VPG MV-1 opinions

[MSspouse]

Originally Posted by Automotive Innovations

... able to get parts for the next 10+ years.

That mundane Ford driveline will be supported long after the Honda and Chrysler minivans are in the junkyard. There is no better supported powertrain than those in full-sized domestic pickups. Much of the interior electronics look to be standard Delphi. Other than body and trim panels, I doubt any of it is unique to MV1. If I need that stuff I'd rather the insurance company total it anyway.

Originally Posted by Automotive Innovations

...I doubt the MV1 is going to last 2-3 times longer than a quality lowered floor mini van. I'd be impressed if it held together as long never mind 2-3 times.

MA is hardly Michigan. Around here you can find vehicles with door handles missing because the sheet metal around them is completely rusted away. Most of the older cut floor vans I see look OK but are seriously rusted around all the weld points. The "E-coat" VMI touts is junk. Draw-Tite and the others claim that's what they put on their trailer hitches and it's rusty after one winter. It's no substitute for the galvanized metal and coatings the manufacturers use.

Originally Posted by Automotive Innovations

... I've had many clients get more than 10 years...

At $50K I 'd need much more than 10 years. Twenty years would be my minimum expectation. I can't afford to lose $400/month on depreciation, not to mention interest, insurance, regisration, etc. MS never comes with insurance settlements.

Mind you I've only owned and maintained 40 plus cars in probably the rustiest state in the union over the last 35 years. I'm the nerd type you see looking under all the cars at shows. I actually own 2 vehicle lifts. From what I saw, MV1 under body and frame build quality appear comparable to my Mercedes ML. It turned me from just curious to wanting to check one out closer. The LX trim even takes away some of the ugly.

[Automotive Innovations]

Originally Posted by MSspouse

That mundane Ford driveline will be supported long after the Honda and Chrysler minivans are in the junkyard. There is no better supported powertrain than those in full-sized domestic pickups. Much of the interior electronics look to be standard Delphi. Other than body and trim panels, I doubt any of it is unique to MV1. If I need that stuff I'd rather the insurance company total it anyway.


MA is hardly Michigan. Around here you can find vehicles with door handles missing because the sheet metal around them is completely rusted away. Most of the older cut floor vans I see look OK but are seriously rusted around all the weld points. The "E-coat" VMI touts is junk. Draw-Tite and the others claim that's what they put on their trailer hitches and it's rusty after one winter. It's no substitute for the galvanized metal and coatings the manufacturers use.


At $50K I 'd need much more than 10 years. Twenty years would be my minimum expectation. I can't afford to lose $400/month on depreciation, not to mention interest, insurance, regisration, etc. MS never comes with insurance settlements.

Mind you I've only owned and maintained 40 plus cars in probably the rustiest state in the union over the last 35 years. I'm the nerd type you see looking under all the cars at shows. I actually own 2 vehicle lifts. From what I saw, MV1 under body and frame build quality appear comparable to my Mercedes ML. It turned me from just curious to wanting to check one out closer. The LX trim even takes away some of the ugly.

Sounds like your sold on the mv1 keep us a apprised as to how it holds up.

With really good maintenance and a good supply of parts it may last 10+ years.

Its good to hear you have 2 lifts, it will make it a lot easier to keep up with the rust.

Here in the northeast we know what it takes to make a van last.

You can't get what we offer anywhere else.

No one else does or offers what we do to make the vans last, all they care about it the next deal.

"The "E-coat" VMI touts is junk"
Now this shows me you have no idea what your talking about! What i tell people is honestly i don't know how well it's going to hold up, but it should be better than what anyone else has used in the past.

What i do know is what it's going to take to maintain and keep a van on the road for the next 10+ years in New England. I've done this over and over for the past 25+ years

What i do know is VMI has some of the brightest most experienced people in the industry and will listen to anyones input toward making there vans better (a philosophy i've lived by for more than 25 years) Every day there striving toward making there vans better.

It all comes down to your needs. If you want the nicest riding, most luxurious and safest van available imho: it's a VMI Northstar conversion.


btw:According to google your not in the rustiest state

[MSspouse]

Originally Posted by Automotive Innovations

Sounds like your sold on the mv1 keep us a apprised as to how it holds up...

I'm not buying (or more importantly selling!) anything. Doesn't mean I would pass up any opportunity to learn more about the MV1.

The OP wanted opinions on the MV1. He lives in a state which, last I knew, has very strict inspections including underbody rust. I assume he's also progressive MS (working towards full-time wheelchair ..) so transfer to the driver seat for a year or two may not be a problem.

[Paladin]

That would be correct. I can get around the outside of the vehicle stand and using it as a guide. Would need to see if I could get myself in the drivers seat. Modificvation could come later when required.

Called the local hddicapped van dealer and asked them if they could or would modify the MV-1 to kneel, power operate the door and provide control switches inside. Perhaps a key fob. The rank and file said I would need to talk to the owner. Called him he has not called back.

Called MV-1 Pittsbuirg and the sales rep thought such things were in the works. Called the dealer in NJ and when he sented there was no sale without mods he quickley ended the conversation.

I dont know how the Van industry works. Do the retailers do there own Modifications? Do the dealers use regional shops for the modification. Where is there a shop that I can ask spicifically, can these modifications be done how muck $. Or is there a vested interest to not support such an idea because it would not suport thier bussines and would be in direct compitition.

[Automotive Innovations]

Originally Posted by Paladin

That would be correct. I can get around the outside of the vehicle stand and using it as a guide. Would need to see if I could get myself in the drivers seat. Modificvation could come later when required.

Called the local hddicapped van dealer and asked them if they could or would modify the MV-1 to kneel, power operate the door and provide control switches inside. Perhaps a key fob. The rank and file said I would need to talk to the owner. Called him he has not called back.

Called MV-1 Pittsbuirg and the sales rep thought such things were in the works. Called the dealer in NJ and when he sented there was no sale without mods he quickley ended the conversation.

I dont know how the Van industry works. Do the retailers do there own Modifications? Do the dealers use regional shops for the modification. Where is there a shop that I can ask spicifically, can these modifications be done how muck $. Or is there a vested interest to not support such an idea because it would not suport thier bussines and would be in direct compitition.

Why would you want to buy a mv-1 and try to have it converted in to something it isn't?

As to could it be done, more than likely if you could find a good fabricator and didn't mind spending a small fortune on it.

Why wouldn't you just buy a quality lowered floor mini van?

[Paladin]

Originally Posted by Automotive Innovations

Why would you want to buy a mv-1 and try to have it converted in to something it isn't?

As to could it be done, more than likely if you could find a good fabricator and didn't mind spending a small fortune on it.

Why wouldn't you just buy a quality lowered floor mini van?

Maybe I'm off on a tangent here in a effort to find lower pricing and a chance to grow into the cash outlay.

The local van rep called me and said he didnt like the MV-1 for several reasons. No passanger air bag, ramp works on cables, to get the MV-1 to do what is supposed to do for an independant wheel on the cash outlay for a van or the MV-1 would be similar. No support for an internet sale. The local van man offers 24-7 emergancy service to a client.

[MSspouse]

Might want to wait a year or two for this:
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/08/h...ling-e-series/
Hopefully this will be the game changer we need to break the $50K price hurdle. I don't buy all the negativity on the MV1 from the converters. Ther're just trying to protect their turf. But I do think it's overpriced.
If Ford can bring us a standard van with see out the windows height from a power chair at $30K I'll be all over it. Add a used lift for $500 - $1000, tie downs and your done. Another consideration is it wouldn't have to be insured as a modified vehicle. That could save thousands over the life of the vehicle.

[shakey56]

I gave up on the MV-1 over a year ago when it became clear to me that they were not interested in accommodating dis drivers. They lead me along for a couple of years saying they intended to offer that option. Well, they can kiss my crippled ass!

[shakey56]

The transit looks good for wc passengers, but I haven't been able to find any mods for drivers.

[MSspouse]

Originally Posted by shakey56

The transit looks good for wc passengers, but I haven't been able to find any mods for drivers.

It's not even sold here yet. Why would you expect to find mods?