I haven't been around much the last couple of weeks as I've been a bit consumed researching buying a new van. Yes. I've been seeing other forums on the side.

I've decided on an Odyssey, and am psyched because it'll have a power moonroof, leather, heated seats, yadda, yadda, yadda. It'll be the nicest vehicle I've ever owned, and only the second new purchase. (I was looking for an '06 or '07, but the pricing offered on an '08 is phenomenal...$7k off sticker which for a Honda is amazing!).

Anyway, the reason for the Man Card turn-in? I was out photographing my current van this afternoon and couldn't help feeling bad that I was turning it in like an old unneeded Composite RCA cable. It was my first new car 12 years ago, never even gave one iota of trouble, and always just felt "right" in terms of layout and design. I'm gonna miss her....

Seriously. Where do I turn in the card?

Her last photo (sniff-sniff):

I just realized after that sentimental post that it might be considered funny that I did the photography at the edge of a cemetery!

I lost my man card awhile back. I'll take it.

I was able to barely hold onto my card when we bought our Odyssey eight years ago, simply because I drove up in my Acura and said the van was for the wife.
But seriously the Odyssey is probably the best and most reliable vehicle of the three we have now, or of any car we have ever owned. My wife plans on keeping it until the wheels fall off, and I don't see that happening for a very long time.

Define best....

Luckly I havent had to turn in my man card, And in the handbook I was given it is defined as the following.

Power
Sound
Looks
Intimidation factor
Gas mileage (lower the number = better... = power )
Offroadability
Sound of the horn

And to be even considered in this category it needs to be RWD, and have 8 or more cyl.

So far as I can tell the Odyssey... well..... Uh yeaaahhhh..... Its got none of that. :p

Can't wait to see you go up against a Lotus at the track, Brandon...or an Evo or STi for that matter.

Mark, when you own more than one firearm there's no man card required. Your safe

Whew! Thanks Rick!

Michael, I wasn't worried about losing my Man Card because I was buying a minivan. I've been driving one for 12 years... it's the only vehicle that's practical for the business.

I was worried that I'd lose it because I realized I have feelings for my current vehicle!!

Feelings are manly too, Mark. It'll find a good new home and make someone else happy.

You make it sound like the only good cars in my mind are american. Everybody knows that american cars are rubbish and can only go fast in a straight line and if you take turns with them your going to have a crash

Well, poor mileage, rear wheel drive, 8 cylinders, sound of the horn, yeah...

Guess that puts you firmly in the Mercedes or BMW club, then!

EDIT: or Ferrari/Lamborghini, I suppose. Although I've never heard of those (aside from the LM002) going off road.

For us married guys, it would be mileage, reliability, maintenance costs and how many kids plus junk you can fit in the vehicle. The Odyssey fits the bill for all of those.
Now if I could combine the NSX with our Z71 Suburban I guess I would have the perfect man and family car.

Not all single guys go for zoom zoom. For me its the car that needs to be fixed the least, get the best milage and fits everything I need to go camping. Can't put a canoe on top of a smart car (though it might be fun to try). I'm quite happy with my Escort wagon.

OOPS! I think I just blew my ManCard Platinum application. Maybe if I rushout and buy another M80 and put it above my display upside down...

You’re screwed….. About the closest you can get is a Jeep SRT8 Grand Cherokee. A friend has one and it’s pretty impressive. Or you could get a Yukon Denali. They don’t do bad for a 6000 pound brick.

Nope, he loses here too.

All of his firearms are pink and he wears a spandex body suit when he practices at "Mario's Gun Club and Fingernail Boutique".

EGAD! Ray and I here at the same time. Lightning strikes!

I swear, Ray, if that prompts him to post pictures of said practice, you're in very hot water.

*shiver*

Thats it, we want pics pleeeeazze!

Naw, I wouldn't worry about that man card Mark, here's losing the man card. Due to fuel cost I went from driving nothing but 3/4 ton diesel pickups for my long commutes to work over the last several years to this thing...

Damn thing sure is great on gas but good lord I get no respect at all from other motorist on the highway in the little econobox, a problem I never had driving my trucks.

What, nobody has a Tesla? Now there's a real man's car

Good thing JP's back.

Just, Mark, until we can get all this sorted out for you, please stay away from the toaster and all other kitchen appliances, 'kay?

We have a '99 Odyssey with 245,000KM (152,000miles), which has been excellent - except for two little glitches. You absolutly HAVE to do the transmission service when the book says. (24mo/48,000km) Otherwise, it's new transmission time, and Honda WON'T cover it if you haven't done the maintenance. Google "Honda transmission problems", and you'll see for yourself. Laid out ~$3500 to have ours re-built last year, but again, it was my own fault.

Other than consumables (brakes, tires, & timing belt), that's the only money I've spent on it. It still even has the original exhaust.

Since then, the rear wiper has quit, but I haven't fixed it yet.