Is this our van

[Matt71]

So the dealership called us today and said they have a van that sort of fit our specs.

it's a 2002 E150 with a tow package and 4 captains chairs
It has 171,000 miles, but only 1 owner.
Unfortunately they haven't posted any pics yet, but we're going to go take a look tomorrow

HERE is the LINK

What do you think?
Will that handle out 7 x 14 trailer?

,Matt

 

[Canine]

Of course the 5.4 will pull it, just not super fast, but it will work, I didn't look at the price, yet at a dealer there is always room to dicker. Ask to see the mechanics inspection from used car department. It should note what it needed that they didn't elect to fix...

That mileage is ok unless original tranny. If original then set aside whatever $ a local tranny shop wants to swap out. You know they rarely go 200K on an original... Other than that, hopefully everything works, like air and all lights etc... We're tires replaced, brakes? Belts, and fluids flushed? Did you get a Ford Oasis report? (Ford maintenance history).

Now have fun. Get your electric brake controller and since you are towing consider LT tires instead of P rated car tires... So much to do...

 

[GotSmart]

They are asking about twice blue book.

 

[Gary68]

a little high on miles,look for oil around front crank seal and between engine and trans and smoke on a cold start

 

[LeeRevell]

"...twice blue book"...
Deal breaker.  PASS.  

 

[HarmonicaBruce]

So the dealership called us today...

Matt, you're about 10 miles from where I'm staying.  I'm near Saline (for now).  The price is a little high on the van, that's a lot of miles.

 

[Matt71]

We're not likely to take it, especially not at that price, but I want to at least take a look since they did take the extra effort to not write us off when we told them what we were looking for. They at least tried

 

[Canine]

The van pricing I won't comment on as I'm not familiar with your region and clean van availability. While it is equipped well, if you intend on "losing" the interior seating, you are actually paying a lot for that "privilege"... If you want a passenger van, offer them under 5,000 and save for a tranny. If you are going to strip it out, find a cargo van. Remember dealers mark their stuff up high... Maybe someone can help you with realistic valuations.

I just see 171K on an original tranny and "leather" captains chairs... If you don't need the chairs and are concerned over the tranny, pass. If the dealer drops 2000 then maybe. How long has it been on the lot? The used car department inspection date or the oil change sticker will tell you. Let it sit, over 60 days they get nervous. If you appear too interested, the salesman will try to use your emotions against you.

 

[Matt71]

It just hit the lot. It wasn't there last week.

 

[Canine]

So what do you want or need? A passenger van or a cargo van...

When you look on Craigslist or autotrader, do you find anything else you think would work? Do you have parameters for your vehicle? Age, size, cost, style or type? Area you are willing to go to for finding the vehicle?

 

[Matt71]

We will have a lot of room in our trailer, so we can really get away with either a passenger van with some seats pulled out or a cargo van. The van will essentially be our kitchen and storage. I do want to be able to lounge in it from time to time

This is what we need
- 2000 or newer (the newer the better obviously)
- Automatic
- Tow package and a big enough engine to pull a moderately loaded 7' x 14' trailer
- As few miles as possible
- under $9000
- Minimal rust (hard to find in Michigan)
- Won't need any significant repairs in the next 30,000 miles

 

[Canine]

post id: 5023720266 posted: 2 days ago

Well open up your geographic parameters. A quick craigslist check here in Phoenix found several recent van postings..l

The most promising is a 2005 ford 350' high top, window van, v10 (that would pull your trailer) with 111K. Something like $4500. See above post.

Just be willing to call, ask for lots of pics online, run a carfax or other competitive check, then fly out. If it's a SW van there's no rust...

 

[Gary68]

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/cto/5007291416.html

just the first thing i saw,what part of m.i. and do you want blank slate,nice interior,camper?

no joke on the rust part

 

[Gary68]

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/cto/4948970934.html

or some more like this?

 

[akrvbob]

I wouldn't buy that van at all, but if I did I wouldn't pay more than $3500.

That van is in the heart of the 5.4 spark plug problem, make sure it was fixed.
Bob

 

[TucsonAZ]

I wouldn't touch a 1/2 van for anything beyond carting around a few people, certainly not for what you want. I also wouldn't touch a Ford with that generation of motor unless the heads were replaced by the dealer to address the spark plug issues.

 

[LeeRevell]

I'd want a whole van too......

 

[wagoneer]

Good to see you downsizing. My only issue would be towing with a 1/2 ton. Try to overamp your tow vehicle, if you are towing a lot get a Dodge with a nice cummins or at least a 3/4 ton ford cargo with a 7.3.if your only cooking in you van get a small slide in like a kodiak. then you have a pickup and plenty of towing possibilities, Dodge hold resale value. I look at every purchase like an investment, in other words "will I get my money back".

 

[masterplumber]

I can't speak to the particular van that you originally posted, except that I wouldn't tow a trailer that has the potential to be loaded to 7000 lbs with a 1/2 ton. I just thought I'd add something about dealer pricing, that will hopefully help you in the future. I've been self employed over half my adult life, and employed as many as a dozen people at a time. So I've had the opportunity to purchase many trucks and vans. From what I've gleaned over all these years is that "fleet price" is 18%-20% off the asking price of used, or msrp of new. So I never pay more than that. Now with used there is a caveat, and it may or may not pertain to this one. If they paid too much for the van as a trade in, so they could make the sale of a new vehicle, then even 20% off the ask could be too high, but that is what they will want for it. That's why the best tool you can have in your pocket when you go to buy, is the ability to walk away, no matter how much you like a particular vehicle. If you get up to walk out, and they really want to sell it, they will come down. If not there will always be another deal out there waiting.
Also, never buy from a used car lot near a military base. Those dealers are usually the lowest form of scum in my opinion and take advantage of our young enlisted men and women. I've seen it so many times in various states that it just sickens me and I won't even step on their lots.

 

[Canine]

That's why I found him the 1 ton v10 link... I never heard from him again if he found something up there or not. I wouldn't want to be looking for a clean rust free van up in Michigan or Minnesota, little supply. There's plenty to be had down here but he would have to fly out. Las Vegas has a lot of vans too. It's all timing, supply and demand...