From Tots to Teenagers: Years Later, Our Minivan Still Meets Our Family’s Needs
My husband and I were sure our family would outgrow the minivan once our boys were out of their car seats. As it turns out, it's a lot more versatile than we thought. Here's how.
We bought our minivan in 2014, back when my two boys were five and practicality ruled every purchasing decision. I’ll admit: I saw the minivan as the death knell to whatever shred of coolness I thought I had. Surely parking a 2013 Chrysler Town & Country in the driveway would turn me into a frumpy mom in high-waisted jeans who listened exclusively to soft rock.
Two things happened instead: First, the convenience outweighed any stigma. And second, I realized I was never that cool to begin with, and that’s okay. Additionally, high-waisted jeans are making a serious comeback. Who’d have predicted?
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
Our Family’s Needs Convinced us to Join #TeamMinivan
Like most families, we were diehard SUV fans, and then we joined Team Minivan when our kids were small, and our cargo was everything. We needed space for four people to ride comfortably, room for the occasional extra passenger, and the flexibility to haul supersized Costco runs, sports gear, and camping gear.
Getting kids in and out was a breeze. By the time we bought it, my boys could crawl in and buckle themselves, but the second-row captain’s chairs made it just as easy to help a smaller child. The seats also gave my guys enough personal space to at least delay the bickering during long road trips. Did it stop the backseat bickering? Absolutely not. But it helped.
The built-in screens were a lifesaver on long drives, and I loved every gadget the van offered: automatic doors, heated seats, and more charging ports than we ever knew what to do with. Many of my friends were driving full-size SUVs and belonged to the “I could never” club when it came to minivan life. That’s OK because I belonged to the “my gas costs less” club.
Over a Decade Later, We’re Still Driving It
Our gently used 2013 minivan, which we bought secondhand in 2014, has been paid off for years. I assumed we’d replace it once the kids were older, especially now that they’re 15, they’ll be getting their learner’s permit soon, but because it’s still incredibly handy, it still has a spot in the driveway.
My husband and I both work from home, so our day-to-day driving needs are minimal. The minivan serves as our secondary car, the one we use when we both need wheels or when we need maximum storage for a beach day or lake trip, AKA hauling coolers and canopies. When the family’s visiting, the comfortable third row is a bonus, too.
In a perfect economy, we might have traded it in by now. But a second brand-new car would be a “nice to have,” and not a need right now. I like not having a car payment. Yes, the van is showing its age, some rust spots, peeling paint, and a recently replaced bit of door molding, but as a second car, it still runs just fine. And, as I previously mentioned, it still comes in handy when one of my son’s friends wants to come over, if family is here, or I need it to haul larger items.
It May Not Haul Babies Anymore, But Its Cargo Capacity Still Serves the Family
These days, our minivan is less about chauffeuring kids and more about hauling…well, everything else. The second and third row seats are removable, and the vertical space paired with the long wheel base makes it easy to transport lumber, move furniture, and clear out the occasional storage unit.
If we still have it when it’s time to move our kids to college dorms a few years from now, I’m sure it will be full of dorm stuff (and probably a mountain of shredded tissues soaked with my tears). If it’s still around when they graduate, we’ll probably use it to help move them back in.
However, I’m Not Sure I Want My Teens Driving It
…But that’s not because it isn’t useful, reliable, or versatile. Next year, we’ll have—gulp—two teen drivers in the house. For years, we’ve debated keeping the minivan specifically for this milestone. Now that it’s almost here, I’m not so sure.
Our 2013 model lacks many modern safety features: blind-spot monitoring, pedestrian detection, and other tech I’ve come to rely on. I’m hesitant to hand my new drivers a vehicle without those advantages. Yes, generations survived without them, but we also know how much they improve safety.
Then there’s the other issue: it seats seven. I don’t love the idea of the minivan becoming the designated teen party bus. We’ll restrict their ability to drive friends at first, but an abundance of empty seats may be too tempting. “Just one more” is not a phrase I want in their vocabulary when they have the keys. A carload of teen passengers bellowing “SIX SEVEN” and talking about their rizz is not what I want distracting my brand-new drivers in a car that’s not as safe as modern ones.
I’m not saying teens shouldn’t drive older minivans; I’m just saying that, for our family, the decision isn’t automatic. And yes, whatever we choose, the boys will share a car. That part is non-negotiable, and yes, they have already expressed their dislike.
Would I Recommend a Minivan to Families? Wholeheartedly
Trust me on this one: minivans will always be superior to SUVs as family cars because of their cargo space, passenger space, and overall comfort. I was reluctant to get a minivan for our kids, but after making the switch, I realized why they were so successful in the first place. 3
Chrysler doesn’t make the Town & Country anymore, but they make the Pacifica, and that serves as a sleek, tech-forward upgrade, and that’s likely what I’d choose if I were minivan shopping today. But the Kia Carnival, Toyota Sienna, and Honda Odyssey are all great options. Though we loved the VW ID.Buzz, too.
Don’t be afraid to test drive one. Once you put your kids in one, you’ll realize they’re like potato chips: you can’t have just one. Especially once you see how well it adapts to your family once your kids are out of car seats.
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