GM's thread about nothing (2 Viewers)

[General Malaise]

LOL.. No hockey right now, so Vancouver is less attractive.

Sell me on Portland. What's there?

THIS GUY!

 

[General Malaise]

Let's talk alternatives to the mini-van then, shall we?

NEEDS

- Used car, 3 years old or older

- Ideally less than $20,000

- Suitable for a family of 5 or more

- Must be somewhat fuel efficient and by that, I mean NOT a Dodge Durango or a Yukon - those things are brutal on gas

- Tough enough to take up and over the mountains with storage to hold our camping gear

I think I'm destined to buy a used minivan, but perhaps not. I am not the world's greatest car buyer, but I have always bought used cars and drive them for several years. I will never consider a lease and I will never buy brand new.

You should be able to pickup a 3-4 year old Toyota Highlander for between 20-25k.I would highly recommend. Third row seating - fits 7 comfortably, road trips, you can easily pack a family of five and full luggage (including two car seats if necessary). Gets about 20 mpg around town and 28-30 highway mpg. and this isn't the sticker mpg that fabricates and adds 5-10%, this is guru_007, tightwad, reset the tripometer every fillup, 60k miles approved mpg.

I'd say this is the best family vehicle I've ever purchased.

you are also an Infiniti owner/driver, right? Your opinion vaults to the top of the class, mon frere.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Could be worth it for "Going Rogue" jokes:

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=99845431&listingRecNum=6&criteria=sf1Dir%3DDESC%26stkTyp%3DU%26bsId%3D20217%26rd%3D150%26mlgId%3D28862%26crSrtFlds%3DstkTypId-feedSegId-mdId-prcId-mlgId-bsId%26zc%3D97214%26prcId%3D28644%26rn%3D0%26PMmt%3D0-0-0%26stkTypId%3D28881%26sf2Dir%3DASC%26sf1Nm%3Dprice%26sf2Nm%3Dmiles%26isDealerGrouping%3Dfalse%26rpp%3D50%26feedSegId%3D28705&aff=national&listType=1

Is this a minivan? Can't even tell anymore:

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=89604512&listingRecNum=13&criteria=sf1Dir%3DDESC%26stkTyp%3DU%26bsId%3D20217%26rd%3D150%26mlgId%3D28862%26crSrtFlds%3DstkTypId-feedSegId-mdId-prcId-mlgId-bsId%26zc%3D97214%26prcId%3D28644%26rn%3D0%26PMmt%3D0-0-0%26stkTypId%3D28881%26sf2Dir%3DASC%26sf1Nm%3Dprice%26sf2Nm%3Dmiles%26isDealerGrouping%3Dfalse%26rpp%3D50%26feedSegId%3D28705&aff=national&listType=1

Go Lesbian?

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=98823890&listingRecNum=24&criteria=sf1Dir%3DDESC%26stkTyp%3DU%26bsId%3D20217%26rd%3D150%26mlgId%3D28862%26crSrtFlds%3DstkTypId-feedSegId-mdId-prcId-mlgId-bsId%26zc%3D97214%26prcId%3D28644%26rn%3D0%26PMmt%3D0-0-0%26stkTypId%3D28881%26sf2Dir%3DASC%26sf1Nm%3Dprice%26sf2Nm%3Dmiles%26isDealerGrouping%3Dfalse%26rpp%3D50%26feedSegId%3D28705&aff=national&listType=1

Go Unpronounceable?

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=100610511&listingRecNum=49&criteria=sf1Dir%3DDESC%26stkTyp%3DU%26bsId%3D20217%26rd%3D150%26mlgId%3D28862%26crSrtFlds%3DstkTypId-feedSegId-mdId-prcId-mlgId-bsId%26zc%3D97214%26prcId%3D28644%26rn%3D0%26PMmt%3D0-0-0%26stkTypId%3D28881%26sf2Dir%3DASC%26sf1Nm%3Dprice%26sf2Nm%3Dmiles%26isDealerGrouping%3Dfalse%26rpp%3D50%26feedSegId%3D28705&aff=national&listType=1

 

[Mr.Pack]

Let's talk alternatives to the mini-van then, shall we?

NEEDS

- Used car, 3 years old or older

- Ideally less than $20,000

- Suitable for a family of 5 or more

- Must be somewhat fuel efficient and by that, I mean NOT a Dodge Durango or a Yukon - those things are brutal on gas

- Tough enough to take up and over the mountains with storage to hold our camping gear

I think I'm destined to buy a used minivan, but perhaps not. I am not the world's greatest car buyer, but I have always bought used cars and drive them for several years. I will never consider a lease and I will never buy brand new.

Rented one of these last weekend. Sweet ride!

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

If it were me I'd say to hell with gas mileage and get a honkin Yukon or Navigator or something. Something that looks like I might slang dope. If I have to have all of these kids, I might as well be comfortable.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

LOL.. No hockey right now, so Vancouver is less attractive.Sell me on Portland. What's there?

Winterhawks. Seth Jones.Looks like they have a homestand that weekend against Everett and Seattle on Fri/Sat nights.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

LOL.. No hockey right now, so Vancouver is less attractive.Sell me on Portland. What's there?

More tattooed strippers than anywhere else on Earth?

 

[General Malaise]

LOL.. No hockey right now, so Vancouver is less attractive.Sell me on Portland. What's there?

Minor league hockey games can be a lot of fun because we can get seats right on the glass for next to nothing. They host Seattle on Dec. 15th and Portland hates Seattle (for good reason, bunch of sissynecks up there). We can probably find some poker to play, cigars to smoke, spirits to ingest and trouble to get into. You can stay with us or you can probably priceline a 4-star hotel downtown for a song. Cosjobs stayed at the Benson Hotel for a steal of a deal. He had a great room with a nice view of downtown and it was centrally located, so he could amble about here or there. We have a little baby at home, so if you can get your business to comp you a room, you might want to enjoy the peace and quiet since you'll be away from your little ones that week. But our house is always open to you of course.Downtown Portland is much easier to get around than Seattle, imo. It is a much more walkable city with so much variety in food and bars close by. I once stayed next to Safeco Field in Seattle with my boys and my dad and we wanted to walk to a restaurant that would serve breakfast. Seems relatively simple, right? Wrong. We found a few bars that had breakfast, but wouldn't let minors in. We ended up having to eat at Starbucks. You won't have that problem in Portland. I also think you'll get a huge kick out of the Food Cart scene down here. The variety is incredible and I think you might enjoy sampling different things.Pause here.

 

[General Malaise]

Could be worth it for "Going Rogue" jokes:http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=99845431&listingRecNum=6&criteria=sf1Dir%3DDESC%26stkTyp%3DU%26bsId%3D20217%26rd%3D150%26mlgId%3D28862%26crSrtFlds%3DstkTypId-feedSegId-mdId-prcId-mlgId-bsId%26zc%3D97214%26prcId%3D28644%26rn%3D0%26PMmt%3D0-0-0%26stkTypId%3D28881%26sf2Dir%3DASC%26sf1Nm%3Dprice%26sf2Nm%3Dmiles%26isDealerGrouping%3Dfalse%26rpp%3D50%26feedSegId%3D28705&aff=national&listType=1Is this a minivan? Can't even tell anymore:http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=89604512&listingRecNum=13&criteria=sf1Dir%3DDESC%26stkTyp%3DU%26bsId%3D20217%26rd%3D150%26mlgId%3D28862%26crSrtFlds%3DstkTypId-feedSegId-mdId-prcId-mlgId-bsId%26zc%3D97214%26prcId%3D28644%26rn%3D0%26PMmt%3D0-0-0%26stkTypId%3D28881%26sf2Dir%3DASC%26sf1Nm%3Dprice%26sf2Nm%3Dmiles%26isDealerGrouping%3Dfalse%26rpp%3D50%26feedSegId%3D28705&aff=national&listType=1Go Lesbian?http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=98823890&listingRecNum=24&criteria=sf1Dir%3DDESC%26stkTyp%3DU%26bsId%3D20217%26rd%3D150%26mlgId%3D28862%26crSrtFlds%3DstkTypId-feedSegId-mdId-prcId-mlgId-bsId%26zc%3D97214%26prcId%3D28644%26rn%3D0%26PMmt%3D0-0-0%26stkTypId%3D28881%26sf2Dir%3DASC%26sf1Nm%3Dprice%26sf2Nm%3Dmiles%26isDealerGrouping%3Dfalse%26rpp%3D50%26feedSegId%3D28705&aff=national&listType=1Go Unpronounceable?http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=100610511&listingRecNum=49&criteria=sf1Dir%3DDESC%26stkTyp%3DU%26bsId%3D20217%26rd%3D150%26mlgId%3D28862%26crSrtFlds%3DstkTypId-feedSegId-mdId-prcId-mlgId-bsId%26zc%3D97214%26prcId%3D28644%26rn%3D0%26PMmt%3D0-0-0%26stkTypId%3D28881%26sf2Dir%3DASC%26sf1Nm%3Dprice%26sf2Nm%3Dmiles%26isDealerGrouping%3Dfalse%26rpp%3D50%26feedSegId%3D28705&aff=national&listType=1

lol @ "go unpronounceable". Men In Cleats had one of the best lines after he bought a Subaru a few years ago. He said "Ten Thousand Lesbians can't be wrong".

 

[General Malaise]

LOL.. No hockey right now, so Vancouver is less attractive.Sell me on Portland. What's there?

More tattooed strippers than anywhere else on Earth?

Yeah, that's pretty true.

 

[Sheriff Bart]

I listed my wife's car on Craigslist last week for $4,900 and sold it within 24 hours for $5,000 to a gal in Southern Utah who has been looking for this specific car, but found no inventory for it where she lives (out in the sticks, I guess). She financed the purchase through a credit union, so it took about a week for her to get everything squared away. From what I understand, Obama's Cash for Clunkers program stripped out a LOT of the used car inventory that was floating around, so for the first time car buyers (which this gal is, fresh out of college) the pickings for reliable used cars under $5,000 is slim.



Anyhow, YEAH OBAMA!!! :nonpoliticaltangent:

Also, I couldn't help but facebook stalk the new buyer.

Wife is pretty bummed to sell her car. She bought it when she graduated from college and it served her very well. But we need a little something bigger and since I am pot committed to riding my bike to and from work this winter, we don't need two cars sitting in our garage.

Anyhow, coming soon, my MINI VAN THREAD!!!!

I'll chalk it up to your hemp coated brain that you don't remember this is a sensitive subject for me.

Let's talk alternatives to the mini-van then, shall we?

NEEDS

- Used car, 3 years old or older

- Ideally less than $20,000

- Suitable for a family of 5 or more

- Must be somewhat fuel efficient and by that, I mean NOT a Dodge Durango or a Yukon - those things are brutal on gas

- Tough enough to take up and over the mountains with storage to hold our camping gear

I think I'm destined to buy a used minivan, but perhaps not. I am not the world's greatest car buyer, but I have always bought used cars and drive them for several years. I will never consider a lease and I will never buy brand new.

You should be able to pickup a 3-4 year old Toyota Highlander for between 20-25k.I would highly recommend. Third row seating - fits 7 comfortably, road trips, you can easily pack a family of five and full luggage (including two car seats if necessary). Gets about 20 mpg around town and 28-30 highway mpg. and this isn't the sticker mpg that fabricates and adds 5-10%, this is guru_007, tightwad, reset the tripometer every fillup, 60k miles approved mpg.

I'd say this is the best family vehicle I've ever purchased.

I have an 08 and love it. As far as the tripometer, you realize it calculates your MPG on the computer thing on your dash right?

 

[General Malaise]

If it were me I'd say to hell with gas mileage and get a honkin Yukon or Navigator or something. Something that looks like I might slang dope. If I have to have all of these kids, I might as well be comfortable.

My wife is kind of...save the planet-ey.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

Best costume pic I've seen this year.

 

[General Malaise]

I listed my wife's car on Craigslist last week for $4,900 and sold it within 24 hours for $5,000 to a gal in Southern Utah who has been looking for this specific car, but found no inventory for it where she lives (out in the sticks, I guess). She financed the purchase through a credit union, so it took about a week for her to get everything squared away. From what I understand, Obama's Cash for Clunkers program stripped out a LOT of the used car inventory that was floating around, so for the first time car buyers (which this gal is, fresh out of college) the pickings for reliable used cars under $5,000 is slim.



Anyhow, YEAH OBAMA!!! :nonpoliticaltangent:

Also, I couldn't help but facebook stalk the new buyer.

Wife is pretty bummed to sell her car. She bought it when she graduated from college and it served her very well. But we need a little something bigger and since I am pot committed to riding my bike to and from work this winter, we don't need two cars sitting in our garage.

Anyhow, coming soon, my MINI VAN THREAD!!!!

I'll chalk it up to your hemp coated brain that you don't remember this is a sensitive subject for me.

Let's talk alternatives to the mini-van then, shall we?

NEEDS

- Used car, 3 years old or older

- Ideally less than $20,000

- Suitable for a family of 5 or more

- Must be somewhat fuel efficient and by that, I mean NOT a Dodge Durango or a Yukon - those things are brutal on gas

- Tough enough to take up and over the mountains with storage to hold our camping gear

I think I'm destined to buy a used minivan, but perhaps not. I am not the world's greatest car buyer, but I have always bought used cars and drive them for several years. I will never consider a lease and I will never buy brand new.

You should be able to pickup a 3-4 year old Toyota Highlander for between 20-25k.I would highly recommend. Third row seating - fits 7 comfortably, road trips, you can easily pack a family of five and full luggage (including two car seats if necessary). Gets about 20 mpg around town and 28-30 highway mpg. and this isn't the sticker mpg that fabricates and adds 5-10%, this is guru_007, tightwad, reset the tripometer every fillup, 60k miles approved mpg.

I'd say this is the best family vehicle I've ever purchased.

I have an 08 and love it. As far as the tripometer, you realize it calculates your MPG on the computer thing on your dash right?

I'm on board here. I'll start looking for one of these to test drive. The only obstacle in my way is convincing my wife to buy foreign. Her dad works for GM.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

If it were me I'd say to hell with gas mileage and get a honkin Yukon or Navigator or something. Something that looks like I might slang dope. If I have to have all of these kids, I might as well be comfortable.

My wife is kind of...save the planet-ey.

SammyBronk cloth diaper save the planet or recycling beer cans save the planet?

 

[Mr. Pickles]

If it were me I'd say to hell with gas mileage and get a honkin Yukon or Navigator or something. Something that looks like I might slang dope. If I have to have all of these kids, I might as well be comfortable.

My wife is kind of...save the planet-ey.

Is "granola" too dated?

 

[General Malaise]

Best costume pic I've seen this year.

Awwwwww

 

[General Malaise]

If it were me I'd say to hell with gas mileage and get a honkin Yukon or Navigator or something. Something that looks like I might slang dope. If I have to have all of these kids, I might as well be comfortable.

My wife is kind of...save the planet-ey.

SammyBronk cloth diaper save the planet or recycling beer cans save the planet?

Oh, she was considering the cloth diapers, but I used one of my "choose your hill to die on very carefully when it comes to arguments with your wife" stands here, so we are disposable users now, thank Tebow. But she brings her own reusable bags into the store and will admonish me if I 'accidentally' crush a beer can and throw it in the garbage. I started recycling the beer bottles/cans again this summer and have enjoyed the $5-$6 refunds an alcoholic like me can get back at Albertsons.

 

[General Malaise]

If it were me I'd say to hell with gas mileage and get a honkin Yukon or Navigator or something. Something that looks like I might slang dope. If I have to have all of these kids, I might as well be comfortable.

My wife is kind of...save the planet-ey.

Is "granola" too dated?

She makes her own granola bars.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

If it were me I'd say to hell with gas mileage and get a honkin Yukon or Navigator or something. Something that looks like I might slang dope. If I have to have all of these kids, I might as well be comfortable.

My wife is kind of...save the planet-ey.

Is "granola" too dated?

She makes her own granola bars.

Is it any good?

 

[Sheriff Bart]

Best costume pic I've seen this year.

Awesome, why didn't I think of that. Of course Cal looks more like his namesake IMO.

 

[General Malaise]

If it were me I'd say to hell with gas mileage and get a honkin Yukon or Navigator or something. Something that looks like I might slang dope. If I have to have all of these kids, I might as well be comfortable.

My wife is kind of...save the planet-ey.

Is "granola" too dated?

She makes her own granola bars.

Is it any good?

She puts them in the boys lunches and they love them. I think they taste pretty good, but I choose to waste my calories on light beer and not snack food.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

Best costume pic I've seen this year.

Awesome, why didn't I think of that. Of course Cal looks more like his namesake IMO.

Cal with a tiger...

 

[Frostillicus]

Best costume pic I've seen this year.

Awesome, why didn't I think of that. Of course Cal looks more like his namesake IMO.

Cal with a tiger...

More Cal with a Tiger

 

[Captain Quinoa]

Best costume pic I've seen this year.

those your grandkids?

 

[shamwow!]

Best costume pic I've seen this year.

Awesome, why didn't I think of that. Of course Cal looks more like his namesake IMO.

Cal with a tiger...

More Cal with a Tiger

I love you people.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Best costume pic I've seen this year.

those your grandkids?

While we're on the subject, you got any security cam footage of your son's gf? In the shower if possible.

 

[Captain Quinoa]

Best costume pic I've seen this year.

those your grandkids?

While we're on the subject, you got any security cam footage of your son's gf? In the shower if possible.

since my son is 9 and you aren't Homer, I'll assume this question is for Tanner

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

Best costume pic I've seen this year.

those your grandkids?

Harrrrrr!

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

Best costume pic I've seen this year.

those your grandkids?

While we're on the subject, you got any security cam footage of your son's gf? In the shower if possible.

No. She's like 17, guy.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Best costume pic I've seen this year.

those your grandkids?

While we're on the subject, you got any security cam footage of your son's gf? In the shower if possible.

No. She's like 17, guy.

 

[Sheriff Bart]

Best costume pic I've seen this year.

Awesome, why didn't I think of that. Of course Cal looks more like his namesake IMO.

Cal with a tiger...

More Cal with a Tiger

I love you people.

 

[Captain Quinoa]

Best costume pic I've seen this year.

those your grandkids?

While we're on the subject, you got any security cam footage of your son's gf? In the shower if possible.

No. She's like 17, guy.

Does he let you sniff his fingers?

 

[Sheriff Bart]

 

[Angry Beavers]

Let's talk alternatives to the mini-van then, shall we?

NEEDS

- Used car, 3 years old or older

- Ideally less than $20,000

- Suitable for a family of 5 or more

- Must be somewhat fuel efficient and by that, I mean NOT a Dodge Durango or a Yukon - those things are brutal on gas

- Tough enough to take up and over the mountains with storage to hold our camping gear

I think I'm destined to buy a used minivan, but perhaps not. I am not the world's greatest car buyer, but I have always bought used cars and drive them for several years. I will never consider a lease and I will never buy brand new.

Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna. Been there and done that. We went with the Odyssey but really it is all about personal preference at that point. For those who mock the minivan ( and I used to be one of them), when you add that third kid and think of going anywhere with three kids and all their stuff, you really have no choice. The wife and I looked at, sat in, crawled all over every car/truck and van at the Cleveland autoshow a few years ago. It was painfully obvious that the only way to go was Minivan if you wanted to have a reasonable amount of room, or sell the third kid. Once you add gear for a sporting event, tournament or if a kid wants to bring a friend or two and then what are you going to do - with the Minivan - not an issue. Another good reason to have a minivan - holds plenty of full size drunk adults - 7 to be exact (and one sober driver) after the Kentucky Derby!!!

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Let's talk alternatives to the mini-van then, shall we?

NEEDS

- Used car, 3 years old or older

- Ideally less than $20,000

- Suitable for a family of 5 or more

- Must be somewhat fuel efficient and by that, I mean NOT a Dodge Durango or a Yukon - those things are brutal on gas

- Tough enough to take up and over the mountains with storage to hold our camping gear

I think I'm destined to buy a used minivan, but perhaps not. I am not the world's greatest car buyer, but I have always bought used cars and drive them for several years. I will never consider a lease and I will never buy brand new.

Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna. Been there and done that. We went with the Odyssey but really it is all about personal preference at that point. For those who mock the minivan ( and I used to be one of them), when you add that third kid and think of going anywhere with three kids and all their stuff, you really have no choice. The wife and I looked at, sat in, crawled all over every car/truck and van at the Cleveland autoshow a few years ago. It was painfully obvious that the only way to go was Minivan if you wanted to have a reasonable amount of room, or sell the third kid. Once you add gear for a sporting event, tournament or if a kid wants to bring a friend or two and then what are you going to do - with the Minivan - not an issue. Another good reason to have a minivan - holds plenty of full size drunk adults - 7 to be exact (and one sober driver) after the Kentucky Derby!!!

No brainer, imo.

 

[General Malaise]

Let's talk alternatives to the mini-van then, shall we?

NEEDS

- Used car, 3 years old or older

- Ideally less than $20,000

- Suitable for a family of 5 or more

- Must be somewhat fuel efficient and by that, I mean NOT a Dodge Durango or a Yukon - those things are brutal on gas

- Tough enough to take up and over the mountains with storage to hold our camping gear

I think I'm destined to buy a used minivan, but perhaps not. I am not the world's greatest car buyer, but I have always bought used cars and drive them for several years. I will never consider a lease and I will never buy brand new.

Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna. Been there and done that. We went with the Odyssey but really it is all about personal preference at that point. For those who mock the minivan ( and I used to be one of them), when you add that third kid and think of going anywhere with three kids and all their stuff, you really have no choice. The wife and I looked at, sat in, crawled all over every car/truck and van at the Cleveland autoshow a few years ago. It was painfully obvious that the only way to go was Minivan if you wanted to have a reasonable amount of room, or sell the third kid. Once you add gear for a sporting event, tournament or if a kid wants to bring a friend or two and then what are you going to do - with the Minivan - not an issue. Another good reason to have a minivan - holds plenty of full size drunk adults - 7 to be exact (and one sober driver) after the Kentucky Derby!!!

Good stuff. I think the Odyssey would be my preference, but we might also like to compare/contrast with a US automaker if we can. Does the US offer a minivan that compares at all with the Odyssey?

 

[Sheriff Bart]

Let's talk alternatives to the mini-van then, shall we?

NEEDS

- Used car, 3 years old or older

- Ideally less than $20,000

- Suitable for a family of 5 or more

- Must be somewhat fuel efficient and by that, I mean NOT a Dodge Durango or a Yukon - those things are brutal on gas

- Tough enough to take up and over the mountains with storage to hold our camping gear

I think I'm destined to buy a used minivan, but perhaps not. I am not the world's greatest car buyer, but I have always bought used cars and drive them for several years. I will never consider a lease and I will never buy brand new.

Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna. Been there and done that. We went with the Odyssey but really it is all about personal preference at that point. For those who mock the minivan ( and I used to be one of them), when you add that third kid and think of going anywhere with three kids and all their stuff, you really have no choice. The wife and I looked at, sat in, crawled all over every car/truck and van at the Cleveland autoshow a few years ago. It was painfully obvious that the only way to go was Minivan if you wanted to have a reasonable amount of room, or sell the third kid. Once you add gear for a sporting event, tournament or if a kid wants to bring a friend or two and then what are you going to do - with the Minivan - not an issue. Another good reason to have a minivan - holds plenty of full size drunk adults - 7 to be exact (and one sober driver) after the Kentucky Derby!!!

I bought an Odyssey for Mrs. SLB. Nice ride and TONS of room in the back plus the hold their value really well.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Let's talk alternatives to the mini-van then, shall we?

NEEDS

- Used car, 3 years old or older

- Ideally less than $20,000

- Suitable for a family of 5 or more

- Must be somewhat fuel efficient and by that, I mean NOT a Dodge Durango or a Yukon - those things are brutal on gas

- Tough enough to take up and over the mountains with storage to hold our camping gear

I think I'm destined to buy a used minivan, but perhaps not. I am not the world's greatest car buyer, but I have always bought used cars and drive them for several years. I will never consider a lease and I will never buy brand new.

Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna. Been there and done that. We went with the Odyssey but really it is all about personal preference at that point. For those who mock the minivan ( and I used to be one of them), when you add that third kid and think of going anywhere with three kids and all their stuff, you really have no choice. The wife and I looked at, sat in, crawled all over every car/truck and van at the Cleveland autoshow a few years ago. It was painfully obvious that the only way to go was Minivan if you wanted to have a reasonable amount of room, or sell the third kid. Once you add gear for a sporting event, tournament or if a kid wants to bring a friend or two and then what are you going to do - with the Minivan - not an issue. Another good reason to have a minivan - holds plenty of full size drunk adults - 7 to be exact (and one sober driver) after the Kentucky Derby!!!

No brainer, imo.

Sell the third kid, buy a Maserati.

 

[Sheriff Bart]

Let's talk alternatives to the mini-van then, shall we?

NEEDS

- Used car, 3 years old or older

- Ideally less than $20,000

- Suitable for a family of 5 or more

- Must be somewhat fuel efficient and by that, I mean NOT a Dodge Durango or a Yukon - those things are brutal on gas

- Tough enough to take up and over the mountains with storage to hold our camping gear

I think I'm destined to buy a used minivan, but perhaps not. I am not the world's greatest car buyer, but I have always bought used cars and drive them for several years. I will never consider a lease and I will never buy brand new.

Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna. Been there and done that. We went with the Odyssey but really it is all about personal preference at that point. For those who mock the minivan ( and I used to be one of them), when you add that third kid and think of going anywhere with three kids and all their stuff, you really have no choice. The wife and I looked at, sat in, crawled all over every car/truck and van at the Cleveland autoshow a few years ago. It was painfully obvious that the only way to go was Minivan if you wanted to have a reasonable amount of room, or sell the third kid. Once you add gear for a sporting event, tournament or if a kid wants to bring a friend or two and then what are you going to do - with the Minivan - not an issue. Another good reason to have a minivan - holds plenty of full size drunk adults - 7 to be exact (and one sober driver) after the Kentucky Derby!!!

Good stuff. I think the Odyssey would be my preference, but we might also like to compare/contrast with a US automaker if we can. Does the US offer a minivan that compares at all with the Odyssey?

In terms of holding value, I would say no.Rankings

 

[Kraft...]

We have an Odyssey, I like it because it's uber flexible. The rear seats stow into the floor and second row is removable, you can fit a lot of crap in there. I use it for tailgating Not the greatest looking minivan but when we shopped we liked it the best.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Let's talk alternatives to the mini-van then, shall we?

NEEDS

- Used car, 3 years old or older

- Ideally less than $20,000

- Suitable for a family of 5 or more

- Must be somewhat fuel efficient and by that, I mean NOT a Dodge Durango or a Yukon - those things are brutal on gas

- Tough enough to take up and over the mountains with storage to hold our camping gear

I think I'm destined to buy a used minivan, but perhaps not. I am not the world's greatest car buyer, but I have always bought used cars and drive them for several years. I will never consider a lease and I will never buy brand new.

Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna. Been there and done that. We went with the Odyssey but really it is all about personal preference at that point. For those who mock the minivan ( and I used to be one of them), when you add that third kid and think of going anywhere with three kids and all their stuff, you really have no choice. The wife and I looked at, sat in, crawled all over every car/truck and van at the Cleveland autoshow a few years ago. It was painfully obvious that the only way to go was Minivan if you wanted to have a reasonable amount of room, or sell the third kid. Once you add gear for a sporting event, tournament or if a kid wants to bring a friend or two and then what are you going to do - with the Minivan - not an issue. Another good reason to have a minivan - holds plenty of full size drunk adults - 7 to be exact (and one sober driver) after the Kentucky Derby!!!

Good stuff. I think the Odyssey would be my preference, but we might also like to compare/contrast with a US automaker if we can. Does the US offer a minivan that compares at all with the Odyssey?

In terms of holding value, I would say no.Rankings

EAT ROCKS, TERRORIST

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

We have an Odyssey, I like it because it's uber flexible. The rear seats stow into the floor and second row is removable, you can fit a lot of crap in there. I use it for tailgating Not the greatest looking minivan but when we shopped we liked it the best.

I laughed.

 

[Sheriff Bart]

Let's talk alternatives to the mini-van then, shall we?

NEEDS

- Used car, 3 years old or older

- Ideally less than $20,000

- Suitable for a family of 5 or more

- Must be somewhat fuel efficient and by that, I mean NOT a Dodge Durango or a Yukon - those things are brutal on gas

- Tough enough to take up and over the mountains with storage to hold our camping gear

I think I'm destined to buy a used minivan, but perhaps not. I am not the world's greatest car buyer, but I have always bought used cars and drive them for several years. I will never consider a lease and I will never buy brand new.

Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna. Been there and done that. We went with the Odyssey but really it is all about personal preference at that point. For those who mock the minivan ( and I used to be one of them), when you add that third kid and think of going anywhere with three kids and all their stuff, you really have no choice. The wife and I looked at, sat in, crawled all over every car/truck and van at the Cleveland autoshow a few years ago. It was painfully obvious that the only way to go was Minivan if you wanted to have a reasonable amount of room, or sell the third kid. Once you add gear for a sporting event, tournament or if a kid wants to bring a friend or two and then what are you going to do - with the Minivan - not an issue. Another good reason to have a minivan - holds plenty of full size drunk adults - 7 to be exact (and one sober driver) after the Kentucky Derby!!!

Good stuff. I think the Odyssey would be my preference, but we might also like to compare/contrast with a US automaker if we can. Does the US offer a minivan that compares at all with the Odyssey?

In terms of holding value, I would say no.Rankings

EAT ROCKS, TERRORIST

What the American cheese guy said.

 

[guru_007]

I have an 08 and love it. As far as the tripometer, you realize it calculates your MPG on the computer thing on your dash right?

That mpg display on the computer is inaccurate. There are certain things I am extremely nitpicky about and gas mileage is one of them. I reset the tripometer each time I fill up and always calculate mileage that way. If the computer display says I am getting 29 mpg, it is often off by a mile or two per gallon - always on the high side.

 

[commisholio]

Best costume pic I've seen this year.

Awesome, why didn't I think of that. Of course Cal looks more like his namesake IMO.

my little one even dressed up like a tiger this year. Would have taken some serious negotiating to get the big one to dress up like Calvin though. He was pretty fixated on being the Stig.

 

[commisholio]

Re minivan, we got a Mercedes R350 because my wife couldn't handle the idea of driving a minivan. You might look at one of those. They seat 7 comfortably and were the only things we could find that could do so smaller than a giant SUV that were not minivans.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Best costume pic I've seen this year.

Awesome, why didn't I think of that. Of course Cal looks more like his namesake IMO.

my little one even dressed up like a tiger this year. Would have taken some serious negotiating to get the big one to dress up like Calvin though. He was pretty fixated on being the Stig.

Awesome. Was trying to talk my kid into this as we watch Top Gear together...maybe next year.

 

[Angry Beavers]

Let's talk alternatives to the mini-van then, shall we?

NEEDS

- Used car, 3 years old or older

- Ideally less than $20,000

- Suitable for a family of 5 or more

- Must be somewhat fuel efficient and by that, I mean NOT a Dodge Durango or a Yukon - those things are brutal on gas

- Tough enough to take up and over the mountains with storage to hold our camping gear

I think I'm destined to buy a used minivan, but perhaps not. I am not the world's greatest car buyer, but I have always bought used cars and drive them for several years. I will never consider a lease and I will never buy brand new.

Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna. Been there and done that. We went with the Odyssey but really it is all about personal preference at that point. For those who mock the minivan ( and I used to be one of them), when you add that third kid and think of going anywhere with three kids and all their stuff, you really have no choice. The wife and I looked at, sat in, crawled all over every car/truck and van at the Cleveland autoshow a few years ago. It was painfully obvious that the only way to go was Minivan if you wanted to have a reasonable amount of room, or sell the third kid. Once you add gear for a sporting event, tournament or if a kid wants to bring a friend or two and then what are you going to do - with the Minivan - not an issue. Another good reason to have a minivan - holds plenty of full size drunk adults - 7 to be exact (and one sober driver) after the Kentucky Derby!!!

Good stuff. I think the Odyssey would be my preference, but we might also like to compare/contrast with a US automaker if we can. Does the US offer a minivan that compares at all with the Odyssey?

There is a Chrysler Town and Country which is also less expensive. Wife had an Accord and swore by Honda so you see how that conversation went. For the record, I also drive an Infiniti and am debating getting rid of my I35 after 200k miles - actually handing it down to a teenage driver. Tell ya what, those cars are not cheap, but after 200k , little is wrong with that car and I have beat on it pretty good. :knockswood: They are hard on tire and brakes, but that is about it. I bought that car used from the dealer after it had been a demo/loaner for the dealer and I would highly recommend going that way again if it is ever an option. Not likely with a minivan, but you never know.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Let's talk alternatives to the mini-van then, shall we?

NEEDS

- Used car, 3 years old or older

- Ideally less than $20,000

- Suitable for a family of 5 or more

- Must be somewhat fuel efficient and by that, I mean NOT a Dodge Durango or a Yukon - those things are brutal on gas

- Tough enough to take up and over the mountains with storage to hold our camping gear

I think I'm destined to buy a used minivan, but perhaps not. I am not the world's greatest car buyer, but I have always bought used cars and drive them for several years. I will never consider a lease and I will never buy brand new.

Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna. Been there and done that. We went with the Odyssey but really it is all about personal preference at that point. For those who mock the minivan ( and I used to be one of them), when you add that third kid and think of going anywhere with three kids and all their stuff, you really have no choice. The wife and I looked at, sat in, crawled all over every car/truck and van at the Cleveland autoshow a few years ago. It was painfully obvious that the only way to go was Minivan if you wanted to have a reasonable amount of room, or sell the third kid. Once you add gear for a sporting event, tournament or if a kid wants to bring a friend or two and then what are you going to do - with the Minivan - not an issue. Another good reason to have a minivan - holds plenty of full size drunk adults - 7 to be exact (and one sober driver) after the Kentucky Derby!!!

Good stuff. I think the Odyssey would be my preference, but we might also like to compare/contrast with a US automaker if we can. Does the US offer a minivan that compares at all with the Odyssey?

There is a Chrysler Town and Country which is also less expensive. Wife had an Accord and swore by Honda so you see how that conversation went. For the record, I also drive an Infiniti and am debating getting rid of my I35 after 200k miles - actually handing it down to a teenage driver. Tell ya what, those cars are not cheap, but after 200k , little is wrong with that car and I have beat on it pretty good. :knockswood: They are hard on tire and brakes, but that is about it. I bought that car used from the dealer after it had been a demo/loaner for the dealer and I would highly recommend going that way again if it is ever an option. Not likely with a minivan, but you never know.

I did this with my Silverado. It had 6k miles, up to 95k now.