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End of an era.....
This post is a tribute to the two Nissan Vans we enjoyed for 2 decades.
In the summer of 1995 I bought a 1993 Nissan Quest Mini Van. Luved the way it drove and the utility value. It was 2 1/2 years old and had 58,000klm's on it. It was the GXE model so it came with the heavy duty tow pkg. Soon after that I bought a large Coleman Rio Grande pop up.
Over the next few years the van towed the Coleman on many weekend outings, a trip to the West Coast, a trip to the East Coast, down to Murtle Beach and the following year a trip to Virginia Beach.
Then we wanted to up size to a travel trailer. Looked at many small glass eggs and then looked at a number of Bigfoots. We then got a recommendation to check out Airstreams. After test towing a 34' Airstream we were hooked and bought our 23' about a year later.
By now the Quest had 290,000klm's on it and we were starting out towing the 23. It actually towed it fine even with just a 150HP/180TQ V6 engine. It could easily cruise all day on the highway at 100kph.
We towed with that rig for many trips. In 2009 it had reached 465,000klm's and was broad sided by a careless driver and written off. It still had the original engine, tranny, and drive train. The CV joints and boots were original. Considering all the use and towing it was an exceptional vehicle.
About 2007 the BH was involved in an accident and her Saturn was written off. We then found a good used 1997 Nissan Quest with 165,000klm to replace it. It was in great shape and we used that as a utility vehicle until now. It was never used as a TV but was used to transport my Lawn tractor, lawn mowers, drywall, and many trips to the dump. To date it has 286,000klm's on it and runs fine but needs work so we decided to replace it. Tomorrow this Quest will be dropped off at the local Scrap yard. Between the two Quest we had them in our driveway for 20 years. I really liked these vans and will miss them.
The replacement vehicle will be picked up tomorrow. A 2004 Toyota Sienna LE with 220,000klms on it. It looks and drives like a new car and I think it too will serve us well.
PS... Our 2003 Infiniti G35 (tow vehicle) was purchased in 2005 and I am still driving it today with 235,000klm's. It drives like the day I bought it.
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