Proud minivan driver

[wombat13]

Originally Posted by Brickboy240

Ugh!

Sorry, but the wife and I decided, we may be getting old (early 40s) and now we have a kid, but we are NOT driving a mini-van.

With only one kid, we do NOT need a behemoth SUV that guzzles gas (been there...got rid of that) or a vehicle that (sorry) screams "weenie" like a mini-van. Many people have kids and instantly think they HAVE to have a mini-van or Expedition. Not true.

Enjoy your mini-van...I just cannot bring myself to drive something that looks like that.

- Brickboy240

A Volvo driver calling others "weenie?" What's that old saying about glass houses and stones?

All joking aside, I always find it interesting how wrapped up people get in their ride. I purchase a vehicle because I like it and/or it fits my needs and budget. I do not purchase a vehicle because I want to appear cool or I'm worried others might think I'm a weenie. This is coming from a guy who raced karts and went to college for mechanical engineering because I was into cars.

People who make major purchase decisions based on how it fits with their self-image are gold mines for marketing professionals.

[Brickboy240]

If you are a mechanical engineer, you know why I drive Volvos. Safety and they last forever.

Also, my Volvo is midnight blue with blacked out trim, has tinted windows and wears German made Borbet wheels...not exactly a grocery getter or the professor's car like most Bricks.

Have you seen the newer Volvos? Not boxy anymore...not slow, either.

- Brickboy240

[Kauzi XD45]

Hey mt wife and Iat any given time have 6 kids so we dont have much choice but tu have a mini van. There arent a lot of 8 passenger vehicles out there.

[wombat13]

You don't have to justify your car choice to me. Believe me, I've seen the new Volvos, and all of the other new cars as well. I subscribe to Car and Driver and check out auto websites.

Reality aside, minivans have a soccer-mom image and Volvos have a safety weenie image.

The whole reason I started this thread is I find it very interesting and amusing how wrapped up people get in their image and their car's image. As an example, IMO if you put expensive rims on your car because you like the way they look, that's fine. If you do it because you want other people to think you're cool, that's silly.

[Hooz]

My wife and I have one kid... And three big dogs. We have a mid-size SUV (Trailblazer) and a full-size truck (F150). During the nicer months, I ride my Harley, though.

You just can't beat a bike for economical transportation!

[wombat13]

What Does Your Car Say About You?

Buick Park Avenue: I am older than 34 of the 50 states
Cadillac Deville: I am a very good Mary Kay Salesperson
Chevrolet Camaro: I enjoy beating up people
Chevrolet Cavalier coupe: I start 11th grade in the fall
Chevrolet Chevette: I like seeing people's reactions when I tell them I have a 'vette.
Chevrolet Corvette: I am having a mid-life crisis
Chevrolet El Camino: I am leading a militia to overthrow the government
Datsun 280Z: I have a kilo of cocaine in my wheel well
Dodge Aries: I teach third grade special education and I voted for George Bush
Dodge Durango: I will not be caught dead in a Ford Explorer
Dodge Neon: I cannot stand the Macarena
Ford Crown Victoria: I enjoy having people slow to 55 mph and change lanes when I pull up behind them
Ford Explorer: I will not be caught dead in a minivan
Ford Mustang 5.0: I slow down to 85 in school zones
Ford Mustang 2.3: I avoid Yugos and VW microbuses at the stoplights
Ford Tempo: I teach fourth grade special education and I voted for Bill Clinton
Honda Civic: I just graduated and have no credit at all
Honda Accord: I lack originality and am basically a lemming
Hyundai Accent: I delivered pizza for years in order to get this car
Infiniti Q45: I am a physician with 17 malpractice suits pending
Jaguar XJS V-12: I am so rich I will pay $60,000.00 for a car that is in the shop 280 days of the year
Lexus LS400: I am the lawyer suing the owner of the Infiniti Q45
Lincoln Navigator: I don't bother comparing gas prices
Lincoln Town Car: I live for bingo and covered supper dishes
Mercury Grand Marquis: I live for bridge and covered supper dishes
Mercedes 600SL: I will beat you up if you ask me for an autograph
Mercedes 600SEL: I have a daughter named Bitsy and a son named Biff
Mazda Miata: I am on my third divorce and/or midlife crisis. Also, I couldn't afford the Porsche or BMW
MGB: I am dating a mechanic
Nissan Altima: I don't know what it means, either
Nissan 300ZX: I have yet to complete my divorce proceedings
Oldsmobile Cutlass: I just stole this car and I'm going to make a fortune off the parts
Oldsmobile Cutlass Cruiser: I get carsick driving minivans
Oldsmobile Delta 88 Diesel: I am on the EPA's Ten Most Wanted List
Plymouth Neon: I enjoy the Macarena
Pontiac Trans Am: I have a switchblade in my sock
Porsche 928: I am dating big-haired women who would otherwise be inaccessable to me
Range Rover: I do not care about J.D. Powers or his surveys
Rolls Royce Silver Shadow: I think Maggie Thatcher is a touch too Whig for me
Saturn SL1: I hope someday to make it to a gathering in Spring Hill
Saturn SL2: I made it to a gathering in Spring Hill
Volkswagen Beetle: I still watch Partridge Family reruns
Volkswagen Jetta: I enjoy putting out engine fires
Volkswagen Microbus: I am tripping right now
Volkswagen New Beetle: I still watch Partridge Family reruns
Volvo 740 Wagon: I am afraid of my wife

http://www.autoadvice.com/smiles.html

[Plinkomatic]

I'd love a Honda Odyssey, but my wife won't have it.
Volvo's are Fords, especially the new ones, although some are Mazdas...
My Saab 9-7, a rebadged TrailBlazer/Envoy is a hunk of crap.
I'll probably get a Honda CR-V if I can get out of my Saab. That car is awesome.
I wish my wife would cave on the Minivan... so much value... all the features, great ride, safe, spacious, good mileage, killer stereo...*sigh*.

[cucamelsmd15]

No Subaru in that list. Im disappointed. Im going to go recycle my sandals now and save the environment

[Brickboy240]

My Volvos were made in Sweden and are not Fords. The Ford Focus shares the same chasis as the S-40, but not engines. Since Ford bought Volvo, they have stolen many design features from the Swedes...however Volvos are still Volvos made in Sweden or the Netherlands in Swede-owned Volvo plants and are not re-badged Ford sedans.

Ford owns a third of Mazda and they share several platforms with Ford, but Mazda has nothing to do with Volvo...never did. However, Mitsubishi did design the turbo/intercooler in the 1995-2004 S-40 sedans.

Saab is owned by GM, but they never made a reliable vehicle to begin with. Don't confuse a Saab with a Volvo. The only thing they have in common is that they both come from Sweden...but thats it.

- Brickboy240

[cucamelsmd15]

Originally Posted by Brickboy240

My Volvos were made in Sweden and are not Fords. The Ford Focus shares the same chasis as the S-40, but not engines. Since Ford bought Volvo, they have stolen many design features from the Swedes...however Volvos are still Volvos made in Sweden or the Netherlands in Swede-owned Volvo plants and are not re-badged Ford sedans.

Ford owns a third of Mazda and they share several platforms with Ford, but Mazda has nothing to do with Volvo...never did. However, Mitsubishi did design the turbo/intercooler in the 1995-2004 S-40 sedans.

Saab is owned by GM, but they never made a reliable vehicle to begin with. Don't confuse a Saab with a Volvo. The only thing they have in common is that they both come from Sweden...but thats it.

- Brickboy240

Correction, the only reliable Saab is the Saabaru (Subaru engine/tranny) 9-2 Aero and 9-2x