Quoted from Sparky

I get 11L/100kms with my Grand Caravan, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I picked up 12 sheets of 4x8' sheetrock last week and it fit in it perfectly.

I have lots of space AND good gas mileage for a vehicle that size.

The Honda fit gets 5.7L/100KM and since I do almost 100KM a day in my commute I'd basically have to double my gas budget in order to drive a caravan.  While I'd love to have one, I just can't justify using it for a daily driver as the % of time I spend hauling stuff around is no where near the % of time I don't.  

If I had kids, no question I would have a Caravan.  

I'll keep this thread off-topic and lend Tuborg some support on the SUV side..

When we were looking for a family vehicle 4 years ago,
we were open to either a mini-van or a SUV.

We chose a SUV because..

- We wanted an all-wheel drive option
  (they don't plow much around our neighborhood and we have alot of hills to contend with )
None of the minivan made after 2005 offered AWD.
This is not possible with the Stow-and-go system.

- We wanted an 8-seater
  Most minivans now have two captains chairs in the 2nd row.
  We wanted all 3 kids in one row, with room left to fold down the last row for storage.
  (you lose ALOT of storage space if you have 3 kids and need to use the 3rd row )

Towing was also a concern, but both SUV and mini-van
have the same engines, so it really didn't make a difference in the end.

(...at least that was the case with the Honda Pilot [SUV] and Honda Odessy [MV] )

So we ended-up with a Honda Pilot.

Good Family vehicle, but with 48" of inside width clearance,
it's just a little too narrow to squeeze two pins side-by-side.

...but it can pull a trailer full of goodies though !



Steph

Quoted from Sparky

I picked up 12 sheets of 4x8' sheetrock last week and it fit in it perfectly.

I have lots of space AND good gas mileage for a vehicle that size.

That's awesome.

I was ready to ante up for one but the door/stairs into our darn garage in right in front as opposed to the side or middle. A Caravan, being fairly long, would only just fit but you couldn't use the door to get into the house.   We settled for smaller; it is nice keeping the 'family' vehicle warm in the winter.

Quoted from Steph

So we ended-up with a Honda Pilot.

That was our "second" choice.   We got a Pathfinder - I think because it was (a) cheaper than the pilot, and (b) could pull more - 6,000lbs I believe - it has a truck frame (drives like a truck though, too.   I sometimes regret, as the pilot is wider and can fit 3 kids-seats abreast easily.   On the pathfinder you can do it - but you got squish&squeeze the seats just right.   The pilot was a great test drive though - wow - drives like a car.

Quoted from Tuborg

I sometimes regret, as the pilot is wider and can fit 3 kids-seats abreast easily.  

That was the clincher for us...

I actually measured the 3 baby seats
and then the inside of every SUV/MV we looked at.

The Pilot had the most space..

Steph

Quoted from Sparky

Incorrect. They just don't want to sell it here.

http://www.topspeed.com/cars/c.....ong-kong-ar3808.html

Who knows in a few years, I may buy that. First right hand drive ever for me

I have a Honda Oyssey and can not only fit probably 3-4 pins in, but I have been able to fit 7 goats, or 19 bails of hay! Cleaning the goat s**t was another story...

I am thinking of getting a minivan myself.
My SUV 2004 Santa fea needs allot of work and time so i will make it my second car.
Suv are ok but they suck on gas trust me mine is horrible and it's a front will drive.
Will never ever buy a Hyundai ever again or kia same company.
Parts are 3 to 4 times the price and there made cheap.

This is the problems i had under warranty had electrical issues with alarm a seat broke a door handle came off for my rear hatch, power windows went all screwwie. Air flow sensor giving you a boost of speed while driving like being hit in the rear almost got in 2 accidents because of that.
Heat system glitch would only work if breaks where pressed or if radio was on and you held the knob
I had that thing so much in the shop they knew me buy name and it was all under warranty.

Now things I have to do that have to be done in next few months .
Breaks, rear calipers,break line and rotets
To make it worse i change the breaks 1 year ago and that cost me 600 and that was just parts.
I have to change my rear chocks on it and i have 110 000km mind you i did allot of towing with it being boat or trailer.
hell the controls for the heater fan has a penny wedge in there if not does not work same issue when it was under warranty but breaks has nothing to do with it this time..

Personally i think i will get a van be easier for the kids and the cost for parts a hell of allot better then this piece of mess.
Now i almost feel like selling it.

How about something totally impractical - but does fit a pin - Jeep Cherokee SRT8 (pic isn't mine but have one just the same)

POWER/TORQUE: 420 hp/ 420 lb.-ft.
FUEL CONSUMPTION: City 19.1, hwy. 14.3, as tested 16.8 L/100 km  

It is a beast. Firmly recommend it.

That question about fitting a pin in a dodge caravan , sure brings a lot of fun coments ! I like that !!!