I am quite sure that when my E150 leaves the family I will choose a minivan next. I had really high hopes for the TC and first sat in one back in January at the Detroit Auto Show. Pluses are good legroom for driver and front passenger (my wife's knee bugs her in the E150 so we can't use it for long trips) and fuel economy. Downside is cargo space--much smaller than most minivans, and the 2nd and 3rd row seats fold above the floor like an SUV instead of minivans, most of which have seats that go into the load floor. (I know there are compromises.) Also nowhere near enough room for a 4x8 sheet of anything--although I don't carry 4x8's, I use them as a yardstick for room. (Chrysler, Honda, and Toyota minivans will take a 4x8.)

I am also not a fan of a vehicle built in Spain--and it would not lend itself to ordering one with the equipment I want (whereas I could order a Mopar van specced out like I want). I really prefer buying domestic vehicles, which leaves me with the Chrysler minivans but I don't completely trust them... The Chrysler Windsor minivan plant is 14 miles from my house in metro Detroit.

When it comes closer to the time to downsize my big van, we'll drive everything and decide then. The big Transit may also be in the running, but they're gonna be very pricey and I really want to go smaller.

George