Last trip to school. See them peeking!
I’m not a mini van Mom type as far as I’m concerned, but the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan stole my heart after the birth of my 2nd son in 2004. Dodge came out with the Stow-N-Go feature in their 2005 model, which got my attention because I’m an anal organizer. Like I said I’m not the mini van type, but I knew it was perfect for a young family and we knew we weren’t done having kids.
We purchased the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan in May of 2004. It was loaded with every feature possible, which wasn’t what caught my attention, but over time I learned to love all the features. The DVD came in handy on trips, the GPS was used occasionally, loved the audio controls on the steering wheel, oh and the automatic doors are priceless. I could go on and on about the features, but all in all the van did it’s job with no major issues.
Back when we bought the van I vowed to upgrade to a Ford Expedition when all our kids were in school full time. That time has come.
I’ve grown to love my van, but I’ll always say I drove it for the kids. It was our first family vehicle that transported my babies safely to and fro. It never broke down on me, and when it did (dead battery), it happened in the garage. It took all the abuse I gave it because I’m rough and expect a lot in regards to immediate acceleration to pass slow wandering Hooisers (LOL) or Sunday drivers. The automatic sliding doors, at the push of a button, saved tears due to fingers getting pinched. The 2nd row buckets and rear bench seat allowed for each child to have their own space.
To be honest this is a bittersweet moment in many ways. What’s hard to stomach for this Mom is my sons are growing up and not babies anymore and my van symbolized that young family for me, but on the other hand I’m glad they’re growing and maturing at a healthy rate and it’s time to let go.
So even before the van was traded in I had my moments where my eyes would water, and the other day when I left it behind tears rolled down my cheeks. I hope it takes care of another family like it’s reliably taken care of mine. It will be missed!!
I will say though all it lacked from my point of view is 4 wheel drive. It would be a Monster Mom Van and I would have kept it forever.
I hope the used 2008 Expedition that we bought steals my heart like my Dodge did. Only time will tell.
What’s your favorite vehicle to date and why?
What’s your favorite vehicle to date and why?
Well that would have to be our motorhome Sherman! We’ve lived and travelled in Sherman for almost 4 years now!
http://www.travelwithkevinandruth.com
Congrats on the SUV! It’s beautiful! I really have no idea what my favorite car is right now!
Looks like a great vehicle. And I agree it beats the mini-van look.
I’m loving my van, a Honda Odyssey. We have the 4wd trucks, but I love the van for trips short and long. It also goes in the field to feed the guys. I used to love my blue Cutlas Coupe, but that was then (about 20 years ago), and this is now.
I don’t mind driving a mini van, but I really miss my Honda Pilot. Right now I’m driving a white sedan-type car. YAWN. Definitely not my style, but the price was right (FREE). Looking forward to the SUV days in my life again, too.
BTW — Is this a picture of your farm? GORGEOUS!
Yep Amy that’s one of the pastures here on the farm. Thank you! Between hubby and the herd they take good care of it.
When we got my current van (a Dodge Grand Caravan) it was 10 years newer than my previous one. It still was not new when we got it, but man oh man! You’d have thought it just rolled off the assembly line with all the new features I had no idea even existed in cars!