I've decided to trade in the Camry station wagon and go for a van big enough for me, my windsurf gear, a matress and cooking bits n pieces.
Any advice would be appreicated on what vans are a) more reliable & b)more economic. Also what vans are about with 4WD option - is it worth getting 4WD in a van ? Do they have the clearance/tyres to be of much extra use compared to a 2WD? do vans get bogged on the road to gnaraloo - I've only done it once before in a Commodore which was a bit dicey at times.
And if anyone's interested in a Camry only done 280,000 drop us a line !
Maybe this topic can also be used as a way of exchanging ideas on decking vans etc out for windsurfing
L300 Mitsubishi vans are good value. 4wd, or 2wd versions. They use the Astron motors, so there are heaps of parts and motors kicking around between galants, sigmas, magnas, scorpions, etc. These vans are very tough (mine is up to 460,000kms) but the only problem is that they do not come in an ultra long wheelbase like the econovans and hiace. The longest board we have is 280cms, and it fits fine through the seats, but <260 fits in back. Vans are bad offroad in 2wd (cept kombis) since they have no weight over the driving wheels.
The Ford Econovan is without doubt the most suited van for windsurfing you could ever hope for. 3 metres long in the back and high enough to get a bed in and fit all your gear underneath,leaving enough room up front for all your cooking and other storage needs.The driving quality in these vans is exceptional. Funnily enough, I have one of these vans for sale at the moment.so for the tiny sum of $2300.00 you too could experience the sheer driving pleasure that is Econovan. (just got company car so need to get this thing out of my front yard,make an offer)
Hey Matt, I agree with Hoop about Econovans - I have a Mazda E2000, 1990 LWB van that I bought for $1850 2-3 yrs. ago, and it hasnt missed a beat. The Mazda E2000 series are identical in every way to the Econovans (after about 89-90 - I think), and the only difference is the badges; thus engines/parts etc are interchangeable. My Tiga 283 fits in the back - no probs. with room to spare. I was lucky - the van has almost done 300,000km. in its life, but engine reconditioned 2-3 yrs ago & still strong. Many of the vans that I looked at were used commercially and thus high mileage and basically stuffed - so you have to be careful. Good luck!
Thanks for the info - does anyone know how a VW transporter would compare against a Mitsubishi 4WD off road ? I hear having the engine over the drive wheels makes the VW pretty good, but will it go down sandy tracks to remote wave sailing spots - will the mits for that matter?
Does the VW come in a 4WD, or are Mitsubishi the only people to do 4WD vans ?
I have an L300 4wd, and taken it through the Kimberley and on sandy tracks, and its been fine. As for being poor off road, and van will wander a bit on a rough track, cos their centre of gravity is high, and theyre quite big in area for their weight, so the wind catches them. But its not an issue. An L300 is not a "real" 4wd though - if you're planning on doing lots of big off road trips too, maybe a troopy is a good option - loads of space inside, but more expensive
the VWs came in a 4wd rear engine version called the trakker i believe - can anyone confirm this? I think that all the transporters tho are front engine RWD.
The rear engine kombis that are 4WD are called syncos. They were not many sold here, but you can get them. They are not a full on 4WD, but run 2wd until a wheel starts to slip. then it activates the front wheels. Some were sold with diff locks front and rear that could be turned on for really difficult areas. they work excellent on sand tracks, but dont have great clearance. The newer kombis have the same 4WD system, however the engine is in the front. Either way you will pay at least $10k for one (i think) if you can find one.
Heh Steve - thanks for the info on the L300 4WD - what kind of fuel economy do you get out of it on long road trips and also around town. It'll probably be my only vehicle so I gotta work out how much it'll cost day to day
Anyone know of fuel economy for the komi/synchro's ?
I've checked out an L300 4WD - it'd done 350,000 km so was pretty tired with plenty of engine oil leaks, though had apparently had a recon a few years ago - But no Air Con ! Does anyone know whether the L300 4WD were supplied with air con at all ?
Don't know whether there are many of them about in WA to chose from - anyone got a feel for the market, prices, common faults, availability in WA ?
you can get the transporters in 4WD though they are few and far between. though the Ambo's over in NSW use them a bit and sell them off at around 60,000k so i don't know if thats what you want.
fuel on the L300 4WD is about 7km/l on long trips, around town is 6-6.5km/l. You can do about 420kms on a tank, so cant quite make the 440 roadhouse from perth.
Mines got A/C, so have the ones my friends have too.
as for problems: just the usual with an old van/car: rust (particularly round windows if not factory fitted), change the hoses and belts when you get it, have a good check of the cooling system
Do you have your L300 kitted out to take windsurfing boards/sails/mast etc and have a bed etc - I've not got the dimensions but they appear pretty compact - how do you find yours space wise ?
I have a platform in the back of mine - boards go on the roof, sails and gear underneath (but theres always 2 people in my van, maybe you could sleep with boards in the van if you are by yourself.) we sleep on the platform, I made it so that it covers the whole of the inside, so its pretty big.
Hey Matt, I have a 99 VW Transporter. fits all gear FW and waves plus camping equip + dog and gets 750km fm a tank! ( about $65 to fill) Excellent veh very reliable. For your info. Regards
Out of interest, what year camry? How many L per 100km? How thrashed is it? J. (Ps, selling 1978 Nissan E20 campervan, already knows the way to Gnaraloo and good in sand, fully decked for windsurfing, fridge, poptop etc, reco motor, reco gearbox, new radiator etc, $4000).
its a 92, done about 280,000, runs fine but the motor has not been reconed as far as I know (i've had at for 2 years and its not missed a beat other than needing to get the brushes redone).
I get about 500km to a tank I think it work out about 10km/l or slightly higher
Hadn't actually thought that far, as I need to get a 4WD van before I sell it. Off the top of my head about $3,300 but I don't know how that sits with the general market. Its just had a major service, had 4 new tyres about 8 months ago and is rego'd till Feb. If you want to know more you can call me on 0409 684 067.
Hi everybody! I am looking for an Econovan or L300 or Hiace/Liteace, reliable and WA registration till Feb at least, for up to 2500$. Anybody has one for sale or knows someone who has
