Another van to consider

[mothercoder]

I know the V6 isn't going to be great on mountains.  A bit high on the miles but not for the year.

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ctd/5996780858.html

 

[mothercoder]

Another choice. Problem is that it's 2 hours away from me and the owner works but does not live in that area. So I could see it on the weekend but I'd have to make a trip back during a weekday to exchange money/title.

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/5963241539.html

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I know the V6 isn't going to be great on mountains.  A bit high on the miles but not for the year.

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ctd/5996780858.html

As a matter of fact, in 93 the Econoline didn't come with a V-6, it came with the 300 cubic inch (4.9 liter) straight truck six.  These were one of Ford's great engines, lots of low end torque.  They were even used in a few dump trucks, and most UPS trucks had these engines, before UPS went to diesels.  If well maintained, I believe this engine could easily go 200, 000 - 250,000 miles without major problems.

I would want to see the Carfax they mentioned before making a final decision, but right now this is looking pretty good to me.

I couldn't find anything on Apex Motors with the Better Business Bureau, or any of the online review sites.  Might just mean they are a newish dealership . . .

BTW, I ran the VIN # and it's an E250, so it's the 3/4 ton . . .

 

[ArtW]

I was about to say the same, that's the 300 straight six, they're torquey beasts, for just moving the van, maybe a small trailer, it might be a decent choice
Make sure you get into the owner's manual or call a frd dealership with the VIN and get the tow rating, so you know what it'll reliably pull

That high top is fiberglass, insist on interior pics befor you burn all that gas / time to go see it

 

[bullfrog]

The first one has been "detailed" by a professional which adds to the price which is cheap to begin with. The black trim appears to have been done recently possibly to cover up rust or body repairs. Warranties add to the price and are only as good as the company offering them. To me deals that look to good to be true usually are, and this one does. The second one's high top looks discolored in the pictures but as most of these vehicles go 200,000 miles with proper service, if it checks out mechanically and rust visible under drivers door is not worst underneath, looks to be a more realistic price. Older high top vans are only desirable to a small group of people due to increased fuel costs and maintenance (possible water leaks).

 

[mothercoder]

As a matter of fact, in 93 the Econoline didn't come with a V-6, it came with the 300 cubic inch (4.9 liter) straight truck six.  These were one of Ford's great engines, lots of low end torque.  They were even used in a few dump trucks, and most UPS trucks had these engines, before UPS went to diesels.  If well maintained, I believe this engine could easily go 200, 000 - 250,000 miles without major problems.

I would want to see the Carfax they mentioned before making a final decision, but right now this is looking pretty good to me.

I couldn't find anything on Apex Motors with the Better Business Bureau, or any of the online review sites.  Might just mean they are a newish dealership . . .

BTW, I ran the VIN # and it's an E250, so it's the 3/4 ton . . .

Good to know about the Econoline engine.  I talked to the guy at Apex and I am going to see it tomorrow.  He said it's a small, new dealership so yes, that's probably why they aren't on BBB.  This was a fleet vehicle for a rust proofing company so the vehicle was rust proofed inside and out.  He said the Carfax report was on the website but I don't see it.  I was considering buying a 5 report deal from Carfax because I'll want one for my car when I sell it anyway.  Looking good to me, too.

 

[mothercoder]

I was about to say the same, that's the 300 straight six, they're torquey beasts, for just moving the van, maybe a small trailer, it might be a decent choice
Make sure you get into the owner's manual or call a frd dealership with the VIN and get the tow rating, so you know what it'll reliably pull

That high top is fiberglass, insist on interior pics befor you burn all that gas / time to go see it

There's one interior pic on their website and it looks fine.

 

[mothercoder]

I was about to say the same, that's the 300 straight six, they're torquey beasts, for just moving the van, maybe a small trailer, it might be a decent choice
Make sure you get into the owner's manual or call a frd dealership with the VIN and get the tow rating, so you know what it'll reliably pull

That high top is fiberglass, insist on interior pics befor you burn all that gas / time to go see it

Oh sorry.  You were talking about the high top.  I'm not going to see it.  The owner is being ridiculous about scheduling something. The mechanic who agreed to let her put it in his lot is fed up with her, as well.

 

[ArtW]

My bad, I should've specified 'on the second one, bla bla bla'

 

[mothercoder]

Vehicle history on the Econoline checks out. Fleet vehicle for most of its life. No accidents, no title issues, no odometer issues. Crossed fingers on it.

 

[DuneElliot]

I definitely like the Econoline. I really like the divider behind the seats...Bob just showed that his new van comes with the same thing and he seems to rave about it. 143K is pretty low miles (at least out west it is), especially for a 20+yo van; I think it has a lot of years left in it and could be a great deal. Good luck

 

[mothercoder]

Thanks. Yeah, I saw Bob's video about his new van and how much he liked the divider. I might want to partially remove it and put the passenger seat on a swivel base but we will see. I think the price is high for the year so I'll be bargaining with him. I think for a first van it would be a good deal.

 

[TrainChaser]

You bargain even if it's plated in gold.

 

[mothercoder]

You bargain even if it's plated in gold.

Haha.  Yep.  Last time I bought a car at a dealership the sales manager asked if I wanted a job.   :blush:

 

[highdesertranger]

just remember that CarFax is not 100% accurate. one of the vans Bob looked at had a clean report, but had obvious body work done on it. remember if an insurance claim was not filed, the CarFax report will come back clean. highdesertranger

 

[steamjam1]

Oh yes... The Ford 300 is the best engine that has ever come out of the USA Big-Three. If its been maintained right, 200,000 miles is ITS BREAK IN period haha. The only other engine that is that good is the old Dodge slant-6...

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I talked to the guy at Apex and I am going to see it tomorrow. 

Well?  Well?

 

[mothercoder]

Update: Did not buy the van. Looked good in the pics but it was a wreck. The short list of what was wrong:

Exhaust leak
Tires dry rotted
Power steering pressure hose rotting
valve cover gasket
Rear end has some undetermined noise
Rotors at least need replaced
Drag link failing
Power steering pressure hose rotting
They had removed the back door handle and license plate mount so there was no way to put a tag on/license plate light. Probably would have had to buy a set of doors from a junk yard and get someone to put them on.

And still I tried to make an offer. Price tag was $3500. He wouldn't go lower than $2500. It wasn't worth that.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Bummer.

 

[highdesertranger]

you are showing some good horse trading skills. on to the next one. highdesertranger