Why did the minivan get replaced by the SUV?

[alang1216]

View attachment 1220975

The lesson "i" matters, "u" don't.

Marumba:

Marimba:

 

[Clipper]

I'm thinking about getting a 4Runner this Spring.

I guess it's one of the few rear wheel drive 4X4 "SUVs" out there other than the Bronco and Jeep.

4Runner's are bulletproof as compared to a newer Jeep or Bronco which are garbage right off the assembly line.

 

[DGS49]

If "cool" is not part of the conversation, there are a couple of very functional minivans that can still be had for a reasonable price.

I think it's a shame that they don't make the Dodge Caravan anymore. The Grand Caravan was too big for a lot of users.

My favorite was the Mazda5. A small MV with three rows of seats, that could be had with a stick shift.

 

[Crepitus]

I had one of these:

'68 Impala as a first car as a teen.....3-speed on the column.

73 ford country squire myself. Auto and 351. With the false wood panels, lol.

 

[Crepitus]

there are still plenty of minivans and vans about however.

I have one in my small fleet. 2013 grand caravan.

Is it cool?

Nope.

But it's massively useful.

 

[Crepitus]

Could be the prices for new ones too.

2026 Kia Carnival: Prices range from $34,800 to $63,140.

The Carnival replace the Sedona.

All new car prices are insane.

 

[Crepitus]

Cool guys don’t drive mini vans.

What do cool guys drive?

Don't say SUVs, these days those are mom cars.

 

[Crepitus]

I had a 1973 Ford station wagon with wood paneling on the luggage rack.

I had the same car, lol.

 

[Crepitus]

View attachment 1220975

Marimba?

 

[Crepitus]

4Runner's are bulletproof as compared to a newer Jeep or Bronco which are garbage right off the assembly line.

Toyota vs jeep or ford is a no-brainer.

 

[Sparker]

On older full size vans the sliding doors break. They are less durable than hinge doors. On a minivan, that's a moot point if the whole minivan is a cheap POS that won't become old. FWD in a cargo vehicle is trouble I don't want. But now most of the SUVs are also FWD, and that's only the start of the crap under the hood.

 

[there4eyeM]

It is a question of social status and style taking priority over sense and practicality.

 

[Southern Dad]

The minivan was seen as the “mom van” driven by soccer moms everywhere in this country. My wife drives a Nissan Murano and hates it when anyone refers to it as a minivan. It’s a crossover.

 

[1srelluc]

If "cool" is not part of the conversation, there are a couple of very functional minivans that can still be had for a reasonable price.

I think it's a shame that they don't make the Dodge Caravan anymore. The Grand Caravan was too big for a lot of users.

My favorite was the Mazda5. A small MV with three rows of seats, that could be had with a stick shift.

The wife had a 1st gen '85 Dodge Caravan for many years. I never had a minute's trouble out of it. I just did the proper PM on it.

I sold it to a guy at work and he ran it for years thereafter.

 

[rightwinger]

The minivan took over for the station wagon and was much more functional
For a family with young kids or a lot of kids, it is still better than an SUV
People rarely drive off road