help needed

[[email protected]]

I was curious what you guys think of this van

i only have about 3k in my bank account and was thinking to maybe get something like this.

I am staying with my parents and was driving a toyota corrolla until  irresponsibly let it run  didn't monitor the engine oil until it ran out and the engine seized.

The toyota my father had bought and let me use.This is the second car that i have messed up and understand i was at fault.

I am thinking of getting something like this in case i may want to dwell in it in the future.

What do you guys think

I did an experiment where i stayed in a uhaul  cargo van for 5 days(mostly near the airport where there was alot of noise)and it was ok although i realized i was exhausted when i got home and slept for 12 hours.


https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/6065733384.html

 

[user 37446]

Well without looking at the van (the ad wouldn't load pics on phone), i'd try to have a bit more saved up as any older cheaper van will have more than the average amount of maintenance and might leak oil just as the late Toyota did... then you'd be right back where you started only thousands poorer.

You wont likely be sleeping near an airport with all the jet noise so that's probably not the biggest concern. Its more the cash reserves (lack of) and the irresponsibility factor that has to be addressed first (sorry but if its happened twice...).

 

[poncho62]

Ford Aerostar van.........Dont see many of them around now a days....Probably a reason for that.

 

[[email protected]]

Whats the minimum i should expect pay for a used van that will be in decent condition?

I don't care for aesethics so long that it is working

 

[John61CT]

Depends completely on your area and varies by season.

Only way to really know is to get out there, look at listed vans as if you have enough money.

I suggest you commit to NOT buying anything for say six months, work your butt off saving all your pennies, and spending your little free time getting to know your local market values, and ideally learn as much as possible about auto maintenance, starting a tool collection, maybe find a friendly mechanic do scut work for him in exchange for teaching you.

Then, when you think HALF your bank account is enough to cover purchasing a reliable van + getting it checked out + needed repairs whatever to get it safe + registration + six months insurance, you'll be ready to pull the trigger on a sweet deal.

The other half should be LOCKED up to cover needed repairs. Keep busting your butt working and saving to get ready to start living in the van, and don't stop doing that until you have ANOTHER bank account with six months' realistic living expenses, then "lock" THAT up to be used only for emergencies.

Then keep busting your butt and start saving for food, fuel and other travel expenses, be sure to again prepay six months' good insurance before you actually hit the road.

Welcome to Adulthood in the real world.

 

[CautionToTheWind]

The price is $157-$260 below trade-in value with fair or good ratings at KBB. After inspection, negotiate down. ( check this page for Atlanta mechanics: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=mechanic&find_loc=Atlanta,+GA&ns=1 )

 

[[email protected]]

The price is $157-$260 below trade-in value with fair or good ratings at KBB. After inspection, negotiate down. ( check this page for Atlanta mechanics: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=mechanic&find_loc=Atlanta,+GA&ns=1 )

We have a family mechanic that replaced our parts for reasonable prices

 

[[email protected]]

Also i wanted to mention that i have a golf teaching business that i have started and right now make about 50-70 per class.

I have only been able to get into two schools thus far and was working on making this grow before my car broke down.

I have been getting rides from my father two days a week and i spoke to my mother about this and although she didn't 

like the idea of me doing the business and would rather see me work professionally or go back to medical specialization program

she had given me 6 months to make it work.

I wouldn't mind going to an lvn program but everything is 7 am clinicals

Thinking about doing something like personal training that doesn't require you to be up super early

With the golf teaching business i like not having to pressure to be up early

I am a little confused because i have 3k in my account with no car and was wondering if i should focus on getting a cheap  car,van or finding a regular job.

I have a BS Health Sciences degree that i think may be obsolete by now since i haven't worked in the field 

Long term my plan was to earn around 2k a month (open to more but ok with that amount) and live minimilistically

Any suggestions?

 

[Ballenxj]

I was curious what you guys think of this van

<----snip---->

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/6065733384.html

Everybody here should know by now I'm not a Ford guy, but with 56K on the clock, and good maintenance records to boot, I would probably buy this.
In your case, you could use it for cheap transportation, hauling your golf clubs around, and do the occasional camping trip in it.
Aside from normal maintenance, I don't really see this one eating you out of house and home with that low of mileage on it.
Here are the reviews on Edmunds. https://www.edmunds.com/ford/aerostar/1995/consumer-reviews/

 

[Weight]

Congratulations for having a BS Degree. They do not go obsolete.

 

[John61CT]

Easy to convert to a full nursing degree with practical hours over 12-18 months,, talk about a great meal ticket! I know a couple spends October to March in Hawaii, then travel around picking up agency work when they feel like it anywhere they like.

Yes hours can be inconvenient to your sleep preferences, I recommend getting over that until you're financially secure.