Well, we’ve gone and done it–outgrown the miniature van. My buddy Sean Michael Murphy (may he live forever) first introduced me to that way of honoring (?) the mini-van. And while he doesn’t blog nearly as often as he should (ahem cough cough) he’s still the funniest man I know. And it turns out that I’m not the only one who thinks so.
I was on the phone this afternoon with Josh from MATS, a company that specializes in supplying transportation solutions for domestic and international ministry types. Josh knows SMM, and finds him equally funny (we didn’t discuss blog delinquency). Josh knows cars, and Josh knows ministry life. And now Josh knows Team Sublett.
We’ve reached the point where we have more butts than we have seats, and the local, state, and federal law enforcement officers don’t take kindly to kids riding on the roof, even if they’re securely strapped down and wearing a helmet. What’s a family to do?
I’ve been looking at the stretch limo that’s for sale at the place near our house (no, not kidding), and I saw a mini-bus on the side of the road today coming back from Port Matlida. Kim’s not too wild about either option. The scooter isn’t a very practical ride for a family of 8, no matter how cool they make it look on the tv. So we called Josh.
Josh gave us three possible solutions to our need, and I’d like to get some feedback from you, the general public. (Wouldn’t it be cool to have that as your title? If your last name was Public, and you were a General in the Army…) Here are the proposed vehicles:
1. 8 passenger minivan (Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna) (why does odyssey have only 1 D? That’s odd)
2. 9 passenger Suburban or Yukon
3. 12 passenger van (no more miniatures for Team Sublett!)
OK, so let’s hear it. What are the pros and cons? What’s your favorite? These aren’t the actual vehicles, mind you, so don’t get all goofy on the colors or the lack of spinners. Help us pick Team Sublett’s official road vehicle.
Leave your thoughts in the comments on the blog and I’ll have Charlie randomly select one commenter for some fabulous Team Sublett memorabilia!
Of course, if things go haywire, we might end up looking like this as we head down the road for the next great Team Sublett adventure…
16 Comments
Matt M · September 14, 2011 at 2:01 am
Personally, I belive that the Suburban/Excursion 9 passenger suv is your best option. Reasons:
1. More space than the mini van, most importantly in the trunk area which is beneficial for vacations. Nobody likes packing in a mini van for a trip with luggage packed around them.
-while the odyssey “seats” 8, it is a very crammed 8 and may not be comfortable
2. 4 wheel drive- very handy for the infamous State College winters
3. Diesel? – The Ford excursion (their version of the suburban) has an option with the 8 cyl diesel powerstroke which gets much better fuel mileage than either of the vans AND can be environmentally friendly : )
4. Made in America
-The 12 pass van obviously has the most room, but is a very large vehicle that can be cumbersome to drive and trying to park might be a pain (I have a large truck, trust me its not fun). Those big vans are also not easy to climb in and out of with all of the rows of seats.
amanda · September 14, 2011 at 6:35 am
welllll, first off – CHARLIE, PICK ME! PICK ME!
but to be serious… you guys love ministry… you guys love kids… you guys are not done with your family… none of us believe that – so the Honda is out because it would only fit you right this minute….
the yukon or sub would be nice… suburban is my dream vehicle… but again, it would be tight. As your kids grow, it will become more and more of a pain to get their big hineys back to the way back… Charlie’s carseat (that will be around for a few more YEARS) will always be in the way…
As much as I HATE it, the bigger van would be perfect… everyone can get in and out without killing each other or removing a limb… the carseat can have one location, and not be in the way of anything… and if your are brave and let a kid bring home a friend from school or church, there would be a little room to squeeze a couple in…
sorry – that is my vote…
love you – love my/your kids… love kimmy!
Malea · September 14, 2011 at 8:08 am
go big or go home. get the giant 12 passenger van, and that way you don’t have to upgrade until kid #11 joins team sublett 🙂
Steve Heron · September 14, 2011 at 10:46 am
I’ll give some background for us, we had twins our first pregnancy and now a single coming in a little over a month. All this in just over 2 years of marriage. Not sure what #of kids you guys are up to, bc I’m basically a bad friend.
Being that we need 3 carseats we outgrew the minivan before we even started looking for a bigger car. We had looked at about 4 different kinds including chryslers, dodges, hondas and toyotas before deciding they just didn’t have the room we would need long term. Putting groceries and a double stroller in the back of a minivan was improbable at best.
That being said, we settled on our 2006 suburban last weekend and love it. 3rd row seating and plenty of room in the back means my wife has space to spare and it’s easy to put kids in and get them out. We love it.
Finally as for safety, as a good friend says, “They put the president in a suburban, not a minivan” I love that the ‘Burban is big and solid and people see you coming and get out of your way.. 4×4 ain’t too bad either when the snow gets going. Gas mileage is about 16mpg in ours which is about the same as a minivan, so there’s a toss up.
Those are my thoughts..
Joel · September 14, 2011 at 11:02 am
I really think you guys need some kind of signature family vehicle a la “The Partridge Family”. So, why not a school bus? Paint it up real cool and make it your own. It wouldn’t be that practical day to day but how often do you all travel together in one vehicle anyway? Especially with Levi as another driver soon. If you do travel together a lot I’d go big with the van. If not the Odyssey, supplemented with other cars/drivers would work well and give you much better mileage.
Chelsea Garrity · September 14, 2011 at 11:04 am
I agree that the minivan will one day be too small. I am sure you have plenty of experience driving the “church” van which is a plus but i have to go with the Yukon! I can see Kim rocking in that car! Praying that the right car finds you guys!
Jo Ellen Weaverling · September 14, 2011 at 12:58 pm
#2 is nice but with a friend or extra luggage you are out of space. Levi is a big guy and needs some leg room so #3 it has to be!!
Hannah I. · September 14, 2011 at 3:39 pm
I vote for #3. Mostly because it’s my favorite number. Also because I think it’s your best option if you account for both cargo and people/butt space. I don’t think that the first two options will give you enough space for a gazillion suitcases, stroller, and snacks to feed the masses on any family roadtrips. You may be able to downsize to “just” an 8-passenger full-size van?! Or, maybe you could find a bicycle built for 8 (though it may need to be a quad-cycle?)? I hope that Charlie picks well! 🙂
Levi Sublett · September 14, 2011 at 6:09 pm
Matt, a suburban also has a front row of seats like a twelve passenger van and if we went on vacation we would have to pack small and use 2 turtle top car carriers or a trailer. The 12 passenger van would be ideal for a few reasons.
1: It’s bigger so we could fit our ENTIRE family, some friends and maybe a few hobos or something.
2: For travel we would just have to take out the last bench seat to pack and still fit our ENTIRE family.
3: If we needed to go pick up Sadie from SOS or Annabelle and Josie from Chinese school etc. we could just take your truck. Also I’m pretty sure mom said I get her van in a couple of months when I get my license so I could do that.
4: My legs are quite large
amanda · September 14, 2011 at 8:35 pm
Levi Scott Sublett – I love you- I love your reasons for number three – I love how you love your siblings and family – I love your humor – I love you…. and you are my (hushed whisper) favorite nephew… wink wink
Annie · September 15, 2011 at 9:08 am
I vote for the one that gets to Cincinnati the fastest.
Sara Pensyl · September 15, 2011 at 1:00 pm
Well. I wrote a response yeterday and the blasted webpage wouldn’t post it. But since I really want to win the contest I will re-type.
1. No way to the 8 passenger. Remember when we took those to Destination Unknown a few years ago? They were TERRIBLE. So only buy this vehicle if you want to send a clear message that you hate your children.
2. This initially was my vote, but since it would JUST fit your family you have to consider how many times the ENTIRE family travels somewhere in one vehicle. Is it often? If so then go for the 12 passenger. If it’s only once a year for a family vacation or so then it’s worth considering and then maybe for the family vacay you can get a rooftop carrier even rent a larger van for that week.
Another consideration is that for such a little guy Charlie takes up a lot of space with his car seat – and will for the forseeable future. So while the 9 passenger will just fit the entire family, Charlie is going to be a little bit of a seat hog for the next several years.
Becky Eveleth · September 16, 2011 at 4:42 pm
Ok….obviously the mini-van is out and really so is the suburban. Simply because look at how your family has grown in the past 2 years and I agree with Amanda that you aren’t done yet! And like Sara said the suburban or yukon will not be too comfortable with nearly adult size children squeezed in there. You should probably read Levi’s suggestion carefully since he exhibits a lot of wisdom.
Speaking from experience I will say that we have nearly 2 less children than you (once Isaac comes home it will be 2 children less but for now it is only nearly) and our suburban doesn’t not hold all our gear when we go away. When we went to the cabin this summer Mark had to drive his truck too. For all the hype they don’t have enough cargo room if you have the passenger capacity maxed out!
So that is my vote! I know that Kim said she will feel like a goober in a big van but she looks amazing in anything so I am sure she will rock the big van!
Kimberly Sublett · September 18, 2011 at 11:06 pm
Thanks Becky for the confidence in my style behind the wheel of a 12 passenger! ha…but I really think my heart leaning toward #2…now maybe if a sprinter was in the mix I could go for one of those 12 passengers? 🙂 I personally, don’t like any of them…but I guess we need to make a decision soon…did I tell you that I took 6 weeks to pick a stroller for Charlie? I like to weigh my options! And Charlie is ROCKIN’ in his new wheels! Literally! 🙂
Mark Eveleth · September 19, 2011 at 6:37 pm
The Godly thing seems to be to plan for growth. Whether it be in our churches or our businesses so why not in our families? Think A-Team!!!
new friends · September 14, 2011 at 11:50 pm
[…] and about yesterday’s vehicle poll: I’m letting the contest run until Friday. There have to be more opinions out there than […]