What is better canidate for increased fuel economy numbers truck or minivan?

[lortech]

I work in the data com industry. I have to carry stock with me. The stock is light as most of it is cat5 cable boxes "two boxes, Parts stock, and perhaps, in the future, to carry a Digital Display aka, wall mount tv. I have been looking at a 2000-2004 Toyota sienna, Honda Oddesey, or Dodge Caravan. The odyssey and Sienna are more reliable and hence, cost more to buy.

I have also looked at small trucks like Toyota Tacoma. But the Tacoma has a higher sales price then the minivans. Out of all of these, what would be the best vehicle to modify and have the best fuel economy? I have driven the dodge caravan before and its really comfortable on long drives.

[tvbd56]

I looked around on fueleconomy.gov and a 2008 mazda 5 gets 22/28 for a manual and the automatic is 21/27
I would probably go with a minivan because the tacomas resale value is so high, the only way you'll find one for a reasonable price is by it being a POS

[darcane]

Originally Posted by lortech

I work in the data com industry. I have to carry stock with me. The stock is light as most of it is cat5 cable boxes "two boxes, Parts stock, and perhaps, in the future, to carry a Digital Display aka, wall mount tv. I have been looking at a 2000-2004 Toyota sienna, Honda Oddesey, or Dodge Caravan. The odyssey and Sienna are more reliable and hence, cost more to buy.

I have also looked at small trucks like Toyota Tacoma. But the Tacoma has a higher sales price then the minivans. Out of all of these, what would be the best vehicle to modify and have the best fuel economy? I have driven the dodge caravan before and its really comfortable on long drives.

I'd say it could be a toss-up. The minivans are typically rated a little better than the small trucks, but it's rare to find a minivan with a manual tranny.

Between 2000-2004, Honda had some trouble with the transmissions in the Odyssey. You may want to check on that before picking one up.

[Hersbird]

No way the Hondas those years were more reliable then the Dodge. It was ironic Dodge used to have bad transmissions (although I would argue it was mostly fluid confusion). Then as soon as Honda made a big minivan with some power turns out their transmissions were worse. Toyota has always been good. I would buy a 3.3 or 3.8 Dodge. We also had a 2007 Kia which was pretty good. Stay away from the older ones but the 2007up Kia or identical Hyundai were good.
I think they all will beat a small pickup with the needed canopy. Even our 1999 3.8 Grand Caravan with AWD would get 24mpg highway before I knew any tips for economy. Our 2007 Kia was the same 24, more power but no AWD. Our current 2011 Chrysler with the newer 3.6 does 30 mpg at a steady 65 mph.

[redpoint5]

If you don't have any long items then go with a Prius. Even then, the seatbacks fold flat so you could probably transport something 6ft long.

Here is the Prius v:



...and a picture of hauling a box of cat5:

[Daox]

Great suggestion by Redpoint on the Prius V. The regular liftback may even work for you. It will easily get double what any truck or minivan will get in town, and nearly that on the highway. If you need the extra space I'd probably opt for a minivan though. Its quite a bit more practical, configurable, and adaptable. As others have mentioned, they also have better EPA mpg ratings.

[Fat Charlie]

Lighter vehicles take less expensive parts.

[Hersbird]

I think a used Prius will be more then double what a used Caravan those years would cost. Some of those Caravans will have the stow and go seats that all fold into the floor, my dad's 2003 does. He does a lot of public address work so may need more room then you for some bigger speakers but it works well. It takes full 4x4 sheets of plywood back there as does my 2011. Every year dodge does.

[Fat Charlie]

With a little finagling, my 11 takes a 4x8 sheet. They really have a ridiculous amount of space inside.

[Hersbird]

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

With a little finagling, my 11 takes a 4x8 sheet. They really have a ridiculous amount of space inside.

Off topic sort of, but I was thinking about this at work. We have the Grumman LLV box van and Grand Caravans. Guess which one holds 22 cubic ft more? 1000 pounds more cargo rating? Has a 7 mpg advantage in epa ratings? Oh and it costs $8000 less. The Post Office is looking to replace it's fleet, seems just the right hand drive version of the Grand Caravan is an easy choice. The ones we have now are all normal left hand drive so they don't work on curbside delivery routes.