Do I HAVE to get a mini-van?

[colorider]

Originally posted by BillG


I live in Switzerland.

For example, our former family car was a VW Passat wagon with AWD and we ran all season tires. I didn't buy winter tires and lived to regret it a few times. Unfortunately, the VW was basically a lemon. We got rid of it and bought a FWD Toyota van. When the season rolls around, we swap over to a full set winter tires on the van and it does just fine in the snow.

Even with all season tires, 4WD / AWD is great for getting going. The problem comes with braking. My experience is that winter tires brake and handle much, much better on the road. Off-road is a different story.

Obviously, the combination of AWD with winter tires is better still. If I have to pick only one or the other... give me a full set of winters.

I ran a VW Rabbit with studded snows the first two winters in the mountians and then bought a Subaru AWD - which I used basic all-season tires. No comparison (IMHO). My last 4 miles home was all gravel roads which may or may not have been plowed - and I never had a problem with the Subaru system.

YMMV

[hsubox]

Originally posted by BillG
Newsflash--- the Pilot isn't a babe magnet either!

If anything, when you drive a 7/8 passenger vehicle, the babes are going to run. They will fear your fertility!

You mean the girls aren't hooting at me in my truck because I look cool in it?

[colorider]

Originally posted by hsubox


You mean the girls aren't hooting at me in my truck because I look cool in it?

Were they waving as well? If so - how many fingers were they holding up?

[osteome]

Would anyone really call the Pilot a "truck"?

[colorider]

Originally posted by osteome
Would anyone really call the Pilot a "truck"?

I never did - but many here do. It's kind of a loose category and if all you have ever owned has been family sedans, I can understand why some would call it a truck.

YMMV

[jl_ss]

Originally posted by colorider


I never did - but many here do. It's kind of a loose category and if all you have ever owned has been family sedans, I can understand why some would call it a truck.

YMMV

And a large number of MDX owners call theirs a truck also, I don't agree......

[hsubox]

Originally posted by colorider


Were they waving as well? If so - how many fingers were they holding up?

Well, the jesture kinda looked like this: . I thought it was like thumbs up...errr...waitaminute.....DOHHH!

[waynerd]

Thanks for your input, y'all!

One of her girlfriends has a Sienna and keeps blowing in her ear we need one too. My wife likes the "push a button and the door opens" feature, so she can walk right in and put Jr in his carseat. I actually found it difficult to do that when we tried it on a van at the autoshow.

With a mini-van, I lose AWD (unless we pony up $$$ for a AWD Sienna) which is important in upstate New York. We lose our "portable changing table" with the 2nd row buckets instead of a bench. The slider doors I guess could be convenient in tight quarters, but I tend to park away from the crowd anyway. I bought the stinkin' running boards to make it easier for Jr to get in under his own power, too. The cargo capacity is less in the Pilot, but I bought the roof rack and will get a carrier when the need arises.

I'd like to get a Ridgeline (REALLY like to get a Tundra) but its just not practical for me right now. Yes, it's my truck (I classify it as a truck...sorry) and I really like it. It seems silly for her to get a mini-van, because she will rarely haul the kids around.

She seems to think everything will go SUBSTANTIALLY easier, faster, etc. with a mini-van....I mean LIGHT YEARS better. I guess we'll have to try them side-by-side and see.

I REALLY don't want one.

[rocky]

Sell the Subaru
AWD Sienna owners aren't entirely happy with their tires wearing out at 20k.

[jay]

Originally posted by waynerd
... My wife likes the "push a button and the door opens" feature, so she can walk right in and put Jr in his carseat. I actually found it difficult to do that when we tried it on a van at the autoshow.

....

I use the power hatch on my RX 330 every single day. It works great, and is really nice for opening that sucker when you have the fob strategically positioned with two handfulls of grocery bags. One push, and it's open, waiting for your load of groceries.