Used Car Face-Off: FWD, AWD, or RWD Minivan?

"Amoore100" (amoore100) 03/25/2016 at 21:12 • Filed to: Used Car Face-Off, Minivans

0

39

Repeating the international motif of last week’s Used Car Face-Off, today we have three minivans of the ‘80s and ‘90s which hail from the U.S., Japan, and Germany, respectively. However, to make things a bit more exciting (or as exciting as minivans can be) we have one front-engine FWD, one mid-engine AWD, and one rear-engine RWD. Which will turn out to be the best bargain? Here are the options:

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

First off, we have the predecessor to what many regard as the first modern minivan. This FWD, front transverse V6 K car was a step up from the standard Dodge Caravan as a LWB, leather-lined, ‘luxury’ people hauler complete with hood ornament and white wall tires! Will this refurbished and garage-kept example with 178K miles and a rebuilt transmission be your entry into the seven seater world?

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Behold, the marvel of the mid-engined minivan! An evolution from earlier cab-over Hiace, the drawback of the Previa was that a larger engine would not fit in the same small space under the drivers’ seat. A supercharger would somewhat remedy the issue, but the mid-engined minivan was not to be. This one, despite lacking the S/C, does come rocking steelies and an AWD system on its 216K mile chassis. Will this ultra-durable Hilux in an egg be your key to minivanning?

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Finally we have a more modern take on the traditional air-cooled VW bus. This one is one of the cheapest I could find and is a bit rough around the edges, but looks to be mechanically solid. RWD and manual, this is the ultimate “enthusiasts” van with <100 hp. Is it a right fit for you?

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Amoore100 03/25/2016 at 21:19

3

Only in the context of these other two is that Chrysler “luxurious”.

Amoore100 > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 03/25/2016 at 21:20

1

That’s why it’s in quotes, but after seeing the other two, yeah, it’s a plush van alright for the time period.

Bytemite > Amoore100 03/25/2016 at 21:28

1

Clearly the Toyota is the enthusiast van!

Look at that aggressive caster. And that favorable engine placement. And those blue racing stripes on the seats!!!

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Amoore100 03/25/2016 at 21:35

3

The original Mazda MPV could be had with a V6, Manual, AWD, and locking center diff. I doubt any were ever actually equipped that way but still...

Devon lost his burner, understands electric cars don't require front grilles > Amoore100 03/25/2016 at 21:36

1

Previa, no doubt but quick correction, the Previa supplanted the Master Ace, not the Hi Ace, a larger van which lives on to this day.

http://toyota.com.mx/mobile/vehicul…

Birddog > Amoore100 03/25/2016 at 21:36

2

I have no doubt the Previa will keep it’s lead.

That Chrysler has the 41TE Ultradrive trans. It is a heartache waiting to happen and continue happening. And the VW? Meh.. I don’t get the popularity of something that was 10 years behind the times when new.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Amoore100 03/25/2016 at 21:52

1

My mom had a series of Chrysler mini vans when I was a kid, and the ‘94 she had (just like this one but white) was my second favorite. By far the best was a white ‘90 with wood paneling and butterscotch leather interior. 10/10, would DD.

JRapp: now as good as new again > Amoore100 03/25/2016 at 21:56

1

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the Chrysler has the most tuning potential. It should be essentially the same as a Dodge Caravan, right? One could in theory then easily transplant the same turbo engine in that, which with moderate tuning, can be make into a nice sleeper.

Spridget > Amoore100 03/25/2016 at 22:06

1

The Vanagon. It’s an outdated, poorly built, underpowered, over engineered, craptastic box of shit. It is THE perfect car for me.

dogisbadob > Amoore100 03/25/2016 at 22:10

1

DD the Previa (especially ones with the dual sunroofs)

Track the T&C

Burn the hippie van

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Amoore100 03/25/2016 at 22:11

1

Contrary to popular belief, the answer is always 4wd supercharged Previa.

Nibby > Amoore100 03/25/2016 at 22:23

1

87'd

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Amoore100 03/25/2016 at 22:58

1

Toyota midship, AWD, Spacebubble no question.too bad it’s not manual.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/25/2016 at 22:59

2

funny is that car is just a crossover way ahead of it’s time.

shop-teacher > Amoore100 03/25/2016 at 23:45

2

If I must chose between those, I’ll take the unkillable cockroach that is the Previa. What I’d really buy though is an AWD 95+Chevy Astro, with dutch doors.

Amoore100 > shop-teacher 03/26/2016 at 01:04

1

Indeed, the Previa was from the era that gave us the Hilux and one of the best Camrys, renowned for their dogmatic reliability and durability. Hold tight for the Astro, as that’s gonna be pitted against an Aerostar and a Mazda MPV in the upcoming weeks.

Amoore100 > Birddog 03/26/2016 at 01:06

0

Well the Previa is properly bonkers enough and very very reliable. What’s not to like? This particular van reportedly has had its transmission rebuilt recently so it should be ok for a bit longer, although given its reputation ‘a bit’ may turn out to be shorter than expected. The Vanagon was never that appealing to me either, I don’t understand why people will pay such high prices (>$15K) for them now when all you get is a Beetle with a box on top.

Amoore100 > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 03/26/2016 at 01:19

1

Indeed. Go anywhere, do anything, and look badass doing it. This is the Previa philosophy. They look awesome when set up properly. That and they are so versatile:

Amoore100 > Nibby 03/26/2016 at 01:19

0

?

Amoore100 > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 03/26/2016 at 01:21

0

Unfortunately this one is not supercharged, thus we must default to the philosophy of BECAUSE WAGON!

Amoore100 > dogisbadob 03/26/2016 at 01:23

2

I would have said DD the Chrysler since it’s so plush and comfy and tracking it would probably destroy the transmission and engine anyways. Then track the Previa because midengine weight distribution and plenty of shared Toyota bits to help make it quick. And yeah, toss the Vanagon off a cliff or something, it’s the fastest it will ever go.

Birddog > Amoore100 03/26/2016 at 01:25

1

I voted Previa. The Supercharger would be preferred but beggars can’t be choosers. It’s the unsung hero of the Mini Van world.

Spot on with the VW. Honestly, I think they’re priced so high just so their owners can brag to each other about how much they over paid.

Amoore100 > Spridget 03/26/2016 at 01:26

1

Hahahaha, I can understand that philosophy. That’s why we love the Lada Niva for what it is, and same goes for the little Fiats. Charisma is what they have.

Amoore100 > JRapp: now as good as new again 03/26/2016 at 01:28

1

Actually it was the first generation Caravan that had the turbo engines, the second gen like this one only came with the not-that-great Mitsubishi V6s, although the base could still be had with a n/a 4 cyl. I’m sure they can be made pretty quick, but not along the 1st gen turbo van idea. Think more the 3rd generation burnout van idea.

Amoore100 > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 03/26/2016 at 01:31

0

The era of the Chrysler van sounds like a fascinating one full of classic American style and culture. It is such a counterpoint to the modern Japanese vans with their powerful (comparatively) V6s and taut suspensions whereas back then speed wasn’t the priority where comfort was. Is this somewhat like your mom’s old van? Looks horribly awesome ;)

Amoore100 > Devon lost his burner, understands electric cars don't require front grilles 03/26/2016 at 01:33

1

Awesome, thanks! For some reason I thought the Toyota Van = the overseas Hiace but I must have confused the names. I know the Hiace still exists but I never realized what a behemoth it always was, I thought it had split off of the Master Ace line back in the ‘90s. I stand corrected!

Masterace vs Hiace Comparison

Amoore100 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/26/2016 at 01:35

0

I don’t recall, was the first MPV a body-on-frame design? Wiki says it was based on the HC platform used in the Luce, which was a big luxury saloon which may very well have been BOF, a la Lincoln Town Car. Still, stay tuned as I hope to have a MPV on this series soon!

Amoore100 > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 03/26/2016 at 01:38

1

Hard to say because I’d argue modern crossovers are even less capable than this which is essentially just a jacked up van just like the marvelous Delica.

Amoore100 > Bytemite 03/26/2016 at 01:38

0

Race van indeed!

Amoore100 > Birddog 03/26/2016 at 01:44

0

Well I’m sure if you looked long and hard enough you’d find the mythical supercharged All-Trac Previa, although I was too lazy to search too extensively myself. In a world of identical vans now, the Previa seems almost impossibly awesome, not to mention I like saying ‘Previa’ much better than ‘Vanagon’ Plus some say it’s even harder to kill a Previa than a Vanagon, so there are no downsides! And is it really a bragging point to say you just spent almost $20K on a thirty year old VW bus? Especially when you can get a VR6 Eurovan for half the price or less if you really want to satisfy your VW Transporter urges.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Amoore100 03/26/2016 at 07:30

1

That's it exactly. I wish I could find a good picture of the interior, it was glorious. The Town and Country was like the Cadillac of vans at that point...big, soft, power steering you can turn with your pinky finger. Simpler times back then.

Nibby > Amoore100 03/26/2016 at 08:39

1

Years ago there was a quirky Oppo member who went by the name of 87... He had an 87 minivan and then an early 90s Plymouth Caravan or something like that.

shop-teacher > Birddog 03/26/2016 at 08:46

0

There was one family in town when I was a kid, that had a Vanagon. They were exactly the weed smoking hippy stereo types you would think they were.

Birddog > shop-teacher 03/26/2016 at 10:37

0

Ha. Do you know of Fitzgerald’s in Berwyn?

The two brothers that own (or owned they may have sold out and retired) it have several Vanagons and they too are very much the steroetypical owners.

dogisbadob > Amoore100 03/26/2016 at 11:16

1

Maybe, but the Chrysler does have a Mitsubishi V6, and AWD was available, so you can swap in 3000GT shit (and some people have done this), and it’ll be fast as fuck!

The location of the Previa’s engine, under the front seat, limits the swap/mod options severely

Amoore100 > Nibby 03/26/2016 at 11:25

0

Ah, that must have been before my time...

shop-teacher > Birddog 03/26/2016 at 13:40

0

Ha! That makes perfect sense.

Amoore100 > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 03/26/2016 at 18:23

0

But I thought this was the Cadillac of vans?

Kidding aside, the K-car vans were probably always better than the Dustbusters. It’s funny how they took probably some of the worst American shitboxes of the time and turned them into cushy, Cadillac rivaling cruisers. Minivans definitely were an extension of the station wagon era when they first made it onto the American marketplace.

Amoore100 > dogisbadob 03/26/2016 at 18:29

1

Haha, I never realized the 3000GT was a transverse V6, I can see how that would be a plausible swap! Space would still be a bit cramped under that short bonnet, but nowhere near the issue of trying to make that Toyota 4 cyl under the drivers’ seat create more power. Then there’s this solution...