Would you buy a previous rental?

[SVT666]

I grew up riding around in a sardine can on wheels, a 1985 Astro that my mom got in 1990.  I don't remember having a car seat at any point.  I do remember riding in the front seat.

Have you ever seen the crash tests for the old Astro before the updates?

It was pretty gruesome in all respects.  I was in a few minor fender benders in that car, and I was fine.

In saying this, do all parents of young children go to such great lengths of protection with their kids these days?

By law you have to.  By the way, if the means are there to protect my child from getting killed, I will take them.  There is nothing worse in this world, then knowing that your child died because you didn't protect them.

[SVT666]

Why did they ever make this a law?  It should be the parent's choice on it and not the government's rules.  I grew up fine without one as with majority of us on here.

That's true, but a lot of kids went through windshields or got thrown around the inside of a car during an accident.  There are also 10 times as many cars on the road these days.

[the Teuton]

By law you have to.  By the way, if the means are there to protect my child from getting killed, I will take them.  There is nothing worse in this world, then knowing that your child died because you didn't protect them.

And this is why I don't think I could or would ever want children.

I suppose you have to water them three times a day, too?

Seriously, what kind of BS legislation is that that mandates what you have to buy for your kids?  That'd be like someone forcing my parents to buy me my first car just because they're my parents.

That's retarded.

[SVT666]

And this is why I don't think I could or would ever want children.

Because you wouldn't want to take the necessary precautions to protect them?  You're right, you shouldn't have kids.

I suppose you have to water them three times a day, too?

Technicaly, yes.  They need to eat breakfast, lunch, and supper.

Seriously, what kind of BS legislation is that that mandates what you have to buy for your kids?  That'd be like someone forcing my parents to buy me my first car just because they're my parents.

It's not even remotely the same.

That's retarded.

You're retarded.  There are a lot of dumb parents out there who shouldn't even have kids.  Unfortunately you have to protect those children from their own parents.

[Soup DeVille]

Why did they ever make this a law?  It should be the parent's choice on it and not the government's rules.  I grew up fine without one as with majority of us on here.

You're just goading me, aren't you?

[Soup DeVille]

That's true, but a lot of kids went through windshields or got thrown around the inside of a car during an accident.  There are also 10 times as many cars on the road these days.

The lack of a law mandating what you have to do doesn't in any way keep you from doing it.

[Raza]

The lack of a law mandating what you have to do doesn't in any way keep you from doing it.

No, it does.   Before the car seat law, people used to just duct tape their babies to the hood of their cars. 

(I forced everyone to wear seatbelts in my car before it was mandatory for all passengers.)

[SVT666]

The lack of a law mandating what you have to do doesn't in any way keep you from doing it.

No, but there are way too many parents who would just let their kids climb all over inside the car while they are driving.  Remember seeing kids riding on the rear parcel shelf of the family sedan?  I remember seeing that, even after car seat laws.

[CJ]

I'll buy another Volvo when I have kids.  I'll find a pre-owned XC90 or V70.

[AutobahnSHO]

One of my best friends bought a rental Tempo. Worked out fine for him.

I would totally jump on a newer Caravan if I could. Just for the sto n' go.

--People without families will never understand the uefulness of a minivan, and many of the dads out there get SUVs just because they too spineless to handle the minivan criticism.

They truly are the most functional Large vehicles out there, if you don't NEED an offroad vehicle or a truck.

[hotrodalex]

I think my Mazda used to be a rental. 

[Eye of the Tiger]

One of my best friends bought a rental Tempo. Worked out fine for him.

I would totally jump on a newer Caravan if I could. Just for the sto n' go.

--People without families will never understand the uefulness of a minivan, and many of the dads out there get SUVs just because they too spineless to handle the minivan criticism.

They truly are the most functional Large vehicles out there, if you don't NEED an offroad vehicle or a truck.

My dad traded his Monte SS for a Voyager in '93 - after that, it was all minivans. I thought the SS was going to be my first car. Nope. I lived the fuckin minivans for a long time, and saw first hand how "useful" they were. I hated them. Sure, we packed them full many times, going upta camp, to the beach, etc, but we never needed any of that shit. Stupid women just needed to learn how to pack lighter. The vans were the beginning of a time of excess - going to the beach for the day? Let's bring the entire kitchen pantry and half our wardrobes, and of course we have three dogs because everybody ash to have their own, and each dog has a couple of bags just in case they need a change of clothes, too!

If I ever have a family with women, they will not bring more than one bag each, period, end of discussion. If you say one more word about it, I will just cancel the whole trip. 99% of the time, a van was a complete waste, and encouraged being even more wasteful. I never felt as safe in those vans - they handled like complete turds. How did we ever live with a 2-door coupe before? We did, and it was great.  I hated all of the vans, and still do. They were a waste of gasoline, a waste of space on the road, and waste of money. Buying a minivan for a two-kid family is like buying a tug boat to go whitewater rafting - you know, just in case you have to pull an oil tanker into port on the way down river. If I have three kids, I can deal with a station wagon. If I have four kids, I can deal with the likes of the Mazda 5. Unless I have five kids or become a plumber, I will never drive one of those lumbering abominations - but in either of those cases I would probably end up killing myself, so the point is moot.

[Soup DeVille]

No, but there are way too many parents who would just let their kids climb all over inside the car while they are driving.  Remember seeing kids riding on the rear parcel shelf of the family sedan?  I remember seeing that, even after car seat laws.

I remember doing that.

I survived; as did most other kids my age and before. yes, there have been some preventable deaths, but lets be clear about this: we are talking about a marginal increase in safety statistically.

[AutobahnSHO]

My dad traded his Monte SS for a Voyager in '93 - after that, it was all minivans. I thought the SS was going to be my first car. Nope. I lived the fuckin minivans for a long time, and saw first hand how "useful" they were. I hated them. Sure, we packed them full many times, going upta camp, to the beach, etc, but we never needed any of that shit. Stupid women just needed to learn how to pack lighter. The vans were the beginning of a time of excess - going to the beach for the day? Let's bring the entire kitchen pantry and half our wardrobes, and of course we have three dogs because everybody ash to have their own, and each dog has a couple of bags just in case they need a change of clothes, too!

If I ever have a family with women, they will not bring more than one bag each, period, end of discussion. If you say one more word about it, I will just cancel the whole trip. 99% of the time, a van was a complete waste, and encouraged being even more wasteful. I never felt as safe in those vans - they handled like complete turds. How did we ever live with a 2-door coupe before? We did, and it was great.  I hated all of the vans, and still do. They were a waste of gasoline, a waste of space on the road, and waste of money. Buying a minivan for a two-kid family is like buying a tug boat to go whitewater rafting - you know, just in case you have to pull an oil tanker into port on the way down river. If I have three kids, I can deal with a station wagon. If I have four kids, I can deal with the likes of the Mazda 5. Unless I have five kids or become a plumber, I will never drive one of those lumbering abominations - but in either of those cases I would probably end up killing myself, so the point is moot.

LOL

The reduction in kids "on my side" arguments and bothering each other is totally worth the hit I take in mileage and handling.
FWIW the '99 is WAAAY better than the '92 I got rid of last year.
-I've moved my entire house in minivans.
-I can haul 2 adults plus my kids, in relative comfort.

I'll take a pic tomorrow of my "custom" seating which gives me even MORE room than most other vehicles out there..

[Eye of the Tiger]

LOL

The reduction in kids "on my side" arguments and bothering each other is totally worth the hit I take in mileage and handling.
FWIW the '99 is WAAAY better than the '92 I got rid of last year.
-I've moved my entire house in minivans.
-I can haul 2 adults plus my kids, in relative comfort.

I'll take a pic tomorrow of my "custom" seating which gives me even MORE room than most other vehicles out there..

I have many fond memories of the "on my side" arguments in the back of the Monte.
But if it gets out of hand, there's a thing called duct tape. Apply over mouth and around wrists. No more arguments.

[SVT666]

I remember doing that.

I survived; as did most other kids my age and before. yes, there have been some preventable deaths, but lets be clear about this: we are talking about a marginal increase in safety statistically.

Marginal?

[SVT666]

My dad traded his Monte SS for a Voyager in '93 - after that, it was all minivans. I thought the SS was going to be my first car. Nope. I lived the fuckin minivans for a long time, and saw first hand how "useful" they were. I hated them. Sure, we packed them full many times, going upta camp, to the beach, etc, but we never needed any of that shit. Stupid women just needed to learn how to pack lighter. The vans were the beginning of a time of excess - going to the beach for the day? Let's bring the entire kitchen pantry and half our wardrobes, and of course we have three dogs because everybody ash to have their own, and each dog has a couple of bags just in case they need a change of clothes, too!

If I ever have a family with women, they will not bring more than one bag each, period, end of discussion. If you say one more word about it, I will just cancel the whole trip. 99% of the time, a van was a complete waste, and encouraged being even more wasteful. I never felt as safe in those vans - they handled like complete turds. How did we ever live with a 2-door coupe before? We did, and it was great.  I hated all of the vans, and still do. They were a waste of gasoline, a waste of space on the road, and waste of money. Buying a minivan for a two-kid family is like buying a tug boat to go whitewater rafting - you know, just in case you have to pull an oil tanker into port on the way down river. If I have three kids, I can deal with a station wagon. If I have four kids, I can deal with the likes of the Mazda 5. Unless I have five kids or become a plumber, I will never drive one of those lumbering abominations - but in either of those cases I would probably end up killing myself, so the point is moot.

I'll take a picture of the inside of our car after we go grocery shopping next time, and I'll post it up here for you to see.

It's funny.  Autobahn will agree with me here, that 90% of the people I hear saying that you don't need a minivan are people with no kids.  The other 10% are really short people who don't need the room.

[rohan]

I'ld buy a used police car before I bought a rental.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I'll take a picture of the inside of our car after we go grocery shopping next time, and I'll post it up here for you to see.

It's funny.  Autobahn will agree with me here, that 90% of the people I hear saying that you don't need a minivan are people with no kids.  The other 10% are really short people who don't need the room.

You don't need a minivan. You want a minivan.

[MrH]

Man, that R350 that Teuton posted...Mercedes' resale is dropping like a rock!

That's crazy how much that's dropped in price.  A used CLS possibly my daily driver out of school?  That'd be the most ballin'est shit ever.

[3.0L V6]

I'ld buy a used police car before I bought a rental.

Buying the rental is about the same as marrying a hooker. Both have been ridden hard with little care and compassion and will leave you with fun problems you'll discover when you become the owner.

[Soup DeVille]

I'll take a picture of the inside of our car after we go grocery shopping next time, and I'll post it up here for you to see.

It's funny.  Autobahn will agree with me here, that 90% of the people I hear saying that you don't need a minivan are people with no kids.  The other 10% are really short people who don't need the room.

I'm 6'4" and more pounds than I care to mention here. I have two boys, 2 and 4 years old. I drive a Civic.

[Cookie Monster]

I'm 6'4" and more pounds than I care to mention here. I have two boys, 2 and 4 years old. I drive a Civic.

pwnt

[Soup DeVille]

pwnt

Admittedly, 75% of the child hauling is done in the Pilot, but I do regularly take the boys out in the Civic, and occasionally to see their grandpa, who lives 1.5 hours away.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Admittedly, 75% of the child hauling is done in the Pilot, but I do regularly take the boys out in the Civic, and occasionally to see their grandpa, who lives 1.5 hours away.

You have Civic and Pilot
Hemi has Focus and Freestyle (isn't that his other car?)

[Cookie Monster]

You have Civic and Pilot
Hemi has Focus and Freestyle (isn't that his other car?)

Freestyle is getting replaced.

And the Focus has two more doors than the Civic.

[Soup DeVille]

You have Civic and Pilot
Hemi has Focus and Freestyle (isn't that his other car?)

Yes, it is. I don't know how much kiddie hauling his Focus does though.

(My older son loves to ride in the Civic BTW, because he can see out the windshield much better, and it has a sunroof)

[Eye of the Tiger]

Freestyle is getting replaced.

And the Focus has two more doors than the Civic.

Replace Freestyle with something cool, like a Flex! Not a Caravan

[AutobahnSHO]

I'm 6'4" and more pounds than I care to mention here. I have two boys, 2 and 4 years old. I drive a Civic.

I have a 9, 4, and 3yr old. I drive a Subaru Legacy.

Like you said later, little cars are fine for OCCASIONAL family hauling, but long-term they don't work out.

Honestly I really WOULD trade the Caravan in for a Volvo 7seater wagon or the like, but the wife is stuck on the minivan now...

[SVT666]

Yes, it is. I don't know how much kiddie hauling his Focus does though.

Very little.  Only when my wife needs her car and I need to go somewhere with the kids.