If you must...

If you must buy a minivan, I believe I found the only way to do it last night.

Couple of guiding ground rules:

1) It helps to have a kid old enough to appreciate a 'new' car.
2) It helps if said kid really likes cars.
3) It helps if kid is young enough to see a minivan for what it is (very practical, empowering for little kids and basically 'different'.
4) It helps if said kids are not old enough to have picked up negative vibes on mini vans.
5) It is totally worth it to make it a surprise 'adventure' for the whole family (final pick up mind you, not test driving, negotiating, etc. ).
6) Doesn't hurt to have stopped by a dealer at least once quickly with kids (for really no other purpose than to look).

Set the stage and it made for a great experience.

The night ended with 'Thank you M&D for buying us a mini van!' and a collective shout out from D&G of 'I love you Toyota!' as we pulled into the driveway.

It was awesome.

It was also greeted by a first thing request on Sat AM 'Where can we go in the new mini van?'