SUVs and minivans are the same to me...just own you want them. No one needs 8 seats, it may be more convenient. 2car seats fit in most sedans (even my old focus would fit 2). Why the oh but my minivan is better because....no. You like being higher (I do and why I drive a Subaru) or hAve a dog too, etc.
See, mine has crazy space in the back, even with the third row up.
It has a well under the floor - - it's like the size of a trunk in a sedan. PLUS it has all the room behind the third row.
So: this under the floor (it's showing the cargo organizer, an option. it comes as one big space. the area is literally big enough to stow a body, it's definitely big enough for a large stroller. not a double.):
plus, this on top of the floor:
IMHO, big enough for a full size stroller and a costco run.
That's not crazy space though. That's stacked on top of shit on top of shit space that means I either have to pull all the groceries out each time I want to take out the stroller space or put the stroller on top of groceries space.
And look, I'm not living on acres of room in the back of a chevy tracker either, trust. I just need a wee bit more depth and breadth, okay?
It seems like people really define themselves by their car. When you drive around in a 10+ year old Corolla you really don't give a shit.
Give a shit about what? Fuel economy, low repair costs, savings in the bank, secure retirement- Yes. What some asshole in a Navigator thinks of me? - NO. I think people who define who they are by what they drive are pretty shallow and insecure.
That's not crazy space though. That's stacked on top of shit on top of shit space that means I either have to pull all the groceries out each time I want to take out the stroller space or put the stroller on top of groceries space.
And look, I'm not living on acres of room in the back of a chevy tracker either, trust. I just need a wee bit more depth and breadth, okay?
why are you driving around with groceries in the back all the time, though?
you could stow the stroller in the underneath part, put the groceries above, go home, take the groceries out... walla!
And... there are indeed people who need more than 4 or 5 seats in a car.
The fact of the matter is that if you have two kids and two adults in your family, and you drive a sedan, you aren't fitting anybody else in your car, ever. No carpooling. No going to get a pizza with Auntie Jane. And we don't want to talk about having three kids.
It's not like when I was a kid and you could pile a bunch of kids into the back seat of a car. They're all in these humungous car seats. My H's mother is like 90 pounds dripping wet, 5'nothing, and there's no way in hell she could fit in the back of the xB between our kids' carseats.
Sure, carpooling and bringing others around aren't absolute needs. But we've had it come up enough that it was definitely a factor when we were choosing our current vehicle.
Why are we playing this stupid game though? I'm simply explaining my process and my lifestyle and why my car works for me. If you're in the mood to drive home immediately after grocery shopping, go do you, boo. That's faboo.
But I prefer to do all my errands in one trip whenever possible. That often involves carting laundry and groceries at the same time while needed the stroller to walk around downtown while pinky is at dance class or to the bakery (don't judge my fat ass) while the clothes are in the laundromat.
I went grocery shopping two days ago but I also hit up Joanns and once upon a child as well as kroger because for some reason, the commissary doesn't have kosher salt, which is irrelevant to the story but yeah lol. If I go home at any time between there, I'm not going to go back out that day. And the less days I'm out, the less money I spent.
::shrug::
No one is saying it can't be done another way. I'm simply saying this is the way that works for my routine and my lifestyle.
Oh god, yes. Here's comes the SUV DRIVERS ARE KILLERS parade.
Good lord.
just thought the same thing. because this thread wasn't long enough, now we need this to be rehashed. yet again. because the 13th post will change minds that the other 12, 90 page threads weren't thorough enough.
Also, I'm not apart of the why don't you drive a sedan contingent so that part of the argument isn't for me. lol
I'm part of the I have three kids and a dog and can't Romney my Boston terrier on road trips just to get some extra cargo space out of a minivan three times a year contingent.
I might also be part of the we might have five kids at the end of it all contingent. lol
I've been down this road before. I currently drive a small 4-door sedan. It's 7 years old. I can fit two car seats in the back, but it sucks. My H (6'5") cannot fit in my car unless he squishes DD's legs behind the drivers seat. I (5'10") can fit in the passenger seat only if my knees are right against the glove compartment due to DS's rear-facing seat.
So yes, it can be done, but I am certainly counting down the days until I can get a bigger vehicle. I don't know what it will be - there are a host of factors that will go into my decision. H currently drives an Explorer (Gifted to us!) and I can say that I've been stuck in my crap car in the snow many times, but H never has - the 4WD and high clearance helps a lot. (and knowing how to drive - which is not like it has not snowed, but rather slow and steady)
People can call bull$hit on the snow issue all they want, but when you compare our two cars it does make a big difference.
The "Jesus, not a minivan" uncool factor comes from desperate middle-aged dumpy moms refusing to realize that they're not, in fact, 25 anymore.
Heh. I've been driving a station wagon since I was 16 and I've definitely got the "oh noes a minivan" thing going on.
I think its more of a symbol than anything. When I got PG, a sanctimommy neighbor had lumped the minivan into a long list of things I would succumb to now that I was a parent: no more heels or fashionable clothing, no more sex, being fat, etc etc etc. I guess some of that is true (I still have 25 lbs to lose and found spitup on my suitjacket this morning) but others I can still control--like not driving a minivan when I don't really need one.
Plus, without question, it's the minivan drivers I despise most on the road. Those bitches are rarely paying attention. I'm not sure what the fuck it is but I spend more time throwing shade at a minivan with obnoxious stick figure decals than any other vehicle class.
Unless I'm in Florida. In Florida, it's either old ass broke down pick ups or slow rolling Lincoln towncars in the left lane commandeered by people who should probably have their licensed revoked.
I will be the first to admit I do not want the status symbol of a minivan. Although the sliding doors did give me pause in considering passing over to the dark side.
It is like how I mentally pat myself on the head because I still feel cute even with two kids; one being a 4 month old. I am vain what can I say.
Minivan people come across as very defensive and insecure. JFC. Who cares what you drive?
This is what I think of SUV drivers. I don't think it's "insecure" to call someone on their bullshit. "I wanted a car that was safe and affordable and would fit three car seats AND groceries. So I got a Durango."
Why does it matter why anyone gets the car they get? Get the car you like and leave everyone else alone about their choices. No one is morally superior because they drive a van vs a SUV vs. sedan vs a roadster. It's just a car and we all have our personal reasons for driving the car that we do.
Interesting. Maybe it's regional. Because here, as a runner and a biker, cabbies and SUVs lead the way in the "cars that have almost killed me" category.
I'm curious. When you think of soccer moms in your area, what are they most likely to drive?
Interesting. Maybe it's regional. Because here, as a runner and a biker, cabbies and SUVs lead the way in the "cars that have almost killed me" category.
I'm curious. When you think of soccer moms in your area, what are they most likely to drive?
I live in the same-ish area (well, until recently), so I'll answer too. Primarily SUVs. When someone almost runs me off the road, beeps at me, tries to punch me in the face, etc. 95& of the time it's a person in an SUV with kids.
I was hit by a mom who had just dropped her kid off at school. She left me lying in the middle of the road and no one in the school would talk. It was really awesome.
Ford Explorer, Honda CR-V are the two most prevalent in my area for soccer moms.
In mine, they drive minivans.
Also, old people drive minivans here. Apparently, they are easier for them to shuffle around other old people. Bingo playing blue haireds and the like on their way to Dennys for the blue plate special.
Interesting. Maybe it's regional. Because here, as a runner and a biker, cabbies and SUVs lead the way in the "cars that have almost killed me" category.
I'm curious. When you think of soccer moms in your area, what are they most likely to drive?
ours drive a pilot or bigger. single/older people drive CR-Vs.
I will say that when I have issues with SUV drivers, it's usually commandeered by women in too large sunglasses, perfectly dyed hair, and a general I am the shit attitude. Usually by themselves and occasionally with Mary Kay bumper stickers.
While we are on the subject of car driver stereotypes.
I feel really bad for saying this, but if not on the nest then where? I've been cut off or almost hit by a disproportionate number of Asian women in recent weeks. I absolutely do not believe in racial stereotyping but omg, Asian women need to stop cutting me off or I'm going to start thinking its true...