[AT] OT vehicle question?

[Steve W.]

The Astros are a nice vehicle, especially the all wheel drives. GM has
just stopped making them though so the ones out there in good shape will
probably command more money. Being based on the S series pickups they
share a lot of the same parts, and a couple of the same faults. They
have a tendency to leak coolant at the corners of the manifold (Fel-Pro
has a better gasket out for them now though) and the EGR vales get
carbon in them and stick open. That is cured by replacing the gasket on
it with one from Kleen-Screen.

On the Dodge Grand Caravans They are also not a bad vehicle. Just make
sure you get one that is 2000 or newer and that has the 3.3 in it. The
only problem with them was the transaxle if it didn't get serviced
properly. If one your looking at has over 50K on it ask if the transaxle
has been replaced. If not check the service records REAL close. If it
has been serviced using the Chrysler specific fluid and filter it is
probably OK. If you see receipts from Jiffy Lube or a similar place stay
clear, they tend to use Dexron With an additive that works but eats the
seals. They will get 20mpg easy with a LOAD in them (I averaged 22 even
in winter with lot's of idling). The company I worked for used Caravans
as our work vans and we regularly had 1/2 ton of crap in them for the
lottery machines. The Grand is the same vehicle just stretched for more
room. They do ride nice and the visibility is great. Plus they handle
good and are VERY easy to maneuver. Servicing isn't to bad except you
need to go underneath to change the rear plugs.

I would probably look for a used fleet vehicle to avoid some of the
headaches with past service history.


Steve Williams

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Indiana Robinson" <robinson at svs.net>
To: <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Friday, April 07, 2006 3:12 PM
Subject: [AT] OT vehicle question?


> Well, I do look at old tractors out of the windows.  Might even haul a
> garden tractor or transport Diana to Portland...  :-)
> Diana and I have been spending a lot of time out on the road this year
> for combined business and pleasure. We have been driving my old
Lincoln
> since hers has a running problem (#$%& sensors and crap) that I have
not
> been able to track down and don't have a lot of time to spend on it.
> Somebody else will get that job, I have too much else to do that is
more
> fun to work on. My old Lincoln doesn't win gas milage prizes often.
> We are looking at low priced wear-out mini vans to buy one of to run
on
> the road until they drop and then replace it with another. The WUV is
just
> too big and getting pretty tired (lots of rust) too. One big criteria
is
> fuel milage (surprise) and room for the hauling I am doing. Some
sections
> of pipe about 5 1/2' long rules out many small SUV type vehicles and
> sometimes I am hauling these units two at a time. Only about 200 to
250
> pounds each but a little bulky. A little riding comfort doesn't hurt
> either. My own personal preference is the GM Astro or Safari but they
seem
>  to  stay up in price around here. At the moment we have a chance to
buy
> either a Chevy Lumina or a Ford Aerostar for about $750. We have also
seen
> some Dodge mini vans priced low.
> I'm looking to pick some brains that have experience with these mini
> vans. I know next to nothing about the Chevy Lumina except that if I
buy
> one Diana will insist on corner post sticking up so she can see where
the
> front corners are.   :-)
>
>
>
> --
> "farmer"
>
> I try to take one day at a time but sometimes several days attack
> me at once.   :-)
>
>
> Francis Robinson
> Central Indiana, USA
> robinson at svs.net
>
>
>
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> Remembering Our Friend Cecil Monson 11-4-2005
> http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
>