Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Minivan Mom

Well I've done what I swore I would never do again. I bought a minivan. We wore out two of the damn things back when the twins were babies and toddlers - practicality won out over coolness - but almost six years ago husband shocked the shit out of me and bought us a brand new Acura MDX. I love that car! It's COOL! I had a cool car! But my driving 25,000 miles a year has taken it's toll plus the twins have long stork legs that no longer can fold themselves into the way back seat.

So we traded in our little P.O.S. (but fun to drive when it was working) '93 Saab 900 turbo convertible for a Honda Odyssey ex-l. It was a no brainer when we found out the Saab qualified for the Cash for Clunkers program. The credit we got for it was five or six times more than the car was worth *and* was the same amount we paid for it so I figure it's the only car we have ever made money on. Or at least broke even with.

We're keeping the Acura because *gulp* daughter will be driving in a little over a year - plus I LOVE that car! - so I can still be cool when I'm just hauling around one or two people and don't need enough leg room for my rapidly growing progeny. Plus it has AWD which, if we have another snowpocalypse, we will definitely need.

Road trip '09 starts on Friday and the new van will make it infinitely more comfortable for everyone. The things can watch movies on the dvd player, daughter can stretch out on the very back bench seat and sleep and I can count my pennies as I get 25 mpg on the highway.

But I won't be cool.

11 comments:

Yo said...

ohmygod OHMYGOD!! YOU'LL BE HERE SOON!!!

so glad you have the minivan. now we'll only need to take TWO cars while you're here!!

OHMYGODOHHMYALFLFAFAAWWWOOOOOOO!!!!

did i just yell alfalfa?? THAT'S how excited i am to see you!!

EmBee said...

Gulp indeed! Few stages in the growth of my child have given me this much stress... Stock up on Grecian formula NOW!

My Toyota Sienna is 2nd generation minivan uncool... but I love the height and the roominess!
:-)

Frogdancer said...

I was like you.... I'm never getting a minivan again. And I'm sticking to it!

But the Hondas are low... almost like a normal car. (They're around 70K brand new here... cars in Australia are really expensive.) Enjoy the roominess on the road trip!

Jason, as himself said...

No,you won't be cool. But mini-vans bring a certain level of convenience and practicality that make up for the lack of coolness.

I speak from experience. I have owned four, yes, count them, FOUR mini vans. We have named them all. One was named the Mormon Mover, one was the Grocery Getter, and our current one is affectionately referred to as the "homobile."

You will enjoy your trip much more in it that you would have otherwise!

ChiTown Girl said...

Girl, you'd be cool riding on the back of a donkey!

TSintheC said...

YOU will always be cool.

Anonymous said...

You ARE cool. That's what makes the vehicle cool.

Didn't you know?

Ok, drink a margarita then you'll believe me!

Shelly... said...

Well, it may not be cool but it will be comfie! You will have to come up with a clever name for her like Jason did. I am looking forward to my little stretch of the road trip with you guys in the new vehicle even if it is a minivan.

MOM #1 said...

You're so cool everyone will see it right through the minivanness!

Oh and don't start on offspring driving. Oh Lordy! Baby Boy is getting his license soon (make that very soon) and we are going to have 3 drivers and only one vehicle.

I need to hit the lotto pretty quickly if I'm going to remedy my situation anytime soon.

Nana said...

After riding in it from Seattle to Berkeley, I'll comment on it's "coolness."

Christy said...

The minivan kicked ass! On the inside you can't tell it's a minivan & that's where all the partying is done! Thank god you had that think to cart our asses around all weekend! :)