Mini van vanity...

Ok, I admit it. I have never liked mini vans. By and large I have always thought that they were the ugly duckling of the wheeled world. Please note, I am not a gear head by any stretch. I like a car to be comfy, handle well and if it looks nice...all the better. Personally, I think auto design peaked with the R Type and it has all be downhill from there.

We were picked up in a new Town and Country the other day...it was the very first time I have ever been in a mini van. It has "stow and go" seating...that is, the two rear bucket seats AND the rear-rear bench fold down into the floor. Really. I have no idea where they have put the gas tank...maybe it only holds 3 gallons. All I know is that it is the slickest thing I have seen in a very long time. It is basically "under foot" storage when you don't "need" it and if you do, with one hand you can fold some or all of the seats into the floor (very cool if you suddently decide you REALLY need a few sheets of plywood or, say, a few dozen boxes of books. Long and short is, the average SUV has between 75 and 95 cubic feet of cargo space...the T&C has 161...oh, and better gas milage.

I still think they are...er...aesthetically uninspired. Inside, however, they are disturbingly comfy. I am embarassed to admit this. Really embarassed. If and when I get a new vehicle, I bet it will be a mini van *sigh*.