mini or cargo van?

[kex02611]

Heeeello all - I am living in New Zealand, have been saving up for a few months now to buy a van and do her up in time for summer here in the southern hem next February!

I am currently at a crossroads of choice.. oh what a privileged life I do lead! 

IN NZ VAN MARKET:

For the same amount of money - I can purchase a mini van, relatively low kms, new model, that has already had conversion work done on it, meaning I can spend the next few months tweaking the way I like. (With little to no experience of building/mechanics or converting this is the probably wiser, safer, and more boring option).

OR

I can purchase a bright yellow cargo van, an old DHL postal van, 3L diesel engine, low kms and 2003 model, which is devoid of anything - a blank canvas, so I can spend the next 4 months making it liveable, and the next few years slowly making it my own in time for the summers of my life. I am pretty tall and would love to make a moving studio/put in a nice kitchen, maybe a lofty area who knows! This is by far the more creative option; but much more of a risk! 

Would love advice from anyone who has been converting/had experience living in cargo vs minivans or anyone who has an opinion or advice. I would be spending all the money I have really and making it back up until I start my adventure so I want to make the right choice )))

Lots of van love!

 

[travelaround]

Since you're low on money, will gas mileage be a consideration?

 

[bullfrog]

The real question is one only you can answer, how little space do you need to enjoy or be comfortable living. It is different for each person. It depends on how tall and wide you are, if anyone or pet is traveling with you at any time, if you have flexibility or mobility difficulties, if you require a wheel chair or cpap or have allergies, the temperature extremes you will be in, the amount of clothes you take, the lenght of time spent boon docking, will you have access to utilites and ect. too many things to consider so a lot us just start experimenting. Most of us try several different rigs and setups especially as we age our needs change so must the way we stay nomadic or maybe not. If you by yourself, are young, do a lot of back packing, are a small person used to being in small spaces to sleep or change clothes kneeling or laying down or even don't mind doing most of the requirements of life outside the van like urban camping using a health club or spa, eating at shops basically just sleeping and spending a few bad weather days in the van then the mini van would work just fine. I went from a tarp to a tent to a pickup topper to VW van and thought it was heaven, but then I got a class A motorhome and it was even better but I soon found out I couldn't get the places where I wanted to go so I went to a small trailer and a 4x4 truck with small camper on it. Things really change over 5 or 10 years for me. All of these were the best and right for me for most of the time I used them. The biggest 2 problems most people have are 1st never getting things ready enough to go and 2nd going with something that makes them so uncomfortable they quit. Most important is getting a good comfortable restful nights sleep that means having enough of an emergengy fund that you don't stay awake all night worrying also. Will both vehicles be able to go where you want to go? In my case I would go postal put in a good bed and thermarest matress and sell everything else. Live in it as cheaply in it as I could only getting what I needed when I needed it. If I can poop in a bucket and afford bags that will do untill I have a huge expendable income and then maybe get a composting toilet as an example. Travel and get by untill yoou see what it costs and what you need. Don't buy it if you cann't afford it or sell it. Get into something you can travel in ASAP and travel while you can, as long as you can sleep in it and have enough money to enjoy where ever you are you will be good. The rest you can figure out as you go or change.

 

[maki2]

Go for the cargo van. Think of it as an opportunity to gain new skills. Put in some insulation to make yourself more comfortable by helping to regulate the temperature and reduce the noise. Get some plastic drawers and a mattress, a portable stove and water jugs, some type of toilet and  you are set to go. Then make plans and improvements over time. No need to be in a hurry, just relax and enjoy having a  generous sized space.