https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 28 Apr 2026 08:46:00 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-else-anti-minivan/page/2#post-2214821 Mon, 22 Jun 2015 06:11:29 +0000 Orchid 2214821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sarac: Hmmm. Fold down the third row and there's a lot of space there for adult fun! Things can get wild back there :-)</p> <p>I used to be totally anti-van but I'm a convert. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-else-anti-minivan/page/2#post-2214818 Mon, 22 Jun 2015 05:57:15 +0000 honeybear 2214818@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm with those who think the SUV has become a major mom-mobile. Honestly, I think they're also uglier and sillier than any mini-van. </p> <p>My chief objection, however, is that SUVs are hugely wasteful both in environmental and economic terms if the primary use for them is "hauling" small children around on nicely groomed, flat roads, or driving a single adult (or even 2-4 of them) to an office job, or some equivalent activity. But then again I don't put much stock in the "They're so much more comfortable" sales line, because I aim to spend as little time in my car as possible. The less cushy it is, the better, in my opinion. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-else-anti-minivan/page/2#post-2214790 Sun, 21 Jun 2015 23:44:38 +0000 youboots 2214790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chopsuey: I was drooling over a Q7 today. Glad to know there is room to spare. They are gorgeous. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-else-anti-minivan#post-2214789 Sun, 21 Jun 2015 23:42:39 +0000 youboots 2214789@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sarac: ha, well said.</p> <p>We have one, will likely have a second but there will never be on in our future. Firm SUV family here. </p> <p>I don't count our 78 VW as a mini van.... But I guess it is. I consider it a camper van more than a family daily driver. Oh the irony. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-else-anti-minivan#post-2214546 Sun, 21 Jun 2015 11:04:16 +0000 birdofafeather 2214546@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to be anti until I had a kid and realized how much crap they have. We travel a lot and have to haul stuff. The third row SUVs are cool until you actually have to have 7 people and their stuff fit! The plan is for 3 kids and I'm assuming a van is gonna come along with it! I like the blacked out loaded Siennas. They look cool. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-else-anti-minivan#post-2214537 Sun, 21 Jun 2015 10:05:14 +0000 MrsSCB 2214537@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At this point, I don't see a huge difference between mini-vans and SUVs. I know a lot of the mini-van hate grew out of the idea that they were just so stereotypically a "mom car." Like, "I may have kids but I'm never going to have one of those soccer mom mini-vans!" But these days I think SUVs are basically the new "mom-car" so it sort of seems like a potato-potahto situation to me, haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-else-anti-minivan#post-2214533 Sun, 21 Jun 2015 09:50:06 +0000 sapphire 2214533@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No van here. I like something that is more fuel efficient and easy to park in small spaces. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-else-anti-minivan#post-2214521 Sun, 21 Jun 2015 09:26:01 +0000 autumnlove 2214521@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband was opposed but we are getting one before LO 3 arrives. We test drove a few larger SUVs and decided a minivan was better for us right now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-else-anti-minivan#post-2214516 Sun, 21 Jun 2015 09:13:11 +0000 tofuwad 2214516@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DH is convinced that despite the fact we want 3+ kids, we'll never get a mini-van. We are years away from that decision though, so I just figure we'll see once we get there. Personally I feel like it's inevitable. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-else-anti-minivan#post-2214511 Sun, 21 Jun 2015 09:07:02 +0000 lady baltimore 2214511@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No minivans here! But then, I don't want anything bigger than my Corolla, so I am not the target market, I don't think. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-else-anti-minivan#post-2214504 Sun, 21 Jun 2015 08:31:57 +0000 jedeve 2214504@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I get that they don't look as cool as SUVs, but I don't think I could justify the reduced gas mileage just for style. I always thought SUVs for driving around towns was kind of silly. Now we live in a place where we could actually use the sport utility aspect. But minivans provide enough weight and stability in snow and ice anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-else-anti-minivan#post-2214500 Sun, 21 Jun 2015 08:28:45 +0000 Silva 2214500@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrscobee: i was for a long time, but since deciding we want three kids, our next car will be a mini van.<br /> I tried really hard to find something else that would work, but they are just designed for families. Unless you get a massive suv you won't have trunk space when all the seats are in use. And I figure, we won't just be transporting our three kids, we will also need to take their friends places. And long car trips? Give me all the room.</p> <p>The sienna comes in all wheel drive. I've also decided I will probably skip that feature, since if I'm being realistic we only "need" AWD maybe 10 times a year so it's not worth the hit on gas mileage.<br /> I admit I'm kind of bummed because I much prefer the way the highlander (which is the svu we were considering) looks, but for cost and features it just makes sense to get the sienna.<br /> I had to do some soul searching and look hard at my ego. I also made my husband agree that when our family is older and we no longer need the mini van I can get whatever impractical and fun vehicle that I want ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-else-anti-minivan#post-2214499 Sun, 21 Jun 2015 08:24:54 +0000 WinterBee 2214499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrscobee: I don't have any kids yet, but I am firmly anti-van.<br /> My husband actually wants a van, but I will not be using it as my main vehicle. I'd rather use an SUV even though DH says it's 'just a high van with less space' lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-else-anti-minivan#post-2214495 Sun, 21 Jun 2015 08:17:29 +0000 chopsuey 2214495@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not anti minivan, but I prefer SUVs. </p> <p>I have an Audi Q7 and it's perfect for our family of 4. My sil and her girls stayed with us last week and all of us drove around in my car--4 kids in car seats + 2-3 adults. Didn't feel cramped at all :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-else-anti-minivan#post-2214469 Sun, 21 Jun 2015 06:25:31 +0000 looch 2214469@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love them, but with one kid, it doesn't make sense.</p> <p>If Tesla made one, my husband would be all over it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-else-anti-minivan#post-2214459 Sun, 21 Jun 2015 04:33:49 +0000 Andrea 2214459@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My sedan works well with the 2 kids so I have been sticking with that. I don't even want to drive an SUV! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-else-anti-minivan#post-2214458 Sun, 21 Jun 2015 04:26:10 +0000 FannyMae 2214458@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't shoot me peoples, but I went to volkswagen to have a look at the passat and I have dreams of being a soccer mommmmm with a transporter van hahaha I could never ever drive one though cos they're just mega massive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-else-anti-minivan#post-2214451 Sun, 21 Jun 2015 02:36:22 +0000 aderyn 2214451@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Planning on 2-3 kids. We have a Jeep Liberty in the US, where we will be living in a few months to a year, and that will fit 3 kids with room in the back for stuff. I don't plan on ever owning one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-else-anti-minivan#post-2214447 Sun, 21 Jun 2015 01:44:52 +0000 Kimberlybee 2214447@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DH is very anti minivan. He thinks they are so ugly but I am positive I can change his mind if we have another one. I'll be the one driving it so I am determined to own one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-else-anti-minivan#post-2214442 Sun, 21 Jun 2015 01:04:47 +0000 HLK208 2214442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was so anti minivan until we had a third baby and I couldn't get all the kids in the car safely. Sliding doors work best to get everyone in, without someone wandering into the parking lot so we bit the bullet. It's really not as bad as I once thought. I don't think anyone thinks differently of me! And my kids are safe and have more room than my old SUV so we're happy with it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-else-anti-minivan#post-2214438 Sun, 21 Jun 2015 00:15:11 +0000 coopsmama 2214438@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely not anti-mini van. I'm not anti anything that helps make parenting easier haha... and mini vans do that for some families! I only currently have two and they fit well in my small SUV but I wouldn't let pride get in the way if I had more and we needed to make a change and a mini van would fit the bill. Obviously it wouldn't be my first choice but for certain life stages and family sizes I think they are a great option and you do what ya gotta do! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-else-anti-minivan#post-2214437 Sun, 21 Jun 2015 00:12:59 +0000 Boogs 2214437@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't want one. DH does for my next car and I told him he can give up his truck for a van. :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-else-anti-minivan#post-2214436 Sun, 21 Jun 2015 00:06:32 +0000 sarac 2214436@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would never. Never! Minivans just seem like the death of sex, to me, although they really must not be. But two children is my absolute max anyway, so I don't need one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-else-anti-minivan#post-2214419 Sat, 20 Jun 2015 22:22:27 +0000 erinpye 2214419@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep! Never wanted one, and now with 2 kids I still don't. I think they're fine, I just associate them with my mom! :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-else-anti-minivan#post-2214413 Sat, 20 Jun 2015 22:10:03 +0000 mrscobee 2214413@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ScarletBegonia: hahaha!!!!! I hear ya! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-else-anti-minivan#post-2214409 Sat, 20 Jun 2015 21:54:09 +0000 ScarletBegonia 2214409@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrscobee: Oh yeah absolutely they look way better to me too, and seem safer/more reliable. But you should have seen the look on my mom's face when we got our gigantic wood-panneled-sided poo brown Chrysler in 1988! She thought it was the most beautiful thing in the world! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-else-anti-minivan#post-2214405 Sat, 20 Jun 2015 21:40:23 +0000 mrscobee 2214405@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ScarletBegonia: That very well could be, although I'm not totally convinced of that since SUVs have other purposes (i.e. towing capacity and ability to drive through snow) and are made by luxury car manufacturers... But yes, there are many SUVs that don't fit these categories which could arguably be this decade's version of a van... I still think they look sportier though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-else-anti-minivan#post-2214404 Sat, 20 Jun 2015 21:38:32 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2214404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not wanting a van either! Only have one so far but hoping to make it work well in our CRV! It's big enough, I think, (3 year spacing so ONLY one single strollee to store) but not so big that parking stalls become an issue. I agree with @ScarletBegonia: that SUVs are more in fashion now! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-else-anti-minivan#post-2214403 Sat, 20 Jun 2015 21:34:41 +0000 ScarletBegonia 2214403@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't really care either way, but I do feel that SUVs are the minivans of the 2000s/2010s. Its all just what's in fashion I think! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyone-else-anti-minivan#post-2214400 Sat, 20 Jun 2015 21:25:18 +0000 mrscobee 2214400@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: Yes, they have a lot of great features for sure. There is no denying that. But for some reason I'm still (irrationally perhaps) against them for myself lol! I'm only pregnant with my first so don't really have to even have an SUV for a while though. </p>