Daydreamin520

wheelchair access - Did you do the console removal yourself or was that part of the lift job work done? I am pretty sure I want to remove mine, but did want to keep that power plug usable somewhere. Glad to hear it can be done. Just wondering if a novice can do it... I would need detailed steps... or who/where I would take it to be done. Guess I can call Nissan in a.m. Again, thanks.

Thanks, Mc2guy. I think I am with you on passing for now. In Arizona, don't think I want to risk screwing up air flow to engine... lol. I'll just be like the UPS trucks... no left turns, try to only park where I pull in/drive out forward, keeping to speed limit or less. I swear this van reminds me of my Grampy (... born in 1897, he only ever drove a panel truck, selling fruits and veggies out of it in the summers - on the country roads in Maine - and Christmas wreaths made by my grandmother, in the winter. OH... and smuggled whiskey at the bottom of baskets of apples, comin' down from Canada, during prohibition!). Grampy would only ever drive max "FOR-tee-FIVE"... probably got pretty good gas mileage. And, since I remember watching the road wiz by thru' the hole in the floor, as I sat (unbelted, of course, back then) on my Nana's lap, Grampy obviously did not worry about drag effect of air going under the truck! lol.

Mc2guy - How would you do those mods... "...block air vents... add air dam..."? Please let us know if you ever find something that works. Thanks.

wollip and DennisV - thanks for the links and pix. Just got news my van left TX last night, Wednesday, 1/7 ... so... soon! Probably Saturday, but I may not get to dealership until Monday or Tuesday. My interior mods will be super basic and minimal at first. I was thinking I may get a bunch of cardboard boxes and do a pre-lim' "mock up" of where I want stuff... to get better idea of where things should be re space and function. My 11 y/o grandson is already excited about the idea of a TV and a bed! LOL. Also, one idea is going with a fold up to wall bench/bed (on driver's side) like I've seen in pix of "toy haulers." I'd add a pic but I freeze this message every time I try to figure out how to do that... oh, well.

I know CarMax said it could take up to 21 days to get my van from Forth Worth to Tucson... all about the scheduling... AND that it was holiday time... but I am going crazy waiting to see, touch, own this van! It probably does not help that I have the ad pix up as my screensaver! LoL.

Hi Keith', Sorry about that. I just naturally assumed people would know "an event" meant a time and a place for NV owners to get together. Since this is a forum for NV owners... When my daughter owned a '93 Honda Del Sol 2-seater, we found a forum/club of other owners, named "AZSOLS"... lol... and those owners, since they all lived in same state, would get together a few times a year. They'd do an annual weekend trip to Las Vegas (usually linked with a California Del Sol group), an annual day trip up Mount Lemmon in Tucson... very cool to see 10 to 20 colorful lil' Del Sols weaving their way up the windy road to the top of the mountain just to do lunch, an occasional get-together at a drive-In movie theater, and an annual meet at someone's house - usually midway between Tucson and Phoenix - to work on the cars and swap/trade/sell parts. I realize that, for many, their NV is their work vehicle and nothing else. But, I was just curious to see if the travelin' NV owners might have an interest in getting together, especially if we discover a small group is actually within a set geographical area that would make it do-able. I mean, if I could find 4 NV owners within 100 mile radius of my home, I'd be up for "doing lunch" at a state park or something... certainly if they have done any mod's to their vans. So, that is what type of "event" that I particularly meant. NV owners getting together, for whatever reasons, TBD...to be determined. Now... to answer my own questions... 1 - Tucson AZ 2 - Probably would attend 3 - Up to 300 miles for a first event... maybe 400. AKA a day's drive, comfortably. 4 - More likely a small gathering of owners, but might be up for Hot Air Balloons Festival in New Mexico or something similar. 5 - Short notice, 3 months, for small gathering. Longer, if it was linked to something bigger or further from home.

Was going to ask a couple of questions, but decided to try the Poll thing. If it does not show up or otherwise does not work, can't say I didn't try. It is only 5 questions and those who answer will see the results. Please, all that read this, take the poll. It is not a commitment to anything. Just trying to see if an event is remotely possible in the future. Many thanks! EDIT - Well, maybe it needs to get approved first. The 5 questions (with multiple choice answers) were: - Where are you located? - How likely would you be to attend an event? - How far would you travel for an event. - Would you prefer event to be linked with a larger event or just a small gathering of 2 to 12 members? - How much advance notice would you need to attend the event AND would you be willing to be part of a planning/organizing committee? ... I hope the POLL shows up somewhere soon and that folks will answer. If not, any comments here appreciated.

This was a really good thread to read all the way thru'! As a future 2500 V6 HiRoof owner, I was glued to each posters story of mpg lows and highs. Like a great TV series, I couldn't wait to see what was in the next "episode". Lol. In Tucson, with mostly stop and go street driving, I don't expect to have the best numbers but, since I do drive like a lil' old lady, I think it will be more than satisfactory for the weekend trips I have planned. Thanks all, for your invaluable input.

Thanks wollip, Just trying to round up the folks that dream of or do have lives on the road, part of the year anyways, versus the passenger or work van people. Appreciate the recommend of sprinter site. I have already been saving links and pix of possibilities!

rad' - I THINK I have always had a 4 cyl my whole life... car history: 77 corolla, 83 accord, 91 mazda 626, 97 Saturn station wagon (first time I knew I would never buy a sedan again! lol), 2001 rav4 (loved, but... after divorce...), 04 Element, 08 Element. So, aren't all those 4cyl?? I am used to great/good mpg and that is what made me think long and hard on this decision for the NV. I will NEVER tow anything and, even if it's only 1-2 miles difference, I just could not LEAP to a V8. I am the person you want to buy a used car from, 'cos I use them well but never abuse them. Every one of my cars was mechanically great when I sold it; I have been lucky... or smart... lol... in my choices. Let's hope that continues by choosing V6. van - thanks. I found the group while searching for pix of interiors and noticed one linked to this page. I am SO ready to get my van and just sit in it and smile like a fool! Pic to follow! lol.

Chris - Unfortunately, no legal business... lol. I sell to friends and others sporadically. Plus, NV is still in TX, not AZ, so not about to sign any paperwork before year end, I am guessing. Andy - I am sure I am going to love it. After having my heater in my house die on Xmas morning, no parts to fix it 'til Wednesday, and a big repair bill pending... van dwelling is lookin' more and more appealing to me about now! lol. rad' - I kinda figured service will be a challenge here in Tucson. Have not gotten any warm fuzzies from my dealings with Jim Click just in the time I have been looking for the NV. Thanks for the heads up, tho'. We should talk, after I get my vehicle... would like to see how yours is set up, with the pop-up.

Would appreciate any photos and/or descriptions of what other NV owners have done to their Cargo NV's to turn them into mini-RV's, aka "home on wheels". What's worked, what hasn't worked? Items, with brands and links, you think are must-haves? Thanks.

After researching, searching, waiting, debating, etc... since June 2014, I ordered an NV from CarMax on Saturday. It is on its way from Fort Worth TX to Tucson! First time buying a car this way. You have to pay a nonrefundable transfer fee to get it to your location... and there's no haggling in CarMaxLand... but they gave me a good trade-in offer for my 2008 Honda Element. I haven't signed any papers yet but I am 100% sure this will be the perfect next vehicle for me and my bank has already approved the loan. If Elements had not been discontinued in 2011, I would have just got another one of them. I had a 2004 and then the 2008 and those things have NOTHING wrong with them except the window regulators... and the airbags recall recently. I plan to convert rear of van to allow for travel but still be able to remove camp gear out if I need to haul things. I am an eco-artist/treasure finder/furniture re-purpose-er, who also happens to have "gypsy feet", that is looking forward to all that space and standing room! Also, if any members use their NV for camping or vandwelling (part time? full time?), I will be looking forward to reading your posts, suggestions, advice, recommendations in the near future. Attaching pic to show my "Upgrade" on space from Element to NV! Daydreamin520, from Tucson AZ