Need Recommendation : Used Van

[KMFJD]

Looking to buy a reliable minivan/van for a trip up north next year, main options seem to be Dodge Caravan and Chevy Uplander. Are there any pro's and con's to each? any other options (i keep hearing Honda odyssey are good but i don't see many for sale) . I want a van so i'll be able to pull over and sleep inside rather than setup campsite up north with the cold/bugs.

My main concerns:
- are reliability and ease of getting it fixed if it does break.
- mileage/capacity (how far i can get on a tank of gas)
- ground clearance

 

[lxskllr]

An old Ford panel van. Ugly, handles like a brick, but is cheap, and a blank canvas. You can do what you want inside. Bunk beds, sink, wood stove... No regrets modifying its appearance. It was ugly when it rolled off the line :^D Oh, and parts should be available everywhere.

 

[pauldun170]

Looking to buy a reliable minivan/van for a trip up north next year, main options seem to be Dodge Caravan and Chevy Uplander. Are there any pro's and con's to each? any other options (i keep hearing Honda odyssey are good but i don't see many for sale) . I want a van so i'll be able to pull over and sleep inside rather than setup campsite up north with the cold/bugs.

My main concerns:
- are reliability and ease of getting it fixed if it does break.
- mileage/capacity (how far i can get on a tank of gas)
- ground clearance

Budget? How much do you need to carry?
Caravans are 50\50 but dirt cheap.
If your budget is high enough you could pick up a new Caravan for the price of a used Odessey\Sienna.
If you are looking at older\lower price points both the honda and dodge have the risk of transmission failure over their head.

If you plan on sleeping in it, the caravan migh have the edge depending on the seating system

The safest bet on the Minivan market is probably the Sienna but you will pay a premium for it.

 

[KMFJD]

Budget? How much do you need to carry?
Caravans are 50\50 but dirt cheap.
If your budget is high enough you could pick up a new Caravan for the price of a used Odessey\Sienna.
If you are looking at older\lower price points both the honda and dodge have the risk of transmission failure over their head.

If you plan on sleeping in it, the caravan migh have the edge depending on the seating system

The safest bet on the Minivan market is probably the Sienna but you will pay a premium for it.

I'd like to keep it under 10k if possible, i can pick up a 2010-13 Caravan with around 120-150,000km or a Sienna/Oddyssy with 220,000 that's around a 2007-2009 , i'll be logging a lot of km's (20,000 km+). I'll take all the seat out in the back and will be looking at building a bed/table combo in the back. Won't need to carry a lot but space would be nice.

 

[slashbinslashbash]

Get an old Astro/Safari. Shares many parts with Chevy/GMC pickups so fairly easy to diagnose, fix, and obtain parts. Can get rebuilt engine+tranny relatively cheap. AWD available and ground clearance is much better than most car-based minivans.

 

[bradly1101]

My thoughts always go to Toyota when reliability is mentioned. I have experience with them.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Ford Transit Connect?

Very roomy and a blank slate in the back for creating a camping van.

 

[thedarkwolf]

If this is something I was going to do and do a lot I'd try to find a full size van camper conversion. It would save a lot of work and they still aren't worth much.

 

[jlee]

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/5751699379.html

 

[KMFJD]

I haven't seen an cargo van's for sale around here (in my price range), they get sold quickly but are at the top of my list, minivan's i suspect would be so much cheaper, and i really don't need that much more room, a minvan would be plenty and more comfortable for long drives i think. Any pro's and con's to the major makers? The dodge sprinter and the nissan nv200 have those small tires, it doesn't appear be good for some of the gravel roads i might be taking.(clearance issues over potholes?)

I see the following

Dodge Grand Caravans
Chevy Uplander
Kia Sedona
Pontiac Montana
Honda Oddyssy
Ford Freestar

Just going on the prices i'm, thinking (?) the uplander/Montana aren't that great of vehicles as they seem to lose their value quickly.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

minivan's i suspect would be so much cheaper, and i really don't need that much more room, a minvan would be plenty and more comfortable for long drives i think. Any pro's and con's to the major makers?

I see the following

Dodge Grand Caravans
Chevy Uplander
Kia Sedona
Pontiac Montana
Honda Oddyssy
Ford Freestar

Just going on the prices i'm, thinking (?) the uplander/Montana aren't that great of vehicles as they seem to lose their value quickly.

Uplander is a fleet queen. Mostly state/local .gov bought these. A decent 2007-2008 with around 100k miles can be bought for less than $5k. They get the job done with a floaty/pillow ride. Decent drivers seat.
I like the Dodge GC with stow n go. Very versatile vehicle. Cheap to own and operate. If you are shopping pre-2010 make sure it has the 4 liter engine. Otherwise stick to 2011 and newer for the upgraded 3.6. I don't like the drivers seat. A trip to the upholster shop is in order to fix the flat bottom cushion.

Domestic vans so plentiful dealer network if it needs fixing on the road.

 

[KMFJD]

Uplander is a fleet queen. Mostly state/local .gov bought these. A decent 2007-2008 with around 100k miles can be bought for less than $5k. They get the job done with a floaty/pillow ride. Decent drivers seat.
I like the Dodge GC with stow n go. Very versatile vehicle. Cheap to own and operate. If you are shopping pre-2010 make sure it has the 4 liter engine. Otherwise stick to 2011 and newer for the upgraded 3.6. I don't like the drivers seat. A trip to the upholster shop is in order to fix the flat bottom cushion.

Domestic vans so plentiful dealer network if it needs fixing on the road.

Thanks, i'll keep that in mind!

 

[desy]

Stick to the Dodge, there is reason why they sell more than anybody else, bang for buck, yes they aren't as reliable as the toyondas however they are a bargain and cheap and easy to fix
Find one from a senior couple and not a family trashing them out

 

[KMFJD]

Stick to the Dodge, there is reason why they sell more than anybody else, bang for buck, yes they aren't as reliable as the toyondas however they are a bargain and cheap and easy to fix
Find one from a senior couple and not a family trashing them out

Yeah i'm pretty much resigned to getting one unless an AWD Sienna with decent miles shows up.