I have owned 2 vans...
the first was a 1998 Ford Aerostar and had already been beaten half to death when I got it.
The second one I still have, a Chevy Venture, 2001.
at the 100 000 KM point, it started to need a few minor repairs such as tie rod ends, bushings, hubs, etc.
Now at 135 000, no major repairs and nothing to do with the engine ever needed attention.
Comfortable ride, and with a 3.4l V6, it has the pickup I needed to get out of some sticky situations on the highway.

thank you

Have you had any issues with the back "door" rusting out? Mom's caravan has had the back hatch replaced twice as the hinges kept rusting out.

Hi, ...i had similar issue with a caravan, and an chev/astro . It's usually down to the sucking van-airflow combined with salt lodging in that rear.
Are you looking for used? or 2-3yr.old? or oldschool 86-87? or diesel?
Had you considered a campervan which could tide you over in 3-seasons situations and save on motels. Sure they use more fuel...being equipped as they are. But, if your daily travel is minimal, and you need it more for trips and backup shelter it could be worth it if properly insulated with a heater.
I know of a classic vw bus camper for sale, but they tend to be collector items.
I was scanning kijiji for campers 2 yrs. s ago as a quick cover /commuter to vacant land i had started to co-develop.
Almost bought a chev van camper used mainly for annual trips to florida etc. and local vacations by a couple of pensioners., well-kept but still too much at the time. you never know.

Hi, ...i had similar issue with a caravan, and an chev/astro . It's usually down to the sucking van-airflow combined with salt lodging in that rear.
Are you looking for used? or 2-3yr.old? or oldschool 86-87? or diesel?
Had you considered a campervan which could tide you over in 3-seasons situations and save on motels. Sure they use more fuel...being equipped as they are. But, if your daily travel is minimal, and you need it more for trips and backup shelter it could be worth it if properly insulated with a heater.
I know of a classic vw bus camper for sale, but they tend to be collector items.
I was scanning kijiji for campers 2 yrs. s ago as a quick cover /commuter to vacant land i had started to co-develop.
Almost bought a chev van camper used mainly for annual trips to florida etc. and local vacations by a couple of pensioners., well-kept but still too much at the time. you never know.

Looking for something to drive back & forth to work. I am finding it a pain with a car to get supplies for the renovations so thought a van should/would be the way to go. I prefer to buy new and at the end of the year so that I get a better price. The car I have now is a 2006. The car I had before that I kept 16 years. I would like to get a van that is better on gas mileage with no real rust issues so it will last at least 10 years.

Love the camper van idea but that will be a few years down the road. City by-law no parking one at a residual place so I would have no place to keep it.

I have absolutely no rust issue on the Venture, but it has been rustproofed faithfully every 2 years.

Vans are handy but get poor fuel economy and handle like crap. I've always been a fan of having a trailer for the car so I don't drag around all that extra weight every day. Many cars will tow 1000 lbs and when you don't need the capacity, you leave it at home.
I have a VW wagon now, lots of useful space for groceries and such and I hook up the trailer for bigger or heavier stuff. Hauls the same as a standard pickup truck but with a much lower bed height .

A wagon may be a better way to go then the van.

I can't do the trailer as no place to store one.

http://www.jamiesonrentals.com/

He sells vehicles also. Very good co. and I can vouch for them in Kitchener. You go in, give your budget, what your looking for and he goes and finds it for you. He keeps a number of vehicles on his lot, but basically has a network of dealers, auctions, bankruptcies, etc. which he uses to find you the best priced vehicle.

Compared to used car companies, rental co.'s, etc. I have not seen anyone beat his pricing. It may be worth a call depending on where in Southern Ont. your located. Always keep an eye out in autotrader, etc. but if you need someone to do the legwork for you and find what your looking for, this guy is it.