"Jill" wrote in message . com...

Lol. Well, for me, my husband wanted an SUV so he can do outdoorsy things
and pull a boat or trailer etc, and I hear that minivans are much safer than
SUVs and ride more like cars than a clunky tippy SUV. Room isn't as much of
an issue since we don't need to haul around more than 3 people most of the
time.

I do think SUVs tend to ride bumpier and more tippy etc...but it looks like
my husband is pushing for a Ford Explorer........

If you get a newer Explorer (2002 or newer), it has a much improved
suspension and feels much less truck-like than the previous models.
It's certainly not as smooth/car-like as my Odyssey but way better
than the 93 Explorer we had previously.

If room isn't much of an issue, then I would look at one of the
smaller SUV's/minivans. For us, we have one child (4), one on the
way, and I often cart around three small cousins as well. We have
room for up to 5 car seats (seats 7 total), which is the exact number
that we need. In addition, we do camp and travel by car quite often,
so the storage space is a big deal. AAMOF, we've been building a deck
and all of the lumber has been hauled with my Odyssey - which can fit
up to 12ft long pieces without needing the hatch open. I've been
nothing but pleased with my mini-van, and the mileage isn't much
different that what I had been getting with the Accord.

kellie