My first was a 1995 RWD Safari van. It had under powered 4.3L engine and "lugged" when loaded down. During its ownership, it ate one alternator and 1 battery. It ate lots of brakes and one set of tires. But other then these items, she was a solid RWD van. It loved the gas "when loaded down" but for its internal room, it was a great van. Thus, why we wanted to buy a 2nd Safari van.
My second van was a 2001 AWD Safari van. It had the stronger 4.3L engine but it loved the gas even more. It drank gas like a thursty dog on a extreme hot 120 F day. During its ownership, it ate idler arms, shocks, steering box, battery, master brake cylinder, ABS sensors, Cruise Control module, transfer case gaskets, transmission needed a rebuild, brakes and tires. Before we traded it in, it was costing us "on average" $450 / month in repairs. In the end, it needed another steering box and power steering box. Time to "trade her in" and dump its problems onto someone else.
For our new '09 Montani mini-van, it has cost us $15 in unexpected repairs for the last 16 months. $15.00 because when I installed its ATF aux cooler, I didn't tighten down its one clamp hard enough. Thus, a slow leak - that was corrected outside of warranty program. In all, $15 out of pocket for repairs (during 16 months) compared to $450/month for "out of pocket" repairs. Glad I made the right choice. re: Trading in our previous 2001 AWD Safari van and getting a replacement.
For review of my wife's '09 mini-van, surf:
http://townhall.edmunds.com/WebX/.f204882/0
Good luck - on which ever van (or mini-van) you decide to purchase.
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07-27-2010, 09:34 PM
