Former race car driver discovers joys of minivan

[tl01]

I just had to come add one reason I love my SUV. A guy in his current gen Ody tried to get me off the line today because he wanted my lane after passing a ton of cars backed up in traffic...yeah, my new Range Rover Supercharged might have blown his doors off and then some.

Lets be fair... Your range rover is supercharged and probably costs double what his ride costs... Depending upon trim level.

 

[monica-m]

Dani, I didn't realize a Range Rover was your new ride! Can I come ooh and ah over it and pet it?

 

[TXDani]

Lets be fair... Your range rover is supercharged and probably costs double what his ride costs... Depending upon trim level.

Right but even if I wanted to I couldn't do that in any minivan.

 

[TXDani]

Dani, I didn't realize a Range Rover was your new ride! Can I come ooh and ah over it and pet it?

Haha of course...but you'd have to take her for a spin too....that's when you really feel the love.

 

[SafeDad]

We have "short man syndrome" and I think we might also have "minivan man syndrome" also now...not all men have said minivan man syndrome but I have met a few who do. :rollseyes:

Hey, um, I think I resemble that remark! I'm happy to no longer be driving a minivan after 10 years, even if my SUV is less practical;-)

I also greatly enjoyed driving a GL450 a couple weeks ago. Came in handy for the flood of the decade here! Granted, I am also enjoying the Fusion Hybrid I have now, so I'm probably not the best example of macho car guy.

 

[monica-m]

Haha of course...but you'd have to take her for a spin too....that's when you really feel the love.

I can't say what I want to say to this because it would get the thread moved . I'll message you.

 

[canadiangie]

Haha of course...but you'd have to take her for a spin too....that's when you really feel the love.

A RR Supercharged pulled up across the street yesterday. I gawked long enough that he said hello to me. And that's when I told him my friend in Texas just bought one. Lmfao.. as if you and I are like best buds... was pretty funny. :jive:

 

[tl01]

Hey, um, I think I resemble that remark! I'm happy to no longer be driving a minivan after 10 years, even if my SUV is less practical;-)

I also greatly enjoyed driving a GL450 a couple weeks ago. Came in handy for the flood of the decade here! Granted, I am also enjoying the Fusion Hybrid I have now, so I'm probably not the best example of macho car guy.

The new GL? Will you be doing a blog entry for it? Please tell me more. It's about the only thing that could swing me away from another minivan.... but I keep telling myself it's the wrong choice. I know if I get one... I'll miss the sliding doors.

 

[tl01]

Right but even if I wanted to I couldn't do that in any minivan.

Sadly and strangely... I've entered a phase in my life... where I'm okay with not being the fastest driver/car on the road. I didn't think it would ever happen... but it did. I'm sure once I'm done being taxi all day every day... that will change... plus I live in copville. You can't speed at all without getting a ticket. Really takes the fun out of it.

 

[SafeDad]

Yes a blog review is in the works, but possibly not this month.

The GL450 is great overall. Roomier than any midsize crossover SUV for sure. Good 3-across potential in the 2nd row. Third row is also roomier, with two pairs of the nicest LATCH anchors on any vehicle. Very powerful. Very quiet and comfortable, too. Great third row access and better thigh support in the third row than any midsize or small full size SUV I've driven. It's not nearly as big as a Suburban or Expedition XL, but probably just a hair bigger inside than a Buick Enclave or Infinit JX35. Not quite as big as a regular Expedition or Sequoia. It's natural competition would be the Audi Q7, which also looked great for kids at the auto show, but I haven't driven one.

Still not quite as nice as a minivan in terms of seating flexibility or third row comfort. Plus, while the handling was good for such a large, heavy vehicle, I find the Odyssey or most midsize crossovers to be more nimble and much more fuel efficient, too.

 

[TXDani]

Yes a blog review is in the works, but possibly not this month.

The GL450 is great overall. Roomier than any midsize crossover SUV for sure. Good 3-across potential in the 2nd row. Third row is also roomier, with two pairs of the nicest LATCH anchors on any vehicle. Very powerful. Very quiet and comfortable, too. Great third row access and better thigh support in the third row than any midsize or small full size SUV I've driven. It's not nearly as big as a Suburban or Expedition XL, but probably just a hair bigger inside than a Buick Enclave or Infinit JX35. Not quite as big as a regular Expedition or Sequoia. It's natural competition would be the Audi Q7, which also looked great for kids at the auto show, but I haven't driven one.

Still not quite as nice as a minivan in terms of seating flexibility or third row comfort. Plus, while the handling was good for such a large, heavy vehicle, I find the Odyssey or most midsize crossovers to be more nimble and much more fuel efficient, too.

Can't wait to read your review!!

 

[TXDani]

A RR Supercharged pulled up across the street yesterday. I gawked long enough that he said hello to me. And that's when I told him my friend in Texas just bought one. Lmfao.. as if you and I are like best buds... was pretty funny. :jive:

Hahaha we ARE totally BFFs!!!

 

[JCsMomma]

Yes a blog review is in the works, but possibly not this month.

The GL450 is great overall. Roomier than any midsize crossover SUV for sure. Good 3-across potential in the 2nd row. Third row is also roomier, with two pairs of the nicest LATCH anchors on any vehicle. Very powerful. Very quiet and comfortable, too. Great third row access and better thigh support in the third row than any midsize or small full size SUV I've driven. It's not nearly as big as a Suburban or Expedition XL, but probably just a hair bigger inside than a Buick Enclave or Infinit JX35. Not quite as big as a regular Expedition or Sequoia. It's natural competition would be the Audi Q7, which also looked great for kids at the auto show, but I haven't driven one.

Still not quite as nice as a minivan in terms of seating flexibility or third row comfort. Plus, while the handling was good for such a large, heavy vehicle, I find the Odyssey or most midsize crossovers to be more nimble and much more fuel efficient, too.

That's a review I can't wait for! And the new Fusion is actually a lot more impressive than I thought it'd be - we got one recently for DH's company car. It might not be very macho but it's got some pros for sure!

 

[twolittlebroncos]

Right but even if I wanted to I couldn't do that in any minivan.

I'd say you're lucky you didn't try to race this guy.

http://www.turbovan.net/van.html

"If you see a Woody mini van full of kids with a big guy in bib overalls driving it, look out!"

 

[tl01]

Yes a blog review is in the works, but possibly not this month.

The GL450 is great overall. Roomier than any midsize crossover SUV for sure. Good 3-across potential in the 2nd row. Third row is also roomier, with two pairs of the nicest LATCH anchors on any vehicle. Very powerful. Very quiet and comfortable, too. Great third row access and better thigh support in the third row than any midsize or small full size SUV I've driven. It's not nearly as big as a Suburban or Expedition XL, but probably just a hair bigger inside than a Buick Enclave or Infinit JX35. Not quite as big as a regular Expedition or Sequoia. It's natural competition would be the Audi Q7, which also looked great for kids at the auto show, but I haven't driven one.

Still not quite as nice as a minivan in terms of seating flexibility or third row comfort. Plus, while the handling was good for such a large, heavy vehicle, I find the Odyssey or most midsize crossovers to be more nimble and much more fuel efficient, too.

Interesting! Maybe I will be glad I didn't trade my Sienna for another Ody this month. Maybe I should hold out for a GL again. I'll have to check the third row access.... that plus lack of sliding doors are my biggest issues for the non minivan options. I sure would rather drive a GL though! Three across was fine in my 2009 GL... my issue was reaching the 3rd row when i needed it. Good thing they are in short supply so I can't just run and get one and have it be an impulsive decision!

Did the GL have the seat belts that tighten up when you first head out? My mom's car has them.... I'm not sure what they are called but they always trip me out... but I think they are a a great idea for making sure that everyone's belts are tight before you start driving.

 

[TXDani]

Tara- do you know anything about a possible walk-thru in the GL? When I built one online (back when they first came out) there was an option that said "not available yet" of a middle row walk-thru on the 550. I am not sure if it is still there but I haven't been able to confirm what it is or if it will really exist at some point.

 

[tl01]

Tara- do you know anything about a possible walk-thru in the GL? When I built one online (back when they first came out) there was an option that said "not available yet" of a middle row walk-thru on the 550. I am not sure if it is still there but I haven't been able to confirm what it is or if it will really exist at some point.

I don't know... But I'll research it. I haven't really focused on it as I was trying to convince myself I don't want one. My friend just ordered a 550... I'll ask her.

ETA... I can't seem to find it in the build your own option.....

 

[TXDani]

I don't know... But I'll research it. I haven't really focused on it as I was trying to convince myself I don't want one. My friend just ordered a 550... I'll ask her.

ETA... I can't seem to find it in the build your own option.....

I thought it disappeared but I wasn't sure and am on my phone so I couldn't double check. My husband is taking the RR in 8-12 months (since he has put 23,000 miles on his truck he bought in Nov. he is going to split his miles between two vehicles at that point) and I will either get a new Denali when the new one comes out, a GL or a LX. That walk thru had it been available would have added a lot of weight to the GL for me.

 

[SafeDad]

Can't wait to read your review!!

About the only shocker was the $97k sticker price with all the options. For me, I like the base GL350 Bluetec for $30k less that also gets reasonable fuel economy for a full size SUV. Mine pretty much got what was advertised, around 14mpg in town.

 

[safeinthecar]

while the handling was good for such a large, heavy vehicle, I find the Odyssey ... to be more nimble

I'm having a hard time picturing something being LESS nimble than my (07) Oddy. I miss my Armada every time I have to do uturn.