Help me find a van

You know, I was just wondering why I hadn't considered MPVs... Any other thoughts on those?

I like the MPV. It has a timing chain instead of a belt, as well.

They do look smaller, can they carry as much as the Caravan or Previa? Definitely not the Astro right?

Whatever van you get will require custom paint........

I have had a couple of Previa's. About 15 mpg and not the best in a crash. Tend to run for ever though. Had a5 speed 4.3 Astro years ago, novel, but not that impressed. I think I would listen to Vigo

In reply to Billy_Bottle_Caps:

Were they the early non-SC model? I've read that the SC model actually gets better MPG.

Someone bought the 1 owner Caravan/Voyager I was interested in dang it!

In reply to CyberEric: The MPV is on the small side, but the space is very useable. It's about the same as a regular non-grand Caravan or Previa. The back seat folds into the floor like an Odyssey. With four or less people, you would have plenty of storage. The drawback is that the rear seat is not split, so you either have room for three passengers in the back, or a lot of cargo, but nothing in between. There is not a lot of room between the back seat and the hatch. However, the well behind the seat is deep, and there is a lot of room vertically. You can find some real good deals if you look. This one might be a steal...

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/4117528029.html

i know you guys are talking about 2nd gen MPV's but ill throw in my $0.02 on the 1st gen since I have one.

Definitely a timing belt. Despite what anyone tells you to the contrary, its a non interference motor. Good for about 60k, use only oem timing belt parts for replacement. "Tow package" really only consists of the Automatic Load Leveling system. Which at this age likely leaks or doesn't work, causing a saggy rear end. Junkyard rear springs from a non-tow package van and shocks are a direct swap. Unfortunately junkyards 99% of the time cant tell the difference in the springs, or how to identify the tow package option in the first place. So good luck tracking them down over the internet or over the phone. Springs are pretty much NLA from dealerships I think. Other basic parts not necessarily as plentiful locally as a domestic van. The middle area of the floor has a low load height, but steps up over the rear axle about 6-8" higher? As such they are smaller inside than a comparable Caravan.

I know it sounds all doom and gloom but they are good vans. Later ones have doors on both sides that open more like your normal car door, and they open a full 90* which is nice for loading stuff. Can be had in RWD or 4WD, and the 4WD is switch on the fly and has a center locking diff. Ground clearance is nice on the 4wd models, and can clear a 29" tire stock.

In the first couple years they WERE available 4WD, with a 5 speed manual, and a low range transfer case. Very rare and hard to find though.

As it turns out, the RWD automatic is shared with the 300zx. Someone has swapped a twin turbo Z motor into one. Good times. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/460805/1993-mazda-mpv/

Thanks for low down on MPVs, that one does appear to be a steal, sending them an email. Can the second row of seating be easily removed in the MPV? What is gas mileage like? Should I just avoid ones with saggy rear suspension?

Ive only ever worked on one 1g MPV, which i put a timing belt on. It was unexceptional. I don't really get excited about RWD vans for purely on-road use because RWD pushes the load floor up (shrinking cargo space usually) and center of gravity and in return you get a car that doesnt really have enough power to make RWD entertaining anyway. It seems pointless to me unless you're getting one of the awd/4wd ones.

But really, if you come across a great condition and great price van, it's going be a better deal than a van with incrementally better this or that thats not in great shape or not at the right price. So it really comes down to the deals you find, i guess.

This is all you need.

http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/cto/4015891490.html

For your varied needs, and low buy-in cost, I'd recommend looking at an older American cargo van. If you need seats you can find them at any junkyard for cheap, parts are available at EVERY auto parts store in the country, and you can haul, or tow whatever you want.

It sounds like you need a reliable tool--- while they aren't the most pleasant to drive, a cargo van is a wonderful tool.

I've owned 2 Ford vans and a 77 Dodge. I paid less than $1000 for each of them, and they all ran great and were reliable. Gas mileage won't be good, but some have two tanks= huge cruising range.

Minivans are great for hauling kids around, but if you need to move furniture, band equipment, or big stuff----nothing beats the versatility vs. cost of a cargo van.

In reply to CyberEric: The 2nd gen like in the ad has easily removable middle seats. They are captains chairs that slide front-back and side to side. Pull a lever to fold them and flip them forward, then lift them out. No tools, and they weight about 30-40lbs ea. The 2nd gens don't have any problems with the rear suspension. They get pretty good mileage. I believe they are rated at 18/23. I haven't had mine long enough to really track it, but I did take it on a 1200 mile trip recently. I averaged a little over 21mpg with a full load, lots of mountains, and a cargo box on the roof.

CyberEric wrote: Thanks for low down on MPVs, that one does appear to be a steal, sending them an email. Can the second row of seating be easily removed in the MPV? What is gas mileage like? Should I just avoid ones with saggy rear suspension?

for some (dumb) reason mazda used substantially softer springs with the load leveling package. if you only swap on standard shocks you will blow them in short order because they will be overworked. so you do need to also find the standard springs for the swap.

I am with Joe Gearin though. If hauling is your task, nothing beats a full size van.

FWIW in my experience an old 1st gen 4wd MPV gets about the same gas mileage as a full size van, at least within a couple mpgs anyways.

Not to beat a dead horse but what about that (real or imagined) drawback of a rwd full size van: SNOW?

I drove one daily for several years. Only time I got stuck was hooning around in an unplowed parking lot with a good 6-8 inches of heavy wet snow.

It was far better in snowy conditions than my 99 grand marquis. I suspect due to the extra weight.

No snow tires on either of them, open diffs on both.

Boost_Crazy wrote: In reply to CyberEric: The 2nd gen like in the ad has easily removable middle seats. They are captains chairs that slide front-back and side to side. Pull a lever to fold them and flip them forward, then lift them out. No tools, and they weight about 30-40lbs ea. The 2nd gens don't have any problems with the rear suspension. They get pretty good mileage. I believe they are rated at 18/23. I haven't had mine long enough to really track it, but I did take it on a 1200 mile trip recently. I averaged a little over 21mpg with a full load, lots of mountains, and a cargo box on the roof.

Thanks, what year does the 2nd generation start? I saw a 1st gen on the street the other day and I think the MPV might be too small, but I still want to drive one. In fact, I am thinking all but maybe the Previa or Caravan is probably too small, but I need to measure a few. (I'm out of town for a wedding at the moment.)

I don't do too much driving in snow, but it is a consideration.

Joe, I am with you on the American cargo van, the trouble is finding one with windows! When I do, I will be calling.

In reply to CyberEric:

The 2nd gen starts in 2000, but had a significant update in 2002. The 2000-2001 had an underpowered 2.5 with a 4 speed auto. The 2002+ vans had a 3.0L 5 speed auto combo that makes 40 more horses and gets better mileage. They all seem to be very durable.

IMO, you're missing out on the best option for cargo/people hauling with decent mileage and really good power. The GM B-body wagon, Chevy Caprice and Buick Roadmaster, does it all. They are in your price range and if you're lucky you'll be able to find one with the tow package, which gives it added coolers and better gears.. I recently took a back roads trip 200+ miles in a friend's LT1 roadmaster, we averaged 23mpg pm for the trip and rode in comfort.

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/4129202042.html

http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/4132897716.html

my vote goes to a 94-95 Caravan Sport (SWB) with a 3.3. BTDT enjoyed the piss out of it. Sport package gets you bigger sway bars and 5 spoke alloy wheels.

ebonyandivory wrote: http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/4129202042.html http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/4132897716.html

Wow, that green one is incredible! Too far away though.

Caravan sport eh? I like the sound of it since I can never accept the fact that vans can't handle.

As for the wagons, not a bad idea, they just can't carry the same height of object, so I've ruled them out.

ebonyandivory wrote: Not to beat a dead horse but what about that (real or imagined) drawback of a rwd full size van: SNOW?

Never had much of a problem with my econoline in snow. The only time I had a minor issue was in somewhat deep snow trying to start up a hill at a stop light. Mine has an open diff so I just slowly accelerated or else I'd spin a tire. It probably took 30 seconds to get up to 15 mph and I was trying carefully to accelerate as quickly as possible. Tires are everything here I think.

Back when Aerostars were more common you couldn't drive past a transmission shop that didn't have at least one out front. The A4LD was not a very good transmission.

I've had Astros, Aerostars, a first Gen MPV, and several full sized vans. If I were shopping for one I would choose Astro, especially if AWD was a concern, for a good driving family road trip type vehicle and buy the newest and lowest mileage one I can afford.

Second choice would be SWB Dodge or Savanna, preference for slant-6 dodge for reliability and cost of replacement parts or savanna for mpg.

If manual transmission was important, MPV would be the only open unless I was going to do the swap myself. If I was going to do a swap then a 4.8l truck engine and S10 NV3500 would be going into an Astro.

After the slow roll we're finally getting serious about purchasing, probably this weekend.

Thoughts on this one owner Previa? http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/4156105838.html

And anyone know anything about these giant Dodge Maxi vans? This thing looks longer than a barge. Any info is helpful. http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4155775544.html