How to Join a Minivan Club

Minivans are the station wagons of the 21st century, and their owners want to stay in touch and catch up on the latest minivan news. So they've done what only Porsche and muscle car owners used to do--they've started minivan car clubs. With the Toyota Sienna Club bragging almost 20,000 members, minivan clubs are here to stay. Here's how to connect with a minivan club.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Hunt online for a minivan club organized around your make or model. Ford, Nissan, Honda, Chrysler and Toyota all host online minivan clubs with news and chat.
2. Start with FAQ's or topics for first-time users to see what is and what is not allowed on your minivan club forum. Lurk a little to see how things are done before jumping in.
3. Register for the minivan club if you like what you see. Registration, which is free, opens up all the club's web features.
4. Talk with other club members. The main focus of minivan clubs is a forum that features anywhere from a few topics to dozens. The more active boards may discuss a specific year and model, maintenance, where to get parts or fun travel destinations.
5. Start a new topic, but only after checking to see that it isn't already covered. This is a newbie error you can avoid by searching before you post.

Tips & Warnings

• Looking for an honest answer to your question? Ask at a minivan club to get the real scoop.
• Most minivan club sites prohibit commercial advertising. Some boards have a classified section if you want to trade or sell a part.