Another Williams family likes the Routan

Dave and Jill Williams have a blog for their family, The Williams Family. They have a Tahoe that they want to trade in. They weren't looking for a Routan, but they found it. Here is what Jill said in her entry:

Dave and I have been tossing around the idea of trading in the Tahoe for something that gets better gas mileage. I have been drooling over the Equinox for awhile now and our local dealership got one in exactly like I wanted. We went Monday and test drove it and I'm glad we did because I'm not drooling over it anymore. Neither Dave nor I were sold on it. We decided to go and look at the Volkswagen dealership to check out their cross-over SUVs. Neither of those were what we were looking for and then the salesman showed us a Routan, VW's mini-van. Dave and I both told him that we just were not mini-van people but we would take a look and we loved it! We loved the storage and cargo room room and all the amenities that you got for the money. You definitely got more for your money than on the Equinox. It doesn't get as good of mileage as the Equinox but it beats our Tahoe. Then we test drove it. I've never driven a mini-van before and will need to go and test drive a couple to compare but I was amazed. It felt like I was driving a car. Dave and I both loved the way it drove and the way it rode. And of course, Grace and Zachary loved it! We are going to do our research and look around but here is a picture of the Routan that I would REALLY like to have.

Routan and Tiguan look alike

These pictures come from VW media kits for each of the models. I see a striking family resemblance.

VW Microbus Concept Video circa 2001

I found this at http://www.xenonheadlights.net/video/vw-microbus-concept.html There is no doubt that the microbus generates a lot of passion. It is interesting to see the comments people left on the Xenon Headlights site.

Fabulous FInds Friday: Yes Virginia, There is a Cool MInivan

The Lost in Suburbia Blog

I’ve spent a lot of time talking about how uncool minivans are. I wrote a book called “Rebel without a Minivan.” I BLOGGED about how to make your minivan cooler. You would think, after all this, that I would never be caught dead talking favorably about a minivan.
Well, guess what?

Yes, it seems that pigs really can fly and I have found a minivan that I would not be embarrassed to be seen in.
Maybe it’s because it looks more like an SUV than a minivan. Or maybe it’s because it actually gets decent gas mileage. Who knows, but when I saw a Volkswagen Routan up close and personal, I decided I could come down off my high, minivan-hating horse and give the Routan a chance.
It's got all those mom-friendly minivan features that makes us suburbanites drool, like a rearview back camera, nav system, rear seat entertainment system for the kids, lots and lots of storage space, and 13 cupholders so almost every passenger can drink two Big Gulps at the same time.

But it also happens to look good. Really, really good. Not like that one minivan that shall go nameless that looks like a lady with a really large backside from behind… which of course, makes you wonder what the lady who’s driving the car must look like, too.
I happen to think the Routan looks a lot like the Audi Q7 from the front, with a slightly larger grill and higher nose than you are used to seeing on a minivan, and it is boxier all around than the typical mom-mobile (this is a good thing!). Inside, the leather version is Cheerios and Juice box friendly, and the pretty dash makes you feel like you’re driving a sportier vehicle than a van. As an aside, this is the car that Brooke Shields chooses to haul her tots around in… and if its good enough to look good on Brooke, it's good enough for me.
In full disclosure, I haven’t driven it so I can’t tell you firsthand if it will satisfy the rebel-mom race car enthusiasts out there, but I’ve heard it's got a lot of zip for a car its size. If you add the racing stripe decals I blogged about several weeks go, NOBODY is going to mess with you on the road.
The Volkswagon Routan starts at around $25k. To check it out, click here.

New Website Demystifies Car Pricing--For Free

BNET Auto Blog

By Jim Motavalli | Dec 16, 2009
Did you know that two of the best days to buy a car (if you can get away) are Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve? Did you know that you can get 20 percent or more off Saturn Vues and Auras right now because GM is trying to run through their remaining inventory?
I didn’t either, but I’m up to speed now. These are a couple of the insights provided in TrueCar’s “TrueTrends” report, released today (and available at http://www.truecar.com/). The report also offers information on which cars are the most and least negotiable in purchase price. For obvious reasons, the 2009 Chrysler Aspen is one of the most negotiable, but who knew that the much more desireable  2010 Mini Cooper would be on the list? For the reason, read on.
Other very flexible models include the GMC Yukon (big SUVs are hard to sell these days), the Audi A5, and the Chrysler Sebring (bad ratings in Consumer Reports don’t help). Least flexible models include the VW Routan (the comeback of the minivan?), the Toyota Yaris (small cars are back), the Mazda Miata (the bestselling sports car of all time) and the Mazda5. But why does the Hummer H3 appear on this list? Again, read on. …
OK, that’s out of the way. I talked to Jesse Toprak, who is TrueCar’s vice president of industry trends and insights. “Why isn’t pricing on the Hummer H3 more flexible?” I asked. “The point is not that the least flexible models are the most expensive,” he said. “It means that they could be giving it away [a likely scenario with the H3] but they’re giving it away in a similar range. When you walk in, you know what you’re likely to pay?
And the Mini Cooper as most flexible? “That’s on the other extreme,” Toprak said. “The range of prices on the Mini Cooper is extremely wide. People can walk into the same dealership on the same day, and the one who is well informed will pay much less than sticker, and the other who is clueless will pay $3,000 over MSRP.”
Upon disparities like this, businesses are based. TrueCar is a web-based California-based startup launched last spring, with $2.8 million in A-series financing and a second round aiming to bring in a lot more early next year. Toprak is a refugee from the respected Edmunds.com, and he has helped assemble a staff of 20 in Santa Monica (with 10 hires to come). …

Warmed By Remote

wooferWorld...a life less ordinary

After working late on Tuesday, we were in early on Wednesday to get on the phone with the developers in India and got all but one design transitioned and that one will go out the door today. For the most part, things went pretty well and that's a good thing. We'll have everything wrapped up before the two-week break - and yes, i'm taking those two weeks! - and then we'll be back to do it all over again. Deadlines, deadlines...
The VW Routan that i got this week has a remote starter. If i park in plain sight (i.e., not in the ramp (what they call parking garages up here) i can start the sucker from the 6th floor window so it's not quite so cold when i go out. Actually, with my gloves and knit cap, i'm pretty good. Plus, it has bun warmers! i'm not sure where Hertz came up with these VW's - last week a Jetta, this week a rebadged Chrysler minivan - but i like 'em. At least i don't get those damn Toyotas anymore.
OK, last day at the office. Is it 4 o'clock yet? Hope your day goes smoothly.

The Hart Family: Santa Baby...

The Routan is in beautiful company.--DMW

I've been an awful good girl.
So feel free to put any of these items under my Christmas tree.
Sugar Scrub from Bath & Body Works

Eyelash Extensions

Coco Chanel Mademoiselle

Apple Magic Mouse
(so sick of the Mighty Mouse!)

Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 - Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 - Canon 580EX II Speedlite

Some comfy pj's here & here
A VW Routan parked in the driveway with a big red bow would be nice.

I should probably stop there since I'm already
going on a girls trip to NYC this weekend.
So excited!

Posted by Suzanne

The Hart Family: Santa Baby...