Author Topic: Suggestions (Read 1381 times)

Bug Maniac · « **on:** February 20, 2006, 01:01:36 AM »

Well it's been a tough 10 days but need to get back to some normalalty, so here's one for ya, going to need a family style vehicle 4x4 maybe, for when we settle in Kamloops, needs to be able to cope with a family of four, 2 adults 2 kids eight and five, room for luggage, ski gear, typical family quantity of lugguage for weekend trips etc etc. Budget would be around $10,000 , not sure if thats realistic or not. Trying to put a budget together for when we arrive, just testing the water if ya see what I mean.
Any info appreciated, Thanks.

AirCooledRules · « **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2006, 01:39:59 AM »

-1996-1997 VW Passat TDi.
- Volvo 850 Turbo Wagon

pretty much the only diesel you can get here and an awesome car to boot.

If you would prefer AWD

- Subaru Legacy Outback.
-

egspot · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2006, 06:23:16 AM »

Check out (www.buysell.com) select B.C. \"British Columbia\" and you can check out the local prices.

AS people may have other offers.

Emilio

Lanny · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2006, 06:32:05 AM »

As a member of the DVKK secret affiliate 'Club M-Van', I'd suggest a 96 and up GMC Safari or Chev Astro. $10K will get a loaded 7 passenger version. They have a 4.3 liter V6 that can pull a car trailer nicely, haul around the kids and are very reliable. A real bang for the buck. They have been made for 20 years and are very plentiful. Avoid an AWD. PM me if you want more info.

Bubba · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2006, 07:01:28 AM »

I have a 1999 GMC safari van, 8 passenger, excellent condition 170k kms, good rubber, with 4 new mounted winter radials. It is a base model, so doesn't have power windows or locks, but it does have air conditioning. It has been well serviced and it is aircared to Aug 2007 (passed with flying colors).

It pulls my single axle 2100 lb boat like a dream. I have been over the Coquihalla highway twice in hard pack and icy conditions with this van (travelling from vancouver to kamloops) and with the winter radials, I had no probs at all. Saw plenty of 4x4's in the rhubarb though.

If you are interested, I will e-mail you some pics. I have had it for sale at 6K, but will take 5K for it.

The reason I am selling it is because I have a company vehicle, and it is surplus to my needs.

It has new brakes all around. The water pump has been replaced in the last 10k kms, has a new fuel pump (running these vans out of fuel is an $800 mistake), and aside from some minor cosmetics (i have kids) it has been well taken care of and is in good condition.

It doesn't get the best mileage, but there is nothing out there with the room, towing capacity, power, comfort, etc. that will do better.

I know a guy who has a 1998 that has 313k kms on it and hasn't even had the heads off...and passes aircare no probs.

slammedbus · « **Reply #5 on:** February 20, 2006, 07:40:45 AM »

ALthough I have DREADED minivans, having two kids of my own it just makes sense. I have always been partial to Pontiac montana's however they seem to reside more in the 15k mark.

I did want to go the suv route but they are usually 5 seaters and load up wife, kids and gear.......better hope the kids don't want to bring any friends...so minivan it is.

AlanU · « **Reply #6 on:** February 20, 2006, 08:23:32 AM »

Honda CRV will be a tad over your budget but the problem is you'll have absolutely NO problems

You'll require to change the oil once in a while and put gas in it. Tranny problems are unheard of and its AWD. The additional money you pay initially will pay off with very infrequent trips to the mechanic so you save alot of time and aggrevation. I know this because i DONT make any money on my honda customers at my shop :lol: My wife has a 2001 and its not the most exciting car to drive but its ultra reliable. I have more time playing with my acvw than fixing stuff on her CRV.

I would say for the price range you are looking at the Astro's and Safari's (REAR WHEEL DRIVE ONLY) are one of the best ones around. CHEVY fu!!ed up royally and they know it with the AWD Astro's. The viscous couplers grenade all the time and the \"tech's\" just dump in more friction modifier to \"hide\" the problem. Alot of fleet cars we do got rid of those pieces of sh!! real quick due to the viscous coupler problem and the torsion bars snapping aswell as the vehicle driving sloppy all over the road due to bad design.

The 4.3's are great engines. Your guaranteed to do and intake gasket one of these days but otherwise those engines do hold up very well. Trannies can go but fortunately they are cheap rebuild and in your face to remove. If your bored just put in a new delco fuel pump and your safe for a long long time. Water pumps only take about 1.5hrs or so to change.

I'm not a fan of the Montana's (sorry gav) they are not known for strength in the trannies. Transaxles are more of a pig to fix so more time to fix means more $$$$ out of your wallet. The engines in those vans are by far wayyyyyyy more prone to intake gasket leaks and the new ones usually have a lifespan of under 100,000kms every time you change them. Pehaps I'm talking with a mechanics perspective but they are not as easy to work on.

I've had electrical nightmares with chevy ventures. The junctions in the wiring harness seems to corrode and your power windows and door locks suddently dont work. Same engine as the Montana and have intake manifold problems. Plastic heater controls turns soft and mushy and crack and fall apart as the coolant system gets pressurized. all the way in the back of the firwall and a nightmare to change and of coarse majority of it is dealer item only. Absolute pieces of junk. On the intake manifold they have a potsmetal quick connect that commonly cracks off so thats a good potential of being stranded on the highway. Suburbans have the same quick connect and you just replace the with brass fittings.

Dont touch the Windstar fords. They like to eat the cam sensors and alot of them have multilayered metal headgaskets the leak. Ya got bucks?

Once you do the headgaskets the cheap quality soft alumium heads from Brazil will warp and you'll be doing another headgaket in no time. So if you think your saving money getting one it'll bite you in the ass.

Caravans are just as cheap as a dozen of eggs for a reason. Electronic heater controls alwasy screw up and are about 400 bucks for a new one. Trannies grenade all the time. I've done many power window motors since they like to eat them too. I would buy a caravan vs a windstar though.

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm what to buy.