My sister-in-law takes care of foster kids and just received 5 siblings. She is needing a van, ideally 8 passenger, for hauling them and her own family around.
Used, would like to spend 5-6000 max.
Any advice on what to look for/avoid?
Thanks!
Need advice on getting a van
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The Odyssey and Sienna are the only minivans that legally hold 8 people.
A minivan or a van?
For a minivan both a Sienna or an Odyssey in that price range will probably have a timing belt so make sure you're not on the hook for that. Most Odysseys in that price range will be from years where the transmissions were terrible. Also, many are 7 passenger (both are available in both 7 and 8 passenger trims) and with 5 kids it's probably worth having seats for 8.
I'm sorry I just don't know enough about the Chrysler minivans. Ford and GM haven't made a decent minivan since the turn of the century. With that budget I'd be looking at a Kia Sedona or a Hyundai Entourage but I don't know much about them either.
I think for hauling 8 people you've got to go to a truck based full size van. Just to be able to keep everyone sane!
Maybe the 1995-2005 Safari/Astro vans would be a good buy. My parents have seen a few used for towing 20' RV trailers as well so I think the drivetrain is fairly tough.
I'd look at a later astro/safari. rock solid reliable; there's a reason all the cable installers use them, they just go and go. get an AWD one if she's got snow in her area.
Maybe a Suburban 
I glanced at Century Truck Sales' inventory and all the 12 passenger full size vans are well above the price point or have a LOT of miles. (the good news about the Ford 5.4 is that with 200,000+ miles, it probably already spat out it's plugs.)
The Suburban is typically easier to service than a van too. I don't know if you can legally fit 8 kids in it though. Especially if they are still in boosters.
I glanced at Century Truck Sales' inventory and all the 12 passenger full size vans are well above the price point or have a LOT of miles. (the good news about the Ford 5.4 is that with 200,000+ miles, it probably already spat out it's plugs.)
The Suburban is typically easier to service than a van too. I don't know if you can legally fit 8 kids in it though. Especially if they are still in boosters.
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
The Odyssey and Sienna are the only minivans that legally hold 8 people.
Originally Posted By: IndyIan
I think for hauling 8 people you've got to go to a truck based full size van. Just to be able to keep everyone sane!
Maybe the 1995-2005 Safari/Astro vans would be a good buy. My parents have seen a few used for towing 20' RV trailers as well so I think the drivetrain is fairly tough.
You can get the 8th seat kits for the Odyssey or Sienna used for a decent price. I don't like the stability of the truck-based vans, especially for constant travel like a family vehicle. If going that big, I like the idea of a Suburban better.
You might be pleasingly surprised with the turning radius and visibility of a RWD truck based SUV. Parking would not be so hard. MPG would be tolerable if you can keep a steady speed. Tint the windows like crazy (it's legal on trucks rear of the b-pillar) to help the AC, and keep the car seat buckles from burning the young'uns.
Originally Posted By: Spazdog
Maybe a Suburban
I glanced at Century Truck Sales' inventory and all the 12 passenger full size vans are well above the price point or have a LOT of miles. (the good news about the Ford 5.4 is that with 200,000+ miles, it probably already spat out it's plugs.)
The Suburban is typically easier to service than a van too. I don't know if you can legally fit 8 kids in it though. Especially if they are still in boosters.
I glanced at Century Truck Sales' inventory and all the 12 passenger full size vans are well above the price point or have a LOT of miles. (the good news about the Ford 5.4 is that with 200,000+ miles, it probably already spat out it's plugs.)
The Suburban is typically easier to service than a van too. I don't know if you can legally fit 8 kids in it though. Especially if they are still in boosters.
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Originally Posted By: JTK
[quote=Hokiefyd]
You'd be lucky to get a Pontiac Montana or Windstar/Freestar for $6K, it's going to have LOTS of miles and be a 7 passenger.
Ford Expedition..Lately I have been seeing more Expedition taxis in Miami..I was in one with over 200K miles not long ago and it was running awesome.
Thanks everyone for the advice. She found a 1999 Chevy Venture 8 pass minivan with V6 and auto trans and only 79k miles. I have not seen it yet, but independent inspection checked out. She got it for 4000.
Any obvious things to watch for on this vehicle?
Thanks!
Friends of ours had a '99 Venture that they drove for 175K miles with no major problems before they gave it away (kids grew up). We have a '03 Pontiac Montana, which is the same thing with different trim - 119K miles and no major problems.
The most common major problem on the Venture will be the infamous Lower Intake Manifold Gasket on the 3.4l V6. Watch the coolant carefully. It may leak internally or externally. Lots of labor to replace it.
The front end of those U body vans is HEAVY and they eat front end parts. Lower control arm bushings, ball joints, tie rod ends, etc. Nothing terribly expensive or difficult to replace.
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