Most economical minivan?

[Isaac Zachary]

I go over 12,000ft at times. I was thinking 1/3 was closer to 8,000ft, but I'm wrong at times.

Ya, I don't think I'd have much taxes taken off with a tax credit. Of course as you've said before, get someone in the family that could. I'm just not sure who and still couldn't afford a new car even if I could.

[Isaac Zachary]

A little googling and the Odyssey does have 7 seats, at least according to the first answer I saw. That's better than the Mazda5 that was sold in the USA that only has 6 seats. Too bad there's no manual transmission option on the Honda.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Isaac Zachary

Ya, I don't think I'd have much taxes taken off with a tax credit. Of course as you've said before, get someone in the family that could. I'm just not sure who and still couldn't afford a new car even if I could.

Whatever change is made to the EV tax credit will likely make it available to all who purchase a new qualifying EV. That would eliminate the shenanigans required to get the credit for those without enough tax liability.

Last week I realized my Acura is still in my Mom's name when I went to renew the tags. I had her "purchase" it back in 2010 when I bought my house. Didn't want that debt to appear on my credit report when applying for the largest mortgage I could get someone to approve. My strategy there was to buy the biggest house I could and rent the most rooms... which paid for the full mortgage plus taxes and insurance.

I've never bought new because I could never justify the purchase price vs value. For the same money, I've always wanted a better used vehicle. As long as there's a better used vehicle for the price of a new vehicle, I'm never going to choose new.

[freebeard]

I talked to someone who found a Evergreen FUV on eBay and took it back to the factory for half-doors.

There's more, but I don't know if it's public yet.

[trooper Tdiesel]

There not common at all.
But ford and dodge made a 9 passenger van on a half ton chassis.
All the 12 and 15 passengers are on the 3/4 ton chassis and bigger.
With far bigger turning radius.

I've thought one with a swap to a manual and an old 7.3 pre computer, would be an efficient way of moving 9 people and luggage cargo if needed with a trailer.

[Isaac Zachary]

Originally Posted by trooper Tdiesel

There not common at all.
But ford and dodge made a 9 passenger van on a half ton chassis.
All the 12 and 15 passengers are on the 3/4 ton chassis and bigger.
With far bigger turning radius.

I've thought one with a swap to a manual and an old 7.3 pre computer, would be an efficient way of moving 9 people and luggage cargo if needed with a trailer.

Sounds like my childhood!

If I keep the Avalon I wouldn't mind a big van, even a 15 passenger 1 ton van. After all, when I need to move 15 people, I could, and when it's 5 or less, then I can get +40mpg.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by trooper Tdiesel

I've thought one with a swap to a manual and an old 7.3 pre computer, would be an efficient way of moving 9 people and luggage cargo if needed with a trailer.

Wouldn't beat either a VW Kombi or some JDM forward-control van

On a sidenote, IIRC the 7.3 pre-computer was only available with indirect injection. I'd rather take a look at some other engines instead, maybe even the Isuzu 4JB1-TC for instance.

[Isaac Zachary]

Trading the Avalon for a minivan has really gone out the window if KBB is correct. A while ago they put the trade-in value of the Avalon at around $10,000 with the posibility of selling it for even more. Now they're saying it's worth more like $6,000.

At any rate, uncle and family flew in this weekend. So we are 8 packed in the Avalon again. Yeah.

[ksa8907]

How did I miss this thread. Not sure I can help, but I can offer my condolences. We sold off my Volt and got a 2012 town and country last year. I found out that people are pretty rough on vehicles. My Volt was pristine compared to every van I shopped.

We paid a little less than your 10k budget private party, but the van had 132k miles and needed some neglected maintenance. Coolant change, thermostat, plugs, a couple roller rockers, suspension all around, and trans fluid/filter change is in the immediate future.

I could have bought a '14 for 9k with similar miles and less maintenance issues but the interior and exterior were beat to ****.

As far as efficiency, I couldn't care less to be honest. The ac is cold and the movies keep the kids entertained. We get about 15 to 18 in our driving, highway is about 23 or 24 at 75.

The 3 big plagues of the chrysler minivan are a faulty TIPM (totally integrated power control module), lack of transmission maintenance every 60k miles, and lack of oil changes causing timing chain problems and especially roller rockers that wear out (ticking).

[rmay635703]

The 82 Diesel Suburban came as a 9 passenger (ours was a 6 but missing the rearmost bench)

After swapping to a 2.8 rearend, c-code engine and a 5 speed stick we would flirt with 30mpg