What do you guys think is the coolest import van? The early short-wheelbase Toyotas? The space-age Previa? The Nissan Quest? None of the above?  

how bout the Ford Transit! thats my vote!  

Okay, I guess that counts! :-) Kinda similar to the Sprinter. Do you think they should replace the Econoline/Club Wagon with the Transit, or should they sell both over here?  

The difference with the ford is that the smallest one will actually fit into an undergound parkade. That would be great for my company since we need our materials dry and we are working in more condos and townhouses with underground parking. Given that the Transit gets better milage and has higher payloads I say nuke the old Econoline vans. North America is the only place in the world where you cannot get this van! By the way, I was told in an email from Ford that they have no intention of bringing in this van, no wonder they are having problems making money with that kind of thinking!  

I would have to say the old style VW's.  I can honestly say I will prolly never own a mini-van.

Ihatemypickup - you seem to have the same attitude as Ford. You bash them because they won't bring the van you seek here, but you say nuke the Econoline. Why not have both?  

I would have to say, on name alone I would go with the Renault Kangoo Trekka. HA! I drive a "Kangoo!" Anyway, it has Four Wheel drive, retractable canvas roof, and airline overhead storage like lockers in the ceiling. I hope those storage lockers don't open easily. I would hate to be knocked unconscious by my gear after driving over a pothole. You know how the French build cars...I am sure that happens.

 

The VW 21 windows are the best and always will be. The junk that import manufacturers call vans today are nothing but station wagons.  

I guess I am frustrated that the vehicle, actually the entire class of vehicle, is not available here. All the minivans on the N.Am. market are oversize stationwagons not suitable (long term) to commercial use but with better gas milage than large domestic vans. The Ford Transit is actually a range of vehicles, just like the Mercedes (Dodge) Sprinter, just that it has a version smaller than the Sprinter.

I have a 1994 E350 cube van and have owned/driven E150's, E250's Regular and Stretch(did my driver's test in that one) and another 1984 E350. I have never owned a car, always trucks. The problem is that I don't need to drive, park, insure, fuel another BIG truck for smaller deliveries and estimating (I drive 100-125 km / day mostly on crowded city streets).

By the way the old VW vans had tons of character (I had a 1971 - 1600 dual port) great fun but I got tired of fixing transaxles.  

Great points, I guess nobody really ever marketed a mini-work-van here, Cept the Astro/Safari (which they don't make any more)and the early Aerostar. Maybe it would be a chance for one of the BIG three to open a new vehicle market????

Most of the mini vans were built to haul people, kids and soccer balls  

There were a few made into cargo vans, but still not as work savy as needed by most.  

Kangoo...That sounds like that line of children's hand soap and toilet wipes! Wait...that's Kandoo. Eh, same difference.