Help. Would this work?

[Katewels]

Would a '95 Astro van with 49,000 original miles and "government maintained" be a good fit for someone who isn't mechanically inclined?

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Yes.  I've bought a number of vehicles from government surplus auctions, and I always found them to be very well maintained.  Also, very honest about whatever faults there might be - unlike private sellers and car dealers.  49,000 miles is surprisingly low for a 20 year old vehicle.  A vehicle like this should be good for another 50,000 to 70,000 trouble free miles PROVIDED you maintain it religiously from this point on.

 

[Katewels]

I think someone else picked it up from the auction and they have it listed for $4,000

 

[cyndi]

Still not a bad price. It can be negotiated down. Most people don't advertize a price they are expecting to get. They advertize a pprice knowing it will be negotiated down.

 

[95Astro]

Would a '95 Astro van with 49,000 original miles and "government maintained" be a good fit for someone who isn't mechanically inclined?

I own a '95 Astro van (bought it new) and love it. It has approx 100k miles. I have heard of them lasting to 400k miles when well maintained. So 41k miles in 20 years is extremely low milage, if you are confident that's an honest number.

We have been on all sorts of coastal, mountain, desert, and city adventures together. In 21 years i've had mostly either regular maintenance issues (brakes, tires, oil and fluids replacement) or minor repair issues (water pump, alternator, thermostat, exhaust system hose replacement). the only major issues so far have been radiator replacement, catalytic converter replacement, and the O2 sensor replacement. With so many Astros on the road parts are fairly easy to get and mechanics are well familar with them.

No vehicle is 100% trouble-free, of course, and each one has its own distinct character, but overall i'd rate Astro vans highly reliable...i'm on my third one in 40 years.