In Search of Wisdom; What Van to Buy?

Dear Mr. Vantasy · Apr 2, 2015

Greetings fellow travelers-

Looking for input from some experienced dwellers.

I have a generous offer for my '06 Lexus RX330 with 106K. She has been LOYAL! But she's not big enough for my van dwelling dream. I was offered 11k, kbb acurate, but generous for the hail damage she has.

SO...Do I...

1) Keep the Lexus, spend a few K and keep her for another 10 years. (But slowly die inside because I wanna full size, full blown stealth campin' van)

2) Buy as new as possible, keeping a couple grand to tune her up/fix any major issues

3) Buy a '93 Chevy G20 with 124K for $4k and have a whole lot left to remodel her and hit the road this summer!

I am not very experienced mechanically, at all. I can change a tire, add some oil, hit a starter with a wrench to get one last crank out of it. But overall I'm more of a "hand ya tools while you fix stuff" kinda gal.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

-DMV

ttpadilla · Apr 2, 2015

Dear Mr. Vantasy said:
Greetings fellow travelers-

Looking for input from some experienced dwellers.

I have a generous offer for my '06 Lexus RX330 with 106K. She has been LOYAL! But she's not big enough for my van dwelling dream. I was offered 11k, kbb acurate, but generous for the hail damage she has.

SO...Do I...

1) Keep the Lexus, spend a few K and keep her for another 10 years. (But slowly die inside because I wanna full size, full blown stealth campin' van)

2) Buy as new as possible, keeping a couple grand to tune her up/fix any major issues

3) Buy a '93 Chevy G20 with 124K for $4k and have a whole lot left to remodel her and hit the road this summer!

I am not very experienced mechanically, at all. I can change a tire, add some oil, hit a starter with a wrench to get one last crank out of it. But overall I'm more of a "hand ya tools while you fix stuff" kinda gal.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

-DMV

Hey, DMV!

If it were me, I'd probably go with option #2, but others here will probably know more about the Chevy G20 and how reliable/awesome it might be, giving you a solid option #3 choice. As long as you're not accruing additional debt, and have some money set aside for emergencies, you should be okay.

Either way, hitting the road this summer sounds great! Congratulations.

rvwandering · Apr 2, 2015

Welcome to the CRVL forums DMV! I would go with the full size van option, as new as possible unless the 03 Chevy is in really great condition. Keep us updated!

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

Dear Mr. Vantasy · Apr 2, 2015

Thanks for your input.

The '93 Chevy has a V-8, 5.7 Liter 350 Chevy Engine, and I've heard good things about it.

simply lesa · Apr 2, 2015

I have a 94 Chevy G20 - Vantucket is her name.
My mechanic picked it out for me because I was in Nicaragua at the time. We paid $950 for her and I have spent quite a bit fixing both mechanical issues and converting the living space.
I go back and forth in a love/hate relationship with my van, mostly because of my income and mechanic shops taking advantage of my being female.
These G20s are GOOD solid vehicles. They are trucks under their van exteriors. IF they are well taken care of they will go and go.... I am back in love with the Simplicity of my van. Having a sizeable EMergency Fund has helped me to relax - although I recently had to spend half of that on the front end.

Sometimes I wish I had a higher roof and then again I really am okay especially since I don't spend my time inside and am outside a lot. I have wished for a newer looking model so I would 'fit in' at parking lots or so I wouldn't feel like I'm being pointed out as having an old vehicle. ..and then I meet someone who restores cars and they love it. Or I meet another G20 owner or two or three (like at RTR) and we are a G20 lovers club!

Simply my 2 cents!
Enjoy the journey and feel free to contact me for more information.

Dear Mr. Vantasy · Apr 2, 2015

simply lesa said:
I have a 94 Chevy G20 - Vantucket is her name.
My mechanic picked it out for me because I was in Nicaragua at the time. We paid $950 for her and I have spent quite a bit fixing both mechanical issues and converting the living space.
I go back and forth in a love/hate relationship with my van, mostly because of my income and mechanic shops taking advantage of my being female.
These G20s are GOOD solid vehicles. They are trucks under their van exteriors. IF they are well taken care of they will go and go.... I am back in love with the Simplicity of my van. Having a sizeable EMergency Fund has helped me to relax - although I recently had to spend half of that on the front end.

Sometimes I wish I had a higher roof and then again I really am okay especially since I don't spend my time inside and am outside a lot. I have wished for a newer looking model so I would 'fit in' at parking lots or so I wouldn't feel like I'm being pointed out as having an old vehicle. ..and then I meet someone who restores cars and they love it. Or I meet another G20 owner or two or three (like at RTR) and we are a G20 lovers club!

Simply my 2 cents!
Enjoy the journey and feel free to contact me for more information.

Thanks for taking the time to share all of this simply lesa! A G20 club, awesome!