got time too give me your opinion?

[jake4569]

So here's the deal me and my girl are wanting to van dwell together, we've spent months on the road hitching hiking train hopping, and have lived ia Toyota Carroll for about a month, I got 1200 bucks, and my Toyota which is 220000 miles, it runs good has a few problem kbb said about 3gs, we at my moms who charges 450 a month, so should I full time in the corrola or upgrade to a van, its either full time in a car and save the money I got pay rent here for 3 more months till my savings is gone, I just lost my Jon in search for another one but u know how it goes, should we move into the car save 450 for next month and then find a mum wage to get me a better chance at a nicer van? Thank you for your time <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> AMD your opinions the advice is greatly needed

 

[dominique21]

Train hopping? Really?

 

[PYSCHOWard]

A little More space goes a Long ways when it comes to having room for a few more amenities and luxuries, but get whatever you can afford to start out with, upgrade later. It should be all about Fun and Adventure, as well as Living Space.

 

[karen]

Personally, I would find it intolerable to sleep in a car. My Matrix has fold down rear seat and fold flat passenger too so it sorta makes a flat sleeping area. But to have my possessions with me and having to pee at night etc. - forget it. Add another person. - wow! That would be rough.

But I respect you if you must live in a car. Do what you need to. But upgrade to a van ASAP!

 

[peacetara]

I agree, stop paying 450/month. Give notice, and move out. I agree get a van if you can, especially for 2 people. Then you can take your time, and plan for how to proceed, maybe with odd jobs, or going back to school, or whatever works for you both.

 

[jake4569]

A cars not bad compared to sleeping in the outdoors when its cold if I'm goin with the the car I'm heading to socal i tired of Missouri, livin in a car is more just like a warm place to sleep I do good with very little to say the least lol.. I just hate looking for something at night, and when you gotta piss when its freezing lol :b I use a gaterade bottle or ocean spray for number 1 wide mouth, and a heater after words! &lt;img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0"align="absmiddle"&gt; and train hopping will get you some place warm fast if your with the rite people when ur on the road. I always feel sorry for my girl www hen she has to go though a.d its cold out has to go pop a squat when its cold lol. It's a damn hastel to get out of the trunk/ back seat, I'm gonna insulate the trunk soon, another reason why I love it is that you feel much more secure in a car rathee than sleeping in the dark woods, and your wondering who's watching u to see where you going cause they see you with you gear and you just think if their gonna stake you out a Rob I or somethin later, plus all vicious animals a raccoon has jumped me for a bag of potato chips before when I was sleeping behind a church no joke lol my gf mased it...

 

[wrcsixeight]

While I have slept in many vehicles with the front seat reclined, nothing beats a flat bed. <br><br>&nbsp;Tolerance for the former is directly proportional to age and accumulated back issues.

 

[jake4569]

I agree I sleep on my side so trunk is rough, my gf can sleep ANYWHERE no matter how cold makes me jelease you lose a lot of heat in the trunk though to. Are van in the 100k to 150k range reliable? That's abouty budget would allow I'd be out of money to... So its a hard decision for me

 

[coultergeist]

I was a soldier for many years and I've lived with really basic conditions for long stretches of time.&nbsp; I can see where a car could certainly be made to work, but all things being equal, it would be far more advantageous to have a larger vehicle if you can make it happen.&nbsp; You can keep your things more secure and better hid out of sight.&nbsp; You would also have far more room to be comfortable in sleeping, especially if it is two of you in the vehicle.&nbsp; You can add things to a van pretty easily as you have funds to make it more homey and comfortable.&nbsp; You can only stretch a car so far.&nbsp; <br><br>The van is probably the single best all around vehicle to live in for many reasons.&nbsp; If you can make it happen, I definitely recommend that.&nbsp;

 

[lampliter]

I had a car that I was planning to make into a "camper car"<br>Then a salt truck backed into it while it was parked and totaled it.<br>I bought a nice 01 Chevy Astro AWD and it turns out that that salt truck was a really good thing.<br>I'm finding a lot more freedom with my little Astro.<br>Even the planning is more fun.<br>Get a van.

 

[peacetara]

I'm not remotely a mechanic...<br><br>My van has 199k miles on it, and I drive it everywhere.&nbsp; But you don't really need a van that's reliable, you just need van that doesn't leak! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; I'm told it's very much worthwhile to have a mechanic look at the van before you buy it.&nbsp; It sounds like a reasonable plan to me!<br><br>Because you don't need to be driving it around and putting all that money into the gas tank.&nbsp; Instead you can use that money to invest in whatever it is you need for your lives.... a path to financial independence, a plan for a better vehicle so you can travel, whatever it is your heart desires!<br><br>I wish you lots and lots of successes!<br><br>With Love,<br>Tara

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;How 'bout selling the car, getting a cheap van, and taking it from there? More space gives ya more options and ya won't get as squirrely after a while in it. ..Willy.

 

[MK7]

Get a 4 cyl minivan like a Ford Aerostar. Bigger vans and gas is going to kill your funds compared to the Corolla.