Mini Van Story

We have been a one car family for almost 7 years now and made it through life great.  BUT with the coming of a third child and Libby starting school this year it was the time to add another vehicle.  We have been shopping around for a good year, but really thoroughly for about six months.  Josh and I started looking for anything but a mini van.  We had looked at a lot of cross over options (too small) and suv's.  We decided that we really liked the Honda Pilot and set out in search of a Pilot with low miles in our price range.  After a couple months of looking and test driving and a few Pilot deals falling through because of bad dealer business, we just couldn't find the right one.  Also here in NY people are not careful with their cars and ding up other people's cars constantly.  Our Corolla has been hit (while just parked) and in the shop once already and has a few new dings from careless drivers.  It's really frustrating.  So we didn't want to put in more money just to be able to get a Pilot, because it was just inevitable that it would get beat up by New Yorkers.  So our last resort was getting a mini van.  I know all the PROS to getting one (especially with having little kids), but I was just really resisting for the longest time.  I just don't like them.  Something that convinced me to give in was that it wouldn't be LONG term if we didn't want it to be.  We just need to get through living in NY and maybe a year or two more after we move, depending on what we find.  After more research on vans we checked out all the top rated reviewed ones.  Then another problem came up, Josh just doesn't fit in the drivers seat in mini vans!  He's too tall.  The last van we tried was the Chrysler Town & Country and amazingly enough he has plenty of room and is really comfortable.  We had our doubts that he wouldn't fit going to the dealer, because he had absolutely no room in the VW Routan and they are made with most of the same parts and same style.  So long story short, we found a Chrysler with really low miles, good year, nice condition, better engine, pretty much all the interior things I wanted (but weren't necessary), certified and got a great price!  We also didn't have to drive a ways to get it, it was at an in town dealership.  We got it just time too.  We went through the first week of school (3days) with one car and it wasn't easy.  All in all we are happy with our decision.  The girls think it's so awesome!  They are so excited to go anywhere in the van.  I have to admit it is so easy to get the girls in and out too.  We are now apart of the mini van crew at church.  Pretty much every mama has one!  :)