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Windsurfing vehicle, Mini Van ,SUV,Honda Element or box van
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7176



Joined: 23 Apr 1987
Posts: 122

PostPosted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 6:54 pm    Post subject: G caravan vs Ody Reply with quote

I have owned the Grand Caravan and now own the Odyssey. The Grand Caravan provided a smooth comfortable ride. Copious space. The front end related repairs were endless. I maintain my vehicles religiously. I owned the vehicle from 60 k to 130. I was advised that I was heading for transmission replacement at 150k.
I traded it in for an 08 Ody with 39 k on it. It has Stiffer suspension which translates into better handling. Transmission does more "hunting" than I would like.
More length than the GC. I have stored inside 6 sails booms, rig components,a 9"11 sup, ten foot surf board and a 8'6" short board. I have put 40k on it without any repairs. I am planning to replace the timing belt at 100 k.
I've yet to meet an unhappy Ody owner. The new models have had issues with the doors.
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dllee



Joined: 03 Jul 2009
Posts: 5328
Location: East Bay

PostPosted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 6:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've just been put into the unfortunate position of having to transport 2 Formula boards, one slalom, one freeride, and one high wind board in my van pretty much full time. All the while carrying the requisite 10 sails, 5 booms, and up to 8 masts.
Hoping my f-150 longbed van makes it thru another summer....
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isobars



Joined: 12 Dec 1999
Posts: 20935

PostPosted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 7:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

zirtaeb wrote:
I've just been put into the unfortunate position of having to transport ....

But those boards come with benefits, I'm guessing. Rolling Eyes
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isobars



Joined: 12 Dec 1999
Posts: 20935

PostPosted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 7:08 pm    Post subject: Re: G caravan vs Ody Reply with quote

7176 wrote:
Transmission does more "hunting" than I would like.

I wonder if that's a correctable/adjustable problem? Our '06 almost never hunts (i.e., frequent up'n'down shifting). It will occasionally downshift when pushed up mountain grades, but the emphasis is on "occasional", which is not a problem.
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U2U2U2



Joined: 06 Jul 2001
Posts: 5467
Location: Shipsterns Bluff, Tasmania. Colorado

PostPosted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 7:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

change the following and you should be fine:

wiper blades, transmission fluid, rear fluid, brake fluid, headlight bulbs, coolant, spark plugs

oil at least once this century.

or trade in in on a Dodge

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4Boards....May the fours be with you

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isobars



Joined: 12 Dec 1999
Posts: 20935

PostPosted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 8:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I base my vehicle purchase decisions in part on large scale reliability statistics. Thus I won't go near German vehicles or Chrysler products.
YMMV.
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whitevan01



Joined: 29 Jun 2007
Posts: 607

PostPosted: Sat Jan 19, 2013 10:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Chryslers are awesome. That's all I own. I've had my 1989 Shelby CSX for 24 years now, turbo engine and everything, very few problems. My 1999 Ram Van is a great windsurf vehicle. No problems.

anyway, the best windsurf vehicle is a box van, IMO.
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U2U2U2



Joined: 06 Jul 2001
Posts: 5467
Location: Shipsterns Bluff, Tasmania. Colorado

PostPosted: Sat Jan 19, 2013 10:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

there will never be a correct answer for the best vehicle

the individual requirements are far too varied

is someone sailed local and under only certain wind conditions, most small cars would be suitable.

OTOH if you drive long distance and the condition vary from 8.5 to 3.5
obvious you need more gear and IMO a more road comfortable vehicle

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4Boards....May the fours be with you

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critter



Joined: 14 Jun 2001
Posts: 79

PostPosted: Sat Jan 19, 2013 11:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I agree there isn't the "perfect" vehicle. There's only better choices than others based on your own needs and preferences. I can share my experience after owning two Honda Elements. For starters they hold nearly as much as any mini van and more than a typical SUV.

It's deceptively spacious due to it's very tall interior. I'm 5'6 and I can walk around inside the back while crouched over. Unlike an SUV, the floor is flat like a van from from to back. If I'm riding solo, instead of putting boards on the racks, I remove the rear seats (it's simple and easy) and fold down the passenger seat to 180 deg. and stack up to four short boards inside. Even with four boards I still have visibility out the passenger side window. The sails and masts fit down the middle and become and armrest. There's ample room behind the driver's seat for everything else including my mountain bike. It's amazing.

Now that I kite most of the time (4 kites / 3 boards) I just leave everything in the car permanently. I still have ample space for my cleaning service equipment.

And there's that Honda reliability thing. My 2003 Element had 185k on it and just brakes, tires, oil, and a few relatively small typical Element issues - starter replacement, rear struts and sway bar bushings and that's it. Being that they were no longer making the Element (bummer) I sold that one and bought an 08 and loving it. They are more than a few Honda E owners that get over 300k miles without incident and some with 500k on the original drivetrain. There's something to be said for having both utility and exceptional reliability = long term value. I get between 23-28 mph mostly highway and I'm not easy on the gas pedal averaging 70-80 mph.
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bred2shred



Joined: 02 May 2000
Posts: 989
Location: Jersey Shore

PostPosted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 12:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I also use an Element and I will say it has worked out quite well as a windsurfing vehicle for me for the past four years. I stack up to three boards on the passenger side with the rear seats removed and front passenger seat flat. Sails go behind the passenger seat on the floor with the larger sails (up to 8 meter) between the seats. Masts up to 460 can also fit between the seats. My 490 mast can also fit inside but not as neatly. There's plenty of room for booms, gear, and tools. There's also enough room inside to get changed in the back while the boards are in the car (it is a little snug though, I'm 6'-3").

For solo windsurfing, the E seems to work great. If you're traveling with someone else, you lose a lot of the functionality because you have to put boards up on the roof rack. Not the end of the world, just not as convenient as throwing them in the car.

I also have an '08 (AWD) but my gas mileage seems to be more in the 20-24MPG range which is a little disappointing for a four cylinder. All in all, a good choice for someone who mostly solos on mid to small size gear and doesn't want to drive a van.

sm
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