I happen to have four boys, so that's six even when grandma or the dogs are not going along. I'd buy a hybrid mini-van in a heartbeat because of that need.

Don't want one of the SUV styles that compromise seating or access for the last row. Also the mini van idea works better for me when it's time to transport people+stuff to the boat.

I hope the journalists tripe about "mommie" images doesn't cause the auto makers to delay introduction of hybrid mini-vans. As a dedicated ocean racer I only care about what works.

AND, I want it NOW. Note to car mfgs: your marketing departments have failed you. We will not replace our grand carrivan until I can repalce it with a hybrid.

While you are at it, make sure it's got bluetooth enabled hands free just like my BMW (which transfers the address book of the cell phone into car -- using the BIG orange TEXT display on the radio to show the directory, and controls the phone from the steering wheel buttons.

Hi SailorPaul:

___The SUV craze doesn’t appear to fit your needs but the Ford Escape Hybrid might meet at least one of them? It is a bit small for a family of 6 and does not have any Bluetooth capability that I know of unfortunately … The upcoming Highlander Hybrid might meet your needs albeit w/out Bluetooth and it too is an SUV. Then farther down the line, the RXh will probably have what you want but the Lexus RX’s and Highlander’s are kind of small imho. You wouldn’t want to stick a boy or 2 in the third row seats of that Highlander as they will be screaming bloody murder for as long as they are cooped up back there. Toyota is rumoring the Sienna will be hybridized soon like they have done to the Estima available in the JDM. I have no idea when that will happen?

___In the today and now category, the VCM’ed 3.5 L V6 in the current brand new 05 Honda Odyssey EX-L or higher trim has an EPA estimate(s) of 20/28 mpg. It should be good for > 35 out on the highway if setup and driven reasonably. We were looking at that exact automobile just yesterday at the local Honda dealership in fact. Large inside, all the safety options, a multitude of amenities although I don’t know about Bluetooth, and it is fast if you care about such things in a minivan. The only problem with all of the above is that they are darn pricey if you ask me …

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net

Well I'm a racer, so fast is always part of the equation. Guess it's time to turn up the heat on the automakers marketing departments.

You are right, the SUV craze is useless. If I want to go off road we take our Jeep Wrangler. and the SUV sure can't follow our boat out of the harbor <grin>

current vehicles:
BMW (electric motors are high torque, so how about a hybrid that drives the same)
Grand Carrivan (gimme a hybrid and I'll buy it NOW)
Jeep Wrangler (well maybe this one can stay as is....)

FYI the boat is a 41' sailboat, and my last fill-up was12 gallons of diesel. Took 5 months to use that much fuel, and we are out a lot.

Toyota sells a hybrid mini van in Japan. Anyone know the specs on that? Wouldn't it be nice if they sold it here?

Hi CLA:

___A Google search on “Toyota Estima” without the quotes will tell you all you need to know …

___SailorPaul, I don’t know what your timeline is but the Ford Freestyle is larger then our MDX and much less expensive. In 2007, Mercury might add Ford’s Diesel - Hybrid technology to one. You can look up some of the pre-release details with the terms Meta-One. This monster has 250 HP/430 Ft-Lb’s of Torque, 0 - 60 in 6.5 - 7.0 seconds, PZEV emissions rating, and most importantly, a guesstimated 26/35 EPA City/Highway rating. The Freestyle is already a 5-star all around automobile and the Mercury will come with some star wars type active accident avoidance technology many have not even heard up to this point in time.

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net

The Estima now gets nearly 44 mpg. Here is an owner review of an Estima Hybrid in Japan:

"Byron Sigel, a Michigan man who lives in Tokyo and drives an Estima Hybrid minivan, calls it “The best car I’ve ever owned.” Sigel says the minivan “seats eight, gets great gas mileage, good acceleration, is comfortable and has good storage. It is also very reliable.”

Entire story here:

http://www.hybridcars.com/toyota-sie...an-hybrid.html