Which Vehicle???

We switched from a Ford Explorer to a Honda Odyssey - the new model in 2011. I did not want a minivan, however, after driving it for a few days, I have to say that I liked it a lot. I like the room in the back and it has plenty of space for road trips and third row seat is easy to put up and down as needed. Even with one of the seats up, there is still plenty of cargo room in the back. If you get an Odyssey, you won't have any problem trading it in in a few years, they keep their resell value better than other vehicles. I also like the way it drives better than the SUVs I test drove - (we tested a Honda, Toyota, and a Ford SUVs.) My old Ford Explorer drove like a truck, was noisy and I had terrible blind spots, but it was a 2002. Also, the Odyssey is made in USA! So even though I never wanted a minivan, I'm happy to have one now.

I've just bought two hybrid camrys, and my drivers and passengers are loving them! We need enough trunk space to fit wheelchairs and other stuff, and the mileage is amazing. I'm somewhat forced to move my whole fleet towards hybrids because fuel prices are so high.

Just a thought....Why not get the car that makes the most sense for your daily life. Put aside the gas money you are saving to rent an SUV for your annual trip. I'm just as guitly, but does it make sense to buy something with features you'll only use once a year if the downside is the added carbon footprint and expense of gas?

Personally I am of the opinion that you don't buy a car for the coolness factor, but for it's practical value. I would NEVER, ever buy a gas guzzler. Not because of my concern about our carbon footprint (though I do care about this in general) but out of concern for my wallet. I paid $4,24 for a gallon of gas today. Let's face it: gas prices will NEVER go back to the $1,50 level that they were in the 90's. Never, ever - no matter how much we drill baby drill or go to war.
So, unless you are ok with spending a substantial amount of your income on gas, compare by gas milage first and then by what you like.
I minivan or wagon sounds like a good solution for you.
Good luck.

I LOVE my 04 Durango too and we are in the same boat, debating the mini van. Just wanted to chime in that I love my Durango too.

Good luck

Why not a fullsize conversion van?

Or get a small car, a Prius, for your running around and shuttling to and fro. Then save for the larger vehicle. Or maybe rent one for trips.
I am driving a Flex. It;s small, but big enough for 2 teens and an 11 yo, with stuff, trumpets, music stands, clarinets, flutes, 5 chairs for soccer, ice chest. I still think its' too small.

Your 04 Durango probably gets about the same mpg's as the newer suburbans. We have a suburban and a small hybrid for good gas mileage. It's the best of both worlds. The suburban is great for those times when we are traveling with kids, dogs, cargo, etc. Everyone and everything will fit comfortably. Not sure if all would fit in a minivan comfortably... I guess it depends on what kind of dog you have. I used to have the "issue" with minivans not having the cool factor, but has your hubby taken a look at today's minivans? They really are pretty great! Good luck to you!

Time to rent Get Shorty.

"It's the cadillac of minivans."

Also... have you considered leasing? 3 year lease, then the car of your dreams (cough; needs, needs, I meant needs).

We had a Chrysler minivan about 5 years ago. It was awesome. Lots of space and seating. Once the lease was up on the minivan though, we decided to be hip and cool and get a Jeep Liberty and then a Mustang. I love the Liberty's stylish looks, the Mustang is sexy and great for two, but the in both vehicles, the seating stinks for the kids and there is no space for sports equipment and large strollers. Neither is practical for our lifestyle, but we're stuck for now. I can't wait to go back to the minivan. I've also heard that the Honda Odyssey is also a great minivan.

My hubby also said he'd never own a minivan. He would own a full size first. We have had suburbans and yukons before and like the room. We font buy new if lease and we have not had good luck with used. We don't feel Chevy makes them as good as they used to!! I would pick practicality over style if money may be a concern. Minivans are very useful. Good luck!!

I refuse to own a minivan. That being said, my husband HATES my Volvo (except the incredible comfort) and I hate his Fusion! LOL! So, it really doesn't matter if your DH doesn't like it as an everyday car, just so long as he is willing to drive it on those long trips.

For gas milage and storage, you can't beat a minivan. The good ones (the only ones worth having, IMHO) are quite expensive- think high 30s. SOME of the newer crossovers are good at both- think Acadia, Explorer, Flex, Durango. You will just have to go and look at them. See if the dealership will let you borrow one overnight and load it up like you would for a trip, and drive it around town.

If, in 3 years, you no longer want/need the minivan, then buy a used one or lease one. That way, you will HAVE to get a new car at the end of your lease.

Why do people always go for the Minivan? You said you wanted room for luggage and Dog you won't get it in a Minivan. They may be great . sitting but not for storage. I would go back to my suburban in a heart beat. We gave up our surburban when the kids went to college. We have an Aztec that has moved 3 kids to and from college into apartments and into a home after marriage. Unfornately they no longer make an Aztec and is a second to Suburban. Our Suburban was the ideal vehicle. We could take the five of us plus 3 and still have room for lots of luggage behind of the 3 row.

Minivan.

My Husband was like yours.
But once we got the minivan, he said he loves it!
It can fit his bike and my kids in it, and we all go bicycling.
For my Husband, the minivan is cool... because it can do everything and has the capacity for it and is SO useful.

My friends, their Husband wants to drive the minivan. Because it carries all their sports gear and their buddies.
Some have tinted windows, the roof rack for ocean sports, and it looks manly.
;)

We can fit 7 people in our van.

If he's in a crunch, he WILL drive the minivan and deal with it. I've seen other men do it, and they are still alive and not shunned by the general public. ;)

We always have this situation in our house, as I am a "car person" and DH is not. I let him choose HIS vehicle that works best for him and he lets me choose MY vehicle that works best for me. If we have to drive eachother's cars now and then, we suck it up and do it. So pick what works best for your family situation and what you're comfortable with. Hubby will come around!

Get the Suburban.
With your amount of family members AND equipment, I think you'd greatly benefit.
Not a fan of the space in min vans.
The Suburban will burn/take a lot of gas but I think the benefit (esp on long trips) is well worth it.

Good luck & let us know which one you chose to purchase!

Edit: lots more room in a Suburban for long, gangly teens! :)

I am always so surprised to hear there are still people who would "never drive a minivan." What are you teaching your kids? They hear that it is more important to be cool than comfortable, practical, and save money...? We loved our minivans over the years and we only have two kids. But they became very tall kids and we needed the room. We drove across country every summer to visit family ever since our kids were born. We loved the room, the gas mileage, the ease of parking, fitting it in our garage, and all the extra features like automatic doors, folding seats, etc. When our kids were in high school and we carpooled to games (small school with no bus), our car was the "cool" car because we had a DVD player. (It was thrown in for free as we always buy our cars around Thanksgiving/Christmas when there are great deals to be had.) We never discussed whether our purchases were cool or not, so even now, as adults, our kids aren't into the "coolness" of stuff as much as they are into the economics. My son-in-law is blown away by how thrifty my daughter is even though they have extra money to spend.

Same situation! I had an 03 Trailblazer and the cargo space just wasn't cutting it! The minivan fits our needs perfectly! I have 3 kids, all three play sports, two play full time travel softball. The gear, coolers, etc that we need fit perfectly for our weekend tournaments. My husband is not a fan of the minivan, but rides in it ALL THE TIME! He rarely drives it, but when I am out of town, he has started driving it, because it is sooooo much easier with all the kids! :) Your hubby may just come around when he sees how easy it is to transport everyone and all their stuff! :)

I can truly understand how your hubby feels about having a larger vehicle. We have also been looking at Suburbans. I want one so that we can have that extra room in the back. I always joke about the back being big enough to set up a play pen. All the vehicles we have had have been nice but the space behind the back seat is minimal. I like the idea of being able to carry bikes or soccer gear or tubs of storage stuff and not being imposed on in the seating area.

I get so tired of feeling cramped in my seat. The Suburban is on a truck frame, it has wider seats so they are always comfortable, they are a wider vehicle so the passengers that sit side by side are not on top of each other, etc....it is just a much more comfortable seating arrangement and is more set up for traveling and dealing with kids.

I would take a Suburban over any other vehicle in a flash. We just can't afford one right now. I'd take an older one if we could find one too.

I think if you are an outdoor family or one that goes places together they you need to space.

Minivan! Don't forget that if you are helping your kids move in and out of their college dorms, you will get a lot of good use out of a minivan too.

Minivans generally have a good trade-in value, so whenever you are ready for your regular car, you should be able to get good money with the trade-in. I have a feeling you'll probably want to keep the minivan for years to come though. When the kids start coming home from college with girlfriends/boyfriends or if you want to carpool with friends of your youngest children, you'll be glad you got the minivan. Good luck!

We have always had Suburbans since we had kids and they are the greatest cars. I get 18 mpg and we can haul the three kids the dog and their friends around with hockey or soccer gear. So comfortable and it does not look like a mini van (don't blame your husband for not wanting to drive one). They also have good resale value so if the kids are gone you could always get something else altho I still drive mine and it is over 10 and has never had anything wrong. I think you should listen to your husband. sounds like a pretty smart man.

I have a Yukon now and we have the same problems that you do with the Durango- very limited cargo space. We have to have the third row up at all times because we have four, soon five, kids. I am like your hubby- I'm anti minivan. The gas mileage does suck on my Yukon and will on a Suburban or Yukon XL, but for me, it is a sacrifice I am willing to make. We will get either a Suburban or an XL when we get another vehicle. In all actuality, mini vans have less room than the extended SUV's. Their cargo space is deeper, because they sit lower to the ground, but I have not been in a minivan that has more space than the full size SUV's. I'd say go with the SUV and then get a hybrid or something in a few years- it sounds like thats what you want to do anyway.

We are totally having the same debate! I'm going to watch and see what people say :) Good luck deciding!