1994 Dodge Ram Van 235,000 $1500

[Gigi]

Please give me your honest & valued opinions & advice on this van.  THANK YOU!!!! Gigi


https://portland.craigslist.org/yam/cto/5384636999.html

 

[GotSmart]

Please give me your honest & valued opinions & advice on this van.  THANK YOU!!!! Gigi


https://portland.craigslist.org/yam/cto/5384636999.html

I would have to go over it in person.  

Extreme high mileage.

 

[LeeRevell]

Potentially a good deal, depending on the mechanic's inspection.  I would expect to replace all belts, hoses and fluids.  A top end job on the motor may be good insurance.

 

[Wanderer]

Looks nice common passenger van....The price is in that area where I'd "Probably" ask the owner "Can I take it to my mech
/" Then I'd have them do a basic exam ($95) They check brakes, lights and some other basic things, front end and such then give an estimate.

I'm of the group that says "If it's more than you can toss, then "Maybe" a deeper inspection is called for.

I'm looking at a $6K one and yes, a mech is VERY well going to check it out.

Mileage works out to 10,500-11K per year...If they have the paperwork, that's a big bonus.

 

[Gigi]

Potentially a good deal, depending on the mechanic's inspection.  I would expect to replace all belts, hoses and fluids.  A top end job on the motor may be good insurance.

That is sound and a good start. Thank you Lee :shy:

Looks nice common passenger van....The price is in that area where I'd "Probably" ask the owner "Can I take it to my mech
/" Then I'd have them do a basic exam ($95) They check brakes, lights and some other basic things, front end and such then give an estimate.

I'm of the group that says "If it's more than you can toss, then "Maybe" a deeper inspection is called for.

I'm looking at a $6K one and yes, a mech is VERY well going to check it out.

Mileage works out to 10,500-11K per year...If they have the paperwork, that's a big bonus.

You are right and mechanic has to look this over first.  Thank you Wanderer.

 

[Gary68]

what this could be is a platform to build on,at that mileage any moving part that has not been replaced is right there at needing replacing, if it has nice frame/body you can rebuild,posted 2 months ago so i would start at $800-1000 and keep talking about the high miles

 

[Wanderer]

That is sound and a good start. Thank you Lee :shy:
You are right and mechanic has to look this over first.  Thank you Wanderer.

It's not so much that. For that price, I'd be debating whether paying another $400 would be worth it? $95 would be OK, I can toss $95...But $400?

 

[pros80]

Look under the frame for rust or rust holes. This is an absolute must.  And also at that low price it likely is an as is sale. So taking to a mechanic may not be an option unless you bring one with you to look at the van.

The high mileage is worth taking a chance on the 318 and 360 engine can last a long way if well taken care of. Its the dodge transmissions that are more of a concern so see how it shifts.

 

[Gigi]

Look under the frame for rust or rust holes. This is an absolute must.  And also at that low price it likely is an as is sale. So taking to a mechanic may not be an option unless you bring one with you to look at the van.

The high mileage is worth taking a chance on the 318 and 360 engine can last a long way if well taken care of. Its the dodge transmissions that are more of a concern so see how it shifts

Okay I will check for rust.  I'm very used to that living on the coast---aargh RUST!   I don't live in the city where the van is at.  It's a couple hours away so bringing a mechanic is not an option.  I could ask a friend of mine that knows engines to come along but I'd rather take it.  I'm going to call the owner tomorrow and ask him if I can take it to a mechanic.  If he says no, I won't go further.  Thank you for tips!  
Gigi
PS if worst came to worst and the transmission failed on me---how much to rebuild the transmission?

 

[Wanderer]

Okay I will check for rust.  I'm very used to that living on the coast---aargh RUST!   I don't live in the city where the van is at.  It's a couple hours away so bringing a mechanic is not an option.  I could ask a friend of mine that knows engines to come along but I'd rather take it.  I'm going to call the owner tomorrow and ask him if I can take it to a mechanic.  If he says no, I won't go further.  Thank you for tips!  
Gigi
PS if worst came to worst and the transmission failed on me---how much to rebuild the transmission?

How far away would the mech be?

Rebuild??? More than what you're paying for it....

 

[Gigi]

How far away would the mech be?

Rebuild??? More than what you're paying for it....

I know it would be a couple thousand at least to rebuild BUT worth it if it would last a few years so I can be in a position to get something else later. What if I bought a van for 4,000 and had the transmission go anyway? Then I'm stuck.  Better to dance with the devil I know then dance with the devil I don't.  

I would have to find a mechanic that lives in the same area as the van.  I live in a very rural area. I don't have a lot of options for buying autos here plus being on the coast...the salt air is so corrosive n cars. I'd rather go inland a little.

Gigi

 

[pros80]

I know it would be a couple thousand at least to rebuild BUT worth it if it would last a few years so I can be in a position to get something else later. What if I bought a van for 4,000 and had the transmission go anyway? Then I'm stuck.  Better to dance with the devil I know then dance with the devil I don't.  

I would have to find a mechanic that lives in the same area as the van.  I live in a very rural area.  I don't have a lot of options for buying autos here  plus being on the coast...the salt air is so corrosive n cars.  I'd rather go inland a little.

Gigi

Transmission swaps or way cheaper than rebuilds. Swaps can be had for $1000 - $1500 including labor.  So that is a better option down the line. 

If it made it to 235,000 miles there is a chance it may not even be the original transmission or even engine.

 

[Gigi]

Transmission swaps or way cheaper than rebuilds. Swaps can be had for $1000 - $1500 including labor.  So that is a better option down the line. 

If it made it to 235,000 miles there is a chance it may not even be the original transmission or even engine.

I will keep that in mind for sure.  Thank you for all these pointers.  I'm in uncharted territory and so out of comfort zone that I fight just throwing in the towel.  So please know you all are really helping me.  
Gigi

 

[Wanderer]

I will keep that in mind for sure.  Thank you for all these pointers.  I'm in uncharted territory and so out of comfort zone that I fight just throwing in the towel.  So please know you all are really helping me.  
Gigi

On this piece of silver, if you drop out let me kow, I may try to get the old loan company to fork up the cash....

I admit, I'm willing to roll the dice of this...Really looks great for price.

 

[ascii_man]

My opinion: it's not my money, but $1500 seems pretty reasonable for any vehicle that runs & drives, especially with no obvious perforation. Plus the interior looks so clean. A thorough test drive and a crawl under the van is probably enough. Even if it does need a head gasket (another $1500), you still have a pretty decent vehicle for $3000.

If it were $5000, you would be crazy to not have a mechanic inspect it, but at this price it might be a little too much hassle on the part of the buyer. Worst case, that's several thousand pounds of scrap metal.

If you have a mechanically-inclined friend, that might help. But I'd look underneath, check the oil, etc.

For reference, around here I see vans on dealer lots asking $5k which are clearly rusting out. Even a compact car that runs decently is worth $1500.

 

[ascii_man]

One other thing: I have heard that vehicles in the under $3000 range move very quickly...all the more so if it's a really good deal. So I don't want to put you into a panic, but just realize that this this not like a full-price department store where they have a rack of 30 identical sweaters and you can come back in a week and still have your pick of 28 of them: you are in a somewhat competitive situation.

Good luck!

 

[Gigi]

One other thing: I have heard that vehicles in the under $3000 range move very quickly...all the more so if it's a really good deal.  So I don't want to put you into a panic, but just realize that this this not like a full-price department store where they have a rack of 30 identical sweaters and you can come back in a week and still have your pick of 28 of them: you are in a somewhat competitive situation.

Good luck!

Right?!  That is actually one of my "red flags"  ascii man. This gentleman has had the van on Craigslist for 2 months.  I'm kinda like...whaaaat???  Anyway, I have scheduled to go see it.  So we will soon see!  Thank you so much!  

My mechanic-ish friend thinks I should stay away because Dodge's transmission aren't so great.  But still I just want to check this out.   I walked away from a van last weekend.  It had low mileage and was in pretty good shape but not the shape or quite working the way the owner said it was.  When I went to check the oil before I test drove it...there was hardly any oil it.  I had to ask them to add a couple quarts so I don't destroy the engine.  DANG folks! 
As badly was I want a van and as desperately I need transportation...I will walk if things aren't adding up.  

Gigi

 

[ascii_man]

Yeah, I noticed the date after posting; weird. And it's true that Dodges are the 3rd best of the Big 3 vans. But maybe OK for your "starter van". And good to run on the oil-free van!

 

[Goshawk]

Glad you are walking away from trouble vehicles. Just ask when was the last time the Spark plugs were changed and see if they have a receipt for that. Seems to be a quick check that someone cared about the engine.

 

[Wanderer]

Glad you are walking away from trouble vehicles. Just ask when was the last time the Spark plugs were changed and see if they have a receipt for that. Seems to be a quick check that someone cared about the engine.

Well, I had mine changed, but I never keep records nor receipts...Now had it been new and such...Different story.