What is a Good Mini-Van to Live In?

[akrvbob]

I just had a new friend ask me what is the best mini-van to live in and I had to admit I'd never owned a mini-van and really didn't know much about them.

BUT!!! I happen to know a bunch of great people who DO know a lot about it so I thought I would ask you.

So, please give me your feedback on minivans if you've ever owned one or lived in one. Please include model year and name.

Be aware that if I get enough information I will compile it and use it as a blog post. I'd also love to have some pictures and by posting them here you are giving me permission to use them on my websites unless you specifically tell me not to. I'll leave them all anonymous unless you specifically tell me otherwise and then I will give you credit for the photo.

I'm especially interested in:

1) Average MPG
2) Reliability
3) Headroom
4) Enough room to live in?
5) How long did you own it.
6) General feedback

Thanks so much for all your information!!! Be aware that you are helping someone make a better choice and be a happier vandweller!! :heart:
Bob

 

[Patrick46]

I've had 2.

the first was an '84 Plymouth Voyager (same thing as a Dodge Caravan)

it was a great little rig. 3.0 V-6 that was a great runner. (I inherited it from my father.) It had like 220K when I got rid of it, and the new owner drove it for another couple years after that.

1) Average MPG (22mpgs??)
2) Reliability (7-8)
3) Headroom (decient)
4) Enough room to live in? (sure, but it'd be tight)
5) How long did you own it. (5+ years)
6) General feedback (a single person using a well though-out floorplan could make this work)

my second was a '94 Chevy Astro. 4.3 engine, which I loved!
Had a electronic gremlin somewhere in the dashboard which was a headach at times, but the rest was great!

1) Average MPG (16-22 mpgs)
2) Reliability ( 6-7)
3) Headroom (very good)
4) Enough room to live in? (sure...alot more then the Voyager)
5) How long did you own it. (3 years)
6) General feedback (I like how this van drove and loved the engine. It was alot roomier then the last one, nearly like a full size van, and I liked the visibility it has. Wished the electronics worked better)


as for living in a mini-van...I'd say any of them would work fine. (especially when compared to living in a car). Sacrifices will hafta be made to live in it comfortably...but don't they always??

 

[Blue]

97 dodge caravan

Avg mpg: 25
Reliability: good, cheap repairs
Headroom: get a bubble top, otherwise "not enough"
Enough room to live in?: barely, with twin bed carries about 8 milk crates worth of storage not counting about 1ft space around all sides of the bed, assuming you leave one side door in blocked and don't pull the passenger seat.
How long owned? Bout a year now.

General feedback:
Road n track "car of the year" lots of power even when loaded up, good handling, lots of standard features. I like the "not a windowless van" look of it, extra 12 volt connections in back are nice, side windows help w venting, good AC flow to rear of vehicle, cup holders and mini storage on sides in back are good shelves beside bed. generally I really like it. Problems- many windows need blocks/insulation and shaped strangely (not easy) no way to open rear hatch from inside. Overall works fine for a single person, two would be pushing it.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

I had a 96 Ford Aerostar with the 4.0 ltr V-6 engine and overdrive for 3 yrs. I used it for business, but camped in it a few times also.
The 4.0 was pretty peppy,and tho I was usually just carrying some janitorial equipment, I still wonder how peppy it would have been with a full build and possessions. When camping, I had basic gear and foam on the floor for sleeping.

I think it was roomy enough to make a minimalist a good home with a few amenities. It got around 18-20 around town (mostly night driving) and I could get 24 on the hiway in overdrive at 65mph. (egg under foot type driver).
I liked my van. It had 160K on it when it sold. Had new seals (right before I got it) at 100K, so no drips. No oil usage, ran well, good tranny, low maintenance costs over time. The only ding it ever got on emissions testing was the code for a bad gas cap, which I picked up cheap at AutoZone.

Now...would I have another....sure....BUT....
Unless I already had the Aerostar I would shop for a little bit newer long cargo with with maybe the 5.8 ltr V-8 or even 7.3 diesel if I wanted to tow a trailer.

I'm a bit of a Ford guy after years in the construction business. Fords kept more money in my pocket at the end of the year on overall cost of operation than any other trucks.
I must say I'm kinda impressed whit what Dodge has done in recent years. A long time ago I wouldn't have given a plug nickel for a fleet of them.
Ain't gonna "dis" your Chevys tho.

 

[user 423]

Many years ago I lived in the original minivan....a VW bus. I won't talk about them cuz for most folks they aren't a viable option these days. Back in the 80s when the Caravans and Astros came out a big question was whether front-wheel drive would be as durable as rear-wheel drive. After many years and millions sold, I guess that question about FWD models is answered but I'm not sure of the verdict. Something to consider for hauling the extra weight of a live-in van?

 

[Simran]

I did not live in this rig but camped out of it. it was a 1992 Chevy Lumina mini. 3.4 engine. Got 23 mpg. you could sit up in a chair in it. A twin air mattress would fit between the wheel wells but left little room around the edges for anything else. I never did it but if you built a plywood frame about 1' off the floor there would be plenty of room for storage with a mattress on top or build a narrower bed in it so a chair fit alongside the bed. the drive train was bullet proof in this rig. my wife & son finally rolled it while teaching him to drive. :huh:
body is mostly fiberglass & plastic and would have lasted forever.

My wife had two Oldsmobile Silhouette mini's with the same 3.4 one 2000 one 2002. first one was wrecked @ 196,000 the second is still on the road with 212,000 miles; my son has it now. these have the same bullet proof set up as the Lumina. NEVER any major engine or transmission problems. 23 mpg. Although these two were never lived in they had the same interior space as the Lumina.

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My wife is currently driving a Mercury Villager 2004 mini. Made by Nissan. Athough this rig is dependable, as most Nissan's are, the mileage is poor for a mini. Only 17/18. Kripes a big van will do that now!
The Merc/Nissan has a shorter body than a regular sized mini.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

I have a NZ made Toyota Townace 1993 the difference between a NZ made one and a Japanese is a wider wheel base and larger wheels.
owned for 16 years, 253000 kms, a couple hundred spent on front end, regular maintenance, oil changes, filters etc in 16 years, no undercarriage rust, the odd spot on roof where I have chipped the paint with ladders, extremely high reliability. I used it as a work truck, a scooter rack clips on the back and I have a glass rack that mounts to it as well, I towed a 10ft tt with it over a 10 year period, then redid the interior and got rid of the tt. One dedicated person could live in it if you were in the right climate. I used to get around 29 to 30 mpg imp, 10 or 11 liters per 100kms, I did a few aero mods, camback, spats, grill block, plugged the spokes on the mags, and a partial belly pan, lrr tires, now I get around 33mpg imp. or 8.8 liters per 100kms. The entire interior other then the front wall comes out in less then 3 minutes. The floor lifts up to make a small double, the cupboard door doubles as a seat, table or computer desk, since these pictures I have installed a handpump at the sink.

---

I forgot to mention it has a white cover made from a piece of recycled tent that I paid 6 dollars for, that goes over the back door creating extra space and an awning above the slider on the side. All the aero mods were made from recycled realestate signs made of coroplast that I picked up at the recycling plant for 10 dollars,

---

the interior of this van cost 2 sheets of 5mm veneer ply at 27 dollars, 1 sheet 12 mm veneer ply at 35, a bit of glue a couple of 6 foot lengths of 1x6 and a few nails for the air gun, total cost less then 150 nz dollars including hand pump. which is about 125 us.

 

[Simran]

That thing is extremely cool & you did a nice job on the interior. NICE!!

 

[Reducto]

I'm in an 89 Toyota van and the only change I'd like to make is to track down a 4x4 and transfer everything over to it. I bought it with 200k miles for $1500 and put in another $1500 worth of overdue repairs (shocks, driveshaft, alternator, door handle, ignition tuneup, busted turn signal lenses) and it's now near 240k. 24 MPG highway (actual overall 24.3 from a California-Connecticut-California trip with the solar and fan on top, not wishful thinking) 20MPG city. Parts are getting hard to find and mechanics don't like working on them because they're weird so you have to be willing to do some wrench turning and used part hunting if you want one of these vans. It's been very reliable despite considerable abuse from me.

Toyotas sold in the US changed drastically over the years - 84-89 they were called Van or Van Wagon and look like Kurbmaster's van, 91-97 they sold the Previa which is the round mid-engine one, 98+ we got the Sienna which is a more conventional front-engine minivan. Each of these changes was a complete ground up redesign - there is not much in common between them.

I have everything I own in mine and don't feel crowded. A big downside is there is a hump between the front seats and the back so you can't move between the two areas like you can on most vans. I just put a big piece of 2" foam behind the seats and use the passenger seat for overflow storage.

I'm not sure how to measure headroom - I'm certainly not standing up inside but I'm comfortable.

 

[akrvbob]

Wow, thanks so much everybody!! Can't wait to hear more!!

More pics!!! More, More, More!!!!

Sorry, about that, I've regained my composure

I'd love to hear and see more!
Bob

 

[Tinman74]

Never heard of anyone dwelling in a Chrysler or Dodge mini van with "stow n go seating" but if the seats were to be removed the floor where the intermediate seats and also the rear seats stow would give you about a 7" recess adding more storage in the rear and more headroom in the intermediate area. Not enough to stand erect but enough room to at least aid in getting dressed. I have had a few although have not used them to camp in. Mileage is in the high teens, city and low 20's Highway.

 

[Bdog1]

The two "stow and go" under seat storage pans are plastic and won't support a person but is an interesting idea. Perhaps it could be reinforced?

I was in a drop floor wheelchair late model Caravan last week and that extra size is very noticeable inside. Height compared to my E350. Ground clearance is poor though.

 

[One Awesome Inch]

Also keep in mind the astro is based on a truck chasis and will be harder on gas vs a caravan etc.

 

[decodancer]

I owned a 2005 Kia Sedona for 5 years and the only time it was ever in the shop was to fix power windows. I chose it over others because it had the most headroom for my large dog. I took all the rear seats out .and there was plenty of room for a mattress when I traveled. A friend has one with over 300,000 miles on it. It's a reliable low cost vehicle and not too hard to look at either.

 

[Patrick46]

I've got a friend who hauls his 3 (yes 3) Great Danes in an '86 Toyota Minivan!!!

It looks like he's hauling horses in there!!!

 

[WheelEstate USA]

But....does he live in the van with the big 3???

 

[bpeck]

I'm a big dude, so I enjoy the space my high-top Ford E150 gives me. However, I've been thinking lately about how if I ever needed to downsize, I'd probably go with a Chevy Astro.

I think you could go quite barebones in an Astro and still be pretty comfortable. I'd do a long, narrow bed platform along the wall behind the driver's seat with space for totes underneath. Passenger seat would have to be comfy and swivel, to be used for getting work done and general relaxation. Put a small combo sink/stove/countertop on the wall behind the slider, with enough water storage and perhaps a hot water heater with an outdoor shower you could access from the back door. If height isn't an issue, roof racks seem easy to come by - extra space up top for a roof box, surfboards, etc.

 

[akrvbob]

Decodancer, what kind of MPG did the Sedona get?

I'm a BIG fan of the Astro, but It's hard for me recommend them beause their MPG is so mediocre. My girlfriend lives in a 2007 full-size Chevy Express with 5.3 liter V8. On one long trip we took through Colorado and Utah she averaged 18 MPG and on a recent 1300 mile trip to Salt Lake she averaged 19 MPG.

That's about what an Astro will get and she has MUCH more room and power.

I have some friends who are a couple and live in an Astro and they are loaded so heavy they only average about 12-14 MPG.

I think if you can't get 22 MPG or more you are better off in a full-size Express van with a 5.3 V8.
Bob

 

[Patrick46]

Bpeck...

Dude...you're hardcore!!!

You live in a E-150 high-top, and you're considering DOWNSIZING to an Astro????


WOW!!!!!!

R E S P E C T !!!!!

 

[decodancer]

I got over 20 mpg on the highway with the Kia. Maybe not as high as some of the pricier vehicles but considering the price was about half as much it was worth it. The Kia also had a bunch of cool built in storage compartments. I liked the sliding doors on both sides too. I'll see if I can find a few pics and post them. The woman who bought it had two great Danes. She said she had been looking for ages trying to find something large enough to tote them around.