I am looking into getting either a minivan (so it can be used later also) or a truck (if cheaper) to do some furniture / home improvement material hauling in the near future.

What would be a good choice for a truck or minivan that I could get for $ 2500 or $ 3000.

The year/make/model for reliable haulers would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Amit

Did somebody say UNIMOG ??

One of my all time favorite vehicles we ever owned was a 1991 Mazda MPV van with a four cylinder engine that has a timing chain (the sixes have a timing belt). It was easy to work on when it needed maintenance work done and got pretty good fuel mileage. Even with the 4 cyl it would cruise out on the freeway all day long at 75+ mph. The rear seats can be removed and provide a flat floor up to the drivers seat. I think you can find them every now and then for around $2500.

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Jim

A retired mail carrier van will be cheap if you can live with right hand drive. Keep the markings and you can park anywhere

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

depending on your location (availability of this truck) and if you're needing to move around small things (which I don't thing you really intend to do since you mentiond furniture) I'd look around for a mid 80's Isuzu Pickup (preferably with a diesel engine, and a 5spd). But with moving big things such as furniture you definately need to go to a full-size truck, such as a Dodge Ram with a diesel. Maybe a late 80's or early 90's with a diesel (may be possible to find a "beater" one for your price range or maybe lower).

I finally found an Isuzu Pickup that sounds pretty interesting, but have made no effort to check it out.

I'd recommenda Chevy Astro van.

They are not a full-size van, and not really a minivan.

Really a mid-size van.

The middle and third row seats can be removed, with the biggest area for storage of any minivan.

They are the only rear wheel drive of any of the minivans, so you can tow a trailer.

They have a big V6 - 4.3 liter V6 - which has been in use for a looooong time. It is really a 350 V8 with two cylinders chopped off.

And when you are done using it as a work truck, you are left with a minivan.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Get a Dodge Turbo Van. These vans are crazy. Practical, and fast. There is a guy that frequents the track by my house and consistantly runs sub 13 sec 1/4s. You can find these cheap, some even with a 5spd. Just a thought...



http://www.turbominivan.com/

mid to late eighties suburban. great ride for the money. even the 4x4's are pretty cheap now. Way more vehicle for the money than a pickup truck. even the diesels if well cared for make good rigs.

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Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.
Calvin Coolidge (1872 - 1933)