Greetings from Portland! Any advice on van selection?

Danzo · Aug 7, 2013

Hey everyone! Been reading up a lot of great info on this site and thought I'd sign up to join in on some discussion. I'm from Portland, OR and living with my folks currently, but they're moving into a smaller place very soon, so I need to find my own place. In my search for roommates on craigslist the past few weeks, I've gotten sick of the lack of affordable places and responses to promising ads, so I've decided to become a van dweller. Time is running short for me and I'll be couch surfing starting next week until I find myself a van. I've been scoping out vans on craigslist the past week and gotten a decent idea for what things run for in my price range ($3000 or under). I'm not at all mechanically inclined and have never owned a vehicle (heck, I don't even own a drivers license, but will soon) and aren't much of a DIY type, so I've been shopping around for a conversion van. I thought about paying someone to do conversion work, but the service fees I've found aren't particularly attractive. I found one on craigslist that meets my criteria, and has surprisingly low mileage for such an old vehicle('81 Dodge Tradesman 200 with 40k miles). Does this reek of suspicion? It is very far from me (~150 miles), so I'm thinking of paying a local auto shop to do an inspection. What kinds of questions should I ask the owner over the phone? I'd be able to travel to do an inspection firsthand without much cost (Portland-Seattle buses are cheap), but like I said, I'd trust a professional's opinion over mine. http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/3972053275.html Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to read and I look forward to participating in the forums!

stude53 · Aug 7, 2013

I like the looks of this one, and the high top. If you can, find a local mechanic (maybe someone here can recommend one in that area), make an appointment and go yourself to be there for the inspection. Direct conversation with the mechanic is very helpful. The price seems reasonable, too. Bob

wagoneer · Aug 7, 2013

The issues with older vehicles is it's older. rubber dries out gaskets begin to leak and it is usually small stuff easy to fix or get repaired just remember this look for water in the oil and oil in the water bad signs. knocking sounds grinding sounds loud clacking Make a commitment the initial purchase will commit you expect to put money into this as we ALL do you cannot escape that. either bruise your knuckles or pay someone else to bruise their knuckles. It's up to you in the end. Good luck and take the dip ( nice looking ride)

user 423 · Aug 7, 2013

It says it has a V6 but Dodge didn't make a V6 in '81. The owner might just be uninformed or they actually installed a fuel-injected ('88 or newer) engine. If that's the case, it will be confusing buying parts for it and having someone work on it as a 'hybrid'. The swap also could be a source of wiring and driveability problems in the future. You have to wonder why it needed a new engine with only 40K on it? Sometimes owners will quote the miles from when the new motor was installed (40k ago?) but then the van itself has many more miles. That is extremely low mileage but it's possible. Can he document it? Does he have receipts for the work? Any old van is chancy. If you have time and gas money to spend driving 450 miles (combined) to buy a van, then it's worth checking out but don't jump on it just because you went to all that trouble! I would recommend looking at several vans, much closer to home and try to find a friend who knows a little about vehicles to go with. Also, arranging a mechanical inspection over the phone might not be so easy. Whatever you do, don't use one the seller recommends. PS: Does Portland have emissions testing?  I'm guessing Seattle does but if it's good there that doesn't mean it will pass in OR. PPS: The sliding doors on older vans will almost always begin to malfunction. You're better off with the 2 barn doors on the side,IMO

caseyc · Aug 7, 2013

Welcome to the club!  Nice van.  But I'd be cautious that the description sounds almost too good to be true.  So of course, check it out carefully. I can usually tell if something is a piece of <a href="mailto:cr@p" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">cr@p</a> within 15 seconds of touring the inside of the van and turning on the engine.  I've seen so many Craiglists ads that sound great, but when you go there in person, the only word that comes out of your mouth would be "ugh!".  But then again, it may be a great steal!  So you may as well go check it out, especially if it's conveniently nearby you.  Do go for a test drive assuming if everything else checks out initially.

Patrick46 · Aug 7, 2013

Hiya Danzo! I'm from the South Coast, and if it can pass the WA emissions test, it can pass ours (or yours...as we don't have 'em tested down here!!) <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> I do like the looks of it though. Looks pretty clean, but I too am curious about that mileage thing. And I too don't remember Dodge putting anything other than V-8's in their vans, but I DO like the idea of an injected V-6!...so you need to do your homework here. Here's what I'd do... I'd print out the ad, and ask everyone you know who's a good mechanic. Go meet up with him/her and pay him to call the van's owner and ask all the 'right' questions. Tell him to be as through as possible. He could probably even set-up a vehicle inspection to be done for you with a shop in Seattle. Money well spent!! Let us know what you do and how it all turns out!!