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The actual van we have, via the Toyota webpage
vs
One of the actual buses that Eric is looking at for me
We bought our Toyota Sienna in 2009 when I was pregnant with Finley. It was a year old and had previously been a rental van, so we got a great deal on a van that was in excellent condition. I never, ever, ever thought I would drive a minivan. I've always wanted a lot of kids, so I knew I'd drive a big vehicle, but I always thought it would be an SUV. After comparing prices and gas mileage on SUVs and minivans there was no contest. We decided to get a minivan.
After getting our van I fell in looooove with it. I might not look that cool driving it, but it's so convenient! It easily fits four carseats and I love the automatic doors and huge trunk. From all of the features you can tell it's made for a mama of small children.
Two years later, though, we're still making car payments. My husband has been trying to make as many changes as possible to rid us of unnecessary payments and spending and I'm all for this (I'm a huge Dave Ramsey fan, yo!), but for him this includes getting rid of my beloved van. Not to mention, Eric has fallen hard for all things VW (they're his newest obsession).
If I traded in my Sienna for a VW we would get rid of our (expensive) monthly car payment, make money, and, by Eric's standards, we would up our coolness factor (don't worry, he hasn't actually said that...that's just my words). It's a win-win for him. For me? Well, I'm not so sure. What do you think?
My opinion only and btw a VW van is my dream car! Hubs was going to get me one for my 40th but I said no not now and took a raincheck. Am I the ultimate bummer or what? As a mama of 3 littles though I would worry about the carseat situation. I am a firm believer in them and my 6 year old is still in one. Another concern would be breaking down. Seldom would you see a Sienna on the side of the road but there you would be with your 4 littles. I am an old mama too and you are so young so I am probably much more cautious. They are a cool ride!
ReplyDeletei love the VW! my only concern would be upkeep on an older car, and how unreliable it might be. and with little ones in tow that just might not be worth it. :-/
ReplyDeleteI think the VW's are cool (my uncle had one), however, I don't think I would be willing to give up the convenience of my Sienna for it (& mine doesn't even have automatic doors!). :) My biggest concern would be upkeep of an older vehicle & greater expense to repair them - we found that out the hard way when we owned a different VW model.
ReplyDeleteI could totally see you guys getting a VW & I'm sure the kids would love it, too!
You'd look very cool with VW van but my roommate had one in college and half the time she couldn't even drive it because it always needed repairs. There was also a number of times where we had to pick her up because "Clarice" had broken down again. I wouldn't want to have to do that with 4 kids. I wouldn't even want to do that with my one and only child.
ReplyDeleteit is tempting! i love VW vans. but agreed...i'd be too scared.
ReplyDeleteIt is so cool, but the others are making very good points. Let us know what you decide to do!
ReplyDeleteI love the VW! It's too fun. :)
ReplyDeleteReliability and safety are key with little ones. Just bot sure that the (very cool) VW would offer that piece of mind.
ReplyDeleteoh the mini-van question. what to do what to do. we have a mini-van and i don't think (at least while the kiddos are young) that we will be switching to anything else soon. the automatic doors had me at hello. :) i'm now officially spoiled by them. BUT, that VW van? your cool factor would sky rocket. absolutely love it, especially the color! we bought our honda odyssey on craigslist, it's on 05 and had quite the mileage on it (about 90,000), but we have been told they last forever. and we went with the no car payment option, so, that's just an idea, buying an older van. :)
ReplyDeleteYou may trade payments for costly repairs and safety/reliability. For me reliability with 3 kids is a must. I don't want to be stranded anywhere with them.
ReplyDeleteMy parents did a lot of things to be "cool," but I hated it and was so embarrassed (they drove a 15 passenger van and I can't even list all the dumb nicknames my friends came up with about it). I'd keep the car you have.
I agree I LOVE LOVE LOVE the VW. The upkeep would concern me and of course the safety features. They in no way can compare to a newer mini van with airbags, seat belts and of course the latch system built into cars these days. That would be my main concern safety. But boy would it be a fun van.
ReplyDeleteOh and air condition, air condition is a must in a car these days. At least where I live.
ReplyDeleteI can totally see you guys in a VW. That said...you're a busy mom of 4 little ones and while I don't have kids yet, I'd imagine that there are little gifts of convenience and time-saving things that make a WORLD of a difference, and it sounds like a lot of those might be in the minivan for you. I guess just ask yourself questions like, "How would it change to drive my kids to run errands if we had a VW?" etc.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think the VW is cool, but I would have concerns about the seat belts and carseats - do you remember Old Blue that we had while in Chico? We had to upgrade to a different minivan in order to put Hannah in to a booster seat because the seat belt system wasn't compatible. While cool, definitely do some investigating about the seat belt/car seat thing...
ReplyDeletea VW van is my dream car, and I think you'd be so cool to have it! and ya, we are huge dave fans, and my parents sold our white 12-passenger van and got a white suburban...but it's not really white...the guy who owned it before us, well, his 17 year old son decided to 'dress it up'. So when he was doing a spraypainting project for his mom, he took some to the car. This is brown spraypaint! He also used some white housepaint on the hood and parts of the doors...and then to top that all off he spraypainted 'gas' with an arrow to where the gas goes. Oh, and it also has a cattle guard on the front!
ReplyDeleteSo long story, but totally get outta debt and get the VW. :) Just my opinion!
We recently inherited a VW Beetle, 1965, and just so you know, you can buy shoulder belts conversion kits for them! We have 4 kids so we do not all fit in it, but we did add seat belts to the back seat so that at least 4 people can ride in it at a time. I would personally not give up my Honda Odyssey though for a VW. And I have the stripped down model with no automatic doors or anything, but it fits 4 kids well and is safe and comfortable. I agree with Abra, that if you can find a cheaper used van and get out of debt, while still maintaining safety and reliability, then take that option.
ReplyDeleteThat's a fantastic idea... Our third is due soon...I think I might have to copy you!
ReplyDeleteWe love VW vans, even wanted one for ourselves... but the big deal for me is that they don't go very vast and probably wouldn't be too reliable for long road trips down south. I think they are awesome second cars or for just around town, my 2 cents!
ReplyDeleteHi Morgan,
ReplyDeleteMegan told me I needed to message you on this seeing as I grew up riding around in a VW bug and van with 3 brothers and a sister. Just like your situation, my dad loves the fan and my mom has never been as big of a fan. From the perspective of the kid who had to ride in it: I used to hate it when I was younger. They don't have much power, especially when fully loaded for a family vacation. They tend to have minor break downs quite frequently. After graduating I really like it now. I have so many fun and funny memories with it. It is cheap to maintain and you get great gas mileage. For the rest of your life it may give you headaches but your husband will love it! Its hard for me to weigh in on what you should do but if I had to give my opinion I would have to say the VW due to the economic benefits and the memories.
One other thought. We have 3 kids and went for the Kia Rondo (crossover type of car). Brand new it was under $20K and more gas per gallon than a van too. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of a mini van, but it was cheap, new, super safe (five stars) and affordable.
ReplyDeleteoh man. I would faint the day my husband(future) would ask me to if I wanted a VW. I love the idea of having a VW van spilling over with "hippie" children. But, you have to make the wisest decision. I think if you will be doing mostly "town driving" in it, you will be fine, but if you are planning on long trips it might not do as well.
ReplyDeleteoh my. what a bunch of comments! i sold my pristine cherry red VW van when I had my son Moses 14 YEARS ago. it was hard to do but some important factors: 1.i was ALWAYS fixing it,taking it to the local college auto shop, not having a dependable vehicle,SEARCHING for parts like i was looking for kidney donations, bleh, it sucked horribly 2.i could see the road as i drove over it thru my floorboards around the gas and break pedal,daunting 3.safety features 4.comfort- they aren't.at all. it was always roasting or freezing depending on the season. 5. if you really want a VW.... the lady that bought mine had just retired and had always wanted one but it was never practical. her kids were finally grown and she had the money and the time to have it as a hobby vehicle. that is when it's the perfect time!
ReplyDeleteI have ALWAYS wanted a VW bus! They are too cute! I say go for it! Up your coolness factor! ;)
ReplyDeleteVW all the way! A VW bus is my dream car. :)
ReplyDeleteWow, I admire your open-mindedness for even considering it!
ReplyDeleteI would have to be in the minivan camp due to the improved safety of more modern vehicles and the whole reliability issue, air conditioning, airbags, etc. Also, if you hold onto your minivan, once you pay it off you'll likely not have to put money into repairing it for a long time as minivans tend to last a long time. I'm not a VW expert, but I do have a vague college memory of Peter LeDuc and Jeff Boian attempting to make a cross country trip in a VW van and getting to Arizona or somewhere like that before having to head back due to frequent breakdowns :)
I love the VW!!! I don't drive a van- we have a small Kia Rondo (7 passenger) but we don't have room for much else!
ReplyDeleteSteph
Can you trade in the '09 for an older Sienna?
ReplyDelete