Posted by Leyna Butcher on August 29, 2010

The Swagger Wagon

I’ll be the first one to admit that I don’t like to spend money. I buy stuff on Craigslist, will wait for a good coupon, return to boutiques who offer me discounts, and research exactly what I want to buy. I proudly drove a 2007 Prius and thought everyone else should too.

However, my photography buisness is growing, and so are the kids. One day I had camera equipment, beach gear (because the shoot was at the beach and my babies were invited to come along) which included an umbrella, diaper bag, sand toys, beach bag, BOB single stroller, and lunch. So with two kids under two I was making it work.

I don’t know what started the minivan craze but it took over my brain. Slowly and surely. Well, on Tuesday I waved a very sad goodbye to my Prius and took the keys of my very own USED 2006 Toyota Sienna XLE.

I have friends who would never drive a minivan. I’d never drive an SUV.

Thanks to the “Sienna Family” I’m driving my “Swagger Wagon” with a confident smirk on my face.

The biggest difference I noticed was that I’m not bending over or reaching so high with 30 pound toddler in my arms while wrestling the little guys into their car seats.

The XLE has quite a few bells and whistles that I didn’t even realize how nice those were to have on the family car. The doors have sun shades that roll up on to the windows. The driver has an extra rear view mirror to see the back seats. And the doors slide open and closed automatically. No slamming fingers into door frames. Cup holders are everywhere. It’s made for families. No DVD player, bluetooth, or backup camera. All of which would be nice to have, but for the price tag on this particular vehicle it was a steel.

I loaded it up with quite a bit of stuff today. In fact, I still need to empty it. But I’ve officially joined the ranks of motherhood.

Now, “Where my Mother-Fathers at?”

6 Comments »

1. Hi, Leyna. I think you mentioned on a stroller episode that none of your strollers would fit into your Prius… would you recommend that new mommies look into a minivan/suv from the start then? Also, why no to SUV’s? Just wondering if there’s a practical reason I should know about :) Thanks!

   Comment by Alisa — August 30, 2010 @ 5:49 am

2. [...] Visit link: The Swagger Wagon | PregTASTIC Online Radio – Hosted by pregnant … [...]

   Pingback by The Swagger Wagon | PregTASTIC Online Radio – Hosted by pregnant … | Radio-Stations-Online | Online Radio station Info, Radio Online Info — August 30, 2010 @ 9:34 am

3. I was trying to avoid the minivan purchase which is why we searched for a stroller to fit in the Prius. But after a few over-packed trips (without strollers) I succumbed. If you can make the car purchase first, you’ll be glad you did.

   “Why no SUV’s?” you ask. Several reasons…
   1. SUV’s are higher which means they are more likely to roll over in a crash.
   2. They have bigger blind spots
   3. It is harder to put kids into their car seats because, again, they are higher. Not to mention lifting strollers and what not. Lower is better on your back.
   4. Better gas milage can be found in a minivan
   5. Minivans are not as expensive
   6. Minivans are “MADE” for families, with little extras like roll up shades so you don’t have to go buy screens.
   7. Kids later on won’t be banging car doors open into things like my husband’s car since they slide open.
   8. Yeah, they aren’t as sporty but they are so comfortable and much more practical.

   To each his own, but I had too many reasons not to buy an SUV.

   Comment by Leyna — August 30, 2010 @ 4:07 pm

4. Totally jealous! I hope to get my own Swagger Wagon soon!

   Comment by Krista — August 30, 2010 @ 7:23 pm

5. Thanks so much for responding, Leyna. So many useful things I never would have thought about.. it may make me a convert after all!

   Comment by Alisa — August 31, 2010 @ 11:49 am

6. Leyna,
   Not sure if you’re still listening to PregTASTIC, but my Up on the last Up’s and Down’s show was that I was getting a van! I LOVE mine (I got the Honda, but the Toyota was a close second), and there’s no shame in my mommy game! Since we’re about to have 3 kids, all in carseats and/or boosters, we had to get something bigger. I’ve not-so-secretly dreamed of getting a van for awhile now, because I like them so much better than the gigantic SUV’s (for the same reasons you list). I miss my old zippy Acura TSX, especially driving around San Diego, but those automatic sliding doors, gazillion cup holders, and SPACE are unparalleled.
   Welcome to the club!

   Comment by Amanda — September 1, 2010 @ 8:56 pm

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