ALT-2 What to look for when Buying a Minivan
How to Buy A Mini Van Without Looking Like A Soccer Mom
Let's be real.
Making the decision to buy a mini van comes with some reservation. Back in the 60's, the same emotions were tied to buying that first station wagon for the family.
There's just something scary and intimidating about the thought processes that lead to the realization that a mini van is cost effective for you that also screams out.
"YOU ARE NOT A TEENAGER ANYMORE AND YOU NEVER WILL BE! YOU ARE GETTING OLD, FACE IT"
Then there is the part of you that resigns itself to the fact that the motto
"JUST DO IT"now applies to you in a different way.
So begins the journey into researching just what to look for when adding a mini van to your list of 'Cars I have Owned'.
The first thing to do, of course, is look for something with style. Remembering the first mini vans, and how they looked like a shoebox full of kids and a dog going down the road, will make you shudder.
This too shall pass.
The brilliant developers at Chevrolet have designed a new mini van that they refer to as a 'crossover'. It looks like a crossbreeding between a SUV and a station wagon. They call it the Chevrolet Maxx.
Check it out: http://newautos.about.com/od/buyingadvic1/a/bodystyl_choose.htm
Probably the best improvement, besides looks, that have been made in mini vans over the years is the 4th door. The one behind the drivers seat. No more jogging around the vehicle to get the door open before the youngsters try to figure it out and fall to the curb.
Some Important Do's and Don'ts
- DON'T take the kids with you when you go shopping for a mini van. They will want the one with the drop down TV, Playstation Game built in and all the other gadgets. Unless you are planning to spend several days in the vehicle as a family, those are luxuries your kids can live without and so can your budget.
- DO: Keep in mind your own childhood and what you did to entertain yourself on long trips. Your kids will survive the same way you did. And besides, it will provide bonding between you and your kids as you happily relate to them the good old days. Kids love to hear about the good old days. Don't let their rolled eyes and sighs fool you. Deep inside, they want to know all about your youth and how tough it was back in the old days.
- DO: If you kids are not enrolled in soccer, now would be the time to do it. Just kidding! Gees, can't you take a joke now that you are getting old?
- DON'T let the salesman talk you into test driving the super loaded model for the week end.THINK BUDGET
- DO have a 2 car garage built before your purchase. This way you can hide the vehicle when your cool friends come over. You know, the ones that don't have kids yet.
- DO: Keep a sharp razor blade in the mini van. This is so you can immediately scrape off all the Soccer ball decals your fore-mentioned friends will inadvertently stick to your back window once they figure out what is hidden in your garage.
- DON'T put a Harley Davidson sticker on your mini van. This screams out MIDLIFE CRISIS.
Last but not least, remember that there will come a day when you no longer NEED to drive a mini van and you go get that little red sports car you've always wanted. That is, of course, if you remember the rule about not letting the kids or salesman talk you into all those gadgets.
Happy Trails!
