# Mini-vans **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 23, 2001, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-vans/89198 "2001-10-23T23:24:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![racinchikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@racinchikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racinchikki)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-vans/89198/41 "2001-10-24T01:25:29Z")
FatherJohn used to post threads all the time bitching about SUVs… I never kept up because I was bored with it… run a search for his username. ---
**Author:** ![Xploder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a183cd/32.png) [@Xploder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xploder)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-vans/89198/42 "2001-10-24T01:26:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Civil Defense \* > **I guess a 325 IQ is considered low nowadays, eh?** Yeah. I have a 12 inch dick too… ---
**Author:** ![Civil\_Defense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Civil\_Defense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Defense)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-vans/89198/43 "2001-10-24T01:29:27Z")
> [@](#): > > FatherJohn used to post threads all the time bitching about SUVs… I never kept up because I was bored with it… run a search for his username. > [@](#): > > I believe FatherJohn was a poster who did nothing but complain about SUVs. Poor, poor man… > [@](#): > > Yeah. I have a 12 inch dick too… My implication wasn’t that I have a 325 IQ; had you read the prior post you would’ve understood what I was referring to. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-vans/89198/44 "2001-10-24T01:33:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Civil Defense \* > \*\*You’re not the problem. The problem folks are the ones who do 45 in a 65. \*\* Oh, pray enlighten us. What is the minimum difference in speed at which it’s OK for you to tailgate someone? Would you be tailgating me if I were doing 65 in a 65? How about 60? What if it’s dark, or rainy, or icy, or foggy? Is it OK with you if I go slower because I’m watching for deer? Or maybe I’m leaving enough following room (foreign concept, I know) between me and the guy in front of me, who happens to be going slower than YOU’D like. Or maybe I’m going 5 mph under the speed limit because I’ve got time to kill and I’m not in such a big damn hurry. Deal with it. And if Soccer Mom is swerving because she’s hollering at the kids, that’s reflective of her driving skills, not the car she’s driving. She’d probably be doing that in a sedan too, if she doesn’t have enough sense to watch the road. So stay back A SAFE DISTANCE until it’s safe to pass, if you’re in such a hurry. Or call the cops on her for reckless driving. But don’t blame the vehicle. I suppose next you’ll tell us she shouldn’t have kids at all, because they inconvenience you? ---
**Author:** ![Civil\_Defense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Civil\_Defense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Defense)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-vans/89198/45 "2001-10-24T01:37:43Z")
I never said tailgating was EVER acceptable. ---
**Author:** ![Xploder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a183cd/32.png) [@Xploder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xploder)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-vans/89198/46 "2001-10-24T01:38:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Civil Defense \* > \*\*My implication wasn’t that I have a 325 IQ; had you read the prior post you would’ve understood what I was referring to. \*\* **MY** apologies. Guess I missed that in my haste.\*\* I still have a 12 inch dick though 😃 ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-vans/89198/47 "2001-10-24T01:40:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Civil Defense \* > Poor, poor man… It’s the Pot-Kettle World Tour on a stop in Chicago, everyone! Gather 'round for autographs! Pot does the dancing, Kettle sings the song and gets the girl! ::clapclapclapclapclap:: ---
**Author:** ![Civil\_Defense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Civil\_Defense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Defense)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-vans/89198/48 "2001-10-24T01:40:27Z")
> [@](#): > > MY apologies. Guess I missed that in my haste. It’s cool… 🙂 > [@](#): > > I still have a 12 inch dick though Psht. Is that ALL? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-vans/89198/49 "2001-10-24T01:42:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Civil Defense \* > > > [@](#): > > > > I still have a 12 inch dick though > > Psht. Is that ALL? 😃 \*\* That’s his dick’s dick. His real dick drives a minivan. ---
**Author:** ![racinchikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@racinchikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racinchikki)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-vans/89198/50 "2001-10-24T01:43:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Civil Defense \* > \*\*I never said tailgating was EVER acceptable. \*\* Well, since most of your complaints seem to stem from what sure as hell sounds like following too close… Can’t see through their windows to gauge oncoming traffic? You’re following too closely! Back off! Afraid she might be weaving back and forth while yelling at her kids? If you think it’s an immediate danger, you should Back Off and not follow so closely! Pissed that she’s going too slowly? First of all, what the hell are you in so much of a hurry for? And secondly, pass her - and if you can’t because you can’t see around her, it’s because YOU’RE FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY! ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-vans/89198/51 "2001-10-24T01:46:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Civil Defense \* > \*\*I never said tailgating was EVER acceptable. \*\* ::sigh:: OK, I’ll type more slowly this time. Please explain how it is that you cannot see the traffic ahead except by looking through MY windows, if you are not directly behind me so close that you have no independent view of the road ahead. I beg you to try it just once: BACK OFF. A whole new field of vision will open up to you. ---
**Author:** ![Xploder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a183cd/32.png) [@Xploder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xploder)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-vans/89198/52 "2001-10-24T01:46:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by iampunha \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Civil Defense \* > > > > > [@](#): > > > > > > I still have a 12 inch dick though > > > > Psht. Is that ALL? 😃 \*\* > > That’s his dick’s dick. > > His real dick drives a minivan. \*\* Nah…my dick’s dick drives the minivan. My dick just presses the pedals for it’s dick. ---
**Author:** ![Civil\_Defense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Civil\_Defense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Defense)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-vans/89198/53 "2001-10-24T01:54:06Z")
> [@](#): > > Please explain how it is that you cannot see the traffic ahead except by looking through MY windows, if you are not directly behind me so close that you have no independent view of the road ahead. Hmm, let’s use an example. I-64 westbound out of Richmond is, for the most part, a 2-lane highway. If I’m stuck in a lane behind a large vehicle with another vehicle tailgating **me** because I refuse to force the minivan over, I’m screwed unless I get over. With inconsistent traffic patterns in the other lane, partly due to the swerving minivan driver going 45 ahead of me, it’s hard to tell when it’s safe to pass. That mixed with the surrounding trees and non-straightaways leaves much to be desired in terms of driving. If you’d like to teach me how to drive behind someone like this, I’ll gladly pay for your expenses to fly down here, your time, and compensation for missed work. Assuming your theory turns out to be better than mine. > [@](#): > > I beg you to try it just once: BACK OFF. A whole new field of vision will open up to you. I tend to use the 3-second rule when following people. If that’s too close for you, tough. ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-vans/89198/54 "2001-10-24T01:57:40Z")
Is I-64 westbound out of Richmond a particularly difficult stretch of road when others might not be? I know that when I go to my cabin in the woods there’s a stretch I don’t do faster than 30 or 35 mph. Bear in mind I’m using 50, though. ---
**Author:** ![Xploder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a183cd/32.png) [@Xploder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xploder)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-vans/89198/55 "2001-10-24T01:59:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Civil Defense \* > \*\*I tend to use the 3-second rule when following people. If that’s too close for you, tough. \*\* So then, at 45 mph, roughly 88 feet per second, you would be 264 feet behind the person in front of you **if** you follow the three second rule. And you have to look through their rear window to see? I reiterate…what the hell kind of a minivan are they driving? ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-vans/89198/56 "2001-10-24T02:02:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Civil Defense \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > Please explain how it is that you cannot see the traffic ahead except by looking through MY windows, if you are not directly behind me so close that you have no independent view of the road ahead. > > I tend to use the 3-second rule when following people. If that’s too close for you, tough. \*\* But if you’re 3 seconds (or more, under adverse conditions) behind the car in front of you, you should be able to see much more than what would be visible through their windows. And if you’re leaving suitable following distance on a winding road with trees and curves and whatnot, then your lack of visibilty is due to road conditions, not a minivan. Sorry, no points. I’m afraid you’ll just have to come to grips with the fact that sometimes there will be someone in front of you. ---
**Author:** ![racinchikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@racinchikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racinchikki)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-vans/89198/57 "2001-10-24T02:04:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Civil Defense \* > With inconsistent traffic patterns in the other lane, … it’s hard to tell when it’s safe to pass. That mixed with the surrounding trees and non-straightaways leaves much to be desired in terms of driving Maybe that’s why they’re driving slow. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-vans/89198/58 "2001-10-24T02:13:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\*And I didn’t get my car from my parents, either, if that was your implication. \*\* So an average 17-year-old is able to buy a brand-new Camaro on their own, huh? Do you pay your own insurance, too, along with that car payment? :rolleyes: Let’s see, a 17-year-old male, with a brand new sports car…what’s your monthly insurance payment? $500? Between shimmery complaining about her step-mother and this one complaining about minivans, I’m ready to enforce a “No Minors” rule for the Pit. And **what** was that crack about your 325 IQ? ---
**Author:** ![Civil\_Defense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Civil\_Defense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Defense)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-vans/89198/59 "2001-10-24T02:18:08Z")
> [@](#): > > So an average 17-year-old is able to buy a brand-new Camaro on their own, huh? Do you pay your own insurance, too, along with that car payment? Yes. It’s called a job. > [@](#): > > Let’s see, a 17-year-old male, with a brand new sports car…what’s your monthly insurance payment? $500? $110. > [@](#): > > Between shimmery complaining about her step-mother and this one complaining about minivans, I’m ready to enforce a “No Minors” rule for the Pit. Who complained about her step-mother? ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-vans/89198/60 "2001-10-24T02:21:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kinsey \* > Between shimmery complaining about her step-mother and this one complaining about minivans, I’m ready to enforce a “No Minors” rule for the Pit. Then you will be no better than the OP, who is making sweeping generalizations based on the bad deeds (or perceived deeds) of a few. And among those you would be restricting from the Pit: **Mercutio Ad\_Noctum Lucki Chaarms Scylla’s Daughter Cartooniverse’s Daughter** I am positive there are people I have missed. You may want to rethink this:) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-vans/89198.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-vans/89198.md?page=4)