best minivan for $1000

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The_Jeff

The_Jeff

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I can get beater cars for $250 so the target of $1000 for a "nice" van isn't too out of reach. Probably about a y2k.

Sat in an earlier 94 caravan with the 3.0/3 speed automatic, a great combo, but too old and rusty.

Don't mind motor work, I swap transmissions but don't open them up. Figure most minivan transmissions in the junkyards are nearly shot anyway. This opens up the 3.4 gasket blowing GM FWDs.

Astro/Safari vans look great, I haven't been close to one. Had a rusted out frame section on a sonoma... Astros are supposed to be the same or similar underneath. Body-on-frame seems to invite 2x the rust by having 2x the pockets for salt and grime to hide. Like the truck rated powertrain though. They eat ball joints but it's a plus for me because I buy 'em when they fail state inspection and need pricy repairs.

MPG isn't a concern as I still have my bike and saturn for commuting. I could even do a full size RWD shorty passenger van but the ones I'm seeing have substantial problems.

inquired on a villager/quest that has a maxima powertrain and never heard back. Sounds like a quick-depreciating sleeper that may have good value.

Soo... what should I be looking at?
 
You haven't looked at Aerostars? They are good vans.

The 3.0 and 4.0 engines are both very solid. The only thing that will kill a 3.0 is a bad cam synchronizer on EDIS models. The cam synchronizer would be a piece of cake for you to replace.

The engines, transmissions, and axles are from the Ranger/Explorer, but the Aerostar has a coil spring rear suspension. The axles will last forever. The only weak point is the A4LD transmission in '95 and older models. It's no worse than the other automatics from that era, but they need to be maintained. Some people just beat the [censored] out of these things and never think to maintain the trans. I have known two Aerostar owners, and neither had any transmission issues...one maintained their van, the other didn't.

A handful of Aerostars were made with the M5OD manual transmission. If you can find one of these, jump on it. You won't be able to find a more reliable minivan than that.

Also, AWD models were available from '90-'97.
 
Good idea but it seems there aren't any up here in Maine. IDK if it's the RWD (except $$$ AWD) or rust (saw one with rockers rusted all the way around the side and halfway up) but they're few and far between.

Too bad, b/c while Ford cars are garbage they make some solid trucks. Windstar=car.
 
They did tend to rust up north. It's not really a problem here, so I still see Aerostars daily. Usually with bad window tint, cheap American Racing knockoff wheels, and lots of ladders on them.
 
+1 on the Villager/Quest. One clarification point is that they only came with a V6: 3.0 from '93-'98 and 3.3 from '99 on. They were both Nissan V6 engines that were based on the late '80's Maxima engine but with different pistons to allow the engine to be a non-interference design in case the t-belt snaps.

Andrew S.
 
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
They did tend to rust up north. It's not really a problem here, so I still see Aerostars daily. Usually with bad window tint, cheap American Racing knockoff wheels, and lots of ladders on them.



Around here they just tend to get spinner hub caps...
 
There is nothing for less than $1000 bucks in my neck of the woods. Most beaters are going for more around here. Maybe we could haul beaters out here from Maine on semi trailers and make a killing!
banana2.gif
 
Originally Posted By: dishdude
Roll the dice, for $1000 pick up whatever looks the cleanest and seems like it was maintained the best.


You can bet that's the plan. However I have good luck with people ignorant of vehicles being soft on price. Then I go about undoing their neglect. Sometimes the ignorance goes the other way and they get all the jiffy lube fluid flushes, air filters, etc. It seriously works for me.

My dream is a caravan with a newer transmission that someone is selling because "they just put so much money into it".
 
Astro and Safari. Bulletproof. Worked in the plant that built them until 2005 when they closed the B'more plant.
 
Originally Posted By: dnastrau
+1 on the Villager/Quest. One clarification point is that they only came with a V6: 3.0 from '93-'98 and 3.3 from '99 on. They were both Nissan V6 engines that were based on the late '80's Maxima engine but with different pistons to allow the engine to be a non-interference design in case the t-belt snaps.

Andrew S.
That's a bulletproof engine.
 
Yep, I've driven a first-gen model and have to say that it was a very impressive piece of equipment. The 3.0 V6 was one of the things that really stood out.
 
Doubt you'll find one in your price range, but the Toyota Previa's are a tough vehicle. Possibly an awkward layout to work on, but the drivetrain won't quit on them.
 
Early Honda Odyssey's are fairly cheap too, for a $1000 it might be impossible to find one but for 2k you might get one.
A buddy bought a 97 from a dealer for $3500, everything works. Decent mileage with the accord 4 banger.
Ian
 
Originally Posted By: dnastrau
+1 on the Villager/Quest. One clarification point is that they only came with a V6: 3.0 from '93-'98 and 3.3 from '99 on. They were both Nissan V6 engines that were based on the late '80's Maxima engine but with different pistons to allow the engine to be a non-interference design in case the t-belt snaps.

Andrew S.


Correct. Nissan's VG30E (3.0L V6) and VG33E (3.3L V6), found in everything from an 80's Maxima and 300ZX to Infiniti QX4 and Nissan Frontier and Pathfinder. Not a lot of HP but very torquey and bulletproof. Replaced by the VQ series engines.
 
the problems w/ astro/safaris are easily fixed; 4.3 engine, 700R4 trans, corpoarate rear (8.8?) easy stuff. lots more room than any other 'mini' van. I had a '94 that I used as a beater work truck for a year. door handles break easily, and the A/C compressor is a known problem.
BTW, it is NOT a full frame van; it's got a subframe.
the AWD ones solve the winter driving problem. I just used aggressive winter tires all around and it wasn't bad.
if you don't mind timing belts and leaking O-rings, the 1st gen mazda MPV (89-98) is a good little truck. 4WD and 2WD versions.
the 2nd gen MPV was a more traditional minivan. the 1st year (2000) was underpowered w/ the ford 2.5, but a great little van nonetheless. on the hwy, the 5 speed auto downshifts as soon as you breath on the gas pedal, it does its best to make up for the lack of hp.
 
Originally Posted By: IndyIan
Early Honda Odyssey's are fairly cheap too, for a $1000 it might be impossible to find one but for 2k you might get one.
A buddy bought a 97 from a dealer for $3500, everything works. Decent mileage with the accord 4 banger.
Ian


Are you talking about the isuzu oasis clone with swing open doors?
 
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