Good morning! Today we’re getting ready to hit the open road in a pair of old vans. Not a pair of old Vans, mind you, though those are probably just about as comfortable and smell about the same. No, these vans you can sleep in, even if you can’t get too far off the beaten path – they’re both 2WD.
Yesterday we looked at a couple of coupes with stripes added. Many of you were happy to see a first-generation Honda Accord in such nice shape, but its potential carburetor trouble and archaic automatic transmission were too much. The fun-to-drive Mazda MX-6 absolutely wiped the floor with it.
I’m with you. The Honda’s carburetor woes could probably be solved with a Weber DGV, but then you still have that ridiculous Hondamatic (only just barely) propelling it. If it had a five-speed manual, it might be worth the effort, but having to change carbs and swap transmissions is too much. Besides, I had such a good ownership experience with a Ford Probe that I’d happily give that MX-6 a home.
Inspiration for my car choices can come from a lot of places. Sometimes I go looking for a car that was featured in another post on the site, or something we were talking about in Slack or in a thread on Opposite Lock. Sometimes it’s a car I spotted on the road. But today, my inspiration comes from my own hobby workbench. I’m currently building an RC model of a Mitsubishi Delica Star Wagon van. I like the Japanese cab-over vans, and the idea of using one as a road trip machine has its appeal. But I can’t afford the prices most importers charge for a good Delica, so in true shitbox spirit, I went looking for cheaper alternatives. Here’s what I found.
1987 Toyota Van – $5,000
Engine/drivetrain: 2.2-liter OHC inline 4, four-speed automatic, RWD
Location: Everett, WA
Odometer reading: 194,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
Toyota was the first Japanese company to bring over its cab-over van, though the style had been popular in Japan for years. In Japan, this van was called the Town Ace, but to go along with its generically-named “Pickup,” Toyota simply called it the “Van” in the US. It had another nickname when I worked at a service station in the ’90s: we called it the “Toaster.” These vans were sort of cult classics back then, with a few fiercely loyal owners, but they’re having a bit of a renaissance with the whole van-life thing. This van started out as a cargo model, but it has been converted to a camper van.
Just in case you’ve ever wondered how you “pop the hood” on one of these vans, here’s a good photo. The engine is in a hump between the seats, and an access cover under the driver’s seat gets you to the most common service items. For more major work, you get to it from underneath. The engine is a 2.2-liter four, driving the rear axle through a four-speed automatic. The seller says the engine has been overhauled, and it runs great. It also has new brakes, tires, and exhaust, so it should be ready to hit the road.
There’s a lot of custom work inside; if it started out as a cargo van, there wouldn’t have been much of anything behind the front seats originally. Now it has a wooden bed platform with pull-out drawers that contain a camp stove and a sink. It’s a pretty nice homemade conversion, actually. It’s nothing fancy, but it works.
This van was originally white, but now it wears what I’m guessing is green and black bedliner. The tree outlines are a nice touch. It has a canopy on the roof for some shade at the campground, and an auxiliary light bar across the front to find your way down dark country roads.
1993 Volkswagen EuroVan MV – $2,500
Engine/drivetrain: 2.5-liter OHC inline 5, four-speed automatic, FWD
Location: Salkum, WA
Odometer reading: 188,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives, but needs a jump start
Long before the Japanese vans, before the Chrysler minivans, even before the “Scooby-Doo” vans from the Big Three, there was the VW Transporter. Volkswagen started the whole van-life thing, really. For forty years, all the way through the Vanagon era, VW vans had the engine way in the back and the driver’s controls way in the front, leaving a big open area in the middle for a bed and camping stuff. But in 1992, Volkswagen came out with a whole new kind of Transporter, with its engine in the front like everyone else’s vans, called the EuroVan. The camper tradition continued: this EuroVan MV model features a rear bench that converts into a bed, and a folding table. You can’t live in it, but you can probably take it to a KOA or something.
Unlike the four-cylinder boxer engine in the Transporter and Vanagon, the EuroVan’s engine is an inline five, mounted transversely in the front and driving the front wheels. Like the Transporter and Vanagon, though, it’s just barely enough power. You won’t win any drag races in any Volkswagen van. The transmission is a four-speed automatic, which probably doesn’t help. From the sounds of it, this van hasn’t been driven much recently. The seller says they drove it last week, but it needed a jump start. There’s a good chance it needs a new battery.
The seller says the interior has been professionally cleaned and detailed, which I assume accounts for the paper floor mats. It does look nice. It’s in good condition from what I can see, but I can’t tell you what’s under the front seat covers. The rear seats, carpets, and curtains (yes, it has curtains) all look nice. Oh, and the seller says the air conditioning works fine.
The paint is dull and faded, as if it has been parked outside its whole life, but I don’t see any rust or damage. Then again, it occurs to me that there are no photos of the passenger’s side. The aftermarket roof racks and basket are included, and could come in handy if you do take it camping.
You could drive either one of these as your primary, or even only, car, but it’s more likely you’d want one for weekend trips. Either one of these could do the trick, and at this age, reliability is probably a wash. So I guess it comes down to personal preference: do you prefer the homebuilt Toyota, or the factory weekender Volkswagen?
I have very fond memories from my wayward youth of tearing down the backroads of Kodiak Alaska blasting Metallica and Oingo Boingo and being generally obnoxious in my best friend’s Toyota Van. Strictly speaking it was probably his parent’s Toyota Van. He also occasionally tooled around in a Toyota Pickup. I do enjoy Toyota’s naming conventions in the 80s. Anyhow strong nostalgia has me voting for the Van.
Not really sure which is the better call, but even with the Toyota tax, I prefer that vehicle. The VW would either have me wanting a full size van or the Toyota. Good price, assuming the battery is all it needs.
Over here in Europe, close to the source of parts, the VW would be the sensible choice.
“Yoda! Y O D A Yoda!” This was pretty easy- the Van is way more reliable and fun. I’ve always thought these were goofy looking, but less now. They have grown on me some. The main thing is that I’ve heard those Eurovans are not very reliable. It is nice and everything besides that though, and it would be fun too. I still just much prefer the Yoda. I will have fun cruising in the Van and will make it my own custom camper.
“You can’t live in it”
But what if I want to live in it?! Ha ha (well, not the VW which is what you were referring to)
I want to live in a Toyota Van…
“DOWN BY THE RIVER!”
The Toyota has a rebuilt engine, so it should run strong for quite a while. VWs have a way of breaking down in strange ways at bad times, with expensive parts that have to be ordered from somewhere far away. The EuroVan looks more comfortable and sophisticated, but the Toyota is made for camping and adventures out in the boonies.
The VW would be fine for travelling in Europe, but not in the mountains and prairies of the US. In a pinch, you could find parts for the Toyota in almost any junkyard, but would have to search and search to find a single EuroVan parts car, since they sold so few of them here.
On the other hand, the VW is only 2500 bucks (plus another two hundred for a battery), but there are probably several other very good reasons for such a low price in 2026. My vote is for the Toyota, and maybe talk the seller down by a few hundred.
Yup, the Yota is way more my jam and even though it has the Toyota tax I would feel more comfortable as far as reliability especially w/ rebuilt engine + availability of parts as mentioned. It is really cool for camping/adventures. I’m not even a Toyota diehard at all; I did have an 87 Camry as my 1st car which ran like a top and was awesome. Ever since though, I’ve had a bunch of shitboxes but have actually leaned way more towards Honda. Have had 2 of the 3rd gen Accords w/ stick and pop-ups! They were amazing and fun. The only non-shitbox I’ve had is my current 9th gen Accord which is awesome. So way more of a Honda diehard vs. Toyota as far as daily drivers. As far as VW, long ago I had an 84 Jetta w/ stick and that was a blast. No VW’s since though and all their newer stuff is not as good. Anyway, that was way too long; thanks for listening to me ramble. The Autopian is the best site ever. Have a wonderful day!
The question here is how I’d prefer to be scared on the highway, then.
On one hand, crosswinds and crumple zones. On the other hand, the shoulder’s a dangerous place to be.
Eh, surely the VW could be made reliable-ish for a while with the difference between asking prices, right? As others have mentioned, too, I’d rather have its clean-looking factory interior.
The eurovan, can’t be worse than the 58 VW Van I had. Thing used to spit fanbelts at anything over a 50:1 grade and with a sapling pulling 36 hp you sauntered to your destination, praying for low headwinds.
Fun fact that COE engine cover is often referred to as a doghouse
Since neither is appealing, the cheaper option wins. The Toyota is the good kind of weird, but not something I desire. If I’m going weird, it better at least be fun to drive.
If the EuroVan were a VR6, it would be a no-brainer. Meaning, I suppose, that I vote for the Van – but since I like being married, I have to vote none of the above.
“But why would the Van get you divorced?” you’re asking. Well, the single worst “road trip from hell”/”family drama on four wheels” of my wife’s childhood took place in a similar vintage Van circa age 14, which included her, her little sister who was annoying, her two parents, and an adult neighbor friend and her creep of a son, also 14, who creeped on my teenage wife as a target of opportunity for three straight weeks, shut up in a van with her. It’s the one and only type of vehicle that triggers her, and the one and only automobile that I am strictly forbidden from ever, ever bringing home, for literally any reason.
Jeez… Is one worth more than the other as scrap?
My butt feels warm thinking about sitting on that Toyota engine on a long trip. The Toyota has the ‘cool factor’ on the outside, but the VW has more practicality. It’s hot outside, so I’m feeling practical today. More torque isn’t a bad thing, either.
at least it has the 2.5 5 cylinder. I believe they are easier to find parts for strangely enough. I guess I will risk the alternator being bad or the price of a costco battery.
I’ve never been a fan of the Toyovan and I usually favor factory build over homemade conversions, so Eurovan for the win. First thing I’d do is check that ATF, though.
Volkswagen fan reporting for duty. Gimme that EuroVan.
I drove the Toyota van a lot when I was 20ish… my boss had one and always had us use it for work stuff. It wasn’t perfect, but damn, it was so much better than the domestic work vans I drove before and since. I can’t speak to its long-term reliability personally, but it’s got to be light-years better than anything with a VW logo on the grill. I almost never see these around anymore (but then again, I almost never see VW vans of that vintage either)… at the JDM car show in Long Beach one of the vendors uses one and it’s had a cracked windshield for at least the last few years, so maybe it’s hard/impossible to get a replacement?
Still, I’d rather have the Toyota van vs. TWO of those VW ones (and this from a multiple-former-VW-owner). So, Toyota it is. 🙂
Even though the Toyota is arguably more likely to run, I can’t deal with ick, and it looks icky. I will take the VW at half price. Toyota tax is too damn high!
Driving those Toyota Vans is misery in a crosswind.
back in the 90s when my kids were young I bought a brown 87 Toyota LE 4WD Van to haul around the kids and use for road trips. I loved the cab forward driving position, it could go anywhere, and it was comfortable. I drove it for almost 20 years. It was dependable. When my kids grew up and were too embarrassed to be seen it I used it as work truck. Just for nostalgia sake I have to go with the Toyota.
Back in my musician touring days circa 2004 I considered a Eurovan. In 1995 my brother and I got stranded in rural Colorado because the small town didn’t have a battery for an ’87 Celica. Seriously! That experience scarred me into buying an Astro Van instead of the Euro Van. The Astro was a huge POS and while it was OK for a small touring band like ours, I was more than happy to be rid of it after a few years.
Almost succumed to the urge to allow the heart to want what the heart wanted. But I gotta go with the boring but, surely, MUCH safer and cheaper choice.
Also, my SiL’s ex-somethingorother managed to flip one of those Yoda mid-engined things out in Crap Crick Colorado back in the day, and I imagine that’s not hard to do.
But they are cool AF and it’d be fun to be seen in one.
I’d imagine most vans are easily flippable. Maybe not Jeep flippable but flippable just the same
But between these two, that Yoda is REALLY at the mercy of aerodynamics (a good cross wind is going to make my old Vespa Sprint on the highway seem the model of stability) and quite top heavy compared to the much more firmly planted VW.
I’ll take the Eurovan, but only barely. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen that Toyota on the road before, unless there is another one with that same paint job roaming around the PNW. But having sampled (but not owned) one of those Toyota vans, I’d prefer to try out the Eurovan for a lot less money.
I’d choose the EuroVan, but never forget that Click & Clack named it “the ultimate $2,000 car”—because you’ll pay $2,000 to buy it, and then another $2,000 every time you take it to your mechanic. Given that that was probably nearly 20 years ago, at least the purchase price inflation hasn’t been too bad…
If the Toyota were a TownAce, I’d have been all over it.
But it’s not.
So it’s EuroVan for me.
(Better put on the EuroVision channel for streaming…)