Need suggestions on replacement van

[lozina]

I need to replace my Chevy Astro with something new, as it is falling apart now and is costing me alot for repairs.

I need a small cargo van like the Astro- short overall length like the Astro's is important as I park a lot in Manhattan. But like the Astro it should have a high amount of interior cargo space, enough to at least lay 4x8 plywoods down flat on the ground.

I've been looking all over and can't find anything with potential. I actually considered the Honda Odyssey and am still considering it but I just wish they had a "cargo" version without rear windows (though the windows wouldn't bother me TOO much, especially if they come nicely tinted).

A great contender was the Dodge Sprinter (also rebadged under Freightliner) when they had a short wheelbase version which would have been perfect, but they discontinued that too! It seems there is no market for cargo minivans.

 

[desy]

You've clearly checked out the Market
Sprinter's weren't discontinued all that long ago are you saying a near new one couldn't do it?
http://www.dodge.com/en/2008/sprinter/
It doesn't look like they are discontinued they even have 2009 models on their page

 

[lozina]

Originally posted by: desy
You've clearly checked out the Market
Sprinter's weren't discontinued all that long ago are you saying a near new one couldn't do it?
http://www.dodge.com/en/2008/sprinter/
It doesn't look like they are discontinued they even have 2009 models on their page

Oh I didn't mean the entire Sprinter line was discontinued but just their short wheelbase model. I tried finding dealers who might still have the short wheelbase models in stock but the guy on the phone told me they get that request a lot and if they found any they could sell them quick which was why we both remarked on why would the company discontinue them when they seemed to sell well. Maybe that's just the New York metro area though...

 

[chucky2]

They'd be getting pretty long in the tooth, but, a used Ford Aerostar, which they stopped making in 1997, would be a good solution.

Should be relatively cheap, good reliability, lots of space, etc. Finding an extended one and yanking the seats should get you a pretty big cargo hold.

Chuck

 

[lozina]

Originally posted by: chucky2
They'd be getting pretty long in the tooth, but, a used Ford Aerostar, which they stopped making in 1997, would be a good solution.

Should be relatively cheap, good reliability, lots of space, etc. Finding an extended one and yanking the seats should get you a pretty big cargo hold.

Chuck

Right, but I guess I should have explicitly mentioned that I need something new, I really don't want to inherit someone else's problems like what this 7 year old Astro is giving me now.

 

[nwfsnake]

Looks like the Chevy Uplander had a Cargo configuration for 2008. No info for 2009.
Bet you could still get a new 2008 though if you looked hard enough.

 

[iamwiz82]

Freightliner still has the SWB Sprinter.

 

[iamwiz82]

And did you look at the Chevy Express?

 

[DougK62]

HHR? You can put quite a lot in those, and they have a panel-sided version.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I hear good things aboutthe Sprinter, MPG in particular is supposed to be in the low to mid 20's

The HHR panel is cool looking, have looked at a couple, love the looks, hate the drivetrain...

 

[lozina]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Freightliner still has the SWB Sprinter.

No they got rid of it.

They used to have 3 wheelbases, one was 118", next 144" then another one even longer I think 170"

Now they only have the 144" and 170"

 

[lozina]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
And did you look at the Chevy Express?

Yeah that's the full size van which I'm trying to avoid

 

[BATCH71]

Stick with the Astro, get another from Craigslist. I have seen plenty of late model ones for around $10000

Dave

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: lozina
I need to replace my Chevy Astro with something new, as it is falling apart now and is costing me alot for repairs.

I need a small cargo van like the Astro- short overall length like the Astro's is important as I park a lot in Manhattan. But like the Astro it should have a high amount of interior cargo space, enough to at least lay 4x8 plywoods down flat on the ground.

I've been looking all over and can't find anything with potential. I actually considered the Honda Odyssey and am still considering it but I just wish they had a "cargo" version without rear windows (though the windows wouldn't bother me TOO much, especially if they come nicely tinted).

A great contender was the Dodge Sprinter (also rebadged under Freightliner) when they had a short wheelbase version which would have been perfect, but they discontinued that too! It seems there is no market for cargo minivans.

Just out of curiosity, what are you hauling in manhattan?