How to go about buying a used van?

[transient]

This is probably a stupid question, but I gotta ask it somewhere.

My parents have made it pretty clear that they don't want anything to do with my vanlife process and are avidly against it. Unfortunately that means I have no one to help me start & no one to answer my questions.

I live in BC, Canada and I am still trying to scrape up a bunch of money to actually pay for the van itself. I'm on disability benefits, so I'll have a stream of 530$ or so every month when I leave so I won't be out in the wind when I quit my job.

I also live in a pretty rural area, it's very rare for anyone to post about a camper van and I've only seen it about twice in the last year. So I want to be prepared if/when something shows up again because I don't want to have to pay hundreds to get the car delivered if I get it from another town.

I'd ask specific questions, but I really have no idea what I'm doing here. Any and all advice is appreciated. I've never purchased a vehicle before, so I have no idea where to start.

 

[BC Guy]

We need more info in order to make suggestions. Do you have a driver's license?(You say that you have never bought a vehicle.)
Are you near a bus line to a city? Do you have a friend (or relative other than your parents) that will drive you to look at vehicles if you pay for the gas?
$530Cdn a month will not cover a lot in B.C.. I noticed that some local gas stations were up to $1.13.9Cdn per litre yesterday.
It will do if you have if you have some place to park free and are not driving.

 

[arctic cat]

Like BC Guy explained we need more information. In order for us to give you good sound advice we need more information. You also need to take in consideration other issues and addressed those issue before you embark in your van lifestyle.

One those the first issues would be your money situation. According to you you have a disability income of CND$530 which on today exchange rate is US$405, not a lot of money. So think this thru, BC right now is warm and toasty, but come the winter you need to head south, perhaps south to the US. Is the Canadian Govertment would let you keep your disability payments if you go out of the country? Example in the US people in SSI can't leave the country for more than 30 days or loose their benefits. Even if you do Canadian and US Regulation let us visit both of our countries, but as tourist you can only do so for only 6 months. Meaning that you have to make a trip back and for to Canada every 6 months which would take a good chunck of your money.

Other issue is you have to outfit your van with things that you need and because you may be alone you have to be able to fend for yourself. Everyone outfit their vehicle according to their income and needs, Regardless you need some type of gear to at least cook and do some other chores that you may be required to.

You claimed you have a disability, are you required to see a doctor regularly? Do you know the US do't have socialized medice as in Canada? You need to think that too

Also if coming to the US you need to see what are the border crossing requirements for your country of residence wich is Canada. I know the one for me as a US citizen, but you also YOUR requirement as a Canadian citizen.

We can give you advice, but you you have to to thinks those issues thru and come up with a solution. We don't want to discourage you, but we need more information in order to assist you better.

 

[Wanderer]

OK, I'll say this.

I'd suggest that unless the disability prevents you from freely moving around, you stay with the parents.

$530 CAN is equal to $405 US.....

The van will cost you $3K or so...Saving that will take time.

Are you prepared to deal with ice? Snow? temps to -20?