June 09, 2008

I'm givin in

So the time has come to give up my gas chugger. After paying WAY too much money for gas lately, I have had an epiphany that I should get a van. Yes a minivan. Now I have nothing against minivans.When I was growing up my mom had a minivan...but she was old so it was ok. I keep forgetting that I too am now "old" and deserving of one. We were in Jeremy's moms minivan a lot last week and it was so easy to get my kids in and out. I was totally converted. I really think I'm going to get one. So my question to you is what kind? I know absolutely nothing about cars, so you minivan owners out there-I need your opinion. What kind do you have? What features do you like? Do you get good gas mileage? Do you have to custom order the wood paneling? I'm just dying to know!

13 comments:

  1. Anonymous6/10/2008

    so i was old, huh . . .

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  2. Yeah, and that was like 15 years ago :)

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  3. yeah...a minivan!!

    We have a Chrysler Town & Country and love it. Ours is a 2003...but I would DIE for the new models! Stow and Go is a must and the new models have some amazing features. DVD is a must...we only have a portable in mine...and after this last trip of driving 8+ hours...I wish I had a built in one...or double screen.

    And MPG...we had 25.7 on the way home from UT yesterday. 8 hours! Pretty good!

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  4. From my short experience at working at a car dealership I know that Steve really recommended the Honda Odyssey's first! They are by far the best van you can get, but they are also more expensive. He sold a lot of Town & Country's and Toyota Sienna's! Those are the three that he chose to sell because they are by far the most reliable. I know that vans get a lot better gas mileage than SUV's simply because of their smaller engine, but I don't really know much more than that!

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  5. Julie, I really like my Dodge Grand Caravan, if I had an unlimited budget I would have a Honda Odyssey, but for the price the caravan is a great option, it is basically the same as the Chrysler Town and Country, but generally less expensive (made by the same company, sold with different name, Chrysler sells for more). If it fits in your budget I would definately get a model new enough to get stow and go, I love it!! (Mine is an 06 I think)

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  6. first I have to say HA HA!! I never want a minivan...and neither does Ryan so thats good, but they are nice and easy to get kids in and out of. But Ryan did say being the crazy car guy he is, if we ever had to get one the only one he would own is the Honda Odyssey. Mainly because its a Honda and its not an american car. The resale value will always be good and they will last forever. I'm pretty sure thats what Anne Marie has and she loves it! Good Luck!

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  7. or you should get the cool new one that has the table and chairs that spin around...now i would have that one!! I thinks its the new Town and Country.

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  8. Anonymous6/10/2008

    you're grounded.

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  9. Well, since your getting a minivan, I guess you get to drive to Utah from now on, since you'll be getting better gas mileage, plus we won't have to worry about any creepy guys picking up on us because they'll automatically assume we're at least in our 30's with 6 kids each, since we will be in a minivan. (ha, ha, j/k.) I really will be jealous of your total mom car when your getting 25 miles to the gallon and I'm gettin' 15!!

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  10. Julie,
    So sorry for the delay in reply. I will try over the next couple of days to email all the info to you..By Friday at the latest... By the way... Will you be towing anything? Other than that I know many who love their toyota minivans. I know they are awesome for families but there is nothing like sittin in my "Rango" (my kids call it) and being able to feel tall and powerful (yes there is a hemi)! Avg. is 21 miles to gallon too!!
    Thank you again for your wonderful site!! Mel

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  11. No kidding! Love the pic! I filled up my "flex fuel", high tech - will run on 4 cylinders on the freeway Suburban yesterday. I put in regular gas, at $4.59 per gallon. I swiped my card, and the pump shut off after 13 gallons cost me $60.00. I re-loaded the card, bought another 13 gallons for $60.00. I re-entered my card info, spent another $6.29, and after pumping a total of 27 gallons, and spending 126.29 my 30 gallon tank was full. Last June I paid $57.00 to fill up. Unbelievable!

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  12. Julie,
    We have a 2000 honday oddysey, and I love it!! We were able to find it off of Portland Craigslist for $9000 which was a steal considering it should have gone for at least $12,000. You can't go wrong with the oddysey or Toyota Sienna. Ours had 70,000 miles on it when we got it, and since it is a Honda, it should have a lot of life left in it!

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  13. Hey I have a question. Did you draw your header in Illustrator? Or do you use a special program. I have been designing baby announcements using illustrator and am looking for other software. I love your blogs layout.

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