Minivan purchase question

In article <[email hidden]>, niteynite1 @aol.comnitenite says...

Quoted message said:

I have the Easyracers SC-1. I am currently driving a '98 Kia Sportage which I will be trading
soon. With the truck''s back seat folded up and both bike wheels removed, I can get the SC-1 into
the back, at an angle, tilted so there is dead space below for the wheels and a little additional
cargo, like a duffel for a weekend away. But the Kia is showing its age and I'm looking; a van
seems the right move for me.

While those on another board seem to really like the Odyssey, my budget can't go that far.

So, I'm looking for suggestions, probably for something in the 2000-2002 model year range. And I'd
like the smallest van I can get that will do the job for
me. I'd like to be able to carry the bike without dropping the front wheel, though that's not a
big deal. I have no need for a lot of seats; I can't remember the last time I hauled more than
one other person in my vehicle.

Suggestions, anyone?

I got a Toyota Sienna for my LWB Stratus to fit inside with out removing anything. I have seen a GRR
in an Odyssey with the rear wheel between the driver and passenger front seat. Something to consider
on a shorter vehicle.

My 2000 Toyota Sienna has only 8000 miles on it but if I were buying a replacement today, I would
consider a Honda Element or a Scion xB (by Toyota). Check 'em out.
--
Cletus D. Lee Bacchetta Giro Lightning Voyager clee.orgclee.orgOpen ↗
- Bellaire, TX USA -

The smallest van that would do the job is probably the Mazda MPV. I have a 2002 MPV and can carry
together my wife's EZ Sport LE and my Rans Stratus. I remove the front wheels and attach the front
forks to a floor carrier that I made. The seat on the EZ Sport has to be folded down for the bike to
fit height wise. Per the Easy Racer web site the SC-1 is shorter and not as high as the EZ Sport, so
it should be an easy fit. The rear seat in the MPV folds flat into the floor. At least one of the
middle seats has to be removed to carry bike.

WBK "Niteynite1" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have the Easyracers SC-1. I am currently driving a '98 Kia Sportage

which I

Quoted message said:

will be trading soon. With the truck''s back seat folded up and both bike wheels removed, I can
get the SC-1 into the back, at an angle, tilted so

there

Quoted message said:

is dead space below for the wheels and a little additional cargo, like a

duffel

Quoted message said:

for a weekend away. But the Kia is showing its age and I'm looking; a van

seems

Quoted message said:

the right move for me.

While those on another board seem to really like the Odyssey, my budget

can't

Quoted message said:

go that far.

So, I'm looking for suggestions, probably for something in the 2000-2002

model

Quoted message said:

year range. And I'd like the smallest van I can get that will do the job

for

Quoted message said:

me. I'd like to be able to carry the bike without dropping the front

wheel,

Quoted message said:

though that's not a big deal. I have no need for a lot of seats; I can't remember the last time I
hauled more than one other person in my vehicle.

Suggestions, anyone?

I used to have a 98 Chrysler Town and Country Full Length. This van was perfect for the toureasy,
and never gave me any trouble (I traded it for a Volvo Wagon). I would look for a used Dodge or
Chrysler Van. They have terrible resale value, and could probably be bought for a bargain.

"Niteynite1" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have the Easyracers SC-1. I am currently driving a '98 Kia Sportage

which I

Quoted message said:

will be trading soon. With the truck''s back seat folded up and both bike wheels removed, I can
get the SC-1 into the back, at an angle, tilted so

there

Quoted message said:

is dead space below for the wheels and a little additional cargo, like a

duffel

Quoted message said:

for a weekend away. But the Kia is showing its age and I'm looking; a van

seems

Quoted message said:

the right move for me.

While those on another board seem to really like the Odyssey, my budget

can't

Quoted message said:

go that far.

So, I'm looking for suggestions, probably for something in the 2000-2002

model

Quoted message said:

year range. And I'd like the smallest van I can get that will do the job

for

Quoted message said:

me. I'd like to be able to carry the bike without dropping the front

wheel,

Quoted message said:

though that's not a big deal. I have no need for a lot of seats; I can't remember the last time I
hauled more than one other person in my vehicle.

Suggestions, anyone?

In article <[email hidden]>, Niteynite1 says...

Quoted message said:

I have the Easyracers SC-1. I am currently driving a '98 Kia Sportage which I will be trading soon.
With the truck''s back seat folded up and both bike wheels removed, I can get the SC-1 into the
back, at an angle, tilted so there is dead space below for the wheels and a little additional
cargo, like a duffel for a weekend away. But the Kia is showing its age and I'm looking; a van
seems the right move for me.

While those on another board seem to really like the Odyssey, my budget can't go that far.

So, I'm looking for suggestions, probably for something in the 2000-2002 model year range. And I'd
like the smallest van I can get that will do the job for
me. I'd like to be able to carry the bike without dropping the front wheel, though that's not a big
deal. I have no need for a lot of seats; I can't remember the last time I hauled more than one
other person in my vehicle.

Suggestions, anyone?

Well, it may not be the smallest van that will work, but allow me to suggest you take a look at a GM
Astro Van. We leave the 2nd and 3rd bench seats out on ours, and easily haul two RANS V2s with
fairings, upright, front wheels mounted, with plenty of room for luggage. They aren't made anymore,
but there are plenty of late models around.

Steve Christensen Midland, MI

[email hidden] (Niteynite1) wrote in :"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

I have the Easyracers SC-1. I am currently driving a '98 Kia Sportage which I will be trading
soon. With the truck''s back seat folded up and both bike wheels removed, I can get the SC-1 into
the back, at an angle, tilted so there is dead space below for the wheels and a little additional
cargo, like a duffel for a weekend away. But the Kia is showing its age and I'm looking; a van
seems the right move for me.

While those on another board seem to really like the Odyssey, my budget can't go that far.

So, I'm looking for suggestions, probably for something in the 2000-2002 model year range. And I'd
like the smallest van I can get that will do the job for me. I'd like to be able to carry the bike
without dropping the front wheel, though that's not a big deal. I have no need for a lot of seats;
I can't remember the last time I hauled more than one other person in my vehicle.

Suggestions, anyone?

I've always liked the Nissan/Mercury twins. Smaller and sportier. Not highly rated in comparo's, but
usually due to less space.

My wife and I have transported our TEs (M/L and L) in a Ford Windstar and now an 03 Crysler T&C. We
remove all of the rear seats. Makes for a lighter more fuel efficient vehicle. We load both bikes
with out removing or adjusting anything. I use my bike trainer stand and tie downs to hold the bikes
upright. Can load in less then 10 minutes. pllenty of room to spare for lugage etc.

You could stick with Kia and get their mini-van. Not too popular when I left the US but they
seem to sell very well here in Germany (as Hyundai's). Too bad they don't export the diesel one
to the states.

(Niteynite1) said:

I have the Easyracers SC-1. I am currently driving a '98 Kia Sportage which I will be trading soon.
With the truck''s back seat folded up and both bike wheels removed, I can get the SC-1 into the
back, at an angle, tilted so there is dead space below for the wheels and a little additional
cargo, like a duffel for a weekend away. But the Kia is showing its age and I'm looking; a van
seems the right move for me.

While those on another board seem to really like the Odyssey, my budget can't go that far.

So, I'm looking for suggestions, probably for something in the 2000-2002 model year range. And I'd
like the smallest van I can get that will do the job for
me. I'd like to be able to carry the bike without dropping the front wheel, though that's not a big
deal. I have no need for a lot of seats; I can't remember the last time I hauled more than one
other person in my vehicle.

Suggestions, anyone?

Bryan J. Ball Editor/Publisher www.bentrideronline.com

Niteynite1 said:

I have the Easyracers SC-1. I am currently driving a '98 Kia Sportage which I will be trading
soon. With the truck''s back seat folded up and both bike wheels removed, I can get the SC-1 into
the back, at an angle, tilted so there is dead space below for the wheels and a little additional
cargo, like a duffel for a weekend away. But the Kia is showing its age and I'm looking; a van
seems the right move for me.

While those on another board seem to really like the Odyssey, my budget can't go that far.

So, I'm looking for suggestions, probably for something in the 2000-2002 model year range. And I'd
like the smallest van I can get that will do the job for
me. I'd like to be able to carry the bike without dropping the front wheel, though that's not a
big deal. I have no need for a lot of seats; I can't remember the last time I hauled more than
one other person in my vehicle.

Suggestions, anyone?

Buy the Sunset that Zach Kaplan has for sale or the Pharobike Lowfat that is listed for sale in RCN.
A 305/406 lowracer will fit inside almost any motor vehicle.

Tom Sherman - Near the confluence of the Mississippi and Rock Rivers

Steve Christensen <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Well, it may not be the smallest van that will work, but allow me to suggest you take a look at a
GM Astro Van. We leave the 2nd and 3rd bench seats out on ours, and easily haul two RANS V2s with
fairings, upright, front wheels mounted, with plenty of room for luggage. They aren't made
anymore, but there are plenty of late models around.

They are still on the web site:

chevrolet.comastroOpen ↗

john riley

[email hidden] (Niteynite1) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I have the Easyracers SC-1. I am currently driving a '98 Kia Sportage which I will be trading
soon. With the truck''s back seat folded up and both bike wheels removed, I can get the SC-1 into
the back, at an angle, tilted so there is dead space below for the wheels and a little additional
cargo, like a duffel for a weekend away. But the Kia is showing its age and I'm looking; a van
seems the right move for me.

While those on another board seem to really like the Odyssey, my budget can't go that far.

So, I'm looking for suggestions, probably for something in the 2000-2002 model year range. And I'd
like the smallest van I can get that will do the job for
me. I'd like to be able to carry the bike without dropping the front wheel, though that's not a
big deal. I have no need for a lot of seats; I can't remember the last time I hauled more than
one other person in my vehicle.

Suggestions, anyone?

I bought a 95 Ford Aerostar Cargo van to haul my V2. I don't even have to take anything apart. I
just wheel it in and bungee it to the side and I'm ready to go. I leave it in there all the time and
it's always ready to go.

It was a government vehichle and only had 22,000 miles on it when I bought it a little over a year
ago. It cost me 7000.00 which is higher then the blue book but I couldn't find anything newer in
that price range that didn't have 80,000 to 100,000 miles on it.

I'm not pushing the brand but I think cargo vans are perfect for recumbent owners.

Dan

Although we've owned FIVE minivans (I swear, since our youngest child is now 14 that this is the
last one!) and they will take my Bikee E2 tandem inside with no sweat if you remove some seats, I
was surprised to discover that our PT Cruiser will barely take my GS GTO trike w/o removing
anything! The PT is kind of like a mini-minivan.

BentJay

[email hidden] (Bikerchief) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I bought a 95 Ford Aerostar Cargo van to haul my V2. I don't even have to take anything apart. I
just wheel it in and bungee it to the side and I'm ready to go. I leave it in there all the time
and it's always ready to go.

It was a government vehichle and only had 22,000 miles on it when I bought it a little over a year
ago. It cost me 7000.00 which is higher then the blue book but I couldn't find anything newer in
that price range that didn't have 80,000 to 100,000 miles on it.

I'm not pushing the brand but I think cargo vans are perfect for recumbent owners.

Dan

Well, yes and no...

WE bought an Aerostar (extended length '94 2WD) when we went from Lightnings to Tour Easys. It
swallows them with no adjustment, removal or hassle (I ride an XL, my wife rides a M/L, so this is
an accomplishment).

Cargo vans tend to lead a rough life, generally carry heavier loads, have less interior insulation
(noiser), have heavier rear springs (worse ride) and don't have the option of reinstalling the rear
seats if all the relatives come into town for Thanksgiving. If you get a passenger van with tinted
windows (mine are factory), the bikes are pretty well hidden, too.

It did take some shopping around to find ours with 80,000 miles- every other one we looked at had
120,000+ miles on it. To find one with 22,000 miles is a miracle.

I'd love to get a VW Eurovan with the turbodiesel engine- but if VW decides to produce the "new"
Microbus and bring them in to the U.S., I'm going to mortgage my soul to get one.

Jeff

[email hidden] (Jeff Wills) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>... [...]

Quoted message said:

I'd love to get a VW Eurovan with the turbodiesel engine- but if VW decides to produce the "new"
Microbus and bring them in to the U.S., I'm going to mortgage my soul to get one.

Count on it. 2006. Maybe they should call it the Joan Osborne edition ;-)

autoweek.comcat content.mvOpen ↗
e=09380443

John riley 1 at rogers dot com