might have found my used RV...maybe

[Sharknose]

I am talking to a friends step dad about buying his 1984 Ford E350 Midas Freeport.  Im still waiting on pics, but I have seen it in person a few months back and I remember it looked in good shape. 
What I do know about it:  All new tires beginning of summer (and no travel on them).  New Water pump installed last month and all tanks flushed and cleaned out.  New upgraded fridge and freezer last summer.  61500 on odometer.  No leaks or water damage.  All orginal interior (will need updated or reupholstered eventually).  New brakes all the way around. 

He will take $2000 for it from me otherwise he is asking closer to $4500 on the sign in the window.

Does anyone have one of these or has had?  Any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks

 

[John61CT]

The fact that it's being so recently cared for, and a trusted personal connection, he wants to sell it to someone part of his community, makes this really compelling.

Quickly get a trusted mechanic to check it out, if no huge deal-breaker shows up, grab it!

 

[SimpleSafari]

Sounds pretty good. The only thing I would say to look for in addition is to make sure there is no delamination. If you can look down the side of the rv and it's straight with no bulges there or forming, that's a good sign. Can't speak the the type of rv, never actually heard of it, but generally sounds good and John61ct brings up a good point about willingness to sell to someone in his community.

 

[Minivanmotoman]

While the condition and price sound great, the real cost is down the road on this 34 yr old rig.

Maintenance and repair will be the critical unknown.

Last year on here, we had a member with endless problems on the road with her 88 Ford class C.
To the tune of thousands of $$$, stuck in the middle of nowhere, waiting for parts, finding a mechanic, etc... after a full rebuild and mechanic go over.

Have a safety net of savings to keep this rig on the road. Enough to replace an engine or transmission.
Minimum $2k.
How handy or mechanically inclined are you?
If not, buyer beware...
Or consider it the cost of learning and adventure.
I would recommend save and buy a newer rig for hassle free rving.
But if you're on a budget, willing to risk it feeling lucky...

 

[John61CT]

That would be true for any low-initial-cost van.

Yes most here would say a Chevy would be more reliable.

But again the fact this has been in use recently, evidence of being cared for ongoing, the personal connection to me tips the scale

compared to some CL listing from a stranger.

$2000 would be a very bare minimum Vehicle Fund. I would def keep adding to that ongoing https://vanlivingforum.com/showthread.php?pid=353330#pid353330

 

[Sharknose]

I do understand the downsides to buying an older vehicle like that, even if its initially in great shape. Repair costs of old parts going bad and such. But I can turn a wrench to do most of my basic repairs myself. For me though its a budget thing. Due to continuing circumstances with my ex-wif I am living paycheck to paycheck with no savings to talk about. All that should be settled in Sept and I should (except for child support) be a financially free man. I have very little bills and don't want to sign another years lease to get stuck paying rent into someone elses pocket for some place I really don't want to live. $600/month + utilities could go along way getting me to my dream.
So I may not go on the road real soon after I get this RV (which Im hoping I do) for a couple of reasons. Keep working at my current job to save up a nice emergency fund. And 2, so I can have a few months to get to know my rig and see if there are any problems that come up before I get on the road and break down and stranded in who knows where.

 

[wcurtin1962]

Even if it needs some work you could find a camp ground to live at while you whip it into shape. Older carbureted engines are easer to fix on the fly and most parts are still available for them. It also helps if you grew up working on them.

 

[Dingfelder]

Even if it needs some work you could find a camp ground to live at while you whip it into shape. Older carbureted engines are easer to fix on the fly and most parts are still available for them. It also helps if you grew up working on them.

Reminds me of an observation I heard Christopher Hitchens making in a video:  Eventually it become too late to make old friends.

 

[Sharknose]

Even if it needs some work you could find a camp ground to live at while you whip it into shape. Older carbureted engines are easer to fix on the fly and most parts are still available for them. It also helps if you grew up working on them.

Im handy with a carburetor.  Its one of the reasons Im looking at this one.  I can do the basic engine repairs and maintenance with standard tools.  And yes the parts are most of the time available at any Oreilleys or other auto parts store.

 

[Katherine]

I am talking to a friends step dad about buying his 1984 Ford E350 Midas Freeport.  Im still waiting on pics, but I have seen it in person a few months back and I remember it looked in good shape. 
What I do know about it:  All new tires beginning of summer (and no travel on them).  New Water pump installed last month and all tanks flushed and cleaned out.  New upgraded fridge and freezer last summer.  61500 on odometer.  No leaks or water damage.  All orginal interior (will need updated or reupholstered eventually).  New brakes all the way around. 

He will take $2000 for it from me otherwise he is asking closer to $4500 on the sign in the window.

Does anyone have one of these or has had?  Any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks

Just now I have one sold the 1984 Ford E350 Midas Freeport on purplewave (Which I searched the keywords "1984 Ford E350 Midas Freeport" and then found it), the price is $1,155. But I saw some place are very old and got rusty. So we don't know the exact situation about it, you'd better make a judgement by yourself.