need a van
 

I'm thinking maybe an older gmc diesel fullsize would suit my needs. A caravan would work, but I think they offer the same mileage. I would rerally like a diesel VW eurovan with a 5speed manual and diesel but non to be had around here.

What wouldl you drive if you needed lots of room?

a 90's diesel Long wheel base ford transit, hightop.

Sadly, the Transit didn't become available stateside until 2010. The (Dodge, M-B, Freightliner) Sprinter is the only other Eurovan we got, in 2001, and it's my favorite older full-sized van. With the L5 turbodiesel and a six-speed manual, you should be able to get very good numbers for a vehicle with that much internal cargo volume.

But if I needed a truck, I'd buy a Prius and a 4'x8' trailer. :)

thats why I was looking at the old volkswagen eurovans and transporters, diesel with a 5 speed. Saw a few but $$$ not in my range.

was thinking about a 3/4 ton gmc with a diesel and regearing the rear for maximunm fuel efficiency.

What is your budget?
What is your size requirement?

For cheap, the Caravan (some motors aren't very fuel hungary), or Ford Econoline (my dad gets about 15 in an E350 packed with steel and 4 feet of stuff piled on the roof driving 72) are hard to beat, but if you have the money, don't consider anything but a Dodge sprinter/ equivalent (assuming you need that much space).

i need to get seating for 7. The extra towing capacity of the fullsize would come in hand. I want it cheap, say 1 to 5 grand max.

How much tow capacity do you want? What mpg hit are you willing to take?

My advise would be decide between Caravan and Ford E-150 with the smaller v8 if possible (unless you need big towing capacity).

Ford Aerostars have seating for 7. Some even come with a computer that measures stuff like MPG. My parents' 89 XLT got around 22 MPG on average with a 3.0 V6 and 4 speed auto.

I forgot about aerostars.
My parents had one brand new that was a lemon (by 10,000 miles it had 3 transmissions 2 engines and several a/c repairs. However everybody else I have talked to with them were very happy with them (virtually no issues).

My mom has an aerostar - so thats out.
I need to tow about 5000 pounds fairly regularly.