Nissan NV High top

[karen]

Hi everyone.

Last week I came close to buying a Nissan NV 250 HD high-top V8 with 9.5k miles on it. It's got a 10' cargo area and is very wide and rectangle-like giving lots of room and has 6'2" head room

But the last offer they gave me was $19999 + my low miles 2007 Toyota Matrix. I got a little spooked and turned it down. I later offered to buy it if they would include tax title and fees and install rear windows, but I haven't heard back from them yet.

I have to say I suppose I was intimidated also by reports of it being a gas guzzler and by the sheer size of this thing. Plus, even though it has 6'2" of height, after I added insulation on the ceiling and floor, I would probably have to slouch a bit to stand up as I am 6'1" tall.

I'd love to hear your opinions.

I like the fact that it is a Nissan. I've had good experience with that make. Plus this thing has got leg room galore which the last time I was in a GMC van I was going out of my nut just sitting in the passenger trying to stay comfortable.

The sales folk lent it to me to show my BF, but have already returned it. I really thing though that I might get this model van at some point.

Thoughts?

 

[rokguy]

<EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Hi Karen,</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Looks like its' got plenty of space to convert. Don't know anything about these vans as we never got them here but Nissans has always had a good reputation for reliability. Looks&nbsp;to be a serious competitor for the&nbsp;mid size Mercedes "Sprinter" though.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Geoff</SPAN></STRONG></EM>

 

[Cubey]

Lemmie guess, you're in Australia? <img src="/images/boards/smilies/cool.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[MrNoodly]

Lemmie guess, you're in Australia? <img src="/images/boards/smilies/cool.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

<br><br>Notice in her photo that it's left hand drive. Also, Puente Hills (see dealer tag) is in Southern California.

 

[wagoneer]

Getting dizzy standing on my head, lol I have seen these around very curious myself.

 

[Wild_E]

Lemmie guess, you're in Australia? <img src="/images/boards/smilies/cool.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

<br><br>Notice in her photo that it's left hand drive. Also, Puente Hills (see dealer tag) is in Southern California.

<br>Yes and why would it matter where she was ??<br>If you have the money then the Sprinter is taller and you would be able to stand in it even after insulation.

 

[karen]

Hi. I think the joke about Austrailia is about the thumbnails for the pic being upside down. That's the iPads pics. For whatever reason they display like that - notice if you click on the thumbnails they load right side up. Why my avatar is upside down was just artistic license and thus just a happy coininsidence. Upon previewing the OP, I noticed that and went and inserted the pics into the body of the message (just clicked the thumbnails and copied the URL) that display right side up, but then realized it would have made bandwidth problems for vandwellers viewing this thread.

Wilderness, thanks for addressing my issues! I've been interested in the sprinter vans, but I am scared of the Diesel engine - the high maintenance costs. Do you have one?

 

[Wild_E]

<span style="line-height: 20px;">Wilderness, thanks for addressing my issues! I've been interested in the sprinter vans, but I am scared of the Diesel engine - the high maintenance costs. Do you have one?</span>

<br><br>No, I have a box truck with a 7.3 ltr diesel engine. (my fuel economy is the same as my older Safari gets)<br>Diesels normally do not require more maintenance they require less. Some parts are more, but since it does not normally break down more, that is a moot point. There are diesel shops that are cheaper than Gas shops for fixing, you just have to look around.&nbsp;<br><br>Fuel economy is better even with a badly out of tune diesel. In the winter time, just add in some diesel additives and it will run just fine! I live in mine, mostly it stays put though, as I trade Security and help around the yard where it is parked for parking and living rights here. If your driving lots, then the Sprinter or the Nissan would be much better on fuel than my older larger heavier setup.&nbsp;<br><br>Mine is a 1988 Ford f350 cube van with the 7.3 ltr engine.<br>This engine is the same as in&nbsp;almost&nbsp;all of the school&nbsp;buses, so parts are everywhere. They did make changes to the engines in around 2005/2006 ish, so newer ones will need to be addressed by a service professional.&nbsp;<br><br>You would have to crouch in mine as well, the ceiling and floor are insulated in mine, since I live in a wee bit colder of an area than you do. I insulated with Durofoam/Plasti Fab, dense inside safe styrofoam, shiny metal one side plastic the other side. My roof dropped in Temps from 145 deg far to 95 far the ambient temperature at the time of the test. (I am a guy) So I like the shiny metal as the interior as well, some cover it over. &nbsp;In the Trucks section you can see some of my build and setup, although I am gutting and starting over now, after living in it for 2 1/2 yrs in Canada. need some changes made, start from the bottom and work up.&nbsp;<br><br>Cheers and take care

 

[karen]

Hi OpenMinds, thanks for your thoughts! I also have been thinking that the V6 would be a better bet for me too for less fuel costs. I don't expect to do a lot of mountain travels. As far as selling the car myself, I've always been leery of doing that. What if I get some counterfeit bills? Or I suppose I could have the final transaction at their bank maybe? The dealer was going to give me 9K for it. It was 1st 5k, then 6.5k, but I walked. Magically it went up to the 9k when I returned the van and declined their first offer. (I HATE the dealer back and forth BS!!).

Wilderness: thanks for the input on diesels. Plus thanks for mentioning the insulation. I don't plan on being in sub freezing temps often, but I am in SoCal and it can get hot here. I was thinking about using styrofoam sheets like you are talking about, but with the NV, I'd have to to go with 1/4" or 1/2" panels max. And then I'd have to crouch with shoes on. I would really love to have a full inch of insulation - top and bottom.

 

[MrNoodly]

I was thinking about using styrofoam sheets like you are talking about, but with the NV, I'd have to to go with 1/4" or 1/2" panels max. And then I'd have to crouch with shoes on. I would really love to have a full inch of insulation - top and bottom.

<br><br>If you were to add a roof rack and a sheet (or sheets) of plywood, you'd be in your own shade, which is usually good for about a 10 degree temperature drop. You might be able to get by with less roof insulation that way.

 

[ZOFCHAK]

. As far as selling the car myself, I've always been leery of doing that. What if I get some counterfeit bills? Or I suppose I could have the final transaction at their bank maybe? .

<br><br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp; As others mentioned if you have a standing relationship with a bank as them about completing the transaction there.&nbsp;&nbsp; I've sold a number of vehicles over the years and the only forms of payment I will accept are cash and wire transfer (Or a cashiers check if the buyer is willing to wait for it to clear).&nbsp; Cashier's checks, checks, Paypal, etc. can all be be risky, but a wire transfer is nearly 100% secure (for the seller).&nbsp;&nbsp;

 

[karen]

Thanks!

 

[ZOFCHAK]

&nbsp;There's another I Just noticed on Ebay for right around 16K.. The item number is 290892131459.<br><br>

 

[karen]

That is a great deal! Too far from me though. But great deal!