7 years and 61k miles later...

"Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing." (granfury) 04/09/2019 at 02:38 • Filed to: None

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...and I am still in love with this inexpensive but fun  little car. Who would have thunk it?

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. 04/09/2019 at 07:12

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It’s like my 2nd gens..........

only slightly bigger ........

without seating for 7.........

and no V6 option..........

Nevermind, it’s nothing like my 2nd gens.

Still cool vans though! Glad you still love it!

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 04/09/2019 at 07:41

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Well, our vans probably weigh about the same and have almost the same power, and in other countries the 5 could be had a a 7-seater. I haven’t used the third row in years and probably wouldn’t miss it if I didn’t have it. It is a tad narrow (I use the armrest on the passenger seat, not the one on the drivers seat), so I can’t imagine how crowded a 7-seat version would be given the width.

I don’t know what the performance is like on your van, but I find that with the 6MT mine is peppy enough for me these days,which is saying something for someone that used to drive Porsches, modified BMWs and Benzes. It won’t win m any drag races, but it will keep up with early ‘80s Ferraris, FWIW. I guess I have other priorities than the need for speed like I once did, and these days I’m wil ling to settle for ‘enough’ power. However, i f it had the automatic I might not be saying the same thing.

Although I like the idea of the power and smoothness of a V6, my only experience owning and working on one in a transverse configuration left me cursing and bleeding, so until I have a garage with a lift I’ll stick with I4s and balance shafts.

Lokiparts > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. 04/09/2019 at 08:08

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I really like these vans . They are surprisingly small in person. They remind me of the original first gen Honda Odyssey. It’s just t oo bad I didn’t really learn about them until the year before they stopped selling them. I think one of these would make a great next car for me but now they are impossible to find, especially with the manual.

Monkey B > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. 04/09/2019 at 08:26

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criminally underrated ...which is cool since I want one in the future. Should keep the price of entry low unlike Element’s, Xb’s and Cubes...all odd things I like. I think I prefer the 1st gens appearance, but I imagine the 2nd gen is likely a better car?

Khalbali > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. 04/09/2019 at 08:37

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I wis h i could keep a car even half that long.... Also mazda5s rock although I've only ever driven a first gen with the stick.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Monkey B 04/09/2019 at 08:41

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I, too, prefer the look of the first gen, but I will admit that the smiley face and swoops on the side have grown on me. I’m pretty sure it’s almost the same car underneath, but with a better powertrain and a few more tech features amongst other improvements.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Lokiparts 04/09/2019 at 08:48

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Yeah, it’s a little small. Sometimes I feel like that AZ-1 in parking lots. But despite the exterior dimensions it felt more spacious inside than the CX-5 and CX-9 I checked out whilst getting my car serviced. There’s something to be said for high rooflines.

Even a last-generation MPV seems pretty large in comparison.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Khalbali 04/09/2019 at 09:08

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This isn't the longest I've kept a car (I think I had my E21 for 11 or 12 years before selling it to a friend), but I will break that record as I never plan on parting with this car, even if I were to win the lottery...

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. 04/09/2019 at 10:16

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You have about 200 lbs on mine. It’s also down about 20 hp/ 60 ft-lbs and is about 1.8 sec slower in the quarter.

I drove a 5 a while back, my biggest issue was the lack of 7 passenger capability and lack of power. I don’t mind not having something super fast, but jumping from a high torque/flat powerband V6 to a 4 cyl is very hard.

I’ve had no issues working on my 2nd gens, there’s plenty of room for normal maintenance/repairs. The more modern variants are a complete PITA though.

You’ll get no hate from me for owning a 5, I still think they’re great little vans with some semblance of fun still instilled in them. I’m really happy to hear you like yours.