What is today's "soccer mom"? (Aka, my wife hates my suggestions)

"Grindintosecond" (Grindintosecond) 09/27/2015 at 00:42 • Filed to: None

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You see, the wife is leaning towards making the next purchase overly expensive for us. In my view, as a pragmatic 41 yr. old, a AWD sienna van would be perfect for us, the space our family of four and it’s gear needs, and i would feel like were getting good value. The current Rav4 is too small for a growing family - a weekend camp trip requires a roof top bag and all space tetris packed. Sienna would be total solution. A USED one.

She does not agree.

Mini van mom = BAaAaaDDdd!!

“No matter how wonderfully comfortable and nice your mom’s odyssey is, i just can’t bring myself to go for a mini van.”

So, because our house is on the ‘tier three’ designated road, it won’t get plowed till a few days after snowfall. So some sort of 4wd/awd-a real one-would be of preference. Suggestions please for a real reliable people mover answer here...and used, i have little kids that will grow and take my money.

(The Flex intrigues me, but there has to be a reason its not massively popular...)

TheOnelectronic > Grindintosecond 09/27/2015 at 00:48

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It’s still soccer moms (or maybe Lacrosse moms), they just drive crossovers instead of minivans, because minivans finally passed critical uncoolness.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Grindintosecond 09/27/2015 at 00:49

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Flex is quite decent, people I’ve known with them are happy.

and yeah, the Odyssey doesn’t suck at all. It’s a freaking beast, Had one in the family since ‘07, still going strong with no issues. my main complaint is lack of visibility on the B pillar, which is as thick as a steel girder.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Grindintosecond 09/27/2015 at 00:49

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The Highlander is pretty nice.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Grindintosecond 09/27/2015 at 00:53

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Soccer moms and PTA moms all drive Highlanders and Pilots now.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Grindintosecond 09/27/2015 at 00:57

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My parents have a 04 Sienna. 300k on its second motor (a Coolant hose came loose at its fitting). It fits people with ease and pulls nicely. It’s a good work vehicle for my dad (100+ miles a day) and was a great family car. They have an AWD version, and looking into used loaded AWD versions may be a good bet.

46and2aheadofme > Grindintosecond 09/27/2015 at 00:58

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If you have to move little people in safety, and want to look cool doing so, the odyssey would be my choice. If you want to sacrifice utility to look cool to the anti-minivan crowd (misinformed uncool people), go Pilot.

yitznewton > Grindintosecond 09/27/2015 at 01:01

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We have a FWD Sienna, which is a great car. Does fine in a few inches of snow provided good tires. I’m having a hard time seeing any Sienna doing well in more than 4 inches regardless of drive...

But to your question... IME all the non-minivan minivans are inappropriately expensive. Soo... I guess I’m not much help.

Wacko > Grindintosecond 09/27/2015 at 01:05

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I tried a pathfinder thinking I’m gonna cross it off my list. I couldn’t find a Flex near me, but my coworker let me try hers. I bought the pathfinder. Better mpgs, better interior. Great leg room, even for the 3rd row. Easy to get into the 3 row too. Still has usable trunk space with 3 row up. Tows 5000 lbs.

I really expected to hate the pathfinder because of the cvt, but it feels great in this size car. Smooth acceleration.

Just done pass the lawn mower close to it....

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/my-pathfinder-…

RallyWrench > Grindintosecond 09/27/2015 at 01:17

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Just get the damn van, it’s the best possible family hauler. Everything else is a compromise in the name of vanity. Source: I just bought a Sienna for my wife to replace a manual BMW wagon and we don’t regret it. Otherwise, get a Flex.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Grindintosecond 09/27/2015 at 01:37

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Oversized SUVs are now the soccer-mom vehicle of choice. I see many more minivans being driven by men these days... many of them contractors and service people.

I’m gonna give you an off-the-wall suggestion... AWD Mercedes Sprinter diesel. While some of these are huge, if you get the low roof, short wheel base passenger model, they’re only a little bigger than the ‘midi’-vans of today.

The downside is they cost more upfront. But you’ll make some of that back with lower fuel costs and a vehicle that is more sturdy because it was designed for commercial use.

Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man > Grindintosecond 09/27/2015 at 02:07

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Ford escape AWD, the first generation is great, my mom has an ‘05 escape and literally no problems other than a few lights burned out, it’s been her DD since 2007,

Or if you need something bigger, a ford explorer.

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > Grindintosecond 09/27/2015 at 02:07

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When my brother in law and sister in law had a similar discussion, they have 4 kids but this happened when kid 3 was on the way.

They had a pilot but we’re looking for more space and she was resistant to a minivan so he had her test drive a Tahoe, predictably she hates it giving him the leverage to get her to try minivans. They ended up with an odyssey.

samssun > Grindintosecond 09/27/2015 at 02:14

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If you like the RAV but it’s too small, what about moving up to the Highlander? Or one of those Venza things? Better yet, an Explorer with the 3.5TT!

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > Grindintosecond 09/27/2015 at 06:54

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Toyota 4Runner? My mother loves her new Chevy Traverse, I must admit it is nice. Both have good reliability and optional 4wd/AWD.

Grindintosecond > wunderwagen wants a longer roof 09/27/2015 at 07:51

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Looking at the 4runner, i fou d the back only had about 8 more depth inches of space, so its like a 4wd rav4 thats truck based and super rugged. Nice but not gaining much room.

Grindintosecond > RallyWrench 09/27/2015 at 07:52

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Tell me more about the flex, what you found out when shopping.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > Grindintosecond 09/27/2015 at 08:15

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Wasn’t sure how big they actually are, now I know. Traverse and its rebadges are quite spacious in the 7 seater versions. Fits my mother, step dad, myself, and 4 sisters comfortably for all trips. I’m 6’5” and can sit in he middle row for long trips without issue.

MuchWagon > Grindintosecond 09/27/2015 at 08:47

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How many kids/dogs?

touring the brook - now with ZHP! > Grindintosecond 09/27/2015 at 09:02

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Today’s “soccer mom” is in a CUV, however the image is still the minivan.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Grindintosecond 09/27/2015 at 09:08

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We’re getting a flex to replace my wive’s Escape eventually. From what I understand they are not as capable of road and for towing which I don’t care about. They are 4” longer than an explorer and 4” shorted than an expedition. The salesmen push the explorers harder, even tried to get us in one. I think the big problem in women think they are ugly. My wife did and the sales man we talked to said it’s a common thing for women to say.

Funktheduck > wunderwagen wants a longer roof 09/27/2015 at 10:00

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4 sisters? You never had a chance, did you?

TheRealBicycleBuck > Grindintosecond 09/27/2015 at 10:44

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I went through this with my wife. I even tried renting a minivan for one family trip and an SUV for another so she could see the difference. I tried to get her to drive a Flex, but no luck.

She agreed that the van was more comfortable for everyone. But she just couldn’t do it. She bought an Explorer.

It took a year, but she finally admitted she made a mistake.

I think it all comes down to our experiences growing up. Wagons and minivans aren't an option simply because that was what our mothers drove. Nobody wants to be their mother.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > RallyWrench 09/27/2015 at 11:12

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Can confirm - Minivan now complies with all current 2015 Oppo Jalop Class requirements.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Grindintosecond 09/27/2015 at 11:12

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Minivans are the new wagons.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Grindintosecond 09/27/2015 at 11:24

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We don’t have children, but my wife is the same way. She hates minivans (except for the Mazda5).

I can’t understand why some people are against it... It’s the most practical family vehicle for a nation that won’t buy wagons.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > Grindintosecond 09/27/2015 at 11:51

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The reason the Flex isn’t massively popular is the looks. Anyway, if it has to be used, a Flex or Pathfinder is the best option. Get the Flex if you want amazing practicality, but if your wife doesn’t like the looks, then get a used Pathfinder.

Quick story: my uncle has had two current gen Pahtfinders. The first was totaleded by a drunk driver rear ending them at a traffic light going 50 MPH with his whole family inside. No one was injured any further than bit of whiplash and sore backs. If he had been in a less safe or smaller vehicle, his daughters would have been seriously injured or killed. He immediately went out and ordered another Pathfinder with the insurance money.

However, if you wife is alright with the look of the Flex, go for that.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > TheRealBicycleBuck 09/27/2015 at 11:55

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And the funny thing is... the current Explorer is basically a variant of the same chassis that the Flex is on. And since the Flex is basically a minivan without the sliding doors, the Explorer is only one or two steps away from an actual minivan... just less practical.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > Funktheduck 09/27/2015 at 12:06

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Not really. Started out with two, gained two step sisters a few years ago. Course, I grew up around an extended family that is mostly female so I don't really know much different.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Grindintosecond 09/27/2015 at 14:59

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The Flex is MASSIVELY popular near me. It outnumber any other family hauler at our daycare center. Typically there are at least 4 in the parking lot only hold back for some is styling.

You can get them as basically boxy Taurus SHO’s too. 3.5 ecoboost + awd.

I’ve seen a lot of new Explorers too. Traverse, Acadia are common too.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Grindintosecond 09/27/2015 at 17:00

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My wife’s been very happy with our ‘08 Mazda CX-9 GT AWD for the past 7 years and 175k miles. Great kid/trip car. I probably wouldn’t buy a ‘15 though, as it’s due to be replaced with an all-new version next year. We’re looking at a used MDX, a new Pilot, the next CX-9, or perhaps a Odyssey or Sienna when her car needs replacing.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Grindintosecond 09/28/2015 at 09:41

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In follow up to my post on how popular the flex and explorer are, I took a pic this morning at drop off. I blurred license plates giving I don’t know the parents that well.

2 flex, 1 explorer and 1 dodge caravan.

Itsmemupos > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 10/01/2015 at 14:52

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Came to post this.