Help me find my next one! (WA or OR)

[Almost There]

So that's a good deal in Canada? You poor people.
Bob

You have no idea Bob!!

Look at our gas prices...it's way down now at about 99 cents a liter here. There's 3.78541 liters to a US gallon so we're paying a modest price of $3.74 for gas.

I just paid $112.00 for a roll of reflectix that's 48" x 50'...a roll of 100 ft is $117.00 US at Home Depot in Syracuse.

It's common to find that a whole lot of things are about 40 to 60 % higher priced here. Most of it is our taxes but we're not going to get me started on that one....

 

[flying kurbmaster]

I don't think that is a good deal either, I would be very surprised if he got that much for it, if I thought for one minute you could get that much for a 14 year old converted van with no standing room. I would be selling that pop top of mine in a minute. If I got half of that I would be laughing all the way to the bank, that one if he is lucky might fetch 7500 cdn. max. on a good day to someone that was in love with it, more likely around 6500. It is easy to ask anything for a van but getting it is another thing. However those vw westfallias are crazy expensive, some people think that converted Astros or Caravans are in the same class with the same following. That is a bit like trying to sell a Chinese retro looking scooter to a vespa officianado. Not sure why anyone would pay the kind of money they get for those things, but they do, I have a friend that has over 32,000 sunk into an older square model westfalia, crazy but he loves them and has the money.

 

[ttpadilla]

Hi Bitty I think this would be ideal for you, if you could find one, these were made by a company now out of California GTRV. Originally they used the Grand Caravan SE model with swivel front seats, for the last few years they also use Toyota Siennas as well as full size vans. They came with, house batteries, inverters, thermostatically controlled propane heaters, hot water (optional), water tanks for fresh water, a collapsible grey water tank, fridge, stove and running water.They are quality built, 83 inch headroom, 5 seat belts, sleeps two up and two down  with good appliances. I rolled, give or take a couple at just short of 25 mpg on a trip to Alaska with it last summer, it is a 6 cylinder. Drives like a car, easy to park with all the windows, came with all the bells like cruise control, a/c, great stereo, 20lb propane tank built in. This model is a bit too old for your criteria 1993 but I am sure they have made them most years since. good luck
here is a few pics for you.  

Looks pretty perfect for my needs, too!

 

[SoulRaven]

Okay, so I'm hearing you all saying that's overpriced and not a good deal and all, yet I'm not seeing anything else available within my parameters. I've contacted the conversion company recommended, but I'd be surprised if purchasing a 2001 van, shipping it to Oregon and having it converted ended up with the grand total cheaper than the $9,800 USD it would cost to get the GTRV from Canada - IF I paid full asking price, which wouldn't be the plan.

Furthermore, brand new upholstery and construction actually tends to cause me severe breathing issues, which could make the van unlivable for me, which would suck. Used for at least a few years gives the chance for things to offgas a lot of their chemicals before I get to them.

I need something smaller than full size because there are entire areas I cannot park simply due to the length of a full sized van. For someone to say "shorter is not better" is ludicrous. I'm not finding a lot of options with vans smaller than full-sized.

I'm listening to everything you guys are saying about this one, but I'm not exactly seeing viable alternatives.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

Don't let me discourage you if you really like it, buy it, you only live once, it is only money and you can't take it with you. Have you researched the issues and costs involved in importing it. Is that even possible? These are rare however last year after buying my Caravan I saw four others for sale about the same year all with a little more miles on them, one in Vancouver one in quebec, one in Kelowna, they varied in price, most were sitting between 4500 and 6000 cdn one guy in Victoria wanted 10,000 for one with 320,000 kms on it, I thought he was dreaming but who knows . These were all 1991 to 1994s so that 2001 would be worth a bit more but it is not a pop top so that is something to take into consideration, when comparing. The reason you find the older ones in Canada is because GTRV started out in Richmond just out of Vancouver on LULU Island as LULU Island GTRV campers. Before they shifted to California.

 

[Gary68]

there is a steady stream of vans on craigslist,be patient and get exactly what you want
http://seattle.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=van
http://portland.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=van

 

[SoulRaven]

there is a steady stream of vans on craigslist,be patient and get exactly what you want
http://seattle.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=van
http://portland.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=van

Yes, there are lots of vans. All not remotely within my parameters.

 

[SoulRaven]

Don't let me discourage you if you really like it, buy it, you only live once, it is only money and you can't take it with you.  Have you researched the issues and costs involved in importing it. Is that even possible? These are rare however last year after buying my Caravan I saw four others for sale about the same year all with a little more miles on them, one in Vancouver one in quebec, one in Kelowna, they varied in price, most were sitting between 4500 and 6000 cdn one guy in Victoria wanted 10,000 for one with 320,000 kms on it, I thought he was dreaming but who knows  .  These were all 1991 to 1994s so that 2001 would be worth a bit more but it is not a pop top so that is something to take into consideration, when comparing. The reason you find the older ones in Canada is because GTRV started out in Richmond just out of Vancouver on LULU Island as LULU Island GTRV campers. Before they shifted to California.

Yep, I was knee-deep in researching it before you all made me think twice. Now I have thought twice and decided to go ahead with pursuing it. It's now re-listed at $10,000 CAD which is about $8,300 USD asking price.

This is the first helpful page I found on importing vehicles. It really helps this is a 2001 year model.

And I'd need U.S. customs documents for it.

Looks like there's extra hassle, but certainly possible.

 

[BC Guy]

Here is a 1992 for $7500.

http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/rds/cto/5000690655.html

 

[SoulRaven]

Here is a 1992 for $7500.

http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/rds/cto/5000690655.html

Thanks, I saw that but anything below '93 and my budget drips to $2000 total (including tax and registration fees). Has to be '93 or newer in order for this other person to be willing to contribute to the van purchase.  Otherwise I'd certainly have jumped on it!

 

[Bela's Mom]

Looks like a nice van!  I hope that it all works out for you!

 

[SoulRaven]

Okay, so we were about to get this one....and basically the gift was changed to a loan, and as I'm not currently able to make payments on a loan I was uncomfortable with that.

The new plan is that the purchase will be of a regular minivan of close to comparable value, we'll swap the vehicles as gifts to keep the paperwork running smoothly so SSI doesn't freak out and I'll have a minivan to live out of. Looks like Toyota Siennas are preferable according to initial research.

Having now lived out of two different non-converted vehicles, - three if you count living for a week in a parked SUV - I feel I have a reasonable grasp on what will be involved. It shouldn't be hard. It'll be less comfortable than a converted set-up, but the idea is to get me into some thing mechanically sound, with better MPG and that's smaller and blends into safer, family-oriented environments better.

And perhaps after a time I will be able to pay some DIYer to do some of the conversion for me.

But seriously. at this point the mechanical issues are drowning me between finances and stress. I'll happily sleep on a bare solid foundation I can build on when ready than  balance on the ground crumpling beneath me.

Besides....I've done the thing in a 2 door vintage Corolla, a short SUV, and a full-size van...a minivan just might end up being my goldilocks.

 

[akrvbob]

Yeah for Goldilocks!
Bob