Introduction- just considering ATM

[cdwhit]

Just an introduction.  As retirement races up (not fast enough though), I'm looking at some options.  I currently live in Missouri, and hate it, so retirement plans include a relocation.  I honestly don't think I could do the full time van life thing long term, at least not unless I had a lot more money to spend on it than I do, but I think a couple years would be great.  

A couple years of travel post retirement would allow me to visit more places I think I might want to live.  It would allow me to house shop (have you ever tried to look for a house a couple thousand miles from where you live?  It sucks!)  And who knows, when I do it for a while, I may decide I can give up the "stuff" that ties me to a brick and mortar house.

There are a lot of options, and a lot of problems with the plan, but I think it's worth some research, so here I am.

How many of you started with a used vehicle, and how many spend the big bucks for a new vehicle?  While used are much more affordable and would fit into my plans so much better, the thought of a breakdown stranding me somewhere, especially somewhere off the beaten track and out of cell phone coverage, makes me wonder. Tips on making sure your used vehicle is going to keep working for you? Maximum miles you'd look at in a used vehicle?

 

[WanderingRose]

Gently used is optimal, in my opinion, checked over thoroughly and then maintained faithfully.

Which won’t prevent unexpected issues that strand you where you are, and which must be planned for with patience and adequate savings.

 

[RoamerRV428]

agree...gently used. you get a great discount over buying new plus you aren't buying a vehicle that has been rode hard and put up wet. You are kinda in that safer zone.

I think traveling to find a new home location is a fab idea. That is what hubby and I will do. We are full timing on the road for a very long time til that one day, when one might say....omg I found paradise and might wanna buy something permanent at that point...but freedom to travel is such a great way to explore. I like your plan

 

[highdesertranger]

Welcome cdwhit to the CRVL forums! 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. highdesertranger

 

[JD GUMBEE]

cdwhit, not sure if you are going to do a minivan, cargo full sized van or a full blown camper van, but your fears of the breakdown is no more likely in the correct 8-10 year old 50,000 or less mile unit than a brand new one.
Actually, LESS likely. Few things are more shaky than a brand new car with a gremlin in it. The more of a technological wonder it is, the worse the gremlins tend to be.

Almost all vehicles now depend on a fuel pump in the tank.
It's a crap shoot as to when they fail.
Same with the human hair-follicle-thin wires and sensors throughout everything.
Nearly all of us depend on a $4.59 manufacturing cost crank sensor...and the auto makers continue to bury things in hotter and hotter engine compartments loaded with emissions garbage.
It's amazing more do not succumb to attrition.

Are you looking at cargo full sized vans, camper van, mini???

Mrs G and I LOVED shopping for homes on our trips.
It was her favorite thing to do.

We loved learning all the roads and each new town/county was a like a birthday present to be opened.
PS...in case you don't know...the best Mexican food is often served out of an old very clean mail truck with a big line in front of it.

 

[eDJ_]

Hello and welcome to the CRVL Forums.

What I would suggest is looking for a 3/4 ton extended (high top) Van.  Chevy or GM 350 V8 is good and Ford (which I own a 90 with fairly low mileage for that year) are good choices.  I don't have any experience with Dodge but several people here do.   If you can shop for awhile you will find a deal sooner or later.  $5,000 may put you behind the wheel of something fine.  Since you are going to be traveling and living in it look for what you can be comfortable in should you have to endure a bad weather bout for several days.  Just think of it as a Den with a kitchenette & Bed. 

If you are going to live this life there are plenty of nationally syndicated Gym's which offer 24/7 access so you can shower and clean up, exercise, watch TV, recharge your laptop, cell, etc.   There are more of these east of the Mississippi than west of it.  Planet Fitness is the least expensive but you need to make sure you purchase membership which will allow you to use any of them anywhere.  Others are more expensive.  Anytime Fitness & Planet fitness are two of the largest I know of.

In the links below in my sig's,  the bottom one is a portal of links.  In one of the list topics "Staying Awhile" you will find two links to PRIZM.  (zip code identifier)  If you are thinking about locating a house for retirement,  these can be invaluable to you.  Realtors use similar software to help clients locate a home far away that will be similar to where they live now.....or even better. 

Good Luck

 

[Gr8ful]

I wanted a pre computer diesel & bought a '93 Ford E350 ambulance with 80,000 original miles with a great 7.3 IDI diesel. I looks a year old, had new tires, batteries,250 amp altenator & serp belt last year so it was very well maintained & kept inside & kept the salt washed of as the're is no rust. Everything works & it looks 1 or 2 years old. Front & reat heat & air, no leaks, doesn't burn oil. I couldn't be happier & glad it the last year before the PowerStroke. It was the #2 ambo for a small metro fire dept. I paid $2,000 with the stickers all off & very little to do to make it a motorhome. I believe a vehicle has so many miles in them if properly maintained & this was. It gets 16-18 mpg going 75. Way more storage than I need. For my perpose it couldn't be better. Good luck in your search!

 

[ckelly78z]

A 5 year old vehicle with 60,000 miles has lost half of it's initial purchase price to depreciation. This is more appealing to me than buying new, because it leaves alot of money on the table for potential repairs.

Those who require a brand new vehicle, and a full warranty obviously have more usable money than I have, especially when they trade off every 3-5 years.

 

[MrNoodly]

A 5 year old vehicle with 60,000 miles has lost half of it's initial purchase price to depreciation. This is more appealing to me than buying new, because it leaves alot of money on the table for potential repairs.

It's always a tradeoff. A newer, lower mileage, and therefore more expensive vehicle is less likely to need significant repairs for many years to come. You can save initial purchase money on something older and/or with higher mileage and have more for a repair fund, but you'd also be more likely to need the repair fund, and need it sooner.

That said, I got a seven year old Express with 115K miles on it. Seven years later, with 270K miles, it's still running strong, with the only major repairs being some motor mounts and suspension components.