Long story short: 3 kids (9,7,5) currently have a '14 Odyssey, lease coming to end, debating between getting a new fully loaded '18 Ody or a pretty loaded CPO MS 85. Located in Florida, 80+ mile a day commute that's primarily taking the kids to school, then I work full time, take kids home, then off to the University for me some evenings (for the next few years) and various family outings on the weekends. So the minivan room isn't a necessity for but more useful. If you "downgraded" in size, what is your experience?
Long story: I currently have a '14 Odyssey that I purposely leased pending the '18 Ody (the new generation). After years of waiting and looking at the news for announcements and the car shows, it was finally announced! I was so excited until I realized that all the upgrades were more geared towards families with very young kids (seats that slide.. More... Side to side for easy car seat buckling, cabin camera for RF kids etc). Did have one perk, ability to speak to the 3rd row through the headphones or speakers from the front. Aside that, well, it was my current minivan with some upgraded items. Either way, I decided to upgrade from an EX-L (no Navy or rear entertainment) to a touring or touring elite to go all out this time.
Then I found out about Tesla CPO's.... And my debate started.
I started to put together all the numbers to see over all cost of purchasing the new Ody (estimating a little over current cost) and CPO's. Even with the cost being somewhat higher on the MS then a filly tricked out Ody, and the slight increase of insurance, the $200+ gas bill a month would drop to $30-$40 electric ($.06 electric charge in my area). I, for the most part, would end up paying less a month/year with the MS. Great, now reasons to get the MS are stacking up even more.
I started to review this forum and others for stories of families in the MS. I have visited the Tesla store and have had my kids sit in it for true room visual. I then took a look at my van and how I use it. I started to realize just how much "junk" we keep in it because, well... the room us there. I even keep a 2nd row seat out completely 99% of the time so 3rd row access is easier. We have maxed out seating a total of two times in 5 years, on trips I don't see doing similar ones of for a while. I have used it for a lot of home improvement and IKEA trips where all seats out but driver was taken advantage of (can fit a piece of plywood flat). But then I thought... Those were very very rare... Plus Lowes/HD have rental trucks. I could rent a minivan if I need more room on a trip. My kids don't play sports, and I don't carpool. Plus I work full time and go to a university full time for now, so the vehicle is mainly taking the kids to/from school, and simple weekend outings. Truck/frunk have more than enough room for the "junk" on those situations.
I started to take the MS search seriously. I decided that if I wanted to transition down to a sedan from a Minivan that we use all 3 rows in (cause its there and we can) l I should look at ones with the jump seats (but with the mentality of "use when/if needed" not everyday due the the gripes from them) After months of research, subscribing to EV-CPO and working with a CPO rep, I have narrowed it down to two I like. A 2013 P85 (pre-parking sensors, but has everything else) with $30k miles in my state, so no shipping charge, or a 2014 85 $28k miles, $1k more and $2k shipping. The 2013 is looking to be the best deal so far (for my wants)
The numbers add up, the room we need seems to be there (although obviously less than the van), but... I can't decide if I should downgrade in size to an MS? If you did, I want your feedback. I over think, over read, research non stop to make all decisions, and then I have buyers remorse for a bit on everything. Transitioning from a Minivan to a full luxury sedan isn't something I can find tons of stories on. The Tesla fits me 100x more than a minivan ever would. I am not at all a "soccer mom," although the Ody is one amazing van and don't mind owning one.
