Minivan Recommendations

cowgirl836

Well-Known Member
Sep 3, 2009
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I’ve always lugged my kids around in my truck. It’s not super complicated or a feat of strength as seem in here seem to think. Kid goes in, kid goes out.

I doubt you've ever been 5'3 or 9 months pregnant carting an unwilling 2yr old back and forth. Or postpartum and carrying an infant seat.
 

besserheimerphat

Well-Known Member
Apr 11, 2006
11,488
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Mount Vernon, WA
Another parent at our daycare drives a lifted Ram. Leaves it running while he goes in and out (I guess it’s hazardous to stop and start the engine too quickly?). Doesn’t look ridiculous or impractical at all as he climbs up the steps to remove his infant from the car seat….
This is an old diesel thing. There are kernels of truth to it, but the conditions that make it a legit issue are pretty rare. Especially in modern engines.
 
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besserheimerphat

Well-Known Member
Apr 11, 2006
11,488
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Mount Vernon, WA
I’ve always lugged my kids around in my truck. It’s not super complicated or a feat of strength as seem in here seem to think. Kid goes in, kid goes out.
Do you drive them to school/daycare/activities every day, or does your wife do 90+% of that like in most households? Sure if it's a couple times a week it's no big deal. When it's your wife doing it multiple times a day every day of the week it becomes an issue.
 

CloneJD

Well-Known Member
May 14, 2020
1,284
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Do you drive them to school/daycare/activities every day, or does your wife do 90+% of that like in most households? Sure if it's a couple times a week it's no big deal. When it's your wife doing it multiple times a day every day of the week it becomes an issue.
Mostly split. Her extended SUV has the same chassis so not real different anyway.
 
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motorcy90

Well-Known Member
Aug 12, 2018
4,152
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Iowa
Had it pinned down to the telluride, palisade, and atlas
You have to ask what would you rather live with out of warranty? And maybe look up the FB groups on each for actual issues. A lot of people have traded their atlas's for the other 2. Though a van does better for people/things hauling.
 

BigTurk

Well-Known Member
Dec 17, 2013
2,949
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I have a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica plug-in sitting in my driveway now (rental). That’s a great vehicle and I wish we would have looked at than rather than the 2023 Subaru Outback.
 
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besserheimerphat

Well-Known Member
Apr 11, 2006
11,488
15,333
113
Mount Vernon, WA
I have a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica plug-in sitting in my driveway now (rental). That’s a great vehicle and I wish we would have looked at than rather than the 2023 Subaru Outback.
My wife has said she wants a Subie when we're out of the minivan game. Probably 5 to 7 years as our 3rd kid is going to be a HS frosh next year. Maybe I can talk her into an STI hatchback...

Our 4th kid is only 6 and has Down Syndrome so will probably live with us forever. (I'm not saying this as a bad thing, just how it is.)
 
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BigTurk

Well-Known Member
Dec 17, 2013
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My wife has said she wants a Subie when we're out of the minivan game. Probably 5 to 7 years as our 3rd kid is going to be a HS frosh next year. Maybe I can talk her into an STI hatchback...

Our 4th kid is only 6 and has Down Syndrome so will probably live with us forever. (I'm not saying this as a bad thing, just how it is.)
I wish Subaru had a PHEV that was the size of the Outback
 

SEIOWA CLONE

Well-Known Member
Dec 19, 2018
6,793
6,989
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63
We have purchased 5 minivans, 4 Chryslers and the last a Toyota, over all the Toyota has been the best of the group. My only complaint is that it does not have a heated steering wheel. Overall, well made and drives verry nice.
 
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Clonehomer

Well-Known Member
Apr 11, 2006
26,905
25,036
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We have purchased 5 minivans, 4 Chryslers and the last a Toyota, over all the Toyota has been the best of the group. My only complaint is that it does not have a heated steering wheel. Overall, well made and drives verry nice.

Love our Toyota. 13 years now and 150,000 miles. I do hope that ny the time we get a new one that they have a plug-in version and not just the hybrid. But with the way this one is running that may still be a few years off.
 

clonedude

Well-Known Member
Apr 16, 2006
33,053
29,307
113
We have purchased 5 minivans, 4 Chryslers and the last a Toyota, over all the Toyota has been the best of the group. My only complaint is that it does not have a heated steering wheel. Overall, well made and drives verry nice.

Ouch... 4 Chryslers? At least you eventually learned your lesson and got a Toyota.
 
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iowa_wildcat

Well-Known Member
Jan 25, 2008
2,344
819
113
76
Ames
I drove an Odyssey for a Honda dealership as the service department shuttle and parts vehicle. The Odyssey was treated like crap but refused to break. It was comfortable in snow, rain, hail, and wind and was still very quiet when it had 150K on it.
 

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