an awesome roadtrip machine.
@RRP thats a premeditated felony if it’s near me and someone tosses me the keys. really, you want me anywhere in the US with something like that? Or a ghey ass pacifica?
FWIW, the new Kia Carnival eliminates minivan styling as a negative. Damn thing looks like a crossover SUV. Then only real giveaway is the location of the door handles on the back doors. I'm intrigued.
That’s what the bumper is for Dave (and suicidal Bambi’s and hipsters in a Prius cutting lanes when I’m going through Nashville during rush hour).
We have #2 on the way and wife’s Subaru will become my beach/snowboard car and she’s getting a minivan. I think I’m more excited to get a minivan than I was to get my Macan. Seriously. The thought of the kids throwing open a car door and singing someone else’s car just pisses me off, so minivan it is.
#1, if it's a work vehicle it doesn't really count as yours, you're stuck with it #2, don't you get a technical pass here?
Perhaps, but when I was laid off I bought the company van as part of the separation. Then I bought another one after that one died. (4-cyl Caravans last about 140-180K before they crap the bed). So I guess I just liked the utility of the van.
If they weren’t minivans they’d be awesome. By dad used to get a new loaded Chrysler every 2 years as he worked at the plant, the long wheel base Town and Country’s were awesome for boys road trips.