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SUV vs Minivans

1876 messages,  Last post on Jun 10, 2013 at 2:35 PM

You are in the SUVs Forum.

What is this discussion about? Dodge Caravan, Ford Explorer, GMC Envoy, Honda Odyssey, Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota Sienna, SUV, Van

Messages Page 175 of 189

#1735 of 1876 Re: minivan or suv?? [hause7] by maryh3

Feb 28, 2008 (7:34 pm)

Replying to: hause7 (Feb 28, 2008 6:23 pm)
I think this is one of the better topics we've discovered -- do teenager drivers prefer SUV's or minivans. However, I don't think we are getting a fair sampling here. Of course from mother's point of view the safety is huge. Not sure which are safer SUV's or minivans though. None of my boys think about practicality though.
 
In my family the consensus for the teens is :
 
1. 1995 Taurus SHO -- they fight over who gets this one.
2. 1995 Ford Explorer (no longer have - yes the one that could roll)
3. 2000 Town & Country minivan
4. 2002 BMW (5-something series) Shocked that my kids don't like to drive this. They claim that the the car doesn't "glide". When you take your foot off the accelerator the transmission applies drag and slows it down.
 
 

#1736 of 1876 Re: minivan or suv?? [maryh3] by ateixeira

Mar 03, 2008 (10:26 am)

Replying to: maryh3 (Feb 28, 2008 4:26 pm)
I see what you mean.
 
Teens should be trained to make wide turns. Especially when parking.

#1737 of 1876 Re: minivan or suv?? [ateixeira] by maryh3

Mar 06, 2008 (4:11 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Mar 03, 2008 10:26 am)
Teens should be trained to make wide turns. Especially when parking.
 
 And until they learn, people should use all available resources - like 160,000 mi Chevy
Ventures to effectively equal one of these:
 
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/features_classic_- - - - cars/top_ten_urban_vehicles_feature/the_beater_feature

#1738 of 1876 Re: minivan or suv?? [maryh3] by ateixeira

Mar 07, 2008 (10:05 am)

Replying to: maryh3 (Mar 06, 2008 4:11 pm)
Beaters are awesome! Every family should have one.
 
Makes no sense to give a 16 year old a brand new car. Let them get some experience on a beater instead.
 
The problem is a lot of those beaters are used SUVs that the parents handed down. You just hope the kids drive those behemoths safely. I'd never let my future 16 year old drive something like a Suburban.

#1739 of 1876 Re: minivan or suv?? [ateixeira] by maryh3

Mar 07, 2008 (4:43 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Mar 07, 2008 10:05 am)
When your kids get that old you will find you are on a double edged sword. You hate to give them something new because chances are high they will smash it and your insurance skyrockets with a new car. OTOH the older cars often don't have the safety features like side air bags that the new ones have. You hate to give them a big SUV like a Suburban because they are harder to handle and they can roll. OTOH there are so many SUV's on the road that if he does get hit and he is in a Civic - the other guy driving the SUV is going to inflict a disproportionate amount of damage to him and the small car. No easy answers here. Sometimes I think giving them the old minivan keeps them from showing off in their muscle car and going fast. May not get the chicks but they will be alive.
 
BTW - I hate to make you jealous but I now have 2 beaters

#1740 of 1876 Re: minivan or suv?? [maryh3] by bobber1

Mar 07, 2008 (6:53 pm)

Replying to: maryh3 (Mar 07, 2008 4:43 pm)
It's a wonder any of us survived driving as kid..Gosh I remember driving a Dodge Coronet that had seats that only went half way up my back with seat belts I never wore. I believe the Dodge pick up truck and Plymoth Fury 3 had better seats, but not much else. They were all RWD and we drove in a lot of snow and ice with them. I totaled a pick up once with no seat belt or airbags and somehow made it out with out a scratch.
 
No doubt you want your kids driving as safe a vehicle as possible, but the only vehicle that's truly going to do that is a tank.

#1741 of 1876 Re: minivan or suv?? [maryh3] by ateixeira

Mar 10, 2008 (8:54 am)

Replying to: maryh3 (Mar 07, 2008 4:43 pm)
I am jealous!

#1742 of 1876 suv vs minivan by highender

Mar 23, 2008 (4:27 pm)

agree with the need to consider the multiple needs or family requirements when considering a vehicle.
 
1- space
2- fun and drivability factor
3- safety
4- fuel efficiency
5- practical usage
 
OK>...I am in Hong Kong now...and this is one of the top stories.
 
  A Hong Kong family , a newly wedded couple ( Willian Ha, Clara Ng, her parents, and her 25 yr old younger sister Flora), all went on vacation toAuckland, New Zealand. They were driving a Subaru station wagon. Somehow , they lost were weaving, and hit a SUV Pajero ....... 4 of the 5 people in the station wagon died...with Clara surviving with severe injuries. The neighbors in the surrounding area came to help, but could not even determine the number of people inside the station wagon, due to the severity of the collision and damage to the vehicle. Rescue workers had to pry out the other bodies.
 
IN the SUV, there were 3 people on a fishing trip. One 67 yr old had a shoulder injury, and the 12 year old girl had a broken arm. All 3 survived.
 
You make your choices, and live with it. I think a minivan and suv are both safe choices....though SUVs may rolll over. IN collisions, the survivability of your loved ones will be generally higher when in a minivan or SUV.

#1743 of 1876 Re: suv vs minivan [highender] by ateixeira

Mar 24, 2008 (7:53 am)

Replying to: highender (Mar 23, 2008 4:27 pm)
Well, you don't exactly cross-shop an Impreza wagon (they did not specify the model) with a full-size Pajero SUV, which weighs about double, and probably costs double too.
 
And I can't imagine that a Suzuki Samurai hitting a Cadillac DTS head-on would fare any better.
 
This is a clear case of mass wins. Can't ignore the laws of phyics.

#1744 of 1876 Press Request by Karen@Edmunds HOST

Jul 01, 2008 (2:19 pm)

A reporter from a large local newspaper is looking to speak to recent minivan buyers and minivan shoppers that ended up purchasing an SUV or crossover. If you’re interested in speaking to the reporter, please contact Jonathan Wahl at jwahledmunds.com with your daytime contact information no later than July 3 2008.

Messages Page 175 of 189

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