5 Stages of Buying a Minivan

We didn't choose the minivan life, the minivan life chose us! With a new baby on the way, watch as we explore a Honda Odyssey for the first time.

#dudedad #vanlife #minivanlife #hondaodyssey #honda #toyota #toyotasienna #newcar #usedcars #carreview #newparents #dadlife #momlife #carreview

About Dude Dad:
Hi! I'm Taylor Calmus, a Colorado-based actor/comedian. I started Dude Dad© two weeks before my son Theo was born as a way to stay creative while learning to be a father. My wife Heidi and I now have 3 kids and over 300+ videos. My purpose for the channel is to entertain, enlighten and inspire.

In addition to Dude Dad©, I have been in numerous TV shows, commercials, and have regular appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live. I will also be hosting my own TV show called "Super Dad" on the new Magnolia Network / Discovery+. Heidi and the kids will also be a part of the show. I am originally from the rural community of Howard, South Dakota.

5 Stages of Buying a Minivan

Dude Dad

[morethanfarmers]

My wife and I each have our own minivan! I call mine the Man Van. Half the price of a truck up front, better gas mileage, cheaper tires and maintenance, holds more inside than a pickup with a topper on the back (i can fit 14 bales of hay in the back), long lumber doesn’t stick as far out the back as in a pickup bed, doubles as a family vehicle when needed. Towing capacity 3500lbs. I have an enclosed trailer and a flat bed that I pull with it 👊🏻 Honda Odyssey baby! (Not a sponsor… yet 😉)

[cheyenne]

We brought a mini van Sunday after years of saying never… planning on our third kid and couldn’t fit car seats in our car. Tint was a must and my husband was so excited he could fit plywood in the back too! Nailed it guys, so relatable.

[JohnTaylor-xklh]

My wife is 33 weeks pregnant and y’all’s book has been a lifesaver for me! Thank you so much. I feel slightly less stressed than I did haha.

[laurao]

I personally never understood the stigma against mini vans but you two had to have had a ton of fun making this video it was a lot of fun to watch too, thank you!

[belindahugheslifestyle]

Single childless crone here, but loved my mom's old Dodge Caravan with 2 removable back bench seats for comfortable driver's seat, fuel efficiency and carrying all the things for rural life with furbabies. It was sheer bliss! Your video was hilarious, adorable and true, just like you always do. Blessed be, guys. <3 :-)

[kayakerjer]

At age 63 my wife and I are on our fourth Toyota Sienna - one from each generation. The current generation with AWD and a hybrid looks great and has fantastic fuel economy. Minivans were great when the kids were young, but still great for our own cross country road trips, car camping and also when our kids (now in their 20’s) head out on hiking or skiing trips with a group of friends. Nothing beats the driveability, fuel efficiency and carrying capacity of a good minivan!

[nikan]

The two of you dancing with the minivan at the end put a big smile on my face, especially when the van was actually moving down the road! Great dance moves, excellent use of the prop (the minivan), and fabulous energy!!! 👏

[EmRose]

The part where they discussed if Taylor would find Heidi less attractive if she drove a mini van, and then they both agreed that a mini van was like driving a trashcan on wheels, totally cracked me up :)

[jonathanandgabrielsovereig]

We got a minivan in expectation of our 4th kiddo coming and we are SOOOO happy with our purchase. Not only does it work with 3 kids in carseats and one without, we can carry additional kids as well while still fitting everything we need in it.

Shortly after we got it my parents, my sister, her husband, and their two kids were coming back from a vacay in Hawaii with all their luggage in toe. My parents were going to hire an Uber because they didn't think we could possibly get them all into our van. We just laughed and said please don't waste your money. Sure enough, 5 adults, 2 kids, and all the vacation luggage fit comfortably in our van. They were amazed. And then my sister and her husband got one.

[MsSweetSunshine]

I cried actual tears when my husband seriously suggested we get a minivan. I felt like my last bit of dignity was going to be gone. But then it was ME who suggested we get a passenger van one month before we (surprise!) found out we were pregnant with our sixth baby. A minivan with 5 kids in carseats was just too cramped... I can't believe I have come to the point that I LOVE driving a 15 person passenger van (we removed the last row of seats so there is tons of cargo space. I don't even have to fold up the double stroller to put in back there. And two kids per row of seat, so they have ample space too. On road trips, it is SO EASY to just stand up and walk to the back to hand out snacks, sooth crying kids ..etc.) It's hard to believe how much my mindset has changed!

[karencaskey]

We LOVE minivans! Got our first when our oldest was a baby (he's in college now) and it served us well when we added twins to the mix. We are on our 2nd minivan now and it is so incredibly handy, especially during the teen and college years. Moving my son back and forth to college is a breeze with the van. Having enough room for all the groceries my 3 boys consume (who are all cross country runners) is amazing! And my husband's personal favorite???? Watching all the SUV and shortbed pick-up truck drivers trying to fit plywood into their vehicles at Home Depot. He just opens up the hatch, loads the wood in, closes it, and drives away. The other guys are still looking for rope to tie their loads down. Who's cool now??? 😉

[bluejeanmermaid]

I never had anything against minivans. I loved riding in them as a kid. Now I have four children of my own and having a vehicle that can transport my whole family without being cramped is a God-send.

[christinaFaith]

I don't know why people put down mini vans. They are amazing in every way. Kids or no kids. I would have a mini van no matter what. It holds a lot of people and is amazing for long or cross country road trips. Or following a band across the country.

[concernedkid]

😂😂 I went through EXACTLY (almost) the same thing... Now I am grateful we got a minivan. 8 ppl with lots of storage/baggage room

[jillg]

Dude, as a single childless chic, I want a mini-van and was soooo close to getting one earlier this year! :) Embrace it. You two are still so flippin' cool!

[ericawhitfield]

I love my mini van so much! We bought ours when I was pregnant with our first. It fits everything comfortably without being squished. Captain seats in the second row is a game changer for access to the third row. We have a little potty that sits between the seats in the second row and it’s come in handy more times than I count for little ones. Yet my fave part is the sliding doors! You can get kids in and out and buckled without worry of banging other cars in tight spaces.

[RG-tisp]

Epic. Taylor, such heart-stirring words of love and support, when you declared you’d love Heidi more for having the courage to drive a trash can. Could hardly contain the tears.

[libertymasterchief]

I'm in college and I got the old family minivan. I love it. I can fit my whole dorm room in the back and still have room for another person.

[helenramsdell]

We've been married for 30 years and driving minivans for 30 years. Kids didn't come until we were married for 10 years. So they are good even without kids. Absolutely love minivans!! They are so versatile!! They replaced the old station wagons.

[azhotmom]

" Trash on wheels" lol!
At first my husband went thru stages 1-3 until he realized he could fit half sheets of plywood in the back 😂 and then it was over. Something you didn't mention (cuz maybe your kids aren't old enough) is the beauty of sliding doors when parking in a tight spot. In an suv older kids just fly open the doors banging into cars parked next to you. Oh the anxiety!