Thanks for your comment! The gas mileage really kills me. The Toyota Highlander isn’t super either though. I think we’ll end up with a Highlander, just because I don’t want to drive a massive car if I don’t need to. I really want an SUV with sliding doors, (seems like the best of both worlds), but I believe the Mazda 5 is the only one of its kind. The problem with the Mazda 5 is the smaller leg room in the front seat. I’m 6’1” and it definitely won’t fit me comfortably 🙁

I completely agree that minivans seem like yachts – I think I need some time to get used to the actual reality of them myself, honestly, before I commit the family budget to one next year or so 🙂

Thanks for the comment. My husband also wanted a decked out van. He said we could skip the electronics packages, but he wanted all of the other extras. I agree that you will get accustomed to driving larger vehicles. I went from a Camry to a Highlander without any problem, but I must admit the minivan seemed monstrously large to me. It felt like I was sitting behind the wheel of the Titanic. It’s probably only a few inches longer, but it felt massively wide!

Of course the one he wants is all kitted out and so we don’t want to spend that kind of money now even if we do keep it for age. I’m personally indifferent, I neither love or hate the idea of driving it, I just want to be sure that I can handle it but I figure I’d get used it just as I became accustomed to driving different sized trucks and station wagons. The funny thing is the more modern minivans get way better gas mileage than our current bigger sedan so that’s sort of an incentive for us.

Yeah, I think it’s that frumpy mom feeling that I can’t shake. When I think of minivans I just think of crackers ground into the mats and spilled milk. I know that’s silly, but I can’t shake the thought.

We’ve purchased three or four used vehicles in the past, but we bought all of them from close family members and friends. The few times my parents bought used from strangers, (my first car comes to mind), they were fed the ‘an old lady drove it’ line, but then found out the car had extensive problems. This time around we’re buying new. I plan to keep the car until it won’t run any longer and I’ve decided if I’m going to hold it I might as well purchase new and know that it’s backed by a solid warranty.

Thanks Jenny. I tend to agree with your sentiment. If I disliked the idea a little it might not be so bad, but I really do NOT want to drive a minivan and I’m not certain the features will help me change my mind at any point in the near future 🙂

Thanks for your comment! I definitely fear spending money on a car that I won’t like driving and then being stuck with it for 15 yeas!

Since we hold on to cars forever I don’t really want to buy a car I don’t love. I’m with you, I didn’t consider a minivan until the car salesman opened the doors and led us into one 🙂