Man those pictures are nothing really, IMHO to the ones that I have for my private journal/pictures... But thank you! Reliability, to be quite frank, has been... pretty awesome. I'll explain why:
#1 - This thing was built in Indiana, assuming directly after CA built chasis/body/engine/etc; so it received some TLC that I don't think a similar version of a Mark II or Mark I or Mark III/IV/V would have (mine was basically the bottom end of conversion vans from the era). Example, my family had a GMC/Chevy Gladiator that did NOT have the extended high roof, a similar 2001 variant, but it had DVD/SNES/and rear table/captain chairs, etc. Was much nicer than what I bought... mom sold it and bought a 2005 fully loaded trailblazer cause she didn't like the crazy winds pushing her all over the road in the van. So basically, I got a 3.9L V6 with a 3 speed... meaning... unlikely the transmission to ever really have problems (cause auto 3-spd!), and the 3.9L v6 is easy to work on comparatively to the 5.2 or 5.8 V8 versions (just more room in the compartments to move/work).
#2 - Fixing things... again, pretty simple. Nuts, botls and seats out. Carpet patches and 3M paste + expoy filler, boom..... all holes sealed and covered. Same for rear seat belt holsters... removed bolts, sealed and caulked, no leaks. Underside much of the belly is covered with rust/road debris coverings including the exhaust/DT/several other areas, preventing unwanted exposure in elements.
#3 - I admit, it needed some TLC - but the hard work had been bought and paid for before I got it - a $5500 misfiring piston/seals and seal/gasket work was handled before I bought it around the 150K mark, so that saved me some. I did put $5000 into the front end (all original) so I could fix the alignment properly and replaced tires after I bled the tread on the tires I bought it with.
Lastly, the AC works GREAT because they never extended the van I bought to the rear, meaning no REAR ac/controls, which I believe to be the culprit behind it WORKING near-FLAWLESSLY since I've had it. And iwth curtains down blocking the back anyways, I always had EXCELLENT hot/cold air in front cab... I also attribute my version (not the super short) as the standard to come per-lifted by about 2" compared to the 'city-style' versions which had less clearance off the ground. That enabled me to take this puppy down SEVERAL roads I had NO business taking it down, but only EVER need a tow out once.... LOL (sand pics).
The only UNRELIABLE trait is that after about 8500~9000 elevation, it will stall/quit. Had it happen SEVERAL times in rough terrain (so engine struggle/etc) but no in Silverton (12K elev) CO.... ran like a champ throught that elevation/town on normal roads.
Anywho.... can't complain. Served me well for a relatively low price when I bought it...