Scion xB or minivan?

January 11, 2008 6:36 AM

Minivan or Scion xB?

Our 2005 Scion xB was rear-ended recently. On a whim I picked a Dodge Grand Caravan as my rental while the Scion was in the shop. I -- oh, the shame -- really like the minivan.

If the insurance company offers us a choice (and I don't know if they do this), should we get our car repaired or use the money towards a replacement? If our car is totaled, which should we get: another Scion, or a minivan?

The car will be our only car. Not having a car is not an option. It will be used mostly for suburban errands and outings. We have two small kids, still in car seats. We go car camping. We're tall. We drive from Seattleish to Central Washington several times a year. We frequently wish we could fit more people in the car with us, but the carseats take up the whole back of the Scion. Safety is a priority.

Things I like about the Scion:
Visibility
28 MPG isn't bad
Easy to find in the parking lot

Things I like about the minivan:
It's much quieter inside
The sliding doors
Can hold more people
Can hold more stuff
The kids like it more
Luxurious inside (comfortable seats, adjustable steering wheel, etc.)
The height


Please advise.

posted by The corpse in the library to travel & transportation (31 comments total)

I think you already answered the question yourself. Are you looking for validation that it's ok to own a minivan, or do you want us to talk you out of it? ;)
posted by COD at 6:46 AM on January 11, 2008

One thing to consider is that the Scion XB was redesigned last year and is much larger and minivan-like than yours (and mine). It has a much larger engine and more cargo space but now only gets 22 MPG.
posted by octothorpe at 6:47 AM on January 11, 2008

Don't underestimate the ability to hold more stuff. I chose a Matrix over a Scion last year, and my one complaint is that I could use more carrying room/flexibility of space now. And as the cousin of young kids, the ability to put space between them can be a lifesaver.

Easy to find is an relatively easy thing to fix (magnetic flames/daisies/other image of your choice; odd paint choice; antenna item; a little memory tool for remembering where you parked it, a window flag touting an obscure or unbeloved team or thing). Visibility and mileage are harder to get around, but I found when going between a smaller car and a van that the visibility was just ... different. You do adjust. (hah!)
posted by julen at 6:48 AM on January 11, 2008

I came into my minivan by accident rather than design and I love it. Cars headlights are never blaring directly into my mirror. I can haul a month worth of groceries or enough guns for a small military unit. I can take my bike places with out taking off the wheel.

The only two complaints I have are that the gas mileage isn't as good as a car (though I don't drive it enough for this to matter), and it's harder to park (I don't have a driveway, so I have to parallel park it sometimes.
posted by drezdn at 6:51 AM on January 11, 2008

Looking at your "pros" lists, the choice should be obvious(read: minivan).
posted by owtytrof at 6:58 AM on January 11, 2008

It does sound like you have already convinced yourself into a Minivan.

If you want the minivan like experience without being quite as minivan, you might want to look into a Mazda5. Our friends have one (with two small children) and they love it, and would satisfy the

The sliding doors
Can hold more people
Can hold more stuff
The kids like it more (MAYBE?)
Luxurious inside (comfortable seats, adjustable steering wheel, etc.) (depends on taste...)

also, 28 mpg.

and it is pretty easy to find in a parking lot...
posted by gregvr at 7:02 AM on January 11, 2008

A few other choices that are somewhere between car and minivan that may (or may not) be suitable:
-The Mazda5 is a tall station wagon that has six bucket seats in three rows. The back two fold down for cargo.
-The Kia Rondo is another tall station wagon that has an optional 7-seat configuration where the back five seats can fold flat into the floor, giving it almost the cargo capacity of a pickup. The luxury version with all options is about $25K

Not quite as cool as the Scion but more cool than the minivan.
posted by winston at 7:05 AM on January 11, 2008

Whatever you do, avoid the new, redesigned Scion xB, it's crap.
posted by saladin at 7:38 AM on January 11, 2008

Always go with the minivan. Tan is the best color.
posted by tanminivan at 7:38 AM on January 11, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

I can haul a month worth of groceries or enough guns for a small military unit.

I wanna party with you, drezdn.

And by "party" I mean "prosper in the post-apocalypse."

OP: How about a Honda Element? If you get the AWD version, I bet you could talk drezdn into letting you join our militia.
posted by notyou at 7:44 AM on January 11, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Personally, I'd keep myself low to the ground for better control in unexpected "turbulence," and make sure it's front wheel drive in case I happened to find myself in a snowstorm, but that's just me. You sound like you want a minivan. They're very popular, it's just too bad the mileage stinks compared to a wagon.

Despite what you may think, basically any car sold these days is pretty darn safe, and none of them will save you in a collision at extremely high speed or with a semi/train/road tank aka monster SUV.

If you do end up looking into a new vehicle, be sure and compare insurance rates. The liability insurance for my SO's Explorer is significantly more expensive than my Accord, although it's cheaper than the ZX2 (which they consider a sports car..as if).
posted by wierdo at 8:09 AM on January 11, 2008

If adults will ever be sitting in the backseat of the Honda Element, they will hate you - the seats are brutally uncomfortable for anything over a half-hour drive. And aside from that, it's not a luxurious ride in the front, either.
posted by rtha at 8:15 AM on January 11, 2008

My mom drove a Toyota Sienna for a few years. It's really nice. To me it looks more like a station wagon than a minivan. And it probably has better reliability than the Dodge.
posted by hydropsyche at 8:30 AM on January 11, 2008

I learned to drive in a Vanagon, so I've never really understood the hatred for all things minivan. My feeling is this: if you're not cool in a minivan, you're not cool in the first place.
You like the minivan. Get the minivan. Sadly (for you and, well, everyone), they don't make Vanagons anymore, but I hear an endless parade of good things about the Honda Odyssey, and plenty of compliments about whatever the Toyota one is called. And I don't think I've ever heard anyone hate on their Dodge/Plymouth/Chrysler Caravan/Voyager/Town & Country (actually, the Touring edition Town & Countries are pretty cool if you ask me). Some research is probably in order here, but you get the idea.
posted by willpie at 8:40 AM on January 11, 2008

RE: saladin: Our family has 2 08 Scion xb's and we're quite happy with them.
They're also about $6000 cheaper than the Honda Element (which I owned previously) and the Element definitely isn't 6 grand nicer.

I'm sure the minivan would have more capacity, but check out the new Scion first to see how much bigger and zippier it is than the one you have now.
posted by Mamapotomus at 8:42 AM on January 11, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Another recommendation for the Mazda5. Sliding doors with out all the mini-van dorkiness. Another option is the Ford Freestyle (now called Taurus X). We got one over a year ago and love it. It has lots of room for our 5 person family, mini-van like interior and MPG's (thanks to the wacky CVT), but alas no sliding doors (the one thing my wife misses about the old mini-van).
posted by internal at 8:43 AM on January 11, 2008

Go with the minivan. I rented a scion for a trip with two small children and we drove throughout the west coast and southwest. It was painful for me and I am a short woman who does not require any leg space because I can bend in interesting positions while Mr. Jadepearl was cramped and hunched over. The space was an absolute issue and we were glad not to bring our stroller otherwise, it was the Sophie-esque choice of the luggage or one of the kids. My family packs real light too with only 2 suitcases of carry-on size.

My next vehicle will be a minivan and without regret. Take a look at other models like the Honda Odyssey with cylinder switching.
posted by jadepearl at 8:49 AM on January 11, 2008

To answer the question if insurance companies give you a choice to total it... Mine just did a couple weeks ago. "Because you have high mileage on the car, your car is nearly totaled. Are you interested in settling or repairing?" I repaired, knowing the damage wasn't horrible and I hated the idea of having a car payment right now.
posted by jerseygirl at 8:55 AM on January 11, 2008

You will get used to noticing where you parked your car, and be able to find it in the parking lot. Don't let that be a big factor in your decision. I used to drive a fairly tall vehicle, it took a few times to get in the habit of paying attention to where I parked when I got a shorter, more average looking car.
posted by yohko at 9:34 AM on January 11, 2008

My parents had a Pinto when my brother and I were growing up, and we travelled a LOT, so don't get sucked into this bizarre but seemingly common assumption that children = huge vehicle.
posted by loiseau at 9:47 AM on January 11, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

You, having recently driven both, are in a unique position to make this decision yourself. That said, if you do go to a minivan, I would shy away from a Chrysler or GM (or Ford) product, and you should consider the Honda offering. I hear it's the fastest in the segment, and the electronic doors are pretty cool.

I echo the negative comments about the brand new, heavier xB. Why they didn't give it a hybrid powertrain is beyond me.
posted by skybolt at 9:52 AM on January 11, 2008

Keep in mind that the calculation for mileage changed between the previous generation and the new xB. It doesn't completely explain the reduction in mileage, though.

I'd think you'd want something akin to a Toyota RAV4, Suburu Forrester or Honda CR-V. The Mazda5 is a good choice (and a personal fave), but most reviews cite it as underpowered.

The RAV4 strikes a good balance between the tiny xB and the minivan, which seems a bit much for a family of 4. If you need AWD, it's available, though it's not cited as a concern in your original post. Plus you'd get Toyota quality and reliability.

In the same vein, an Escape Hybrid would net you better gas mileage.
posted by Psionic_Tim at 10:04 AM on January 11, 2008

My parents have a Chevy HHR at their house in Puerto Rico, and damn, it's a great car! Cheap as a Scion, but not half as ugly looking (insert toaster, hat box jokes here). Great cargo room and decently comfy seats (for five, and we almost always had five in it) without the stigma of driving a soccer-mom-mobile. I normally balk at driving American-made cars now, but it's really worth looking at.

In general, the new class of sub-SUVs are a cool group, and worth looking at before you buy a eggplant-car (aka minivan). The Scion xB basically started this fad, but other cars have taken the concept and improved upon it.
posted by nursegracer at 10:20 AM on January 11, 2008

Seconding the Toyota RAV-4. Best MPG of anything in it's class (believe it or not, 27-28mpg) and once you hit the accelerator in the 270hp V6 you'll be sold. I made the mistake of trying to beat a red light in it the day I bought it and almost gave myself whiplash. Honda Element is way too utilitarian - and while the newer xB is less boxy and therefore more appealing (to me anyway) it's too small lengthwise and I have serious concerns as to the aerodynamics of the thing.
posted by tra at 4:23 PM on January 11, 2008

BTW, I own a Mazda3 and love it, but the Mazda5 (which I drove recently as a loaner while the 3 was in service) wasn't great. Comfortable to drive, but indeed underpowered and a MAJOR gas hog considering its size. I recommend against it.
posted by tra at 4:39 PM on January 11, 2008

I have a 2008 xB and I just love it.
Tons of space.
A LOT of headroom.
Six air bags.
Looks cool.
It's a Toyota.
Easy to get the kid in and out of the car seat.

We never looked back. My wife and I swear that Scion should quit marketing the xB to the hip-hop culture and start marketing it to families with children who don't want a minivan. It's the minivan for people who don't want a minivan.
posted by 4ster at 6:09 PM on January 11, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

if you do go to a minivan, I would shy away from a Chrysler or GM (or Ford) product, and you should consider the Honda offering

FWIW, the Honda is only midpack when it comes to quality according to J.D. Power. The Chrysler Town & Country topped the segment in '06 and/or '07, IIRC. (I don't think the new '08 model has been ranked.)
posted by pmurray63 at 9:23 PM on January 11, 2008

I echo the negative comments about the brand new, heavier xB. Why they didn't give it a hybrid powertrain is beyond me.

Hybrid powertrains are expensive; there's not enough profit margin in a $15k Scion to pay for it.
posted by notyou at 7:29 AM on January 12, 2008

Whatever you do, avoid the new, redesigned Scion xB, it's crap.

I'm not trying to start a Scion xB flame war, and I don't work for them or sell them, but in fairness, one reason they got larger and heavier in the redesign is because of the absolutely terrible side impact rating of the old model.

The fact that Toyota released it is just embarrassing.
posted by 4ster at 8:06 PM on January 12, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

My parents had a Pinto when my brother and I were growing up, and we travelled a LOT, so don't get sucked into this bizarre but seemingly common assumption that children = huge vehicle.

Nowadays children are required to be in car seats or booster seats for many years (up to age 8 around here). Two carseats use up the whole rear bench in most five-seat cars, so if you ever want to carry more than two adults and two kids (or just more than two adults without the hassle of uninstalling the car seats), you need a vehicle with more than five seats.
posted by winston at 11:31 AM on January 13, 2008

I'm sure no one will ever read this, but I smashed my 2008 XB (mentioned above) into a full size pick-up at 40 mph and we all walked away without a scratch. The airbags deployed, the motor mounts snapped to drop the engine instead of smashing it into my legs and I will sing the praises of that car to anyone who will listen.
posted by Mamapotomus at 6:35 PM on August 15, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]