1996 Chevy Van

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Cheli

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I'm only in the very beginning stage of my nomad dreams.

But, I was just looking on craigslist and saw this.  It's a 1996 Chevy van with 128k miles on it for $3k.  Seems like a decent starter van, but I also don't want to get halfway across the country and need a new home.  hahaha

http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/cto/5478231570.html

Is this a reliable van?  I know nothing about cars so I'll apologize in advance for the many request coming ahead as I get deeper into this adventure.

:D
 
I just found some reviews online and most say it's reliable mechanically. But I would love some input from you all who may know about this vehicle better.
 
I would guess it's a 350 V8, very common and a good motor. Getting the air-conditioning repaired could be expensive and you being in the northern area rust is a risk. A new motor or switch for the window is not too expensive. 

There are many on this site who could help you set it up as you would like. You have start somewhere and that doesn't look bad. Easily available parts, both new and used. Drive it and get a feel for it. Best of luck to you..
 
The ad is missing one piece of information.  It mentioned NOTHING about when the engine was serviced.   :s or the AT!

That is what I look for.  Proof of maintenance and repairs.  It is 20 years old, and at that mileage things are going to wear out.  No mention of tires.  

Figure a minimum of $1K in maintenance / repairs.  Plus the AC.  :huh:

It has also been there for a month!  ;)

It is nice and shinny! :cool:
 
Those Chevys do seem to be a favorite of many here. I would just make doubly sure there isn't any rust hiding underneath. Once it gets to the point of making holes it's almost impossible to get rid of. There are a couple of spots on my younger son's Jeep Cherokee that are basically just surface rust. I noticed when he was home for Spring break they were coming back even though he sanded them out, used Naval Jelly on them, and touched up the paint just last summer.
 
Gunny said:
I would guess it's a 350 V8, very common and a good motor. Getting the air-conditioning repaired could be expensive and you being in the northern area rust is a risk. A new motor or switch for the window is not too expensive. 

There are many on this site who could help you set it up as you would like. You have start somewhere and that doesn't look bad. Easily available parts, both new and used. Drive it and get a feel for it. Best of luck to you..

I like hearing that it's a common motor, I'll want something that can be serviced easily but yeah rust might be an issue with the year of it.
 
GotSmart said:
The ad is missing one piece of information.  It mentioned NOTHING about when the engine was serviced.   :s or the AT!

That is what I look for.  Proof of maintenance and repairs.  It is 20 years old, and at that mileage things are going to wear out.  No mention of tires.  

Good point about not mentioning maintenance.  What is AT though?  Sorry I am so not mechanically inclined.  Now the build part I can't wait for because I'm handy at construction projects but maintenance, forget it.  hahaha  And thanks for your input.
 
masterplumber said:
Those Chevys do seem to be a favorite of many here. I would just make doubly sure there isn't any rust hiding underneath. Once it gets to the point of making holes it's almost impossible to get rid of.

And that would be important since I'm going to build inside and live out of it.  Rust may be an issue with anything older around here, I may have to look for something a little newer.
 
Oh now look at this beauty. It's newer, and only 47k miles. Uggggh I wish I had $20k so I could go check this one out. I'm 5' 10" so a hightop would be better.

http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/cto/5489313692.html

Ok I need to stop looking on Craigslist until I save up some more money. I thought it would be a good idea so I could see what's out there, learn what to look for, learn what's good and bad. But it's just making me wish I had more money. hahaha
 
If you can broaden your search area and maybe get away from the rust states you might have better results with an older van. I looked on the local(Dallas/Ft Worth) Craigslist and saw a few, mostly Dodge and Chevy, Ford does not seem to have many conversion vans out there. Don't be a "desperation" buyer, take your time and find someone you trust to evaluate what you are looking at. 

Noone can predict if a van will leave you stuck on the road, all you can do is play the odds. Older vans with the air not working may require a complete retro fit for the 'new' freon and as Masterplumber said once rust has taken over you can't stop it. I have 97 Dodge Dakota That is being consumed by rust even tho I had the thing sprayed top to bottom with rust stop. I won't sell it because I don't want someones breakdown on my conscience. So I just watch it melt.

I don't know what states up there don't use salt or some combination with salt in it, someone on this site probably does. Again best of luck and be safe.
 
I definitely won't be a "desperation" buyer. I'm in the beginning stages here and have just started my drastic downsize and getting rid of everything. I have time to save and find the right vehicle for me. My hope is that this moves along on a good flow and I can hit the road by the first of the year. But we will see.

Great idea about looking in other states that don't use salt. My friend owns a towing company and I'm sure if I found something in another state and she has a truck going that way, I could get a deal on getting it back here.
 
Imo , The 1996 Chevrolet Express van is a very good year for the Express , it has a alot of nice engine elecrtronics,,, the 1996 model  doesn't have the antitheft ignition that on some of the later models that do have  can prevent you from starting the vehicle if it malfunctions , not having the antitheft also makes it extremely easy to install remote start
 
ok I have to ask. what is the upside to a remote start? for that matter what is the upside to the anti theft. both seems like more stuff to fail. highdesertranger
 
highdesertranger said:
ok I have to ask.  what is the upside to a remote start?  for that matter what is the upside to the anti theft.  both seems like more stuff to fail. highdesertranger

The upside to a remote start is to either scare off someone messing around, or to warm it up a little before you get out of bed.   :cool:
 
GotSmart said:
The upside to a remote start is to either scare off someone messing around, or to warm it up a little before you get out of bed.   :cool:

Your post made me laugh because I spent time responding to answer Desert rangers question , I just got done typing and accidentally hit the back button and lost it , I.
I was like dammit.
Then i saw your post and you pretty much said what I typed. LoL

I'll add that my particular remote start sytem came with a 2 way pager that will call me if any body messes with my vehicle , its like having my own  24 -7 security guard that calls me if he sees something, 
 One time I had a door unlocked but my system armed ,,, caught my neice snooping in my van .
 
@Desertranger 
The 1996 Express van does not have anti theft , I think they started adding anti theft in the 1998 model Express van on up
 
amazing, so a remote start is going to scare people off. here in So Cal all that is going to get you is a smashed window and the person driving off in your vehicle. where I boondock there ain't no one you need to scare away. I think if you need to scare people you need to move. highdesertranger
 
highdesertranger said:
amazing,  so a remote start is going to scare people off.  here in So Cal all that is going to get you is a smashed window and the person driving off in your vehicle.  where I boondock there ain't no one you need to scare away.  I think if you need to scare people you need to move.  highdesertranger

A remote start can also stop it!  If you are in it, you can start it and hop in the seat. without fumbling with the keys.  Not everyone is scary and hairy like we are!

How about a remote speaker system?  

(THIS IS THE WACO TEXAS POLICE, MOVE AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE WITH YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR!)   :p
 
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