Reliability

[Silver]

The most Reliable is Previa.​

Sienna and maybe Ford Econoline?​

+ Aerostar?​

I m afraid to buy anything else.​

Would U buy a 97 Quest 106 k​

miles for $ 2500 ?​

Transmision may fail.​

Timing belt at 180 k ?​

 

[GotSmart]

It is all hype. I buy American because the parts are cheap and easy to get, and a mechanic for the big three can always be found.

Buy what fits your budget and what you like AFTER it is checked over by a mechanic.

Do you want windows? Interior height? Room? Reliability? Just about everything today is basically reliable. Find what you like, then look for something that has been well maintained.

Some vans with bad reputations will give you great service. Some with top reputations have been abused by their owners.

 

[vanman2300]

I have my favorites too but I try to let other opinions play a part. As far as I have seen and heard Chevy V6 and Dodge 318s have been bullet proof....

 

[minimotos95]

Most of the vans had problem years, engines, or transmissions so it depends on the particular van. My van's motor for example is known for self destructing after owners neglect the scheduled timing belt replacement. the 6.0l power stroke in the mid 00's fords is known for head gasket/head bolt problems. Many of the auto previas I see for sale have a transmission or torque converter problem and so on. So don't judge reliability solely by model and definitely not by make, it should be judged on a case by case basis taking into account the maintenance history.

 

[Canine]

Look at owners forums, specific my make and model, also Edmunds forums, again make and model, then there's knock off consumer report or recall forums, same thing, make and model...
You can always find someone who has one and isn't trying to sell it unless you are short on time.

What models hold their resale value the best, there's a clue. Course if there's a zillion in junk yards and you get it cheap, and you are able to wrench at a pick n pull, you could be ok.

Like one poster said, it's the maintenance and service or lack thereof that condemns many a fine vehicle to an early scrap heap.

There are a few makes and models that are plain atrocious, but an Internet search should reveal those. Add to the list GM Dexcool intake gasket failures on all their v6 engines during the late 90's and early 2000's. I've had 2 Buicks with that stellar 3800 motor that succumbed to that sludge making coolant problem. That's one reason why the Chevy venture vans and their Olds and Pontiac brethren are cheap, cheap, cheap on the used market if from the late 90's...

A little use of the search function or Google should tell you lots.

 

[SoulRaven]

I prefer the 70's-80's American vans. They're cheap and reliable. Pre electronic and computer nightmares. Timing chains instead of timing belts. Built to last instead of pre-planned obsolescence.

 

[LeeRevell]

After doing some research, I found that the dreaded "computerization" of vans began a lot earlier than I thought. My old '88 E150 does have an early form of it. Danggit..... I had wanted to go 'computerless'. Working with electronics and computers all my adult life has given me the understanding that, as my old Navy Seniorchief said decades ago, "Anything electronic WILL fail at the worst possible time". He has been proven right time and again. When something mechanical fails, it can often be jerry-rigged to get you home. When that wee electronic widget fails, you are walking.
But these days, to avoid electronic stuff altogether, we are having to go "way back"...... Hello, '70s.....

 

[mconlonx]

The 98 Ford E350 with 5.4l Triton engine has a reputation for blowing spark plugs... but mine spun a rod bearing. Buying a vehicle is always a crapshoot, best you can do is mitigate against disaster by being an expert/pro or consulting with one.

Unfortunately, in my area, all the vans from the 70s and 80s rusted away decades ago...

Current strategy:
1) have van towed to a place I can park it more or less permanently for use as a dwelling and storage, until I have it towed off the property for scrap at some point in the future
2) finish tiny house and move in there
3) stay at son's place -- I'm there mornings and evenings, was sleeping in the van before it blew up

...and while I'm engaging in one of these three options, save, save, save money, sell stuff, accumulate a nice stake, and keep perusing local CL for deals. The best prep is to be sitting on a stash of cash and have time to not rush into a deal.

 

[Canine]

If the OP wants reliability, as posters have said, anything used is a crapshoot. Best you can do is arm yourself with info on specific models from forums, ask if the seller has the maintenance history, avoid curbers or used car lots or auctions, look for the guy that's had it 7-10 plus years...

I still would advocate the Chrysler products of the late 80's and 90's if you can document the transmission having been replaced. There's a bazillion of them in junkyards and still about 5 billion on the road around Phoenix. Every lower income family or new immigrant drives them. Shade tree mechanics abound and parts are cheap. The fords are common too. Next most common are the older, I mean lots older Honda and Toyota. Anything under $5,000 is well used and anyone's guess on reliability. You'll have horror stories and opposing views on all of them.

 

[Canine]

If you go with the Econoline, the 351W is probably the best motor for the average user. The 351M isn't bad, but it pales in comparison to the 351W. The 351W is physically smaller, so it will be easier to work on in the tight confines of a van. The 351W will also probably have more power and parts are far and away more available than the 351M. Still easy to get parts for cheap for the 351M just not like the 351W.

The 400M is a bit of a pig on fuel, but that is my opinion. It does have good power.

Some people say the 460 will get the same fuel mileage as the 351, but I highly, highly disagree. The 460 is extremely reliable and parts are cheap and super easy to get, but it is a big motor and hard to work on in the tight space of a van. My opinion on fuel mileage is that is gets horrible mileage. 8 mpg if you are doing good. You can get maybe 17 or 18 mpg with a 351. The 460 should be considered if you really need the power with fuel mileage less of a concern.

A 302 would be fine, too, as long as you aren't working a stock 302 too hard.

Oh, the 300 six cylinder is a great motor. Very durable, very easy to work on, has decent power especially on the low end, but the fuel mileage (16 mpg) will be no better than a 351. Unless you are towing or need to go 75 all the time, this motor is certainly one to consider.

Hope this helps.

 

[akrvbob]

I've only owned one 300 I-6 and it was in a F150 with a 4 spd manual (OD). It would honestly get 20 mpg every time we were on the highway. It's my understanding that isn't unusual.
Bob

 

[cdiggy]

I've only owned one 300 I-6 and it was in a F150 with a 4 spd manual (OD). It would honestly get 20 mpg every time we were on the highway. It's my understanding that isn't unusual.
Bob

300 i6 is as bullet proof as they come. Very hard to kill. Trans and gearing will generate a wide range of mpg with what bob said 20 not uncommon. Mine got 12-14 no matter what I hauled or how I drove it but mine was a 4 speed granny low and had 35" tires most of its life. The fuel injected models after '88 were great. Before that ford experimented with a number of different brain setups and fuel delivery systems that parts are hard to come by.

 

[Canine]

OP seems like he is favoring minivans for fuel consumption. If so then the smallest v8 will still give him pump shock. All depends on how long he plans to occupy the van, what he wants to stuff the in it, if he thought this is to be long term, say over a year or what. I mean there's a gal who fulltimes in her Prius, any minivan would have like twice the room or more...

I even briefly considered a Dodge due to the "stow and go" seating, all the seats fold in the floor (2nd and 3rd row) so you don't have to tear anything out and can resell like nothing ever happened... Just couldn't find the one... They are all 3.3 or 3.8 V6, the 3.3 is much more common and easier than on fuel. Junkyards are awash with them...

 

[LeeRevell]

That's my Grand Caravan. Stow&Go seats are great, though it does obviate All Wheel Drive - you can have one or the other, not both! I have the 3.8 V6, and it is quite spry even loaded. I surprise a lot of cars who think to pass me and cut in front of me at an intersection. The look on their faces as they realize they just got blown off by a MINIVAN is priceless!
The approx. 20MPG I average is not great, but not bad compared to many V8 vehicles. I can get the rated 25MPG on highway trips. Reliability has been fairly good, mostly the occasional electronic hiccup, especially the electric door locks and sliding side doors going offline, requiring battery disconnect to reset them. I have had to replace the rack&pinion system, and a full brake job, and have been through a couple batteries and two tires - but the minivan has 130,000+ miles on it now. I have few complaints.
I have camped in it a few times, but it's too cramped to be a vandwelling rig for me. Good daily driver though. It can haul anything I need to haul.
Engine runs good, AC is cold, road handling is good.

 

[Canine]

That's why I was considering them exactly. Pretty decent vehicle with good mileage but too cramped to really like to live in. If I was a smaller guy maybe but I'm not...

There's another thread on the Ford Transit Connect here, don't know their reliability but could be a minivan alternative. They've been out in Europe a while. Probably ok, just kinda newish to us. I see a lot of them used by businesses due to fuel mileage.

 

[Silver]

I ended up getting a 98 Sienna 149 k. 

I should of had a mechanic check it over but .

I guess some people abuse the good ratings of the big 3
and don't take care of regular maintenance.

After the purchase I noticed there was no battery clamp.
So the battery was moving around a lot.

Battery was also very weak.  Like the seller switched out the
good one for a junker before selling the van to me . .

 

[Canine]

Could have I mean if there was a $140 battery in it and he could do something with it... Never will know. I thought batteries were still cheap but even at wallyworld they are over $100...

Hopefully that's all you'll find. So will you get a post purchase check?? Peace of mind...

 

[Silver]

Yes. Will definitely get an estimate for repairs from 2 shops.

I'm in luv with the new van !  Even tho the Reliability is suspect at this point.

I can see why most that get into van life love it !

The neighbors give me more respect now that I have a new - used van.

Some women also look at me more cause a Sienna , new is very expensive.

So going to the auto parts store soon for a battery . .

 

[Canine]

Well, women look at me too... "How do men let themselves go like that?"
"Even if he lost 200 lbs he'd still scare me."

I think it would take more than a new/used Sienna...

Glad you intend on getting it checked. Look for the oil sludge problem, it was back around then wasn't it?

 

[Silver]

New battery from the members club.
Installed.

Battery Hold Down ordered from
Toyota Dealership.

Why would the battery Hold Down be 
missing ?

Maybe the mechanic mis placed it.

If I knew all the bad stuf about this used
van I wouldnt hav bought it but
I do hav housing now and thats a
great feeling knowing you ll never be
Homeless !