Help! Collective opinion on van purchase...?

[LongInTheTooth]

This is posted on Craigslist ..any opinions? I love the idea of having a longer wheel base for more living space. Does anyone know anything about this model/yr?

Your collective wisdom, as always, is enormously appreciated!

 

[cyndi]

A link to the ad would be helpful, as we can't see the other pictures of the vehicle.

The mileage is higher than I would want. I don't like going over 100,000 miles and less than that is always better.

Also, I'd look for a 96 or newer so a diagnostic tool can be used to look for any problems.

If I did decide I wanted to buy this vehicle I'd want to know how many owners (less is better) and I'd like maintenance records.

As always, bring it to a reliable mechanic to check it thoroughly. It's money well spent, every time.

If the mechanic said it was ok, I might pay $1000.00 for it.

Edmunds gives it a value of just over $1000.00 (private party sale) with the information given
http://www.edmunds.com/dodge/ram-van/1994/tmv-appraise-results.html

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

If it checks out mechanically, seems decent. Check for rust underneath...some is unavoidable here but make sure all the important bits aren't crumbling off.

Something to consider..my van is normal length with small v8...but it feels under powered.

 

[LongInTheTooth]

http://morgantown.craigslist.org/cto/4543026098.html

---

Here is link

 

[wagoneer]

inline 6 is a classic design, most older big rigs run inline 6, a lot of trains run inline 6 as do many marine motors, that being said they are mostly diesel powered..It ain't going to be a rocket ship. but if you can take a little bending over not a bad deal. (how tall are you?) 150k is a lot of miles on a gas motor, but i loved all the dodge slant 6 motors I ever ran.

 

[cyndi]

I do love that it's already insulated. Although I'd want to know how and with what.

I don't love that it's carpeted. Except, that might mean the floor has been leveled already and a hard surface can be laid. Living and camping with a carpeted floor is a P.I.T.A and can get smelly, in no time.

 

[ZOFCHAK]

First issue is I don't believe Dodge used a "Straight 6" in that time frame. Ford vans had a inline 6 in the 4.9 which was an amazing motor (One of the best gas truck engines ever IMO). If that van is a 6 cylinder it's a 3.9 liter V6 which is basically a 318 V8 minus the front 2 cylinders. The 3.9 is still a great motor and well known for it's longevity. However, I don't think Dodge offered overdrive transmissions around that time on the V6 models. I had a 1996 Dodge van with the 3.9 and in the city the gas mileage was ok, but due to the lack of overdrive the highway mileage suffered.

Are you still considering temporarily parking in a parking structure? If so, take this one off the list as there's no way it will make it through most structures without lots of 3 point turns. The added length past the rear axle also means on sharp turns that portion will abnormally shift out of your lane more than on a traditional van (Watch for mailboxes).

Mechanically Dodge got these vans right on the major points, but the little things that fail nickeled and dimed me on my 1996. I basically built mine completely as I took the entire drive train out of a wrecked low mileage van and put it into one with 300K miles. Even with my familiarity with the vehicle small problems I kept encountering finally convinced me to part with it (I sold it in pieces for way more than I had into it )

 

[LongInTheTooth]

I'm planning on stripping it anyway to install insulation, sound deadening and a vinyl floor on top. It's a blank canvas

 

[Zil]

I like dodges. But they are uni-body, no heavy frame, and under body rust is a real problem. Most modern vehicles can be fine over 100K if long miles with service. Dodge made a extended wheel base and also an extended body. This is the latter. You can drag the back on inclines. Looks kind of dirty and oily in the back.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

luckily its a metro area and no massive climbs till you head out of town so it might not be a problem. just be careful in snow morgantown is an icy bitch and some streets around the school are tiny, hilly and twisted