I still want that Suburban, but I have to have a few more kids first.

I wonder if our parents felt the same about the station wagon? I wish they would start making those again.

But, I love my Honda Odyssey. It’s perfect.

Once I had my third child, I bought a minivan, because I thought I had too. I hated it, after two years I bought a trail blazer, and that was much better. Now my kids are older, and I have a car. Once your kids get older you find that you do not need all that room, and spending all that money on gas just really bugged me.

Have you looked at the Ford Flex? I’m in the same boat. I have 4 month old twins (thought we would stop at three…but surprise!!!) With four kids now we have to take two separate cars wherever we go. The minivan has really been sounding good. You would think they would make a hip looking van!!! I love my FJ Cruiser but will have to get over the coolness factor, because it is a pain!!! Good Luck!!!

After my third came I gave in and got the odyssey. I swore I would never do it, but I love everything abut it! The trunk alone is worth it. I can make a Costco run and it doesn’t look like I bought anything!

i have 2 kids, don’t need a mini-van and can’t wait to get one!!! why do they have such a bad stigma?? its just a car and one that makes so much sense. do most of these poeple who dread getting a mini-van zip around town in a convertible or a jaguar or a even a fully loaded range rover?? no! most of these moms alreay drive SUVs…like a volvo or mercedes or explorer…so seriously, a mini-van aint’ that much different. so if putting 3 car seats in is easier and the trunk is much bigger…why not?? you go girl!! get that mini-van. i’m soon to follow and excited about it!!!

I would get a VW Eurovan in a heartbeat–they are awesome. I also like the looks of the Ford Flex–they remind me of old Surf Woodys.

I feel compelled to introduce some testosterone to this dialogue. The Oddesy has a horsepower of 245. With seats removed can practically double as a truck. Rear seat flips back to create a tailgating bench. Can tow 3500 pounds of ________(insert toy). touring model rivals European interiors. Variable cylinder management, traction control, electronic brake distribution, one million airbags. If it wasn’t for this recession I would have got one for my daily driver when the wifey first G-Cal’d trying for baby number two. Current economy as it is we plan to shoehorn into what we have until a minivan is cheaper than couples-counseling. in the meantime I cant endorse enough the utility of a dorky roof top cargo box, timed with annual rei sale they cost one tenth the tax you will pay on a new mini-van. I haphazardly threw sand riddled bob stroller, toys, chairs, umbrellas, wet towels, dirty laundry, etc. into ours this weekend and the clutter free cabin made the bumper to bumper exodus from SD surprisingly relaxing. I don’t expect the idea to get any traction here as I already struggle to reconcile the fugly factor to my y-chromosome brethren but to me function first.

It was my husband who actually convinced me to go for the Sienna! I still think I would look WAY cuter in a convertible Beamer….but we all LOVE our van! It saved my back – the ease of loading the kids in to the car and who doesn’t need 20 cup holders?! Oh yeah, we can also fit bikes and surfboards very easily in – great option for outdoorsey types.

I love the refrence to fight club!

You mentioned the Hylander (18/24mpg) but not the Hybrid Hylander, but you went on to mention Cadillac’s Hybrid. The Hybrid Hylander gets 20/27 mpg. They get the 27 in city due to everytime you brake it charges up the battery.
You have 3 children, how much longer is the oldest in a car seat?
I have 4 kids but only 2 in car seat at a time. I drive a Prius which can hold 2 car seats in back with still room for a booster seat inbetween both car seats.
A bigger vehicle can be traded in within a few years so don’t stress if you find yourself in one. I do believe it is in the best interest of the childs future (which they will have-along with their childrens future) to thing environment. Look for low emmissions first, then low gas consumtion 2nd or try to do more activities closer to home.

I confess I own a minivan. I confess I love it. How was I able to make the crossover to “uncool”? This simple question: Really? Is it really your car that makes you cool or uncool once you’ve had children? Are the comfy beige undies you’re now donning cool? Are your sensible sneakers hip? Have you never looked better without make-up or is it just that you don’t have a single spare minute to put some on? Are you rockin that bikini with the additional “playful” skirt that in the recesses of your mind you think you remember your mom wearing? Really, didn’t we all lose our grip on cool the minute we agreed to pull the goalie and become parents? And isn’t that REALLY liberating?!

I absolutely love my Ford Edge. When baby #3 came, we contemplated moving up to a mini-van or larger SUV but I couldn’t quite bring myself to part with my Edge. It’s pretty tight in the backseat, but I did fit a rear-facing infant seat, forward-facing toddler seat, and a back-less booster seat back there. It also has plenty of room in the “cargo area” for a week’s worth of groceries, a stroller, and/or all the kiddie-necessities for our travels.

I have not seen any comments about the most useful aspect to the minivan – the automatic door – I could not function in elementary school pick up and drop off without it. I love my Sienna.