need advice on a good van to travel in

hey yall,
i need some opinions on what van i should get, one that'll make a comfy home, and also not use up too too too much gas, which i know all vans guzzle the shit up, but, for a van, you know, one that doesn't use up too too much. i want to head out this summer, and dont have the time nor really, would i get around to it anytime soon realistically, to make it veggie oil, yeahyeah.. one day i will , but for this summer, i'm lookin for just a good ol van.
now, what are the gas differences on diesel compared to normal engine vans? is diesel more mile for the buck, or less? would a diesel van take all my mooney away? or are they not that expensive-cuz
right now i have a saturn, which i can sell for probably 3k,
but also, my dad has an old workvan which he said i can clean up and use. it's an astrovan, in pretty good condition, but it's just a box on wheels, no windows in the back,, and i dont know how good a chevy astro is compared to other vans youall might suggest. i want to make it a cozy home, you know? i'm not bashin the astro or anything, cuz man, it'll probably end up being the van i take out, but, do you guys think the astro is smart gas wise and comfort wise, or will i be wishhin i had those windows?
or, should i sell the saturn, and look into another van, which i'm damnn ready to do*
any suggestions ???
thanks guys!

 

my moms husband swears by the gmc mini vans..

i wouldnt own a mini van..

 

gmc huh?
i was also thinking even a dodge caravan, seems nice and comfy, all the seats can come out so i can lay a mattress and everything, probably gets better gas milage then work vans, (maybe?),, i just need to get to work on getting things ready for this summer,,
thanks hillbilly =)

 

dont worry about miledge,,worry about reliability..

gas is gas..

breakdowns,tow bills etc..

thats what ya gotta worry about brother..

if its good an reliable,,an gets 12 miles to the gallon,,thats a hellu lot better deal than somethin that gets 18 to the gallon an breaks down on ya once a month..

if ya know yer dads van,, an ya know it to be trouble free,,..

id take it,,mini van or not..

if ,,yeah,take it.. i know ya love yer dad,if he aint fuckin ya if its been an is reliable take it..

an paint it multi color dayglow..

ya know where were at,,hope to see ya again soon..
luv n lite..

 

i'd gO vOlvo wagOn ...fOr surE

 

ehhh, it definitely looks like it'd hold a mattress nice and good, but they're kind expensive still - i'm lookin at em on ebay motors right now. they look chillin, but, i think a van, and being able to put up some shelves and stuff, be able to just jump into the back and have a side door i can jump out and into from, that's what i'm looking for. i'm gunna be with another person too,, i think we need a van, need a big ol' box to live in, you know?

thanks though man

 

As long as it has good tires, and is tuned-up
proper, it should do okay on gas. You can buy retired Taxi's pretty
cheap sometimes. As low as $300 and they run good.
Some states the company MUST retire the vehicle from the fleet.
They sell the ones they don't keep for parts.

 

I've had a couple older Dodge vans. They are pretty tough, but easy and cheap to work on. You can usually find the 80's passenger vans in decent shape for not much. The last one I bought was a 1 ton sportsman in good shape for $500. (the 2 front seats are from an old BMW..leather and comfy) I took out the 3rd row seat, moved the 2nd seat up a little, and you can put a mattress in the back.

 

that sounds nice! and i think i know what kind youre talking about too; those ones with the pilot second row seats? i like those guys alot, but truly, i think this summer i'm just gunna join some other folks,, but when i get back, i'm gunna look into the dodges,, are you talking about the ones with the second row pilot seats?

 

The second row seats were cool, but I took them out and put in a short bench seat that folds out. It gives me about a bunch of space in the back for hauling stuff.