Oppo-Pinion Time! Minivan Edition

"Connqr" (connqr) 05/20/2017 at 10:08 • Filed to: Oppo-pinion time, Toyota Previa

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Before we start, I want to apologize for not having posted in a while. Now that that’s out of the way, our question: What is the coolest minivan of all time?

You all know where this is going, don’t you? *drumroll SFX*

The Chevrolet Lumina APV!

Put down the pitchforks, I’m just kidding. The real answer is..... *Drumroll SFX once again*

The Toyota Previa!

Sold in North America from 1991 to 1997, the Previa was the predecessor to the Sienna that Toyota sells to this very day. Except, of course the Previa was infinitely more Oppo and weird. Developed during Japan’s bubble economy of the late 80s, the Previa, like many cars of the era, was destined to be great. It may look like your garden variety ugly 90's minivan, but under it’s minivan bodywork lies a deep dark secret.

It’s a Mid-Engined Rear wheel drive minivan!

In all seriousness, a mid engined design was chosen by Toyota in an effort to maximize interior space, and it was a successful choice. Not only was the Previa more roomy and more mid engined than it’s competition, in 1994 the Previa got an optional Roots type Supercharger to give it more power to compete against minivans with v6 engines over the Previa’s 4 cylinder motor. 4wd and a manual transmission were also on the option list. I’m honestly shocked that these vans aren’t used more often in something like autocross as they would be hilarious, as well as interesting. Anyway, enough of my opinion, let’s hear what you think.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Connqr 05/20/2017 at 10:15

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You could get a awd, manual, diesel Estima in japan.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Connqr 05/20/2017 at 10:15

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You could get a awd, manual, diesel Estima in japan.

Connqr > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 05/20/2017 at 10:18

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I know. That makes me sad that we didnt get those.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Connqr 05/20/2017 at 10:18

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I feel like when it comes to minivans, it’s coolness is inversely proportional to its perceived coolness, meaning the lamer the van the cooler it actually is. Therefore, I believe this to be the coolest minivan:

1990 Town and Country, 3.0 Mitsubishi v6, should come standard with two extra transmissions because you’re not making it to 120k on less than three trannys.

Connqr > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 05/20/2017 at 10:21

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1990 Chick Magnet Supreme*

jkm7680 > Connqr 05/20/2017 at 10:25

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I always though those Lumima APV things were pretty cool as a kid.

But the Previa probably is the coolest overall. RWD, manual, mid engined. Or RWD. Shame you couldn’t get the manual ones with the supercharger.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Connqr 05/20/2017 at 10:29

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As cool as the Previa is, WRONG!

The coolest minivan is the Brubaker Box

JeepJeremy > jkm7680 05/20/2017 at 10:32

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I always thought the Lumina (in white w/ red & black trim) looked like a shuttle craft from Star Trek

DrDDay > Connqr 05/20/2017 at 10:40

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The coolest mini van is the one that doesn’t exist.

carcrasher88 > Connqr 05/20/2017 at 10:47

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The Previa definitely hits top of the list, but there’s also some other top contenders.

The current Kia Sedona is probably the best looking one available in the US right now.

The Ford Transit Connect is one slick little guy, fitting seven seats into a smaller package. Needs an ST or RS swap, though.

Whether you love or hate the ‘floating roof’ trim or the CUV-esque styling, there’s no denying the presence of the latest Renault Espace. Sleek, modern, and with decent engines including a 1.6 liter gasoline engine just shy of 200hp.

And if that doesn’t suit you...there’s always the Espace F1.

Fans of going off-road would likely much rather have any generation of Mitsubishi Delica, available with four wheel drive, these are very popular for fitting lifted suspensions with bigger tires for heavy duty trekking. Truly, the minivan equivalent of a Toyota Hilux.

dogisbadob > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 05/20/2017 at 10:49

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even better with the 2.2 Turbo

Connqr > carcrasher88 05/20/2017 at 10:49

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These are all good, although I don’t think the Espace F1, as good as it is, counts as it never went into production.

TheHondaBro > Connqr 05/20/2017 at 10:50

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Minivans are the sort of vehicle you form lasting family memories in. All minivans are cool. I nominate my childhood minivan, a 2000 Honda Odyssey. Ours was the LX and it was green. That V6 sang as we merged onto the highway. It served us for 115,000 wonderful miles. It’s needed one of its sliding doors repaired and of course a transmission replacement (recall) but it was our noble steed. I’m sure others will corroborate with their own childhood minivan.

Connqr > jkm7680 05/20/2017 at 10:51

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Yeah, I know. Sucks. But where would companies selling supercharger kits make their money?

Connqr > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 05/20/2017 at 10:52

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Are those wooden bumpers?

Connqr > TheHondaBro 05/20/2017 at 10:55

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Was this the start of TheHondaBro’s unhealthy Honda obsession?

pip bip - choose Corrour > Connqr 05/20/2017 at 11:01

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Vauxhall Zafira VXR/Opel Zafira OPC

TheHondaBro > Connqr 05/20/2017 at 11:06

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No.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Connqr 05/20/2017 at 11:12

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The Lumina APV did have some cool aspects to it... it had very flexible seating and a plastic body.

But if you get one, get the one with the 3.8L V6.

I prefer the Pontiac Trans Sport.

And don’t forget about the Oldsmobile Sillhouette... “The Cadillac of Minivans”

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 05/20/2017 at 11:13

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Nuh uh... the coolest of the Chrysler vans of that era was the short wheelbase version with the manual and the 2.5L turbo...

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Connqr 05/20/2017 at 11:18

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No... they’re Organic Dicot Fibre bumpers...

;-)

facw > Connqr 05/20/2017 at 11:21

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Go Previa!

My ‘91 was basically exactly as pictured.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Connqr 05/20/2017 at 11:22

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Probably because the marketing people found that only 10 people would buy them... and 9 of those were Jalops.

And since they knew that meant they would have to wait over 10 years for Jalopnik to come into existence (in 2004), they decided to nix that combo since they had no chance of breaking even with that combo within 3 years.

I’m totally not making this up.

Discerning > jkm7680 05/20/2017 at 12:03

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No biggie. The 2tz takes to boost pretty well, so you could do a little turbo probably.

The 2TZ has forged internals, oil squirters similar to a 2jz, and decent displacement. The head flows OK bit I have no clue about the cams or if aftermarket cams for a 2rz would work for example.

Or, a 3s-gte could probably be massaged into the engine bay.

shop-teacher > Connqr 05/20/2017 at 12:10

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2x6 FTW!

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Connqr 05/20/2017 at 12:43

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Way back in the bad old days of the 80s-90s, the best minivan was a Ford Aerostar, bar none. They were by far the most comfortable people haulers for road trips, which I consider the most important aspect of a good minivan.

In the 00s, the best minivan was this:

Today? This is the best minivan:

jkm7680 > JeepJeremy 05/20/2017 at 13:12

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I had one of these as a kid, still have it somewhere. Thought it was the coolest thing ever with the 90's trim.

torque > Connqr 05/20/2017 at 19:14

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I love the Previa, unfortunately couldn’t convince my wife to get one when we needed a family carrier & we got a Sienna XLS instead.

That said, my favorite minivans are the JDM executive ones like the Toyota Alphard. Sure it has some polarizing exterior styling (front end especially), though its the interior where you spend your time. I mean come on look at that interior!

Connqr > TheHondaBro 05/20/2017 at 20:07

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What is TheHondaBro’s origin story? Where did it all begin?

TheHondaBro > Connqr 05/20/2017 at 20:21

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A test tube.

tpw_rules > TheHondaBro 05/21/2017 at 14:19

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Ah, we got ours up to 190 before the second transmission failed. Really should have put a third in instead of junking it, but such is life. Those doors though. Ours was the first with the electric ones and it needed the entire thing replaced early in its life. Fuse 15 in the passenger footwell, that’s what you pulled if you needed to stop the “eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee” cause the doors thought they were open for the past four hours on the way to Grandma’s.

I do miss sliding doors that would probably crush your arm though. Modern ones are so pitiful. and VTEC just kicked in, yo!

RT > Connqr 06/12/2017 at 13:02

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I’d say the coolest MPV is the Renault Espace F1, but since that’s not a production car…

It has to be the E51 Nissan Elgrand, like other JDM luxury MPVs it offers plenty of luxury - and even more toys: a dual sunroof, cruise control, electric sliding doors, electric sliding curtains, an RCA jack, a media player, two remotes, two tellies and four cameras!

And it’s not just another fancy brick on wheels - it shares its platform and engine with the 350Z and G35, probably making it my favourite MPV.

Honourable mentions to the Previa, R63 AMG, Delica, Zafira VXR and any others I missed.