Help needed to pick out my minivan

[travelingchic]

I've decided to ask all of you for some help pretty please when it comes to picking out my van. &nbsp;I am itching to get going but I have been stalling since I can't decide. &nbsp;I know it's my decision in the end but I was wondering if anyone had info that would help me get a move on to buy one. &nbsp;<div><br></div><div><a href="http://www.tinsilly.com/vandecision.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.tinsilly.com/vandecision.jpg</a> </div><div><br></div><div>The link is to my site to an image of a table with the minivans I'm considering. &nbsp;So many decisions. &nbsp;I was hoping to stay in the $2k range but I am willing to go higher if it is considerably better for the longevity of the vehicle. &nbsp;However, that would mean I would have less funds starting out on the road. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Your thoughts are much appreciated. &nbsp;I have posted this on the yahoo van dwelling group as well to hopefully catch all the van dwellers who wish to voice an opinion.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Thanks <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp;</div>

 

[Seraphim]

Wife had a 2002 Mazda MVP that was a nice vehicle. Could fit her 8' recumbent bike and my trike inside. Enough room to sleep in. Reliable and drove nicely.

 

[travelingchic]

Thanks for the info. &nbsp;Haven't seen any of them for sale though. &nbsp;Will keep my eye out for one.

 

[Les H]

Some thoughts for you-
Astro/safaris are considered to be the best combination of space and mpg, kinda the " Holy Grail"of vandwelling. They stopped making them in 05, so some fairly new ones still available. Rear wheel drive or AWD configurations.
My experience with the ford Windstars is so so. Had a tranny go out and would have cost us more to fix/replace than we paid for it. Decent ride and mileage though.
Our Pontiac Transport ( newer ones are Montana's) was made of fiberglass, so no body rust, but the steel subframe rusted through severely and it had electrical " issues" .
We have not owned a Dodge/Chrysler minivan , but they were the most common ( lots of parts available) got decent mileage, and were the " first " minivans. The 90's had terrible tranny problems though.stay away from the 4 cyl ones, even though they got 30 ish mpg, they were horribly underpowered and I believe had head gasket problems.
Hope that helps!

 

[yesican]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Other than the Ford...their mileage is quite high.&nbsp; Are those miles or kilometers?</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Rae</p>

 

[travelingchic]

ha ha, you are right, I wasn't paying attention. &nbsp;They are in kilometers.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>I haven't seen any astro / safari for sale but I will keep my eye out for one. &nbsp;Yes, I was told to stay away from the ford winstar by a mechanic on this forum.</div><div><br></div><div>yes there seems to be a bunch of dodge caravans for sale. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>That's like the death of a minivan the tranny breaking down since it would be more money to fix. &nbsp;I'm sorry to hear that happened. &nbsp;I guess no matter what mini van I pick it has a chance of breaking down and giving me grief. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Thanks for your insight and advice.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>

 

[dborla01]

I was talking with the repair garage folks who takes care of our honda and they say that the Chrysler products after 1999 are reliable and had solved the tranny problems they were infamous for. So...just some advice from them. Darrell <br>

 

[travelingchic]

Thanks, any information helps when deciding what to buy. &nbsp;

 

[Khaly]

<p>I recently purchased my van (after agonizing!) and ended up with an Astro cargo van.&nbsp; I like the fact that it's a little roomier than most.&nbsp;&nbsp; Maybe check with fleet dealers?&nbsp; That's how I found mine.&nbsp;&nbsp; They tend to have pretty complete service records that way.</p>

 

[travelingchic]

I'm pretty location dependent on where I buy since I don't have a vehicle at the moment to transport me to go and have a look. &nbsp;For the last decade I've been using a 50cc scooter to get around. &nbsp;Too cheap to pay for gas guzzlers and higher priced insurance. &nbsp;I've only owned one vehicle in my life and I sold it after three years in 1996. &nbsp;I've stayed away for good reasons because vehicles cost money. &nbsp;But now that I will be using it as my home and a way to travel I guess I'm okay to hop on the band wagon.<div><br></div><div>thanks for your input and I'm glad I'm not the only one agonizing over this decision. &nbsp;I guess it's because it will make or break my chances at this lifestyle depending on what vehicle I end up buying.</div>

 

[travelingchic]

Oh, I forgot to ask. &nbsp;Are you mobile now or still on the way to prepping for your trip? &nbsp;

 

[travelingchic]

Well there is a 2000 Honda Odyssey for sale in my town for $2,800 with 255,000 kilometers. &nbsp;However, I read on a forum for Honda that the early 2000's have transmission problems often. &nbsp; &nbsp;I heard about the Ford Windstar and I am staying clear. &nbsp;<div>Thanks for your input.</div><div><br></div><div>haha, I wonder if they have wifi? &nbsp; (the mother ship)</div>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<P>

Indeed, you could say it's universal.<BR>

</P>sorry off topic,planetmoon-nomessaging.&nbsp; Have you been to the UFO fest? I have a few tshirts designed, had hoped to attend as a vendor this year, not happening, maybe next year. <br><FONT color=#ff00ff>Dragonfly</FONT><br>

 

[travelingchic]

<div>OMG OMG OMG I got the van! I was so nervous and excited through the whole process. &nbsp;I took it to a mechanic and he inspected it for $40 bucks which is a freaking deal compared to the other quotes I got and he comes highly recommended by a neighbor who has him work on his vehicle for years. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>He said the van is in good condition with a few plugs missing that sometimes aren't installed but a good idea to have for when going off road and the top part of the brake lights don't come on but it's not a problem since the bottom part is enough. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I am feeling overwhelmed. &nbsp;Like wow this is doing something big and stepping out of my comfort zone. &nbsp;I have owned a scooter for twelve years and those things are low maintenance, low on gas, and insurance. &nbsp;My 50 cc scooter is nothing compared to this minivan. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>With insurance I just spent $4,300 and that is the biggest purchase of my life accept for my one year of college. &nbsp;I feel like it's such a gamble too. &nbsp;Since, yes the dealership did a safety inspection and the mechanic I paid did one too but you never know what will go wrong tomorrow. &nbsp;In fact, I just noticed coming home that it has a tiny chip on the windshield which I didn't notice and neither did my dad. &nbsp;So that's $35 for a sealer out of my pocket already. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I have to say I really love how comfortable the seats are and how nice it is to drive. &nbsp;However, I'm still overwhelmed with driving such a big vehicle compared to my scooter so staying in the lines worry me till I get used to it. &nbsp;This is partly the reason I didn't go for a full sized van. &nbsp;It would have been way too much. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>So now what? &nbsp;I mean I don't have income coming in every month if I intend to be on the road. &nbsp;I do have some savings to cushion me but reality just set in. &nbsp;How will I pay for repairs on the van or insurance. &nbsp;I did pay for one year up front so that gives me a buffer. &nbsp;</div><div>I don't need to make a ton of money but I'm definitely wondering how I will make enough to feel like I can full time and have enough for a rainy day. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Then I get it home and my mom and dad come out to look at it and they suggest, get this, lol, that I keep all the seats in it and sleep on the back seat. &nbsp;I showed them how my head would have to rest on the side and my body would have to curve to fit but they thought it was fine. lol. &nbsp;But I guess it comes down to where will I store them?&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>So I would love to know where you guys store your seats that you don't need? &nbsp;I don't feel good about throwing them out since what if this doesn't work out I would like to sell the van and that would be hard to do without the seats. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I'm just reeling as you can probably tell. &nbsp;A mixture of excitement and nervousness. &nbsp;But I did it. &nbsp;It is not so much a fantasy anymore with a one day dream. &nbsp;The day is today.</div>

 

[travelingchic]

Oh and yeah, I bought a 2004 Dodge Caravan. &nbsp;If anyone wants to know <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> hehe&nbsp;<div>Forgot that tidbit of info.</div>

 

[travelingchic]

Hey Planet,<div><br></div><div>It's got 185,000 kilometers so like 115,000 miles. &nbsp;It's silver with a few scratches since it is 8 years old. &nbsp;The rear brakes were making noises so they put in brand new ones for me and the front ones are in newish condition. &nbsp;</div>

 

[stude53]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Hey, TC</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Congratulations! Post some pics when you can ... we love pics.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Bob</p>

 

[travelingchic]

Thanks Bob. &nbsp;For sure I will be posting some pics when I start to do the conversion. &nbsp;<div><br></div><div>I like how planet and you have downsized my name to TC since those are actually my initials from my name and I've been called TC before. &nbsp;Didn't noticed my username worked out that way till now. &nbsp;Cool.</div>

 

[yesican]

<p style="margin: 0px;">What an exhilerating and exciting time for you.&nbsp; You'll do good. You have lots of help with info here from the brainiacs here.&nbsp; Remember to "breath in, breath out...no passing out from excitement!</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Rae</p>

 

[Rollin]

travelingchic,&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>&nbsp; Good for you, sounds like your making your dreams a reality! As for the Van seats I sold 2 of the rear captains chairs on CL. I was going to keep the rear but&nbsp;because I have some extra time I am taking it out also. I'm in the process now of making a bed. The main reason for removing&nbsp;the&nbsp;seats is the weight (= better gas&nbsp;mileage). Of&nbsp;course when you go to sell you Van on down the line it would be nice to have them for resale. In my case I don't want to pay storage for them. If you could get someone to store them for you just take them out and put them back in when you go to sell. They pretty easy to remove.</div>