If you thought the minivan was dead, think again. At least, Autobytel.com would, for some reason, like you to think again. The online car seller released a "poll" Thursday claiming to show that American consumers are still interested in minvans. According to the "survey" — actually a series of single-question snap polls on Autobytel's Web site — "51% of Family Utility Vehicle Intenders [FUVIs!] say they'd be most likely to buy a minivan" rather than an SUV or crossover. Even better, "79% say minivans 'Get a bad rap and remain appealing and useful.'"
But Autobytel failed to ask the intenders to specify their intentions. Since few respondents were interested in performance and handling (8%) it is unlikely that many buyers actually want to drive these lumbering suburbo-boxes. In fact, most FUVIs cited "roominess" (30%) and "comfort/ease of use" (31%) as the characteristics they were looking for most in their impending purchase. While all of this is good news to the auto industry, it adds up to another blow to the struggling housing market. Clearly, most FUVIs intend to live in their FUVs. —Jeffrey Kanige
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Just how lodged in the 90s are you, Jeffrey?
It makes little sense to pooh-pooh the apparent interests of some consumers, who realize a minivan makes far more sense for their daily transportation needs than a lumbering Tahoe, Expedition, Sequoia, et al.
Minivans offer the same interior room of most SUVs, more optimally laid out, and in a far more compact, maneuverable and efficient package.
One gleeful consolation for me as gas prices continue to climb, is the promise of the impending death of the SUV -- and the subsequent panic, as "suburban"-ites desperately try to trade in their now-worthless behemoths on smaller vehicles... only to be told they're hopelessly buried in the 72-and-84-month loans many took out so they could afford the damn things. Ha!