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PCH, Maximum Minivan Edition: Toyota 4x4 Or Turbo Caravan?

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MushyHeirloom
11/12/08

In reply to PCH, Maximum Minivan Edition: Toyota 4x4 Or Turbo Caravan?
I'd love that Caravan. It'd probably be easier to make nice, too. Not that you'd want a nice Toyota van.

Now, I voted for the Toyota, for one reason and one reason only: the damn thing's in Michigan, and the guy says it's rusty. That's an old picture of it, for Christ's sake, and half the rear quarter's oxidized already. When a Michigander says something is "rusty", he means that it won't pass any sort of safety inspection.

So, Toyota, because you'll have to repair everything below the beltline, and then the frame will snap in half when you hit a frost heave.
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MushyHeirloom
11/12/08

@FuzzyPlushroom: Though the temptation's certainly there to find a nice Rampage and stick the Caravan's engine/trans into it.
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SundaySunday
11/12/08

In reply to PCH, Maximum Minivan Edition: Toyota 4x4 Or Turbo Caravan?
Chrysler liked to shoehorn that 2.2 in the tightest space possible. Even on my Charger, you had to remove parts just to access other parts. Perhaps, this is why the owner was taking apart the engine. He may have dropped his screwdriver down there somewhere.
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something_unique_and_descriptive
11/12/08

In reply to PCH, Maximum Minivan Edition: Toyota 4x4 Or Turbo Caravan?
The Caravan does nothing for me... sure it's a turbo, but the engines out so who cares, might as well save the money and just buy a normal Caravan with a toasted engine (actually you could probably find someone willing to give you one if you've got a trailer) and put some nutjob firebreather in there.

I went with the Toyota, mid-engine(ish), four wheel drive, and you can get Euro badges and have a "Space Cruiser".
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Plecostomus [Tyrrell]
11/12/08

In reply to PCH, Maximum Minivan Edition: Toyota 4x4 Or Turbo Caravan?
Try "Could be the headgasket" ;)

Toyota, due to sheer difficulty of working on that engine
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w1ngnut
11/12/08

In reply to PCH, Maximum Minivan Edition: Toyota 4x4 Or Turbo Caravan?
While neither are really exciting, as a child I was (un)fortunate enough to ride in both, and I think the Toyota isn't worth the effort. It's almost as though they set out to design the least-stable chassis in existence. Highway speed in one of these, if memory serves me right, was noisy and terrifying.

Just on availability of parts alone, I'd say the Caravan is less of a hell, despite its turbo. Plus, I would always have a lingering fear of rolling over in that Toyota.
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Paul Y. don't drive too fast.
11/12/08

In reply to PCH, Maximum Minivan Edition: Toyota 4x4 Or Turbo Caravan?
The Toyota is probably vastly more hellish, at least by Toyota standards. The Caravan is, ultimately, a K-car, which isn't a bad thing if you have to piece one together, but where's the fun in that?

As an aside, what 80s Toyota isn't rusty?

Here's the tailgate of the 89 4Runner I had:

Everyone I knew who wasn't from western NY was astonished at how rusty that truck was (and that I drove it and loved it-- it smelled bad, too). I loved it dearly until a head gasket failure killed it.
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Paul Y. don't drive too fast.
11/12/08

@Paul Y. can't think of a better, shorter handle: Hey, when did I get a star? I haven't been COTD since before stars were invented/
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smalleyxb122
11/12/08

@Paul Y. can't think of a better, shorter handle: Welcome to the club. There are some hazing rituals that you'll have to endure, but we can address those at a later time.
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MushyHeirloom
11/12/08

@Paul Y. can't think of a better, shorter handle: I call bullshit on that photo. The rear bumper's not rusted nearly in half, you see, and an intact 4Runner rear bumper is like a unicorn north of the Mason-Dixon line.
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asaturn
11/12/08

In reply to PCH, Maximum Minivan Edition: Toyota 4x4 Or Turbo Caravan?
I knew a guy who put a turbo'd celica engine (6 cyl) into a toyota van with a 5 speed and 4WD.
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Six Flags Over Tomsk
11/12/08

@asaturn: If it's a six, wouldn't that be a Supra?
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LTDScott
11/12/08

In reply to PCH, Maximum Minivan Edition: Toyota 4x4 Or Turbo Caravan?
Having owned two GLH turbos, I can attest that 2.2L turbo sleepers are great fun. Add the utility of a minivan and I'm there. Mopar or no car!
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smalleyxb122
11/12/08

In reply to PCH, Maximum Minivan Edition: Toyota 4x4 Or Turbo Caravan?
The Caravan shows $300 now...

That Toyota is so close to me....

And it's only $700

Shit. I hope I can hold myself back until someone else buys it. I really don't need it. It's not even something that I knew I wanted until just now.
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SwapMeat
11/12/08

@smalleyxb122: The Jalops will do that to you. At least it's a $700 Toyota Van and your not trolling around Citroen DS Forums wondering which monetary black-hole will strip you of your friends/fiance/weekends/life... Jalopnik should come with a disclaimer.
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smalleyxb122
11/12/08

@SwapMeat: Sure it's a Toyota van, but knowing me, I'd be trying to figure out how to drop a Jag V12 into it.
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something_unique_and_descriptive
11/12/08

@SwapMeat: Yeah, don't get me started on the events they've got me wanting to participate in... LeMons, 2904, Woodward Dream Cruise...
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TheTooth
11/12/08

@something_unique_and_descripti...: With the same car?
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smalleyxb122
11/12/08

@TheTooth: That would rule! New goal: A Woodward Dream Cruise worthy, 2904 mile reliable, $500 beater.

Dammit. I don't think I'd trust my Jag for 2904 miles. I'm always a bit happy when I make it home after my 32 mile round trip to work. But with a quick wash and wax, it wouldn't be the shittiest car at the Dream Cruise, and it was bought for a LeMons friendly $500.
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dohcspit
11/12/08

In reply to PCH, Maximum Minivan Edition: Toyota 4x4 Or Turbo Caravan?
Caravan turbo... LEMONS
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Six Flags Over Tomsk
11/12/08

@dohcspit: Definitely! And name the team "PTA: Pentastar Turbo Awesomeness."
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