What Van?| Grassroots Motorsports forum |

alex Reader
11/15/08 12:24 p.m.

I'll keep this basic.

Intended use: Band gear most of the time, a motorcycle occasionally, general utility. Removable seats a must (or no seats - I can rig something up), sparse/bare interior OK. Criteria: Vintage 'Murican is preferred (classic country band, gotta keep up appearances). Quirky is OK. As cool as a van can be, preferably. Best Possible gas mileage (This is relative, and I'm flexible. Double digits). Cheap. I don't mind tinkering or maintaining an old car, so long as parts are easy - like Autozone easy. Bonus points for AVD or 4x4, by no means necessary.

Any more contradictions I can throw in here...?

Let the games begin!

Apexcarver SuperDork
11/15/08 12:59 p.m.

had an aerostar that i actually miss (4.0 v6) electronic 4WD was available (i didnt have it and dont know much more then that you could get it).

DILYSI Dave SuperDork
11/15/08 1:11 p.m.

I have loved both of my mid-90's Ford E350 Chateau's.

alex Reader
11/15/08 1:29 p.m.

Apexcarver wrote: had an aerostar that i actually miss (4.0 v6) electronic 4WD was available (i didnt have it and dont know much more then that you could get it).

Yeah, I'm regretting letting my folks give away their long box AWD A'Star. Aside from chewing through a motor and two trannies (at least - all warrantied by Ford or the dealership), it was damned reliable. Got two mid-sized bikes in the back once, I did. Before they passed it on, I had visions of cutting the fenders, sticking on some flares and obnoxiously oversized tires and jacking it up in the most ghetto manner possible. Pull out the interior, roll it with bedliner, and shoot the exterior in rattlecan flat black with lake stripes.

Hmm... Maybe I just answered my own question.

Kramer Reader
11/15/08 1:42 p.m.

Chevy G-Series' are cheap to maintain. Fords have expensive front suspension components that seem to always be worn out. Dodge vans are archaic.

I'd get as new of a GM as you could, with the 4-speed trans and a 350. Tint the rear windows very dark, and it will last you forever.

I grew up driving a 1978 G20 with a 350 and 3-on-the-tree. That transmission sucked. We kept a stick inside the truck for when it got stuck in 1st and 2nd gear at the same time. Other vans (my dad's business had a few) were a 1975 G30 (my brother totalled it in a rollover) and a 1976 Dodge 1 ton. It was the worst of the three.

My dad's business now has a few Chevy full-size vans, all with over 200,000 miles and not much maintenance. He also used up a few Astro vans. All were pretty reliable.

poopshovel Dork
11/15/08 1:51 p.m.

Astro/Safari for a small one

Big +1. I've been really happy w/the 4.3L in the truck. SUPER torquey for hauling purposes, and I personally dig the looks of the Astro/Safaris.

poopshovel Dork
11/15/08 1:52 p.m.

Fords have expensive front suspension components that seem to always be worn out.

...and another +1 there. Our Exploder is the worst driving low-mileage vehicle I've ever owned, transmission issues (like ours) are apparently common as well.

geomiata Reader
11/15/08 2:30 p.m.

roadmaster!!

poopshovel Dork
11/15/08 2:39 p.m.

geomiata wrote: roadmaster!!

+1 for cool factor. -1 for back injuries as a result of loading/unloading speaker cabinet. Ask me how I know.

belteshazzar Dork
11/15/08 3:15 p.m.

Big white harry asstro

neon4891 Dork
11/15/08 3:43 p.m.

as long as it says "free candy" on the side it will be good.

J/K

alex Reader
11/15/08 4:26 p.m.

Yeah, if I could get a motorcycle (upright) in a wagon, we wouldn't be having this discussion. That and I hate trailers, and I don't have anywhere to put one anyway.

ManofFewWords Reader
11/15/08 5:09 p.m.

I currently drive my 94 AWD Astro w/175k every day and we use it as a BMX racingmobile. Easily removeable seats. got 15mpg, removed front driveshaft and get 17-19 now. I'm currently looking for late 80's/early 90's chevy conversion van. Much more room, tv/dvd,but I'm expecting 13-15mpg. They are very cheap right now. 1-2k can get a good one.

doc_speeder New Reader
11/15/08 7:52 p.m.

whatever on the Safari/Astro. Mine has been stone cold perfect in the year that I've owned it. 270,000km and counting. 27mpg (imperial) on the highway. Quite comfortable, seats are a bit heavy but go out and in easily. $1,500 will buy any one of several decent ones available around my small city right now.