General buyers guids to buying vans?

[BrianBear]

I really don't know where to start. I was originally just going to buy a repo'ed piece of junk from auction some where around $500 and fork over the cash to get the engine rebuilt into really good condition. I really just don't know enough to have a clue.<br><br>Only main thing I'm picky about is I want it to look like all those generic white work vans all over the place. Stealth is an really important factor for me.

 

[Ballenxj]

Hi Brian, First decide if you want windows or not, then start looking for vans that fit your requirements. When you find one, check the mileage. If you are not mechanically inclined, you need to find one with lower miles. I think somewhere around 100,000 miles or less is OK. <br>Next look to see how well the previous owner maintained it. Ask to see records if they have them. Check the tires for uneven wear, while making sure the tread looks good. Check the oil, and coolant. <br>If you are satisfied with everything so far, take it for a ride and see how it feels on the road while taking it up to cruising speeds on the freeway. Don't be afraid to run it. See how the brakes feel when stopping. Make sure to warn the owner, then hit the brakes hard. You want to see how it will handle a panic stop. Listen for funny noises. Drive it in reverse too. Check everything you can think of. <br>Also, after you have warmed it up, open the oil filler while it is still running. There should be no smoke coming out of it. If there is, the rings are probably getting weak, and the smoke is called blow by. <br>If it still checks out OK after all this, you might have found a winner. <br>Oh, If you still feel uneasy about it, don't be afraid to say "No Thanks" and walk away.<br>I hope this helps. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> <br>-Bruce

 

[CarCampire]

<SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #999999; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">Here is the most important thing: <STRONG>GET IT CHECKED OUT BY A MECHANIC BEFORE YOU BUY IT!!</STRONG> </SPAN><BR><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #999999; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">Mechanic should check; - brakes including rotors/bearings, tires,front suspension and steering, transmission, + engine.<BR><BR>Happy Hunting! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></SPAN>

 

[MrNoodly]

The price can sometimes tell you a lot. Do online searches at places like cars.com and trucktrader.com to get a general feel for prevailing prices. Compare the age, mileage and whether it's a half-ton, 3/4-ton or 1-ton, standard length or extended, bare bones cargo van or a passenger van. You'll probably see that vans below about $3,000 have high mileage and look like they've been beat up and neglected. The lower the price, the greater the chance someone is unloading a worn out pile of problems. That doesn't mean a high priced, low milage van is guaranteed problem free. It could be a lemon someone's trying to unload. 100,000 miles is nothing on a well maintained van. There are many still putting along just fine at 400,000 miles. Still, lower mileage is usually better.<br><br>The fact a van was a regularly maintained fleet vehicle can be a good thing or it can mean nothing. Fleet drivers sometimes abuse the vehicles because, eh, it's the company's problem, not his. "Regular maintenance" can sometimes mean "constant patching up of broken stuff to keep the pig on the road a little longer."<br><br>Also, the engine isn't the only thing that might need replacing on an old van. The transmission, the bearings and bushing in the suspension and steering, the cooling system, the A/C, brake rotors/master cylinder/brake lines, shock absorbers, exhaust system, gas tank &amp; fuel lines, all sorts of electrical systems, rust/corrosion/metal fatigue, leaks of essential fluids going out or water getting in...