Anybody like the Villager?

[BigBadNeon'95]

You mean nobody likes the Villager. My wife loves ours.

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[MercCougarXR7]

Ah - no. Not that it's a bad machine (same as the Nissan Quest), but it looks Fugly, and is just another soccor-mom-mobile .

[BigBadNeon'95]

Of course it's a Mommyvan. I don't drive it, the Mommy does. My 96 looks better than the new ones, but its a minivan and looks like one. At least they don't do like Dodge and try to make a "Sport" out of it. Geeze thats dumb.

[FghtinIrshNvrDie]

I tell you what, my mom has one too, and this thing is a DOG. It's a 97, and it's sooo slow. Tip to everyone here, don't take it on a trip to Colorado. When it's loaded down, it's 0-60 time is about 45 seconds. I'm not exagerating. It's awful. The only way this would even be acceptable was if you were driving it with maybe a few little kids around town. This is definate Soccer-mom material here ladies.

[slipguy]

i bought my 94 for 5000. since then i have had to drop over a 1000 in it for cv boots, a stalling problem that is relatively common with replacement of a couple of sensors, and of course timing belt/wp. i researched it on consumer reports and found it the best value for the buck though it falls behind honda in reliability but more than makes up for it in cost. consumers report pretty much hit the problems on the head with comments like wind noise from the windows though i think its acceleration is just fine. i am now experiencing rust around the top of the windshield. compared to the transmission dogged chrysler, it is great. and btw, it will hold a ten foot ladder with the hatch closed if u rest it on the dash board.

[treetrashish]

i have a 2000 w/ a 3.4 that romps for a minivan. sure it is not a great looking van but compared to others of this year it's a sleek sporty machine. btw mine is a sport model which only means that it is the fully loaded top of the line van. manufacturers know they are not building race cars. you know like a fast and furious honda,hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha hahahahahah

[JDW]

Have 94 and really like it. Bit smaller than the Ply. grand voyager but don't have to keep putting new transmissions in it like the Ply. If it really wasn't a nissian - wouldn't have bought a ford/mercury.

[DPMP]

Other than the smaller size (compare to others) and the underpower engine, I like the Villager.

By the way, my CD player can't seem to find the tracks. The replacement cost is $400, too expensive. And I don't want to replace the head unit (amp + cassette player + tuner). Anyone know a remedy to this problem?

[JDW]

For a cheap fix -Might try a junk yard - if it is factory there should be one out there - guarentee it to work. Guessing, but probably no more than 50-75. Regular am/fm go for about 15, cassette about 40. Might we worth a couple of phone calls - then the wiring hooks up without a lot of trouble as well.

[dcmcfaddin]

I have 2 Villagers, a 95 and a 99. the 95 has 180k and still running strong. Not the most power but... We have replace the fuel pump once and the heater controller needs to be repaired/replaced (the rear switch does not work).

The 99 has the larger engine and 90k miles. We have had some electrical problems; window and sunroof motors which cause the related switches and regulators to blow, but nothing else so far.

I would have to say both vans are better than soccer mom vans. We have taken both vans coast to coast with a full luggage carrier and the interior loaded to the gills (that is what happens when you take a family of five on vacation). the only difference I notice is the gas mileage, but that is ecxpected with the roof carrier.

Our friends also have a 94 Villager and tow a hard side popup trialer with it. they say it a little slower getting started but once the van is going theyt do not see much of a difference. BTW they also have three boys in sprorts and camp regularly.

Just my $0.02 worth.

[DPMP]

Speaking of the heater controller, there is good fix out there for cheap (resolder the relay connection). I tried it and it worked. But the home-quality solder is the problem, it can't stand the heat well. My circuit board got hot and the soldered wire fell off; twice. Have you tried it? How to keep the temperature under control?

[dxrflyboy]

I have a '96 that I bought used at 98K. No, it isn't the most powerful, but it will do 90 fully loaded with a roof carrier, a power wheelchair, 4 passengers, and luggage with the A/C on during summer heat and east coast humidity. More power would be nice, but with gas pricees being what they are, gas mileage is a higher priority, and I can't complain about 20 mpg mixed driving. The biggest thing I've put into it is outer tie rod ends. Knock on wood, the original timing belt is still holding at 118K, although I do plan on replacing that VERY soon, before it breaks, hopefully! Sure, it's a minivan, but that's what I need. It's definitely not the slowest vehicle on the road (my '92 Tempo - 205K - can't keep up with it - HA), and my g/f thinks it's a Caddy. I've seen them go 180K with INFREQUENT oil changes and I change mine every 3K. I'm sure it will last me quite a while, barring something catastrophic like an accident!

[jtbm1993]

Originally Posted by DPMP

Speaking of the heater controller, there is good fix out there for cheap (resolder the relay connection). I tried it and it worked. But the home-quality solder is the problem, it can't stand the heat well. My circuit board got hot and the soldered wire fell off; twice. Have you tried it? How to keep the temperature under control?

I just bypassed the circuit board for the rear blower. Use at least 10 gauge wire and after you are done don't forget to shut off the rear fan, cuz it will run even if the van is not. I've had no problems.

[Abraca]

The Villager like most vehicles has its downside. Click on the following link for photos & details of some of the quirks. http://abra.homestead.com/villager.html