Need Some Advice

[afurrywarewolf]

Hi, I going to look at a 2001 GMC g1500 Savana cargo this weekend. It has 119509 miles on it selling for $2199 and I have no idea what to ask or what to look for to see if it is worth buying. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[jonsun]

Even if you did know, **** could be hidden. If it goes and doesn't make crazy sounds...

 

[Bud Smiley]

I'd just drive it down the street a few times and take note of anything that feels "off" about the engine or the transmission. Check if the steering is good (see if there's a lot of loose play in the wheel), test the brakes, electronics, heating and AC. If you aren't very mechanically savvy, be very wary of anything described as a "cheap and easy fix that we just didn't have time to do."

If you know how and have the equipment, I'd do a leakdown test. But I wouldn't expect that to happen on a $2k van.


Check the date on the tires. Look up how to do it online but it'll be something like "0712" stamped on the side and that means July of 2012. If they're old or worn out, you'll be replacing them which will be at least a $600 expense.

$2199 sounds like a dealership price. They'll probably take a little less than $2000 if you negotiate. That price seems fine if the van is in decent nick.

 

[closeanuf]

What engine does it have?  V6 0r V8, are you going to pull a trailer, what are you going to do with it?  I know some folks like V6 engines, but I feel like they may have to work a little harder going up hills, bucking winds and carrying heavy loads; just my personal preference.  Also is there rust on the vehicle you can see?  If there is some you can see then there is going to be some you will have to get down and look for under the van also.  This is true whether you see rust or not.  If you don't know what you are looking at pay someone to look at it who knows.

 

[afurrywarewolf]

What engine does it have?  V6 0r V8, are you going to pull a trailer, what are you going to do with it?  I know some folks like V6 engines, but I feel like they may have to work a little harder going up hills, bucking winds and carrying heavy loads; just my personal preference.  Also is there rust on the vehicle you can see?  If there is some you can see then there is going to be some you will have to get down and look for under the van also.  This is true whether you see rust or not.  If you don't know what you are looking at pay someone to look at it who knows.

It's a V8. All I'm looking haul is a small dual-sport motorcycle on a rack. There is some rust on the Driver's side in the middle of the van at the bottom.

 

[Thirsty Boots Nomad]

Check the date on the tires. Look up how to do it online but it'll be something like "0712" stamped on the side and that means July of 2012. If they're old or worn out, you'll be replacing them which will be at least a $600 expense.

Actually a tire stamped "0712" means it was manufactured in the seventh week of 2012 --- aka late February

ETA: May seem nitpicky; ... but someone would be confused if they saw a stamp like "3115" when they checked the tire date

 

[Thirsty Boots Nomad]

ETA: May seem nitpicky; ... but someone would be confused if they saw a stamp  like "3115" when they checked the tire date

Which would be the last week of July, 2015

 

[Gary68]

find a mechanic and pay for an inspection

 

[Bud Smiley]

If you're using it to haul a dual sport, you're fine. What type of bike? Are you going to be living in the van full time or using it as a motorcycle hauler and base camp? If it's the latter, I'd haul the bike inside the van and not have to deal with the hitch carrier. If you're living out of it, I'd heavily consider a Harbor Freight trailer over a hitch carrier.

Rust... how bad? Surface rust or cancerous rot? Is it in the floor or near the sides? If it's the floor, you probably have a roof leak above it. If it's the wheel wells or the sides, you might want to walk away. But my familiarity with rust is in California vehicles so I don't see them disintegrating here like they do in the rust belt. You might see rust on every used car. What area of the country are you in?

 

[Bud Smiley]

Actually a tire stamped "0712" means it was manufactured in the seventh week of 2012 --- aka late February

ETA: May seem nitpicky; ... but someone would be confused if they saw a stamp  like "3115" when they checked the tire date

You're right! I even knew that but had a brain fart and wrote it wrong. Thanks for the correction.

 

[jonsun]

If you're using it to haul a dual sport, you're fine. What type of bike? Are you going to be living in the van full time or using it as a motorcycle hauler and base camp? If it's the latter, I'd haul the bike inside the van and not have to deal with the hitch carrier. If you're living out of it, I'd heavily consider a Harbor Freight trailer over a hitch carrier.

Rust... how bad? Surface rust or cancerous rot? Is it in the floor or near the sides? If it's the floor, you probably have a roof leak above it. If it's the wheel wells or the sides, you might want to walk away. But my familiarity with rust is in California vehicles so I don't see them disintegrating here like they do in the rust belt. You might see rust on every used car. What area of the country are you in?

I know this is typical advice BUT I have hauled an R6 over 3k miles on a hitch carrier. unless he's got a 500lb+ bike they work really good. just got to use 4 straps; two for the front and 2 over the seat latched on the subframe or rearsets to keep the sway away.

 

[afurrywarewolf]

If you're using it to haul a dual sport, you're fine. What type of bike? Are you going to be living in the van full time or using it as a motorcycle hauler and base camp? If it's the latter, I'd haul the bike inside the van and not have to deal with the hitch carrier. If you're living out of it, I'd heavily consider a Harbor Freight trailer over a hitch carrier.

Rust... how bad? Surface rust or cancerous rot? Is it in the floor or near the sides? If it's the floor, you probably have a roof leak above it. If it's the wheel wells or the sides, you might want to walk away. But my familiarity with rust is in California vehicles so I don't see them disintegrating here like they do in the rust belt. You might see rust on every used car. What area of the country are you in?

It doesn't look too bad from the picture. I can really only see it on the outside but obviously, I'd have to get up close and personal to see how far it extends. I'm planning on living full time in a van so I don't think I'd want it inside. The bikes I'm looking at don't weigh more than 300lbs and I've seen people with much bigger bikes on the hitch but everything is still in the planning phase so getting a van is step one then I'll plan more around that.

 

[Bud Smiley]

So the main reason I recommend against the hitch carrier is convenience. You lose access to the rear doors while it's on, it ruins your departure angle, and you feel the weight wagging back and forth.

If you do go with a hitch carrier, get a stabilizer. They're about $20 and make a huge difference. Also, either put lights on the hitch carrier or make absolutely sure the bike isn't obstructing your existing lights because that's a real easy excuse to get pulled over.

If you go with a Harbor Freight trailer, you won't feel the weight as much, it's easier to load, etc. The drawbacks are that it's harder to back up and you can't drive in the fast lane (in CA, limited to 55mph, not sure about other states.)

I'd recommend budgeting $80 or so for a back up camera. It's not necessary but it's nice to have. Mount it on the roof of the van, point it down, and you can back yourself up to within an inch of whatever you want. Makes hooking up a trailer simple.


Since it sounds like you're still in the bike market, I'll just throw out my recommendations for lightweight bikes in various price ranges:

Suzuki DR350 ($1,000-2,000)
KTM 450/525 ($4,000-6,000)

I hear good things about the KLX and XT and I think they fit in between those two in price but I don't have personal experience.

 

[GrayWhale]

First of all, that looks like a great price.