I like to share this.........

[The Ethiopian]

For the last 3 weeks i been living in my small Toyota corrolla 2000 and travelled through California and Oregon coast. It was amazing adenture and i loved it. Now i live in Portland and i am planning on buying a van . I saw this one on craiglist. http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/4381473860.html. http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/4381473860.html

 

[Donedirtcheap]

Having lived in Michigan I love seeing something that isn't RUSTED.
The good: I have seen several of those vans go over 200,000 miles
The bad: I have seen several of those vans along with other GM vehicles of the era need intake manifold gaskets and fuel injector spider lines. Others may know more. Cant remember but they might be a nightmare to change heater cores on too.
I dont know the market for M vans but it seems a little high to me. Compare mileage figures to full size vans

Just my opinion but I would look hard at the difference in fuel use before putting the money into that van compared to a full size panel van. If you ever want to pull a trailer the full size will do better.
The 4.3 in a full size or pick up has more room around it to work on it but will suffer when towing.
Some years the small v8 would get 1 mpg better than the v6

 

[GotSmart]

That is high dollar for things you will be taking out. For that money you are purchasing a family wagon, which you do not need. Too many windows, and not enough space. As DDC mentioned, look at larger vans and do your research before you buy. Perhaps spend a couple hours looking at conversion vans around the same price.

 

[The Ethiopian]

@Donedirtcheap, thanks for shering that information. But i have to ask u a quetion if u dont mind. If u are in my position and u want spend $5000 on van to live in what kind of make ,model and year will u get?. Thanks

 

[caseyc]

Although a Chevy Astro is certainly larger than a Toyota Corolla, it's still relatively small-ish. Why not get a full size van? Really doesn't cost any more to get a full size van.

Pictures of the Chevy Astro do look nice, by the way.

 

[GotSmart]

http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/cto/4380716651.html

This looks like a deal, but you have a lot of owner selling vans there that are nice in your price range.

 

[caseyc]

Seems like a pretty good deal for the price. I'm curious, do Ford van engines need to be replaced after a certain mileage? I realize there are many variables to that question.

http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/cto/4380716651.html

This looks like a deal, but you have a lot of owner selling vans there that are nice in your price range.

 

[GotSmart]

That depends on a lot of factors. I have heard of high mileage units, and I have had two fords that died on me. (only fords) I killed one chevy 3 times as a teenager, (my fault completely) and have only have had Dodges and Buicks last for many years.

That one unit with fairly low mileage at 1/2 his budget leaves a lot of room to do the minor repairs and set up an interior. Also a decent emergency fund.

Almost any motor made in recent years is bound to give at least 200K miles if treated with average care. (exceptions will happen) I have friends that will only buy high mileage units because they are operating for free (no depreciation) and can get their money back in scrap after it dies.

My current Dodge has 160K on the body, 30K on the V8 motor. (He burned up the V6 towing way too much at too high a speed) and I expect it to last me at least 10 more years.

I just posted the first good looking unit I saw. There are a lot in Portland going for what he has budgeted.

 

[caseyc]

Cool, thanks for the info. I ask cuz mine is a used 1995 Ford E150 conversion van with 165,000 miles. I believe my engine is the original one.

 

[GotSmart]

Just keep an ear open to any changes, and you should be fine.

I find a $5 junk yard part will last about as long as you need on a used vehicle.

Do a google search on your engine, and that will give you clues as to what to keep an eye out for. I belong to a Dodge forum, and the members have sent me parts (Motor blocks, speedometer) for shipping only just because they have trucks, and I have a van. They would rather give it to someone that needed it then throw it away.

Find a Ford Van website and you will have unlimited knowledge at your fingertips.

 

[The Ethiopian]

Gotsmart ,thanks for the link. I called that number and left a message.

 

[GotSmart]

Like I said, that is just the first one I saw that looked good. I would recommend doing a search with $5,000 and owner only (no dealers) as you search parameters on the local Craigslist. That way you have options.

Always have a mechanic check the van before you buy. Look at it as insurance.

 

[decodancer]

My neighbor has 265,000 on his 6 cyl. Econoline and has it loaded with every tool known to man. I've got the same engine in mine and it runs great. Don't know if they still make those.

 

[The Ethiopian]

I am aware of that , i will never buy a viehcle with out mechanic checking first. I think it look good and its a good price but i have to see it first then i go from there.

 

[GotSmart]

If you don't let it warm up and neglect the maintenance, they will die. Almost any vehicle will be good if it has been taken care of. The fords I bought were at the end of their lives when I got them. It was a situation of needing anything that ran to keep working to support my children.

Personally my family has not bought fords, so I know little about them. I buy what I know because it is easier to fix a system I am familiar with.

But I will not rule them out as an honest alternative. On this forum I have seen people having good luck with just about anything. What I posted looked like a good deal that was in nice shape. It even had a bed in the back! (Take out the middle seats, put in solar and a fridge~~~) That would work much better than the 5K mini van.

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I will be on the west coast this summer, and hope to meet some of the members on here for a cup of whatever. I love the way everyone from all backgrounds can communicate and share knowledge. A good question makes me think, and thinking keeps my mind alive!

 

[Starlight]

Got Smart made a good point about buying something you are familiar with. Seems to me, this is a good time to decide the ideal vehicle for you that you will be satisfied with... and as you use it and repair it you become familiar with how to maintain and fix it. Then... when the horse dies... you will have parts to repair another used one just like it... and already be familiar with it. Scavenge the best parts to use or store for later use.

Another point that hasn't been made here... there is a timing belt that will wear out on every vehicle on the road... and it happens around 100,000 miles. This timing belt can cost $500. to change. If it is not changed, and the belt snaps... your engine will be ruined. You will know if the timing belt has been changed because mechanics will scratch the date of replacement on the front edge of the engine box to the left. It would be the first thing I would ask about a car/truck/van.

 

[user 423]

Another point that hasn't been made here... there is a timing belt that will wear out on every vehicle on the road... and it happens around 100,000 miles. This timing belt can cost $500. to change. If it is not changed, and the belt snaps... your engine will be ruined.

Actually most of the vans and truck engines have timing chains and not belts. It's possible for them to break all at once but they will make noises and cause driveability problems long before they break.

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Also, I would thoroughly check out any claims of a 'new engine'. This could mean it was a rebuilt from a reputable source with a warranty, a 'rebuild' done by someone's brother-in-law in the back yard or a used engine from a junkyard that is high-mileage and not so good.

 

[sephson]

A good rule of thumb with older vehicles is to plan on buying it twice. Essentially, this means that you should plan to spend as much on repairs and maintenance in the first year as you spent purchasing the vehicle. Then you won't be caught by surprise at the items the previous owner neglected and you can be pleasantly surprised if all you need to do is change the oil and rotate the tires.

 

[The Ethiopian]

What kind of van is this and what do u think. https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/4377247552.html

 

[caseyc]

Without knowing all the details, my first impression is that it's overpriced for a 1993 model. It would have to be extra pimped out to be worth the $6500 asking price. Most vans in the early 1990s go for $3000 or less. Since there are no pictures that show the interior, I would find that suspect.

What kind of van is this and what do u think. https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/4377247552.html