New Dive Van

[cudachaser]

Need some opinions...gonna trade my Chevy Venture in on something new....It's been a great workhorse...but tires are getting worn and it's way out of warranty...

I'm considering either a Chevy Uplander or Honda Odyssey. I need a van since with the classes I'm carrying a lot stuff, need to lock everything up and carry passengers.

Mileage seems to be about the same between the Honda and Chevy...Honda is more pricey...but mechanical track record much better

Please help!!!! Want to trade before the end of the month. I've also heard tax incentives are coming out...but I don't know whether they apply to both foreign and domestic purchases

Thanks

 

[Garrobo]

This is probably an unpopular comment but the patriotic thing to do right now is to buy American.My two cents worth.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Even though I thanked him the Honda has alot of room. There used to be a compartment in the rear that looked like it could fit two bodies.. I mean 4 or 5 tanks under a cover and the floor would still be flat. Sorry- the Sicilian in me came out. Anyway does it still have it? I looked at an older one and found out they had some I'm stupid issues. First repair was an o-ring- 600 bucks. If that went, next was a new I'm stupid- 4K plus! I got an Aztec and how have an Envoy. Room enough for 4 sets of doubles, stages,and 4 dive bags. If you fold the back seats down then there's even more cargo room but somebody's got to ride on the roof.

 

[abyss_scuba]

took out the back seats made a bench in the back large enough for a air mattress. Theres enough room underneath for all my personal gear when I'm diving for myself. Enough room behind the two front seat to carry a class load of gear. With the gear unloaded it gives me a place to relax between dive, has a tv to review dive footage if I shoot video. Sometime I will set up a canopy behind it with tarps on three sides for shelter for students. And it has a tow hitch for a trailer. Gas mileage is about 15 mpg loaded(ouch) but it has given me years of service. Conversion top gives me enough room to almost stand up, I'm 6'1", so I can get into my dry suit, but it does tend to leak if cracked and parking in a garage is a big no no. When this one eventually has to be retired I'll get another full sized van minus to conversion top.

Good luck on your search

 

[mkutyna]

Buy a truck with a crew cab and get a locking topper installed in the bed. Otherwise you may find yourself airing the inside of your vehicle out for a few days after a dive trip due to the water in the back.

As for buy American, make sure it is actually made in the USA instead of just designed in the US (that may be subcontracted to India soon) and built in Mexico or somewhere else.

 

[emoreira]

This is probably an unpopular comment but the patriotic thing to do right now is to buy American.My two cents worth.

Just a comment, this forum is used by the whole world (or at least the part of the world that has access to Internet).
I don't care if you think that this forum is used only by people living in the USA, or that the USA is all in the world.
Besides, I also live in America, in South America. I'm also an American, but my home is in South America, in Argentina, and Yes, I do agree, buy something done in your country. In my case done in Argentina.

 

[JimmyEis]

Just a comment, this forum is used by the whole world (or at least the part of the world that has access to Internet).
I don't care if you think that this forum is used only by people living in the USA, or that the USA is all in the world.
Besides, I also live in America, in South America. I'm also an American, but my home is in South America, in Argentina, and Yes, I do agree, buy something done in your country. In my case done in Argentina.

I think your an Argentinan

We call ourselves American not because we live in north america but because our Country is called United States of America.

However I do think us american's often think we are the only ones in the world

 

[emoreira]

I think your an Argentinan

We call ourselves American not because we live in north america but because our Country is called United States of America.

However I do think us american's often think we are the only ones in the world

I know all the facts.
United States of America, that's the name of your magnificent country which I have the pleasure to have visited. However, in America there are lots of other countries that are not part of the Union. Even in North America there are two other countries Canada and Mexico which are not part of the Union, so, even United States of North America is not still the reality. I hope (I think that not even the grandchildren of my grandchildren will see this) all countries are a single one and there is freedom to travel, live and work and the same conditions and opportunities for everyone.
I remember an old TV Show about an alien civilization who's world disappeared. They started an intergalactic journey to a distant planet called "Earth". When they arrived and found out the political organization they asked "how do you ensure the common wealth for all the inhabitants ?" This silly question has still no answer.
We, the argentinian, are not a good example. We have fight against Great Britain for the Malvinas Islands (what a madness !), we usually have problems with all our neighbors.