General Car Conversation
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
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From: Maryland
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,196
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From: FL
I've thought many times about upgrading my next car to a minivan for the sole purpose of when we travel once a year and wife packs the car to the ceiling and still not enough room.
But I fear it will be harder for her to see when backing up and hit something.
The RX330 has great visibility all around so it will have to be something like that I'm afraid.
But I fear it will be harder for her to see when backing up and hit something.
The RX330 has great visibility all around so it will have to be something like that I'm afraid.
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,468
Likes: 3,991
From: Maryland
I've thought many times about upgrading my next car to a minivan for the sole purpose of when we travel once a year and wife packs the car to the ceiling and still not enough room.
But I fear it will be harder for her to see when backing up and hit something.
The RX330 has great visibility all around so it will have to be something like that I'm afraid.
But I fear it will be harder for her to see when backing up and hit something.
The RX330 has great visibility all around so it will have to be something like that I'm afraid.
They’re actually very easy to drive. All the modern cameras and surround view cameras help a lot.
Its just ugly and no fun lol
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,196
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From: FL
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,328
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,468
Likes: 3,991
From: Maryland
I don’t entirely agree. I enjoy cars, and I enjoy driving cars that I feel something for. I don’t feel anything for the minivan, if it was entirely up to me I would give up some utility to have a vehicle that I enjoy having and driving.
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2019
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From: FL
A mini van would solve all my needs.
Have the space a few times a year when needing to put something big in the back or lots of packing room for holiday travel.
The rest of the year I would have to drive it and look at it. lolol
If I had young kids to tow around a mini van may be in the driveway.
But i'd have to have a 2nd vehicle to keep my sanity
PS- plus if you have a mini van or truck you will always have friends that need you to help them move stuff.
Problem is they never show up when you need help, not often anyway... lol
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,328
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
My point, though, was that your increased enjoyment of the vehicle would, by your own admission, come at a cost of some utility. Besides, from what you tell us, the Pacifica is actually more of your wife's (and the kids') vehicle, and she drives it most of the time.
On the other hand, I have never agreed with the stigma that many auto-enthusiasts have placed on minivans, going back decades as far as the 1980s. They were never meant to be sports-cars or sport-oriented vehicles. They were developed and produced for a reason...and millions of families have been well-satisfied with them over the years, despite the unreliability of some of them.
And, speaking of unreliability, if you think your last Pacifica was unreliable, your problems with it were probably quite minor compared to the Chrysler minivans of the 80s and 90s....particularly the ones with the woefully-inadequate Ultradrive 4-speed automatic. Those trannies were replaced almost as often as filling your gas tank LOL.
Last edited by mmarshall; Jan 17, 2023 at 07:11 PM.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 555
From: fl
LOL, got picked up in a 2022 Pacifica while taking Uber last week. Had a decent amount of luggage with us and both my wife and I were like "man, these things really do hold a lot of stuff and are so well laid out." Ride was smooth, 2nd row captains chairs were comfy with dual armrests on each... but it's still not enough to sell me. It checks all the boxes except one.... styling and overall approval factor. I just can't bring myself to do it!
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Knoxville, TN
And, speaking of unreliability, if you think your last Pacifica was unreliable, your problems with it were probably quite minor compared to the Chrysler minivans of the 80s and 90s....particularly the ones with the woefully-inadequate Ultradrive 4-speed automatic. Those trannies were replaced almost as often as filling your gas tank LOL.
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
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From: Maryland
CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,417
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From: US
You married the wr.... J/K. I often feel lucky because my wife never asks for a van. The topic came up before but I talked her out of it.