what's best us made minni van

[crab bait]

my heater core just went in my 94 ranger pick-up..an want to trade it in on a late 90's minni van.. plus the ranger's gettin' long in the tooth...believe me ,fellas... i hate car shoppin'!! i dread it... <br />iused to to hear good about dodge.. but everyother one i see is mosquito fumigatin'.....

 

[JB]

Re: what's best us made minni van

Hey, Crab bait.<br /><br />I had a '95 Ford Windstar for a few years. Served me well and towed my 13' Boston Whaler all over the continent. If you get a Windstar be sure to get the 3.8l engine and a towing package.<br /><br />When you say, "US made", do you really mean made in the USA or do you mean with a traditionally US company's name on it? Toyota, Nissan and Mazda minivans are all made in the US.<br /><br />Personally, I would be more inclined toward a SUV. The '02 Explorer is a superb vehicle, as is the Escape V6, depending on what sort of work you need to do, and both recommended by Consumer Reports. (CR is a non-advertising publication. Do not pay attention to copycat Consumers Digest, which recommends anybody who buys an ad.)<br /><br />I'm sure you will get lots and lots of suggestions.

 

[crab bait]

Re: what's best us made minni van

thanks JB... come to think of it,,, i never, ever, ever seen a minni van with a trailer hitch ,, EVER.. that was another question i was goin' to ask...can they tow a boat ?? i guess you answered that question.. <br />i'm a union man.. an almost sworn by a blood-oath to buy USA.. my BROTHERS wouldn't stop raggin' on me if i didn't buy a/from the usa 'big three'..even if there's proof of it bein' made here.. rocks thru the windshield & flat tires on jobs sites is brutile ..!!<br />i do try to buy usa,,especialy major purchases.. all tho i do buy nissan when i buy an outboard.. i just don't take many work buddies fishin' .. <br />i really was thinkin' of a minni van.. it would suite me over a suv.. plus when i'm outta work i can travel & sleep in the van a few nites a week.. saves on motel bills .. i find a 24 hour restaurant ,, pull in the parking lot & crash.. if i need to use a bathroom ,, it's there ,too .. and coffee & breakfast in the mornin'.. so you can see ,, a minni would serve me better.. <br />i don't buy new... never did & never will. even if i were to hit the lottery.. a late 90's model would do me find..<br />i like fords.. seems like i always had fords.. but whats with ford & heater cores.. every cottonpickin' time i here of a heater core failure ,,, it's a ford...

 

[JB]

Re: what's best us made minni van

Say, CB.<br /><br />All of those "furrin" vehicles made in USA are made by American blue collar workers. Heck, My Mercedes was made in Alabama by rednecks<br /><br />Some of your work buddies are screwing their fellow American workers with all this brand prejudice.<br /><br />Before I decided to buy the ML 320 and keep it for twice as long as I kept my trucks and my minivan (that cost more than half as much) I always drove Fords, with a preference for Rangers. <br /><br />Except that they cost too much in the used vehicle market, I would suggest an Explorer 4X2.<br /><br />Used Rangers with toppers are fairly reasonable in the used market, but a real winner in value for the price would be a Ford/Merc full sized wagon.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[crab bait]

Re: what's best us made minni van

i know... it's a cryin' shame.. an that's just what it is... predjudice... but that's the way it is.. if it don't say ford , chevy or the other one on it.. it can't park in the hall's parkin' lot...<br />when i say travelin' ,, i mean not for fun. i mean workin' in another local across the country as a ' traveler'.. i need somethin' i can streach out in along with my gear.. still a minni seems like the ticket...

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: what's best us made minni van

....don't forget that Mercedes is now just as American as Chrysler since it's owned by DaimlerChrysler - and besides, if it's built by real genuine Alabama rednecks, that settles it for me <br /><br />Still, there's something to be said for the history and country association of a brand - and you can't get more American than Ford & GM. <br /><br />Not forgetting that they own a lot of "foreign" brands too....complicated isn't it?<br /><br />I agree about the Explorer. They are very versatile machines and great for towing. Fold the seats down and you can sleep in them - only there's no toilet... Mine's the most useful vehicle I've ever owned and I'm sure they are redneck certified.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: what's best us made minni van

Good Morning.<br /><br />The Chebbby Astro van is not too bad I guess I would call it mid-size. My business partner has one and it tows very nicely.<br /><br />Bob

 

[Fishbusters]

Re: what's best us made minni van

94 Ranger long in the tooth LOL My Ranger is 87 with almost 200,000 miles and still running strong with next to no engine work (replacing alternators and such as well as a radiator) and only one time ever working on the transmission it needed clutch work. I have less money in working on it that any other vehicle I have ever owned and it runs better than anything I have ever owned except the 90 surburban I have now. I guess I will keep it till the wheels fall off. Don't be so quick to get rid of the ranger.

 

[SoulWinner]

Re: what's best us made minni van

Chrysler Corp. invented the mini van and have led the market they created ever since. I personally do not like mopar, never have, I'm a Toyota man. However, I must admit that despite having some problems as all cars do, the Chrysler mini's have provided thier owners with a statistically high level of satisfaction. That speaks for it's self. The late model vans with sliders on both sides, easily removable bench seats, rear A/C, independent rear radios etc. are outstanding for doing what they were designed to do, carry the fam, get groceries, stuff like that. They can be outfitted with class II or III trailer hitches, but for towing, a V-6 would be strongly advised, unless you tow under 8 or 9 hundred pounds. There are several web sites devoted to the Dodge Caravan, and they outline common problems with the vans as well as solutions to said problems. I wish you blessings with your search, that you find just what you need at the right price.<br />SoulWinner

 

[JB]

Re: what's best us made minni van

Howdy, SoulWinner.<br /><br />I had 1955, 1970, 1972 and 1976 minivans. None of them Chrysler products.<br /><br />It is popular in Detroit to claim to have invented some auto or feature that was around 50 years ago. That includes hydraulic brakes, fuel injection and many other features.<br /><br />Any day now, someone in Detroit will invent a direct fuel injected gasoline engine with desmodromic valves (Mercedes 300SL, 300SLR 1954).

 

[crab bait]

Re: what's best us made minni van

to PETER..sounds like a great truck.. how 'bout a heater core...? years ago ,, i kept a vehicle until a hafta pay a tow truck to bring it to the dump.. but any more i keep them till problems start then SEEYA ..!! no attachment here..<br /><br />to SOUL WINNER,, gee thanks .. when <br />car shoppin' a guy needs all the blessin' he can get..<br /><br />to JB .. i'll take the bait.. what were they ?? an what were they , panel trucks ?

 

[Fishbusters]

Re: what's best us made minni van

Nope no heater core yet but when I have to I will replace it as they are not that expensive. This little truck was built on a Tuesday or Thursday if you know what I mean the hang over is over and the weekend is not quite here. Wed is a bad day because everyone hates them just like Monday hangovers and Friday wekend starts.<br />Mom has a Chevy Lumina and our mechanic loves them as they are rarely in the shop. He is not a big fan of Chevy but loves the minivan.

 

[JB]

Re: what's best us made minni van

Hi, CB.<br /><br />They were all VWs. The 70 and the 76 were full pop-top campers which I converted to Chevy Corvair power trains. Then they could pull my Boston Whaler wherever I wanted to go. Could sleep 4 adults and a child. Stove, fridge and portapotti. They were great vehicles once you got some torque into them. <br /><br />Usually lived in them for a few days at a time in state campgrounds by good fishing holes.

 

[crab bait]

Re: what's best us made minni van

AH,, MAN.!! the old VW bus..!! i shoulda guessed.. i was rackin' the noogin .. couldn't think what it could be.. an those V DUBBS with the pop-up tops ..!! MAN what a travelin' bums dream ..!! AN EASY ON GAS <br />GOTTA LOVE IT ... don't see 'em around at all ,anymore..

 

[smalloutboardsarecool]

Re: what's best us made minni van

AH,, MAN.!! the old VW bus..!! i shoulda guessed.. i was rackin' the noogin .. couldn't think what it could be.. an those V DUBBS with the pop-up tops ..!! MAN what a travelin' bums dream ..!! AN EASY ON GAS <br />GOTTA LOVE IT ... don't see 'em around at all ,anymore..<br />

WHAT GO TO WEST VIRGINIA, there every were, on the side of roads!

 

[derwood]

Re: what's best us made minni van

If your in my shoes the best minni van is the one that costs 5,000 more than you got.<br /><br />Sorry guys i'm a chebby man.<br /><br />I drive company explorers all day. They seem to be good trucks as JB said.<br /><br />The passenger side floorboard of a ford is commenly known to us surveyors as "the swamp". <br /><br />The heater core blues: When its 102 degrees outside and you put the last of the water from the cooler in the radiator about 30 miles ago.<br /><br />Been there, done that, bought the tee shirt!<br /><br />derwood.<br /><br />P.S. I asked my wife to marry me 13 years ago in a VW.

 

[dicktaber]

Re: what's best us made minni van

Chevy Astro van is, to the best of my knowledge, the only rear wheel drive minivan made by the Big Three. That made up my mind. For towing (esp pulling the boat out of the water) rear wheel drive is key. I see lots of them towing, and owned an 86 for ten years (just sold it last November). In that time I changed a radiator--aside from tires, brakes, plugs, oil and filters, that's it. You can get them in 4WD models as well, if you like. 4.3 V-6 recommended.

 

[crab bait]

Re: what's best us made minni van

well ,i did it ... i broke down an bought one.. the first one i seen... from a dealer.. <br />it's a 2001 GMC safari SLE ( chevy astro ) it's clean 32,000 miles on it ..with 4,000 miles left on factory warranty... it's got EVERYTHIN' but not a hitch.. but does have a towin' switch that when you select it,, it changes the shift rpm of the trasmission.. runnin' boards, rear 'dutch doors'..<br />it has power eveythin'.. seats ,mirrow, rear a/c .. everythin' but power butt wiper.. i think , i'm still readin' the owners book. best of all it's white .. did not want a dark color camper..<br /><br />yup , thats what i said a camper.. i'm goin' to tear out the seats an turn it into a camper & keep it for 10 years or so. i'll have to .. i'll be destroyin' the value of it.. but haulin' a bunch of seats

 

[crab bait]

Re: what's best us made minni van

well ,i did it ... i broke down an bought one.. the first one i seen... from a dealer.. GREAT DEAL .. <br />it's a 2001 GMC safari SLE 2 wheel drive<br />( chevy astro ) it's clean 32,000 miles on it ..with 4,000 miles left on factory warranty... it's got EVERYTHIN' but not a hitch.. but does have a towin' switch that when you select it,, it changes the shift rpm of the trasmission.. runnin' boards, rear 'dutch doors'..<br />it has power eveythin'.. seats ,mirrow, rear a/c .. everythin' but power butt wiper,, i think , i'm still readin' the owners book. best of all it's white .. did not want a dark color camper..<br /><br />yup , thats what i said a camper.. i'm goin' to tear out the seats an turn it into a camper & keep it for 10 years or so. i'll have to .. i'll be destroyin' the value of it.. but haulin' a bunch of seats around is not what i want..<br /><br />matter-of-fact.. i'm lookin' to sell the seats or somethin' .. i have N O <br />room to store them .. so i can't keep them..<br /><br />wanted to buy a cargo type minni van .. no seats, an fix it up myself.. but for $15,000 dolars ,, couldn't pass it up.. <br />i'm gonna be towin' that little boat in style..!! <br /><br />p.s. now i just gotta pay for it ... that just knocks all the fun outta it ..!! don't it ..

 

[suzukidave]

Re: what's best us made minni van

good buy crab bait. There's a good reason they have been making those astrovans for 15 odd years now. Also, I think it's a good thing there's no hitch on yours -- it means no one has ever beaten it up towing something or somewhere they shouldn't -- that's peace of mind worth the cost of putting your own tow hitch and tranny cooler in there.