Progress

[filkertom]

First things first: The planetary gear did something or other, and it damaged the gear case. Replacing the old transmission with a rebuilt one will cost $2,960 plus tax, which is more than I paid for the van originally

Comments

[filkertom]

Taken under advisement. I'll likely ask about everyone's make/model recommendations this weekend. I got Garnet on a superb deal from a dealership where a friend works, and I have to check there, but I'm open to all opinions, except those involving compact cars and 197x Pintos.

[robin_june]

The ONLY major problem with my 2003 "first edition" Element, is that Honda, in their infinite wisdom, quit making new ones RIGHT when I was ready to buy again. The back seats are theater-height, which means that when there's 3 people in the car, I put my mother-in-law in a front seat and I climb in the back on my knees, but in terms of storage and acoustic instrument cargo, I cannot think of a better car.

Tom, are you still in town?

[robin_june]

About the back seats of Casey the Bass Case: if you don't have a third person, you can put both seats up and out of the way. Or, you can lay the seatbacks flat, pull out some headrests, and it sleeps up to two.

Its name is Casey (instead of something from the Periodic Table) because it fits both the Spousal Unit and me, as well as his upright bass violin, and still has room for the guitar cases, mandolin cases, suitcases, and the Rolling File Cabinet of Filk, all without invoking the roof rack.
Or, you can transport a bicycle INSIDE it and upright, without disassembly.

I better stop now; I've gotten gushy about it.

[qnofhrt]

I've had good luck with Subarus. On my 5th or 6th - can't remember anymore. My last one gave me 12 years (from new). I've got a Forester now, which starting with the 2010 model, can hold quite a bit of stuff, including 4 fannish large folks comfortably. It will even fit a cello hard case without any trouble ;-) (although you do lose a person space)

[redneckgaijin]

I got a used Honda Odyssey minivan two years ago, and I'm deliriously happy with it. MUCH MUCH more reliable than the Ford Exploder it replaced.

[elisabeth]

I dunno about that. I've got a 2000 Exploder with 200k+ on it that's still going strong on the original engine and tranny. *shrugs* To each their own, I guess, but they'll take my Ford from me when they pry it from my cold, dead hands.

[redneckgaijin]

My Exploder was a 1992 model, bought 70K, totalled approx. 210K. In that time it had:

(3) transmissions
(6) fuel pumps
(3) alternators
(2) power steering pumps
(4) radiators
(2) water pumps
(3) electric window motors
(2) fuel injectors
(1) air flow sensor
(2) sets of front end bushings
(3) sets of tie rod ends
(3) wheel rotors

All that over and above normal maintenance.

It was a piece of SHIT, a bitch to repair, and very much in line with my prior Ford experiences.