# Someone stop me! Thinking of Getting a Minivan.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-stop-me-thinking-of-getting-a-minivan/834381>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [May 23, 2019, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-stop-me-thinking-of-getting-a-minivan/834381 "2019-05-23T00:43:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\
**Post date:** [May 26, 2019, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-stop-me-thinking-of-getting-a-minivan/834381/41 "2019-05-26T11:28:16Z")

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> [@Grrr](#):
>
> [Vans are cool now](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYQ-jRHeCW0)

> [@corkboard](#):
>
> …Once you get over the (undeserved) stigma of being a minivan driver/owner.

> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#):
>
> …Minivans don’t deserve the “man card revocation” stigma they receive.

> [@Jumpbass](#):
>
> …Anyone who thinks poorly of my masculinity because I drive a minivan…

> [@Ulfreida](#):
>
> …I wish I understood this bizarre American animus against practical vehicles.

> [@Dinsdale](#):
>
> …I was in a fucking MINIVAN and thereby INVISIBLE to anyone who was minimally attractive, cool, whatever! :rolleyes:

> [@kayaker](#):
>
> A friend of mine is divorced, with custody of his kids. After he purchased a minivan we all made a concerted effort to rag him about it. Anytime any of his friends call his house, if a kid answers, we ask to speak with their mom.

I think you’re all projecting your own issues onto the OP.

Nowhere do I see him being concerned about how he will be perceived as a minivan owner. His question is about the practicality of the purchase.  
mmm

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**Author:** ![brainstall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@brainstall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brainstall)\
**Post date:** [May 26, 2019, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-stop-me-thinking-of-getting-a-minivan/834381/42 "2019-05-26T12:07:29Z")

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I got a great deal on a Ford Freestar and loved it. I embraced the lack of cool that driving a minivan conveys. The second row of seats came out, opening up the back for the dogs and I put a foam mattress back there so it was comfortable for them. The third row folded flat giving even more space, or could be left up with storage behind, or for the rare times when I needed seating for more than one passenger. When I was more active in dog training, I could fit at least three large crates. On road trips, the crates came out and I could sleep comfortably back there. Tinted windows and the height of the van helped with privacy if I was trying to nap somewhere like a rest stop, or if I left the dogs in the van to grab a bite to eat or pick up supplies. The vigilantes are out there waiting to smash windows and “rescue” dogs spotted in cars whether in distress or not.

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