How to find a van on a budget?

[dovakiin5574]

Hello everyone, I am new here. Found cheaprvliving on youtube a few days ago when I was looking for solutions to my housing issue. I live in the areas heavily impacted by Hurricane Florence and have spent most of my money on evacuating and returning. The college I attend has delayed Financial Aid refund checks so I won't have my rent on time, so I have about 15 days until I get evicted. I can go stay with my parents but that isn't a good solution long term because my parents do not know what a healthy way of interacting with people looks like (I say this because abusive wouldn't be quite the right term although close enough). I do have a 03 Pontiac Vibe I purchased from my boss a year ago, but it will be too small because I have 2 cats which are my Emotional Support Animals. When I get my next paycheck (I do work), plus the delayed Financial Aid, I will have about $1000 to $1200. Plus my current car valued around $2800. I have looked around on Craigslist and Facebook marketplace for vans but they either aren't interested in trading or they seem really sketchy. This is an issue especially since I am a young woman. What are my other options? How can I get something like a used cargo or conversion van on this budget without putting myself in danger?

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome to the CRVL forums dovakin5574! I don't have any tips on finding a van but hopefully someone will chime in. Good luck with your search!

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips, Tricks and Rules" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[HalfShadows]

Check for local government auctions of vehicles. Most times you can get a screaming deal on vehicles, including vans.

 

[travelaround]

A couple auction links...

https://gsaauctions.gov/

https://www.usa.gov/auctions-and-sales

I use this to look for skoolies:
https://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/browse/cataucs?catid=402

 

[LivGolden]

Thanks for the links.

I have concerns about buying a van through an auction house, though I would like to, at least for a start. I have a tt but really rather not tow anything. I will like to go off-road, occasionally.

I wonder do auction houses certify that the vehicles they sell have not been in a flood or an accident. Or do they have to?

 

[travelaround]

I don't know if they certify anything. Probably you'll buy 'as-is' from the description given on the site. Some vehicles run better than others, and some, not at all.

 

[LivGolden]

Yea, that is a big concern. I just didn't realize how much new vans cost. The risk in buying a used one might, for me, be too much of a risk.

I stopped a mail carrier driving a transit to ask her how she liked it. She bought it used and loves it. No problems. 


So- you never know...

 

[Minivanmotoman]

You do not want to go to an ordinary auction which generally have questionable vehicles. Not for the inexperienced.
Buying from online government auctions has a risk but usually minimal since they come from fed, state, City, prison and municipal fleets that are maintained well, tax payer dollars. Can be great vehicles, been maintained and minimal risk for a used vehicle. And you can buy online on auctions across the country in no flood and no rust areas.
But if you have zero mechanical knowledge, search local on Craig's for a single owner, as low mileage as you can afford and have it checked out by a mechanic before you buy. Do your research online first to determine reliability of engine and models that you should look out for, taking into account fuel economy, maintenance, insurance and repair costs. Smaller is generally cheaper overall if on a budget.
And as for your personal situation, talk to your landlord, should be able to work with you given the recent disaster. This will give you more time to find a good vehicle and prepare better.

 

[Minivanmotoman]

Btw, in your situation the cheapest and easiest is to camp out of your vehicle. The Vibe is the Matrix clone so keeping it would be good, fuel efficient and reliable. Get a tent, find boondocking spots nearby on free campsites.net, live a cheap adventure, save some cash to buy a decent, reliable van.
Or rent a room short term, seek out help from women's aide groups, on campus support, etc...

 

[max+sophia]

I wonder do auction houses certify that the vehicles they sell have not been in a flood or an accident. Or do they have to?

Hi Liv, I used to deliver cars sold at auction.  Ran into an electric pole with one due to loss of brakes.

Far as I know, mostly dealers send cars to auction because they don't want to guarantee them, or they wouldn't sell easily.

It's not that you can't find a real deal on an older vehicle, but TAKE A MECHANIC with you. :-/ Good luck. Max

 

[highdesertranger]

out here in California at auctions all major problems must be disclosed. failure to disclose ends the sale and the buyer gets a full refund and the seller besides not getting the money for the sale pays a fine for not disclosing. so it's highly unlikely you will get a vehicle with a bad engine or transmission without knowing it. highdesertranger

 

[max+sophia]

out here in California at auctions all major problems must be disclosed.

Hi Mike, It was many decades ago that I drove for an auto auction.  According to your post, CA has done the right thing.  I wonder how many other states followed.  Guess checking on laws where your auction is taking place, is the way.

 

[Smitty716]

I agree with minivanmotoman , government or state auctions are great places. But I wouldn’t go to one from a state that’s been threw a hurricane. As a retired mechanic I know I took care of our local jails vans . Most states keep them well maintained because they carry prisoners. Plus you can go to those auctions and drive the vehicles to make sure stuff works. Of course all states are different.

 

[Katherine]

If you really want to buy a van on a budget, you'd better searched the type you want to buy in the search engine Google, like "van used / van used sale / van used buy" or something like that. And then you can find the related website and have a look about the type or price you can afford from the website firstly. Or find it at the send-hand van trading shop offline.

 

[Jackpine]

Getting a Carfax report on a vehicle gives some assurance that a vehicle hasn't been in a flood or had major damage. This thread has info on living in a Vibe/Matrix. https://vanlivingforum.com/showthread.php?tid=31793&page=2 Finally I know that after being away from my dad for two years when I went away to college greatly improved our relationship. Good luck.

 

[highdesertranger]

just a heads up. I have posted this before Carfax is not the final word. they only report stuff that is reported to them. many people don't want negative reports going to Carfax for various reasons. there are many ways to get around the reporting. highdesertranger

 

[Smitty716]

My mom just bought another car and when my brother took her to look at it it looked good , my brother ran a car fax and nothing showed up . BUT when she called to get insurance, Apparently the guy had insurance with State Farm like my mom . They doubled her insurance cost. When she asked them why, they told her they had paid to repair that car before. And they weren’t going to fix it again. What are the chances of you buying a car that had been wrecked and fixed, then having he same insurance company as the guy that wrecked it to begin with. She told them she didn’t own the car when it was wrecked so it shouldn’t effect her cost. That’s when they said they didn’t want to repair it again if anything happened.

 

[highdesertranger]

that's odd because State Farm and the shops they use for repair usually notify Carfax. it's the fly by night companies and the DIY people who don't report it. also unscrupulous car dealers. highdesertranger

 

[terranaught]

I bought mine from the local transit company,$900 2001 savana 1ton

 

[JamesAdam]

1991 Toyota Previa mini-van. AllTrac All Wheel Drive can be purchased for around two grand, add new tires and you have a 4cyl minivan. They carry 4x8 sheets of plywood, you can have a decent amount of room to build what you want, or the Previa with the middle bench seat folds flat to line up with the third row that folds flat to give you a lumpy bed to get you started.....
Reliable and I got 26 mpg from Seattle to Tulsa this last July.

They were made from 1991 - 1997 (1991 and 1992 without the steering wheel Airbag are the best choice )

Cool van, but the rear wheel drive version gets stuck in the slippery stuff easily....

Good luck with your search!

JamesAdam