Final installment on the minivan mini-adventure

[bjarvis]

Last night, Kent signed the last of the paperwork for the purchase of the new minivan, replacing the one stolen about two weeks ago. After confirming all was in accordance with our documentation, setting all of the conveniences and familiarizing ourselves with the plethora of gizmos, we happily drove it off the lot and took it home.

Comments

[qnetter]

So, dare I ask...

Why a minivan?

[bjarvis.livejournal.com]

In a nutshell, cargo & personnel capacity.

We spend a lot of time running lights & sound for local community groups. Kent builds a lot of sets & props as well. During the summer, we head to the trailer in West Virginia as often as possible. During the square dancing season, we frequently carpool extra dancers & their luggage to various regional events.

We've had a lot of success with prior minivans being able to haul stage equipment & tools, as well as people. The Grand Caravan has seating for seven adults and the rear seats can be stowed to allow enough internal capacity to haul 4x8 sheets of plywood, something we couldn't do with prior vehicles. The interior space is secure, climate controlled and comfortable, and the GC has better gas milage than most SUVs or pickups.

In short, the minivan was the best compromise for the list of tasks.

When there's only the pair of us, we typically use my Honda Civic LX (in the photo, just behind the Caravan) as it is more fuel efficient and vastly easier to park.

[trawnapanda.livejournal.com]

my friend Brian, the soccer mom.


have you thought of installing woodgrain mac-tac(tm) panels on the side to complete the station wagon look? or renting when you need extra capacity?

maybe I'm a jaundiced observer - I haven't owned a motor vehicle since 1992, I rent when I need to, and I know that my mortgage is tens of thousands of dollars smaller because of that.

a minivan. and no kids by way of excuse. (sigh)

[bjarvis.livejournal.com]

my friend Brian, the soccer mom.

Not exactly... the minivan is Kent's. We have many assets & liabilities which are jointly held, but the vehicles aren't among them: my civic is mine, his minivan is his.

a minivan. and no kids by way of excuse. (sigh)

No excuse required: we use ours for community service & volunteerism. It's rare that the old minivan ever left the driveway on a purely Kent & Brian-related mission. If it's just the pair of us, we take the Honda.

[kent4str.livejournal.com]

I'm not a soccer mom - I'm a lesbian. I drive a minivan, I have lots of power tools, I wear flannel frequently, and, while I don't own and Birkenstocks, all of my shoes are comfortable.

[apparentparadox]

That's right. I'm the soccer mom. I've got a Subaru wagon.

[bearfuz.livejournal.com]

You are hereby friended.

[trawnapanda.livejournal.com]

and I'll bet you neither shave your legs nor wear a bra

[paigemom.livejournal.com]

Very spiffy :)

You forgot to add in your list of reasons: If A and I spontaneously drop dead, you will have instant custody of a toddler and a great dane and you need the space (grin).

[bjarvis.livejournal.com]

That, and if the constitution is adjusted and W gets a third term, we'd need the extra cargo capacity to get ourselves and most treasured worldly possessions to Canada as quickly as possible. :-)

[paigemom.livejournal.com]

Including my daughter, I would expect!!!

[bjarvis.livejournal.com]

There's room for all in, say, northern Saskatchewan. :-)

[billeyler.livejournal.com]

I'm no longer large-car phobic. A few weeks ago, we were both stunned when we could fit two entire newly-purchased recliners in the back of my Saturn VUE, rather than me having to make two trips, or pay $$$ for delivery. (The tops were separate from the base).

And those darkened rear windows do help to keep nosy people from looking in the back.

[bjarvis.livejournal.com]

You'll get to see the new minivan live in another week!

[billeyler.livejournal.com]

And you in the flesh, in a manner of speaking! Hooray! Gorgeous Spring day here...hope it's decent in the Poconos!

[ciddyguy.livejournal.com]

I've considered getting a van at one point, may still eventually but for now I'm happy with my truck. :-)

I've always been one to like small wagons, hatchbacks and the like. Sedans never have done it for me even though I've owned enough of 'em in the past 24 save for one Civic hatchback and of course the truck.