The biggest thing to look at is power to weight ratio and gearing. A modern mini van is heavy enough that a 4 cyl engine would be about maxed out with just the weight of the vehicle and passengers and would get poor mileage. To the best of my knowledge none of the current minivans get much more than about 25 MPG. A lot of the Chrysler mini's had tranny issues. In the last few years they seem to have gotten that fixed. Most of them have little of no cargo space when all the seats have got someone in them. My son had one that had about 6" of cargo space behind the rear seats. His new one has about 18".
If safety is a concern then steer clear of the minvan market. About 3 years ago none of them passed so they created a "new" set of test for them. Just like the "in the class" rating for cars. 5 Star in a little car is not the same as 5 Star in a full sized car.
Now I know that you are concerned about mileage and don't need 4X4 (few people really do) but I would not discount the bigger SUV's. We have a 98 Suburban with the Vortech 5.8. It gets about 20 at 55 and 18 at 70. Even with the 3rd seat the cargo area is about 4 feet deep. With the rear seat removed and the center folder up it will carry 4x8 sheets of plywood. Now I will admit that ours is having mechanical problems......at 260,000 miles. We are going to replace it in the next couple of months.
As far as the Trailblazer and like sized SUVs they really don't get much more in mileage than the full sized ones. It's really only 2-3 MPG at beat and some get less than that. We traded a 2000 Explorer on the Suburban. It got 21 at 55. 1 MPG better.
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - Sunday Drives - by Cowboy. Summer was finally upon us here in Northern Maine. We have two types of industry up here, one being "Forestry" (Wood Products) and the other "Farming" (Potatoes). There is no shortage of farm tractors and equipment around here! I have been restoring old Farm Tractors for the past 6 years, and have found it easier and less expensive to hit all the auctions and purchase whole tractors for parts needed. My wife who works at a local school, and only has weekends and summers off, while on t
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
1964 I-H 140 tractor with cultivators and sidedresser. Starts and runs good. Asking 2650. CALL RON AT 502-319-1952
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.