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+--- Thread: minivan alternatives? (/showthread.php?tid=4376)
minivan alternatives? - lgreeley83 - 02-23-2013
Guys my wife said the word minivan to me this week. I know she was partially joking but with two kids under 6, space is a necessity.
Hoping for a suggestion on a good diesel wagon with the child seat mounting hardware. The little anchor points. Also hoping it is something I can build someday. Anything with a 606 in it? I haven't read too much about them yet as all my interest has been 617. Hate electronic controlled crap and I hear a 603 pump on a 606 is good.
Help me avoid the minivan nightmare.
RE: minivan alternatives? - raysorenson - 02-23-2013
I know the sex factor with a minivan is zero, but nothing comes closer to being family utility vehicle.
1)They're the swiss army knives of kid carriers. Storage everwhere. The seats can do more than Transformers and Autobots.
2)If you've got to pick someone up at the airport and *have* to take the kids along, it's no sweat for a minivan.
3)Their resale value is crap so the price of entry is low for used.
RE: minivan alternatives? - lgreeley83 - 02-23-2013
Oh gosh your right..you can't argue against any of that.
RE: minivan alternatives? - willbhere4u - 02-23-2013
Get a beater minivan like from the Black keys el camino album cover
RE: minivan alternatives? - lgreeley83 - 02-23-2013
Oh jeeze my dad had one like that when I was I kid.
My sister had one in highschool that had a turbo in it. I was driving an 86 tpi 305 camaro. My car was having issues for over a momth ...I drove that van it was fast and made my Chevy look like crap. Finally we checked the fuel pressure and realized the pump was bad on mine.
I chatted with a buddy who owned a mini van with his wife and he told me they both hated it. Even with all the bells and whistles they felt "lame" driving it.
They make sense but i need some sexy aspect to it. I really need turbo diesel as a base requirement.
RE: minivan alternatives? - MFSuper90 - 02-23-2013
Minivan of your Dreams
I am 17 and I would totally drive this thing...
RE: minivan alternatives? - w123love - 02-23-2013
I know you want a TD....but a VW Eurovan is a sexy option. Was the workhorse of my youth and still is my dad’s daily driver.
It can seat 7 comfortably, hold multiple 4x8 sheets inside, tow a ton of weight (towed a twelve boat dinghy trailer regularly), has cockpit style front seats, and just a ton of room in general. We love it.
RE: minivan alternatives? - JustPassinThru - 02-23-2013
Used late model turbo diesel ML320's can be found in the mid-$30,000's...here's one:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ctd/3620103185.html
If you want to go the route I'm going (OM606 into W124 wagon), and build it up, you'll prolly spend at least $15,000 before you're satisfied with it. Prolly more like $20 grand, in fact.
The wife's-urge-to-kill factor would be much less with the ML320.
RE: minivan alternatives? - sassparilla_kid - 02-24-2013
(02-23-2013, 11:31 AM)willbhere4u Get a beater minivan like from the Black keys el camino album cover
That album sucked, Black Keys became a sellout band with it. All bad. They were best with just drums and a guitar lol
The van is cool though
RE: minivan alternatives? - Simpler=Better - 02-24-2013
A work van or any 300TD. Weld in the kid seat anchors.
Don't worry about finding one with airbags-the kids won't be using them either so a w123 is always an option too.
Or a domestic work van, just make sure it's something you can service. Remember walgmuth's thread on PP for his van?
Suburban with barn doors? Tahoe with barn doors?
Jeep grand cherokee (up to 04)-cast iron I6, solid axles, can put on a bigger rear rollbar for ~$200 and it will handle nicely. Just watch out for the 00-02 cracking heads.
RE: minivan alternatives? - martureo - 02-25-2013
My wife and I have a no minivan policy in our unspoken marriage vows.
It's the reason we've had two wagons since being married.
But then again, I like wagons. My family growing up went from this:
![[Image: 800px-Oldsmobile_Cutlass_Cruiser_front.jpg]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/53/Oldsmobile_Cutlass_Cruiser_front.jpg/800px-Oldsmobile_Cutlass_Cruiser_front.jpg)
(Navy blue, no wood paneling)
To this big failure with 4 wheels:
![[Image: Ford-Aerostar-LWB.jpg]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/25/Ford-Aerostar-LWB.jpg)
This thing was always 50% broken and the black on black combination made it an oven anytime the sun was in the sky.
To this:
![[Image: 800px-Astro_lt_4wd_luxury_touring_1998.jpg]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/da/Astro_lt_4wd_luxury_touring_1998.jpg/800px-Astro_lt_4wd_luxury_touring_1998.jpg)
(Same colors, but with AWD)
My wife and I went for this:
![[Image: 2005-volkswagen-passat-wagon-4dr-manual-...6389_m.jpg]](http://images.thecarconnection.com/med/2005-volkswagen-passat-wagon-4dr-manual-ltd-avail-white_100046389_m.jpg)
It was amazing, with AWD, saddle leather, handled magnificently.... when it worked. We owned it for only 1 day without any warning lights on the dash and ended up towing it to a a tuning house to be used as a parts car.
RE: minivan alternatives? - Simpler=Better - 02-25-2013
If you want it to never get stolen and be cheap get an Aztek. Not the best looking ever? Nope. Cheap? Yup. Easy to find parts? hell yeah.
RE: minivan alternatives? - w123love - 02-26-2013
(02-25-2013, 01:42 PM)Simpler=Better If you want it to never get stolen and be cheap get an Aztek. Not the best looking ever? Nope. Cheap? Yup. Easy to find parts? hell yeah.
Still topping every list of the ugliest car ever made for the past decade. Though the new Nissan Juke is giving it competition.
RE: minivan alternatives? - JB3 - 02-26-2013
(02-23-2013, 02:37 AM)lgreeley83 Guys my wife said the word minivan to me this week. I know she was partially joking but with two kids under 6, space is a necessity.
Hoping for a suggestion on a good diesel wagon with the child seat mounting hardware. The little anchor points. Also hoping it is something I can build someday. Anything with a 606 in it? I haven't read too much about them yet as all my interest has been 617. Hate electronic controlled crap and I hear a 603 pump on a 606 is good.
Help me avoid the minivan nightmare.
find one of these-
![[Image: astrors1.jpg]](http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd387/tinworm2/AstroRS%20pickup/astrors1.jpg)
RE: minivan alternatives? - willbhere4u - 02-26-2013
How about a jeep liberty diesel?
RE: minivan alternatives? - Simpler=Better - 02-26-2013
(02-26-2013, 04:20 PM)willbhere4u How about a jeep liberty diesel?
Change that timing belt EARLY or you're looking at cams, valves, and head gasket.
RE: minivan alternatives? - JB3 - 02-26-2013
the problem here is that there is not much argument against the utility of a minivan for the family apart from the lack of coolness factor that runs with them.
I say lgreeley83 should embrace it, and hold out for something interesting in the minivan group. He's never gonna win an argument with the missus on whats more useful, wagon or minivan.
you get more passenger seating, more head room, more cargo utility, and more configurability over a wagon or small to midsize SUV, all in about the same size footprint.
Id concede to the minivan, and go nuts with my project vehicles instead. Look at it this way, lots of minivans/family vehicles with zero sex appeal have decent tow ratings. lots of interesting things can be towed behind the family vehicle......
When choosing, look for what would nicely accent your vehicular hobby.
RE: minivan alternatives? - Simpler=Better - 02-26-2013
Working on a FWD v6 is insanity. Working on a motor that's half under the dash is insane. That' why you need a wagon or a full SUV
RE: minivan alternatives? - lgreeley83 - 02-26-2013
I'm thinking an astro. Its mini without most of the lame I think. My pops has hauled tools around in that for years...still does. I worked in a tire shop and it was their utility vehicle too. That diesel astro build on here would be awesome.
RE: minivan alternatives? - JB3 - 02-26-2013
(02-26-2013, 04:57 PM)Simpler=Better Working on a FWD v6 is insanity. Working on a motor that's half under the dash is insane. That' why you need a wagon or a full SUV
full SUVs are no better depending on the model unless he went huge and simple layout, like a suburban or excursion, same with a lot of wagons that are FWD. Really depends on the model of the minivan too. For instance, I found the family 96 chrysler minivan V6 pretty easy to maintain and repair, apart from the crap transmission.
RWD's arent bad. Ive had great access on my RWD chevy minivan. Better tow rating also
(02-26-2013, 05:05 PM)lgreeley83 I'm thinking an astro. Its mini without most of the lame I think. My pops has hauled tools around in that for years...still does. I worked in a tire shop and it was their utility vehicle too. That diesel astro build on here would be awesome.
couple reasons this is an awesome idea-
1. Astro/Safari have a high tow rating RWD or AWD variants
2. standard 4.3 V6 powerplant is excellent and reliable with actually very reasonable access
3. Million version varying from bare bones work truck to cushy conversion van
4. Excellent internet support and model following, great astro/safari forums
5. im doing the MB diesel swap which hopefully will work reasonably, but a guy has swapped in a chevy 6.5 diesel into a safari conversion van on the astro forums, it can be done.
6. Various chevy V8s have been swapped in by dozens of people, lots of build threads.
downside-
expect 19-20 mpg best out of the astro/safari platform, upside of this is a 25 gal fuel tank, downside to that is filling it up.
RE: minivan alternatives? - willbhere4u - 02-27-2013
Subaru Legacy wagon that's my daily beater and I love it it cheap and simple to work on 27-30mpg and awd
RE: minivan alternatives? - sassparilla_kid - 02-27-2013
Get one of those previa vans or whatever, lol
RE: minivan alternatives? - JB3 - 02-27-2013
(02-27-2013, 03:03 PM)sassparilla_kid Get one of those previa vans or whatever, lol
Oh man, don't even get me started. Mid engine, laying nearly on its side under a hatch beneath front seats. Driveshaft extending out the front of the motor to drive accessories under the hood. 4 foot cooling tubes running all the way up front. 4x4 versions even more complex, whole 4x4 system mixed with the accessory drive system, three driveshafts, whole slew of connections, unions, ect.
I did a diesel swap on a 4x4 supercharged version. struggled with that for quite a while, supercharged version is pretty interesting though, its so far from the motor, tubing running everywhere.
Cool van otherwise, but id probably avoid it as the mid engine makes things complex
RE: minivan alternatives? - sassparilla_kid - 02-27-2013
You have to get the supercharged 4x4 previa, , with the three driveshafts lol, lift the front seat to change plugs. Many friend wants to use one for lemons haha
RE: minivan alternatives? - JB3 - 02-28-2013
(02-27-2013, 12:37 PM)willbhere4u Subaru Legacy wagon that's my daily beater and I love it it cheap and simple to work on 27-30mpg and awd
Where did you find a right hand drive? pretty clean car
RE: minivan alternatives? - willbhere4u - 02-28-2013
It's an ex postal wagon
How about a JDM RHD turbo diesel Nissan Terrano or pathfinder on Craigslist here in Denver $6000
http://denver.craigslist.org/ctd/3617233259.html
RE: minivan alternatives? - JB3 - 03-09-2013
so how is this debate turning out with the Mrs.?
I have a dodge 3500 12 passenger van with only the front seats im just itching to sell you. Id take 700 bucks, as 1/4 of the floor is held together by the interior carpeting, but it does have the HD suspension ect. throw a couple loveseats in, and you have the ultimate 6 passenger family vehicle!
RE: minivan alternatives? - lgreeley83 - 03-09-2013
Lol. Wife would crap if I got something that big. It's ok. I shared the link to this thread with her and she immediately told me NO MORE CARS!
The current family ride is a 96 Volvo 850r turbo. Of course I picked a race car for a family ride. She likes that is has about 100 bottoms on the dash. She likes gadgets and bottons. Having a kid just start kindergarden she has been exposed to all the soccer moms and their minivans with rediculous creature comforts and storage, like transformers. I think she would like all those toys but doesn't want minivan unless we can buy the truely pimped out model.
The Volvo is pretty bad on gas. She doesn't want another car yet but its still on my mind. Any other input on those jeep diesels? It's a belt and not a chain isn't it?
RE: minivan alternatives? - JB3 - 03-09-2013
(03-09-2013, 02:50 PM)lgreeley83 Lol. Wife would crap if I got something that big. It's ok. I shared the link to this thread with her and she immediately told me NO MORE CARS!
The current family ride is a 96 Volvo 850r turbo. Of course I picked a race car for a family ride. She likes that is has about 100 bottoms on the dash. She likes gadgets and bottons. Having a kid just start kindergarden she has been exposed to all the soccer moms and their minivans with rediculous creature comforts and storage, like transformers. I think she would like all those toys but doesn't want minivan unless we can buy the truely pimped out model.
The Volvo is pretty bad on gas. She doesn't want another car yet but its still on my mind. Any other input on those jeep diesels? It's a belt and not a chain isn't it?
the volvo 850 platform is nice, my GF has a 96 or 97 850 wagon, unfortunately not turbo, and I am interested to learn that the crappy fuel economy on those cars concerns the turbo versions as well. The regular 850 5cyl is pretty fast, the turbo must be great! especially if you still have the same shyte economy either way.
The jeep diesels are pretty cool, its a timing belt that is a major pain to replace requiring you take apart the whole front clip, but thats pretty standard with most modern cars these days anyway. The most striking thing I found about that motor was that it has cracked rods and a bore to install the crank, not just a bunch of bearing caps. Its a nicely made motor with a lot of great features.
As far as a family vehicle, I find the liberty about the same as the old cherokee, a bit cramped, more like a high wagon. Your 850 if its a wagon has more interior room.
RE: minivan alternatives? - lgreeley83 - 03-09-2013
The turbo really makes it quick. Some good racing vids of the turbo model out there. A pretty decent following of it too. I need to give it more love though. Don't even know the psi I'm pushing in it. Wish we had the wagon. Wife isn't in to big cars. Funny she loved the suburban she was issued when working for the government.
RE: minivan alternatives? - Simpler=Better - 03-12-2013
(03-09-2013, 04:46 PM)lgreeley83 Funny she loved the suburban she was issued when working for the government.
That's because suburbans are awesome. It's a body on frame with a v8, and rides smooth even with 30 people in it. Plus you can tow a house with it.
RE: minivan alternatives? - lgreeley83 - 03-12-2013
On the crappy egyptian roads, I've driven vans, colorados, silverados, and suburbans. The suburban was by far the best ride. I've have to put a pic of the up armored ones.