he '80s. This was also the time that the minivan reached its peak. It seemed like all of my friends' parents were sporting the minivan. But why? Was it utilitarian, in order to transport your fleet of children? I don't think that people had more children in the '80s than they do now, but maybe I am wrong. By the time that I reached the ripe old age of 12, I vowed that I would never own a minivan. I had decided that it just wasn't my style. I remember telling a friend in middle school that if she ever saw me with a minivan, she had permission to hit me. Now this was probably an overreaction, but what isn't when you are 12?
It seemed that the minivan went away for a while in the late '90s. In my expert opinion, I think that North America went on minivan overload and needed to take a break. But it kind of seems now that the minivan is making a comeback. I see them on the road much more often. They also aren't looking as bad as they did in the '80s (as thankfully most things aren't -- this includes my 1989 perm and teased bangs).
With my new minivan comeback theory I wanted some way to back myself up. I decided to check out what minivans people were looking for on AOL Search. There have to be people looking for additional info on vans that they plan to purchase. The Dodge Caravan tops off our list. We also see searches for the Toyota Sienna and Kia Sedona. I have also decided that if I were to choose a minivan from the list it would be the Uplander or the Nissan Quest. They almost look like SUVs!
What do you think? Could they be making a comeback? Try searching for minivans on AOL Search – they don't look that bad. Or you can check out AOL Autos for more minivan information.
Top Searched Minivans on AOL Search:
1. Dodge Caravan
2. Honda Odyssey
3. Toyota Sienna
4. Chrysler Pacifica
5. Dodge Grand Caravan
6. Nissan Quest
7. Kia Sedona
8. Chevrolet Uplander
9. Kia Rondo
10. Ford Freestar
More Sponsored Links For: minivans, used vans, moving vans
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
1. Mini vans are estrictly "soccer-mom". I really don't see the point to them other than for a bunch of kids.
Posted at 9:24AM on Nov 29th 2007 by JBloom
2. I have to disagree that mini vans are only useful if you are toting around a bunch of kids. Mini vans, espeically the type with fold down seats, are very useful for people who like outdoor activities like biking or kayaking. I have to admit, I condidered it. Side impact safety is a consideration.
Posted at 10:37AM on Nov 29th 2007 by Blanche Hudson
3. My wife drove full size vans while our kids were growing up (3 girls, all over 6 feet tall!). They were great on trips and hauling the volleyball or basketball team (sorry, no soccer here). When they grew up and moved out, my wife wanted a smaller vehicle. It still had to haul 5 tall people on occasion and haul at least 3 on a long trip. She chose the Sienna. I didn't like it at first, but it was "her" vehicle. It won me over with sedan like handling, luxury car ride, 300+ watt stereo (with a sub!), and power stuff (both side doors and the tailgate for starters). Not to mention 0-60 in 8-point-something seconds instead of 2 minutes. And when gas hit the unheard of price of $2/gallon, we felt like geniuses. 20 MPG in town vs. 13. I still wouldn't be caught dead in a Caravan or Uplander (sorry Allie!)but a Sienna or Odyssey would be just fine.
Posted at 11:35AM on Nov 29th 2007 by Brian
4. Yeah, I agree that minivans are sort of "making a comeback." They're extremely functional for families and also just hauling stuff around. I would consider the 08'Caravan if I was in the market for one-- it had a lot of great features. Swivel n' go seats and the DVD and Sirius TV in the back would definitely keep kids occupied on long road trips. It's also very safety-conscious and has row side curtain airbags.
Posted at 12:48PM on Nov 30th 2007 by Hsa33
5. I am a stay at home dad and I have no problem driving a mini-van. Most people I know who drive Suburbans, Expeditions and the like, never tow or haul much of anything. They like then because they are big. With $3/gallon gas, I can't comprehend why someone would pay $5-10 grand more for a vehicle that gets 10 mpg less! That's why I think mini vans are much more practical.
Posted at 4:13PM on Dec 3rd 2007 by dave
6. We have owned two minivans and before that a station wagon. We will never be without a minivan till we can no long drive. Just yesterday we hauled two twin mattresses, head/foot boards, flat springs(are bunks) and other things and we didn't even take the seats out - yes, ours is a 2000 so no fold down seats, but they would very nice. When our last minivan was getting high miles, my husband wanted to get a sedan, but I put my foot down - we were getting another minivan and I got my way!! And, I can't count the times we have hauled things back and forth to our vacation home, kids' homes, college, etc., etc. And, being a Chrysler it is a very comfortable ride on a trip. We are about ready for a replacement and it WILL be another minivan. My daughter/husband own a good sized "fancy" SUV, but when they need something large hauled, who do they call on?? You guessed it - we with the minivan because their SUV holds very little. AND, it gets pretty good gas mileage for a large vehicle, is flex fuel, if we need to use ethanol!! It's a vehicle for all needs. If we need to "look good" we drive our Mercedes or classic Camaro Z28 convertible!! But, guess what gets driven most - the minivan!!
Posted at 4:17PM on Dec 3rd 2007 by Sonja Dunbar
7. I currently own a chevy astro, originally I had wanted a suburban or something similiar, as I do a lot of hauling. The astro was about half the price of the suvs, and the gas mileage gets 20mpg on the freeway, not bad for a vehicle that sits 8, and has the chassis of a half ton truck, so I can also pull a trailer with it! The only bad thing is that the seats don't fold completely flat, and so I find myself removing them a lot, and they are heavy! Sadly, chevy doesn't make the astro anymore, so when mine dies, I hope they have come out with something big enough to haul stuff, but with good gas mileage, and not costing 40-50 grand to buy!
Posted at 4:18PM on Dec 3rd 2007 by Kathy
8. I always find it amusing that the same people who tend to mock me for my minivan are the first ones to ask if they can borrow it when they need to haul something! Frankly, I love my minivan. Anytime we make a trip to Home Depot or take a vacation, we never have to worry as to what will fit in the back. And now that I have two kids in college, there is nothing else that can haul their incredible amount of stuff with a lower MPG. I many not be "hip", but I usually have the last laugh!
Posted at 4:21PM on Dec 3rd 2007 by Jane
9. Loved my van and there was nothing mini about it! Honda Odyssey. GREAT for camping and hauling stuff. Only got rid of it because of gas milage. Otherwise NEVER would of!
Posted at 4:31PM on Dec 3rd 2007 by Lin
10. I have never understood why minivans fell out of favor. They are ridiculously practical, super-comfortable on long trips, and some are even fun to drive. Ours gets 25 MPG on trips, even with a V-6. Why are people searching for something that doesn't look like one? The current versions look good, and their form fits their practical function.
Posted at 4:41PM on Dec 3rd 2007 by Steve Langton
11. Steve...
I hear you concerning Chrysler product, but this new minivan you mentioned...will it be smaller than the Grand Caravan and Town & Country currently out there? If it is that would be great, speaking for myself. I'm curious...Please inform and enlighten, if you can. I sure would appreciate it.
Peace!
Posted at 4:47PM on Dec 3rd 2007 by AladdinSane
12. I had a short version of the Plymouth Voyager in the 90s when SUVs had pretty much pushed the minivans off the road. I could haul more and while getting better mileage and although it was front whell drive it plowed through snow and rain soaked roads. For a long trip it was excellent with the captains chairs behind the front seats it was also very utilitarian as you could remove seats as needed so it could seat 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 as needed. The stereo sounded great too and if you were tired you could pull off the road and recline one of the seats and nap. With the dark tinted glass and being reclined below the window you couldn't be seen. I have no need for one now but I found a nice alternative. A Pontiac Vibe which seats 5 (4 comfortably) and holds much more than a small sedan while getting a true 30mpg around town and more on the highway. The Vibe and it's cousin the Toyota Matrix are great compromise vehicles.
Posted at 4:47PM on Dec 3rd 2007 by novel13
13. Gosh They almost look like an SUV! What a moron! SUV's are one of the worst ideas to ever come out of Detroit! And only America would be dumb enough to embrace them. You are five times more likly to kill someone if you are in an accident in an SUV. But for the self centered type of person who doesn't give a second thought to wasting gas at a rate of 15 MPG that is not much of a worry. However most highway deaths happen in rollover accidents. Because of their high ground clearance SUV's are 5 times more likly to rollover. So in an SUV you are three times more likly to kill you or one of your loved ones in an accident. When I ask the question
"Why do you need Four Wheel Drive In San Diego where it rains maybe three time a year?"
I am told they need to "Haul Their Toys".
Put your toys away! People are dying in the Middle East and we make deals with THUGS who under other circumstances we would not want to share the same continant with. Grow up people! I have not owned a V8 since 1977 and have not had a car that gets less than 35 MPG combined since 1997. My early 90's Toyota Mini Van had a 4 cylnder engine. Got 25 MPG combined and seated 7 comfortably what more do you need?
Posted at 4:53PM on Dec 3rd 2007 by Mark Notarian
14. Last February we knew our Montana was on its last leg, 8 great years, I thought since my oldest of 3 was going to be a Senior in high school, I didnt need another Minivan and bought a Buick Rendezvous. I like it but boy do I miss my Minivan. I look longingly at the new Caravans with those swivel seats, dual dvd players and more. If my hubby hadnt just bought a new truck recently I would ask him to consider trading the Buick in! Xmas at my mothers will be interesting normally on the way home the van is PACKEd to the gills with her gifts, now I may have to drive the 200 mile round trip twice to get it all in.
Posted at 4:55PM on Dec 3rd 2007 by Mel
15. I purchaced a Pontiac transport in 1996. Still
have it still love it. Never haul kids,
but my hobby is wood working. I can haul 4x8
sheets of plywood in it with no problem. Also
it gets about 26 mpg. I will keep it forever.
Posted at 5:11PM on Dec 3rd 2007 by richard
16. Hello:
My Dad thought the minivan was the best thing since sliced bread when it was introduced by the Chrysler Corp in 1984. I still remember looking at them and the hefty price tag for the time so my Dad waited for about two years and got one off lease through a local car dealer. He loved the ride and used it from 86 to 91 when he and my mother got hit broadside. Luckily there were no injuries and he actually drove it home from the scene battered but intact. After it was totaled by State Farm, he went out and bought a new 1991 that he still drives today. I think it only held him up twice in all those years.
When I started Real Estate in 2002, I quickly realized that I would need one of them as it is the only vehicle that allows quick entry and exit for rear passengers. I eagerly awaited for the arrival of the Buick Terraza only to find it cost 36K with everything so back to the drawing board.
About a year after the Terazza came out, I went past my local Kia dealer to see he had a final shipment of 15 to 20 2005's that needed to be cleared out since the redesigned 06's were coming. I wound up getting a 4500 rebate and only paid about 22,450.
Of course my Kia doesn't have all the motorized comforts (Doors & Hatch) found in the Sienna like my friend has, but it wasn't a bad buy and has been reliable in the close to two years I have owned it. My buyers that I take out love the comfort of the rear captain's chairs and I feel it has helped me close deals quicker.
The only draw back is the lousy around town mileage. It only gets about 16mpg die to its weight. Surprisengly, the GVW is 5995 which is about the same as a smaller Mercades SUV.
Anyone out there looking should check the redesigned one. It is supposedly even more sure footed with stability control which all these new generation of mini's need since they are all top heavy compared to the original Chryslers which were build on the K Care platform.
Royal :)
Posted at 5:11PM on Dec 3rd 2007 by Royal
17. I forgot to add that I got a motorized sunroof included for free. :)
Posted at 5:13PM on Dec 3rd 2007 by Royal
18. i have a 99 Chrysler and i love it. No Foreign for me.
Posted at 5:17PM on Dec 3rd 2007 by garywyow
19. After retirement, we needed a vehicle that could move all the "stuff" we had to have 500 miles further South. Over the loud objections of my bride and yuppy children, I made the plunge. I'm now on the second Town & Country. My comment to you clowns that insist on the foriegn is for you to try Stow & Go and that alone should sell you to buy American. (In all honesty, our other car is a Mercedes and I wouldn't trade that either). We were in Dallas visiting for Thanksgiving this year and guess which vehicle we used to take 6 people around Texas. Not the Saab SUV, not the Audi luxury sedan, but we all jumped into the T&C.
Posted at 5:24PM on Dec 3rd 2007 by Don Graham
20. In 1989 I bought a Mazda MPV, one of the first minivans, I think. My wife, due to illness, could no longer drive, so her 1986 Cadillac didn't get much driving. We made trips to the doctors' offices around town for a year, then began thinking about visiting the daughter who had married and moved to Florida. "We ARE going to go in the van, aren't we?" was her questio before the first trip. She loved sitting up higher, where she could see traffic. The space between the seats was perfect for her purse. She loved the seats. And we got a few more miles per gallon, too. I'm in a Dodge Caravan now, and will NEVER buy another sedan.
Posted at 5:32PM on Dec 3rd 2007 by Charles Porter