2003 Ford Glaval Van

[mothercoder]

Here's my next potential.  I know this is a E350 Super Duty Triton V-8 but don't know much else about it. 



https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/5919109956.html

 

[AngryVanMan]

I've always thought these shuttle buses have some really good potential! I like windows so it appeals to me, a lot of vanners do not like windows though, mostly privacy and insulation concerns which are more difficult to deal with.

Most states will require a CDL to drive anything with over 15 passenger seats (I believe that is a Federal standard), in that case you need to remove seats & change registration regarding number of passenger seats before you could legally drive it. The other snag would be insurance, depends on the carrier/broker how easy it is to add a former commercial vehicle to a personal policy, a quick call with the VIN to some agents would be the quickest way to find out.

There's of course a mileage, maneuverability and parking penalty vs. a smaller vehicle, but everyone will weigh those traits differently based on what they want. The Triton V8s in the vans are prone to spark plug issues that certainly adds to the long term maintenance costs and hassles, but there are still many more of them rolling around than any other van currently in America despite that flaw. Just one more thing to consider. That's all that stands out to me at the moment!

 

[mothercoder]

Thanks. I hadn't thought about needing a CDL license or insurance issues. I rather like the windows and don't plan on needing to be stealth for too long.

The owners is going to send me an email thread with some of the common Q&A so he's being pretty helpful.

 

[Wabbit]

Please pay a mechanic to look it over first. Prob $50-$100. I didn't, and I wish I had. Mine will work out(and be awesome in the end), but I could have saved myself a chunk of cash, some grief, and the hangover the day after I heard the estimate for mech repairs. Which keeps going up with each phone call I get from them. I don't think they are being shady, it just is what it is. Pay a mechanic to look over any vehicle first! Best wishes!

 

[mothercoder]

Owner is a diesel mechanic and he bought the van from his former employer, a bus company, which was the original owner. He's had it for 8 months and intended it for personal use but never used it. It does not have current tags so I can't take it on public streets. Not sure how means I will get it home. He has not had it inspected. He suspects it may need new wiper blades, a battery soon and possibly one new tire. States it gets about 15 mpg. He will be sending me the VIN later today so I can get some info from my insurance company and I may run a Carfax on it.

 

[mothercoder]

Please pay a mechanic to look it over first. Prob $50-$100. I didn't, and I wish I had. Mine will work out(and be awesome in the end), but I could have saved myself a chunk of cash, some grief, and the hangover the day after I heard the estimate for mech repairs. Which keeps going up with each phone call I get from them. I don't think they are being shady, it just is what it is. Pay a mechanic to look over any vehicle first! Best wishes!

I have a friend who is a career diesel mechanic and he has agreed to accompany me when I look at anything.  I just don't want to take advantage and drag him off every weekend to look at something.  So it has be something that clears my checklist before viewing.    He's a great guy who has also told me that if I have any trouble when I'm traveling, I'm to call him and skype what's going on so he can advise me.  There are good people out there.

 

[DannyB1954]

Ask if anything has been done about the Ford spark plug problem.

http://www.fordproblems.com/trends/triton-spark-plug-ejection/

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/F-150/2003/engine/spark_plug_ejects_from_the_engine.shtml

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Expedition/2003/engine/spark_plug_blew_out_of_head.shtml

 

[Wanderer]

I've always thought these shuttle buses have some really good potential!  I like windows so it appeals to me, a lot of vanners do not like windows though, mostly privacy and insulation concerns which are more difficult to deal with.

Most states will require a CDL to drive anything with over 15 passenger seats (I believe that is a Federal standard), in that case you need to remove seats & change registration regarding number of passenger seats before you could legally drive it.  The other snag would be insurance, depends on the carrier/broker how easy it is to add a former commercial vehicle to a personal policy, a quick call with the VIN to some agents would be the quickest way to find out.

There's of course a mileage, maneuverability and parking penalty vs. a smaller vehicle, but everyone will weigh those traits differently based on what they want.  The Triton V8s in the vans are prone to spark plug issues that certainly adds to the long term maintenance costs and hassles, but there are still many more of them rolling around than any other van currently in America despite that flaw.  Just one more thing to consider. That's all that stands out to me at the moment!

The Federal law is for "Commercial Use" for private use, there's no worries since you're not selling a service (ie Transporting passengers) for a fee.

I have debated buying some of the shuttle buses they have for sale around here. But since that great article about  how a gas van beats a diesel (The current diesel engines) I'm going to stay with a simple cargo/passenger van which I'll convert later.

 

[mothercoder]

Okay, I'm scheduled to look at this on Saturday, despite some nasty weather we are going to get. My mechanic friend has agreed to meet me there.

I'm a bit nervous. This is different than buying a car. It's going to be my home.

 

[DannyB1954]

I'm a bit nervous.  This is different than buying a car.  It's going to be my home.

It is a machine. It can be fixed. If you have done your homework about insurance and registration and the mechanic says it is a sound vehicle, What would be the impending doom? Maybe what frightens you is you are actually proceeding with a major life change. This is normal. Exciting and frightening at the same time.

 

[mothercoder]

It is a machine. It can be fixed. If you have done your homework about insurance and registration and the mechanic says it is a sound vehicle, What would be the impending doom? Maybe what frightens you is you are actually proceeding with a major life change. This is normal. Exciting and frightening at the same time.

It's not the vehicle.  I have someone I trust to look at it and work on it if need be.  It is the major life change that is a bit frightening.  I've made other major changes in my life solo but this is just a bit different.

 

[mothercoder]

Once again, sold before I could even look at it. He had someone come this afternoon and it's gone. The search continues.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

She who hesitates is lost.

Hate to say it, but the reality is that if something is a really good deal - in good shape, not overpriced, etc. - you're not going to have time to post a link here and ask us what we think of it.  Lots of people looking for that, and someone will snap it up soon after it's posted.

 

[AbuelaLoca]

Once again, sold before I could even look at it.  He had someone come this afternoon and it's gone.  The search continues.

Oh gosh... I was so hoping it would check out for you! What a gorgeous van it was! I'm sort of in the same boat, so I feel your nervousness! Excitement, fear, peace, the thought of freedom... it's just wrecking my tummy!! LOL

 

[mothercoder]

She who hesitates is lost.

Hate to say it, but the reality is that if something is a really good deal - in good shape, not overpriced, etc. - you're not going to have time to post a link here and ask us what we think of it.  Lots of people looking for that, and someone will snap it up soon after it's posted.

I didn't hesitate. As soon as I saw the ad I contacted the seller and asked questions and made arrangements to see it over the weekend. Posting it or not posting it here wouldn't have made any difference.  I work full-time and can't go flitting off during weekdays to drive an hour to look at a vehicle.  It sold. So be it.

 

[mayble]

Excellent attitude, mothercoder.
It's not a unicorn.  Someone, somewhere is selling one of these every day.  It's hard not to become frustrated when you're so close, but you just have to be patient and be ready.
Yours is out there.

 

[mothercoder]

Excellent attitude, mothercoder.
It's not a unicorn.  Someone, somewhere is selling one of these every day.  It's hard not to become frustrated when you're so close, but you just have to be patient and be ready.
Yours is out there.

To me it's like buying a house (well...in fact, it WILL be my house):  you can't get emotional about it.  When you do that, you don't make good financial decisions.  When you're already putting your build in there and have sugarplum visions of yourself parked creekside with that one vehicle and no other, you cease to be objective.  When I find my new home and when I make the deal and bring her home, THEN I will fall in love.

 

[DannyB1954]

Many get a jump on the good deals by having Craigslist notify them of new adds in real time, just as soon as they are posted. You can do that as well.

 

[VanGrrl57]

As a matter of fact, craigslist is how I found LenaBelle. As it turned out, I knew the seller personally as a former customer where I worked at before I started working at the homeless shelter. Since I knew Mark and his wife, I knew I could trust what he said. He also had all the mechanical paperwork of everything that had been done regarding LenaBelle which REALLY was awesome. He wanted more money but when I told him I had $1300.00 cash, he took it.

Don't give up; your van is out there.


VanGrrl57