Ford club

[VanKitten]

I found a 1998 ford club wagon van.  It is huge.  15 passenger!

It has some rust in places.   158,000 miles.  

Interior is torn up..but I would pull it all out any way

Is this a good model?  Good year?   Record of repair?

It was owned by the county government, clean car fax, good maintenance records

It starts and runs.  But...not allowed to drive it out.   

It is going at absolute auction ... What is a good bid?  Should I just skip it and look for that Chevy express I have been thinking about?

 

[Wanderer]

depends on the price.

State maintained is usually a good buy, they maintain them pretty good....

Clean retail is $4800

 

[BradKW]

According to google, that type of auction doesn't have reserves, so I guess the question is can you raise your bid, or is it a single submittal?

 

[WheelEstate USA]

When bidding, know your max and don't let yourself get caught up in a bidding war.
If you don't win you can figure the other guy paid too much.

 

[regis101]

I have a 98 e150 club wagon. 8 passenger. Side slider. Early on I had the ball joints replaced with greaseable units since the OE were shot. Brakes fair well. Engine is the 4.6. Needed spark plugs and wires to the tune of >$600. ouchie.
I can get right at 20mpg under laboratory conditions but generally in the 15 - 18 range. Has rear heat/air. For some reason the air blending door has now broke twice. When it breaks hot air blows at the floor vents no matter where the dash setting is at.
When all is well the cabin heats or cools nicely. My two critiques are the heat/air system has no means of recycled interior air unless your on Max AC or Off. There is a workaround but haven't gotten around to it. Second bad is that I seem to have a front end shimmy at cruising speed. Could be a Ford thing due the twin I Beam. If I keep the front tires at max PSI, its not so bad.
Very dependable vehicle that requires mostly dealer servicing. I'm a motor head/ gear head from way back but I know my limitation(s) and when it pays to pay. Just sayin.