A few weeks ago, Chrysler gave me the chance to test drive a Town & Country minivan. These are my stories...

I feel the need to let you in on a little secret: Our family has driven our old minivan for -- are you ready for this? -- 10 years! That's right, our van was 10 years old when we went to trade it in recently. We had bought it new and, as great of a car as it had been for us, it was definitely time for a change! Our girls had gotten to the point that they nearly ducked when they saw us coming to pick them up in "the van." The dread and disappointment in their voices as they said those two words were enough to make you think that we were driving a milk carton on wheels. It really wasn't that bad. It just needed to be replaced.

So when Chrysler approached me to inquire if I might be interested in test-driving one of their new 2008 Town & Country minivans, you can bet that I accepted wholeheartedly.

Ridin' along in my automobile
Satellite radio blaring away
Kids in the back are watching the tube
No particular place to go...

Can you hear the lilt of Chuck Berry's old tune? The lines above pretty much sum up the last week or so with this van.

My niece and nephew, 13 and 10 years old, respectively, have been staying with us while my sister and her husband are away in Italy on holiday. So when we all packed up for the long ride to my brother's for Thanksgiving, the six of us didn’t lack for luggage. After loading the van to the greatest of its capacity, my husband and I hopped in the front and we hit the road.

Cruising along, my Big Strong Man and I chatted about our days while the kids took in a little "Suite Life with Zack & Cody" in the back. The wireless headsets came in handy, so we could listen to live recordings on Coffeehouse Satellite Radio while they watched the satellite TV. With no complaints.

Our three hour drive to my brother’s with no complaints was a breeze -- and I can't remember the last time I could've said that about any trip!

The only thing missing was that elusive chauffeur’s window between the front and rear cabins. When do you suppose they will come out with that?