Need advice on getting a van

[drfeelgood]

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!

 

[Rand]

Most vans are based on trucks and you wont get much(thats reliable) in that price range.

 

[Hokiefyd]

The Odyssey and Sienna are the only minivans that legally hold 8 people.

 

[bepperb]

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.

 

[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.

 

[mpvue]

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.

 

[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.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
The Odyssey and Sienna are the only minivans that legally hold 8 people.


True, and it's only the high-end ones that have the 8th jump seat for the center row. You'd never touch one for $6K unless it was a lost-cause.

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.

You'll likely have to search for a hi mi "church van" if a low cost 8 pass is a requirement, plus you'll have seating for 3 more foster kids! (11 total on those vans)

Joel

 

[eljefino]

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.


That's about all that's left after the aerostar pulled out!

I rented an 03 ish safari for a road trip and hated it. 12 MPG and the AWD center diff kept spastically locking up when the front wheels hit a bridge expansion joint in dry weather. (Or something- but it felt very odd)

I'm not painting all these vans with this brush, it was a rental, but dang, I'd hate to wind up in that one.

Look for something like a 2wd expedition sport with the 4.6 (or whatever model rides low to the ground.)

 

[Hokiefyd]

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.

 

[eljefino]

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.

 

[01rangerxl]

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.


That was my thinking too. Suburbans have 8 or 9 seat belts depending on the front seat option and if all the rows are still there. Parts availability is great with the C/K series Suburbans and nothing is really expensive relative to other vehicles. $6K could get you a pretty nice '91-'99 Suburban and they are known to be fairly reliable.

That would be my first choice in this situation. It will probably be easier to find a decent Suburban than it will to find a decent full size van, and the van will probably get worse fuel economy and have worse handling.

The Expedition is also a good choice, but a Suburban will have more room. Nice Expeditions past about '00 or '01 might be pushing the budget too, so that only leaves a couple year models to shop.

 

[ron917]

Originally Posted By: JTK

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.



The Montana was available with 8 seats, at least in 2003 (I have the brochure in front of me). I assume the other GM U body vans could be similarly configured. Our Montana (7 seats) has served us well for 8.5 years and 119K miles.

 

[dwcopple]

Excursion baby!

 

[Kuato]

Ford Econoline 150 comes to mind. up to 15 pax vans. Several in your price range on Autotrader.


(In addition to every other suggestion)

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

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.

 

[drfeelgood]

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!

 

[ron917]

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.