We have been saving for at least 3 years to pay cash for a car (this one is for you, Dave Ramsey!). Of course, we didn't start out thinking "Man! I have always dreamed of owning a minivan! Now is the time!" We started out looking at SUVs about 1.5 years ago. And this is what we discovered:
There is a reason no one wants to own a minivan, yet half of America drives one.
They are just practical:
- Cheaper than a SUV
- Better gas mileage
- More cargo space
- Full sized 3rd row
- Cargo space even with 3rd row in use
- Easy to get in and out of (ie easy to get a car seat in and out of)
The list goes on and on.
This will come to no surprise to those of you who know me--practicality won out. Chris man-ed up and got on the minivan train.
Now that we knew what we wanted, it was just a matter of when to get it. Driving home at Christmas loaded as seen below (note the crib on top and how low the rear is over the back tire) made it clear that Christmas 2014 was our deadline.
After a lot of searching (Honda Odysseys are actually a very hot item apparently--we had 4 bought out from under us), here is the latest edition to the Hardegree family:
It is a 2006 with 74K miles and is loaded. Chris and I feel like we are living in luxury. And the best part: it was at the lower end of our budget.
My 2 favorite aspects:
Butt warmers and separate air control??? This is the posh life for the Hardegrees.
And last, put definitely not least, Lottie loves it.
It is just the circle of life. My mom left the minivan world after 25 years in July, and I entered it 2 months later.
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