I would lean towards a minivan with a known sound long lasting automatic transmission. At least a couple of manufactures seem to have fairly serious issues with them.

I have heard that both the Chrysler products and Honda minivans are questionable in this regard. Actually a friend of mine got a Hyundia minivan many years ago and it has stood up surprisingly well for him. All things considered for the price. I am not even sure they make them anymore.

I believe the mazda5 is available with a stick.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Too bad the Dodge tranz's are piles of garbage, the new van actually looks like I wouldn't be embarrassed to drive..........as a rental of course.

Just picked up a used Fiat Doblo.
1.9 Turbo Diesel..Heavy Duty suspension.

Stick...all the torque and power I need over here across the pond.

__________________
CHILCUTT~
The secret to a long life. Is knowing when it is time to leave.

uh... no.

There is zero evidence to back up the assertion that transaxles don't last as long based on engine bay position and orientation. Thats just nonsense.

You owned a model vehicle with a notoriously bad transmission, as did I. You went through 5 transmissions, I went through 3. They were crap in the caravans.

That does not translate to ALL transaxles are crap. Lets stick with reality here, which is chrysler made a horrible automatic prone to early failure. Well, heck, thats not exactly news. They've done that in traditional layout vehicles as well.

For me, otherwise the van went to 300k before being sold. Nothing beats the layout of a minivan for flex use. I have owned numerous, favorites being astros/safaris

__________________
This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

What is troublesome to me is that brands of vans that have issues with their automatics. Never seem to have eliminated them. When a rebuild was practical and cheap it was not quite so bad. Now they are usually far from cheap to deal with.

Yes but under one condition, diesel. Chrysler makes one but is not sold in US. What a shame.

__________________
Not MBZ nor A/C trained professional but a die-hard DIY and green engineer. Use the info at your own peril. Picked up 2 Infractions because of disagreements. NOW reversed.

W124 Keyless remote, PM for details. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/334620-fs-w124-chasis-keyless-remote-%2450-shipped.html

1 X 2006 CDI
1 x 87 300SDL
1 x 87 300D
1 x 87 300TDT wagon
1 x 83 300D
1 x 84 190D ( 5 sp ) - All R134 converted + keyless entry.

I agree that older Chryslers (and mid 2000's Honda's) had trans. issues. Difference being that Honda dealers were much more likely to either fix it out of warranty or help you with the cost...I'm under the impression that its a corporate thing - I wouldn't be afraid to buy a Honda now.

The Hyundai minivan was only during the late 2000's, and is mechanically similar to the Kia Sedona of the same year (3.8L V6, 5spd auto...)

Chrysler is marketing their Promaster (aka Fiat Ducato) in the US, which is available with a 4cyl (Isuzu) diesel and a dual clutch automatic - a bit larger than a minivan but would do the job. Only available for the last year or two so there wont be many on the used market (yet).

-John

__________________
2009 Kia Sedona
2009 Honda Odyssey EX-L
12006 Jetta Pumpe Duse
(insert Mercedes here)

Husband, Father, sometimes friend =)

Having torn down some trans in my day,is base my assumption on the fact that transverse engine?trans combos don't have the width for plates and clutches.Compare a turbo 400 clutch pak to any transaxle automatic.It's short on clutches for one thing,and clutches wear.Second heat is the killer of all transmissions,underhood temps soar.With every automatic I've owned I always add another trans cooler.It was standard thing in the 70's when you order a trailer package for your car.
Front wheel drive is good for snow,but for lasting trans,I'll stick with a 3 best 4 good or 5 speed auto,with the engine and trans where it should be.

__________________
1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran, deutschland deutschland uber alles uber alles in der welt

You sound exactly like the individuals who argued that mounting an engine sideways in an engine bay would create cooling issues. Or the others who argued that nothing good could come from the concept of calipers and rotors.

__________________
This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

Strange that at this time my son in law has a dodge mini van with 120k miles on it. The oil pressure light is coming on at hot idle. He has offered it to me for free. The engine still sounds good.

He mentioned the oil pumps are known to go bad although he has not checked anything out. I suspect it may be the original automatic but do not know as he got it used himself. The transmission is still okay the last time I borrowed it as well.

Any member know if the oil pump on these is really suspect? Plus is it a hard or easy change. I am not sure of the engine model. I seem to need something to haul the occasional stuff around. So I am thinking about it. It is a loaded up model and everything else seems to work okay.

Chill, please take that engine cover off and show us, tell us all the details about this fiat diesel.

2nd Generation vehicle assembled in VietNam.
Has the 1.9 JTD-Multi-Jet,direct injection Turbo Diesel engine, puts out 104 hp...0-60 in 11.3 seconds.

The differance between commonrail and Multi-Jet is the combustion of feul, which is split into multiple injections allowing more complete combustion into the cylinder.
The 1st Generation JTD engines only featured a smaller pilot and a larger main injection-Multi Jet is capable of up to five injections per combustion cycle which enables better more efficient cold running, better performance in the lower rev-range, quieter operation, lower feul consumption and emmisions and higher performance.

This one has a six speed manual, upgraded sound system, parking sensors, adjustable headlights, Blue &Me hands off phone connection with a Tom Tom satellite navigation dock, front fog lights, air-con..all standard issue.
The ride is superbly comfortable thanks to the multi-link rear suspension.
As far as style..this one trys to ape the Citreon..but doesnt quite achieve that vans level in the looks department.

Will try to get some photos when I have some free time.

__________________
CHILCUTT~
The secret to a long life. Is knowing when it is time to leave.