Ping list for the discussion of the politics and social (and sometimes nostalgic) aspects that directly effects Generation Reagan / Generation-X (Those born from 1965-1981) including all the spending previous generations are doing that Gen-X and Y will end up paying for.
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I bought a 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager in 1999. When my car bit the dust, I bought my wife a new full size van and took the minivan as my own. One day at a trade show, I met a guy who worked for Chrysler on the minivan platform. I told him I hated him. He asked why and I told him that try as I might, I just could not kill the minivan.
I hated that thing with a passion, but...I could put my bikes, kayaks, camping gear, plywood, fence posts or whatever else I wanted in the stupid thing.
I sold it with 198,000 miles.
My wife doesn’t like minivans because it is so windy around here, and minivans tend to blow around. I got her a 1994 Chevy Caprice wagon with the “way back.” Between rear facing car seats, and not being allowed to put kids in the front because of the air bags that can’t be switched off, the would be nine-seater can deal with as few as five.
Speaking for myself, I miss the broad bench seats of yesteryear. They were MUCH more comfortable than the buckets and split benches of today.
I had a 4-door pick-up and my brother had a minivan, he said he wished he had a pick-up and I traded him straight across even though my pu was worth more.
My youngest son calls it a Goobermobile. My oldest son and his family borrow it all the time and my granddaughter has asked it she can drive it when she gets her license.
I was overseas (Pacific and the far East)in the 70’s and saw many “mini” vans made by Toyota or Datsun. I don’t see where everyone says that Chrysler invented them. Maybe for the US Market, which is Toyota’s and Nissan’s poor marketing.
“time that no such vehicle existed here,”
They are nothing more than a taller station wagon.
I have a 2000 Town & Country. It's never had engine or transmission problems. I just wish the latches and handles weren't so flimsy. Who's bright idea was it to make a car door handle out of plastic?
America’s Most Useful (But Unloved) Product?
The minivan? And all along I thought it was toilet paper!
“become more dowdy”
??? They always were and always will be.
“those jump seats were the penalty boxes of the ancient automotive world”
Bull. They were for kids - actually, who had a “seat”? We just sat on the platform in the back and thought it fun.
Bravo for the Loser Cruiser!!! :’)
My Honda Odyssey is the bomb. I can fit my bikes inside, it is great on trips, I get >20 MPG, I can hold my son’s entire dorm room move, plenty of room for two teenagers to stretch out in the back. Every time I turn around, I find a situation wherein my Odyssey does better than what would an SUV. My wife drives an SUV, we used to have an Expedition, but my Odyssey is best.
What yellow cabs are in NYC red minivans are in Michigan. I use my alarm button on my keychain to find mine in the Meijers parking lot, I'm not kidding.