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Well, when the mechenic get there ,the seller called and told me that the car fax show there is a problem and i should cancel the mechenic. I have feeling that it have notting to do with carfax, its more to do wth bidding going very well and he figured that he will get more money. That is fine becouse it expensive any way so the search continue.
 
The '97 Econoline is over-priced IMO. A regular cargo van goes for about $2500-3000:

http://www.nadaguides.com/Cars/1997/Ford/E150-Van-V8/Cargo-Van/Values

The high top would add $1500-$2000 maybe. Use the NADA guides to get an idea of prices on other vehicles. No one on the forum can accurately evaluate a van they can't inspect in person. Try to find a friend who is knowledgeable about cars.

BTW: When you start living in a van, the weight carried can go up a lot and lots of folks will tell you that a V6 will be underpowered unless you drive only over flat terrain. If you do much travelling at all, you will encounter mountains....and the van's engine will be taxed.
 
That looks good! Some thoughts:

I don't think it has a shower or toilet. Can you live without that?
The price seems too high, especially without a shower or toilet
318 is a great engine, a little small but acceptable
Don't buy without having a mechanic check it out

Bob
 
@Bob u right ,no one can live with out a rest room so search continue. I am determine to be free for the next few month.

My.body and mind the nature to heal.
 
The Dodge is way overpriced for California, considering the year and mileage, let alone lack of potty/shower. For $11,000, you could get an awesome class C that is key turn ready, or buy a newer high top van or box/step van with enough left over to have it converted to your specs.

I live on Craigslist in California, and have been van looking for many months. It's a bit slow right now, but better deals will come along.
 
I don't make offers on anything unless I've seen it mysself, and have already checked it out. An offer means you're ready to pay that amount for what's for sale.

YES, that could be based on how the mechanic's report turns out, people sometimes do this...but I don't like it. I think that once the mechanic has made his statement on the vehicle's condition....THAT's when offers are placed on the table...not before hand.

I don't think it's fair to get a seller's hopes up that he has a standing offer on whatever he's selling, when it's in fact, just someone kicking tires and seeing how low he's willing to go on his prices. I don't like it when people do it to me, and I won't do it to them. I had someone do this to me back when I was selling my class 'C' MH, and I lost out on a good LEGITIMATE offer because of it. I was NOT pleased. :mad:
I sure hope that isn't the case here.

just food for thought. only my opinion
 
@Patrick , I will never buy a camper van with out a mechanic inspecting it and the offer was based on a clear from the mechanic but if the mechanic tell me it needs more work then based on that information the price will have to go down. That is how I discussed it with him and he was okay with it. I will never make an offer blindly with anything with out seeing myself or someone checking for me.
 
Actually, many of us live without a shower or a toilet. I've lived in a vehcile for 12 years and never had either. It's much easier than you would think, but there is nothing wrong with want one either. They do give you a lot more cofort and more "normal" life.

I also agree with Unchained that you might consider a Class C instead. They are usually much cheaper than camper vans. Their big disadvantage is that they get much worse mpg, which if you drive a lot will cost you a lot more money. But, you can tow an economy car with a Class C and end up with much better average MPG

I have a friend who lives in an early 80s Class C (he paid $3500 for it) and tows a Ford Festiva. The Class C gets 7 mpg but he only drives it 2000-5000 miles a year. The rest of the time he drives the Festiva (which cost him $1500) and it gets an honest 44 mpg. He drives the Class C campsite to campsite and never drives it otherwise. Works out really good. Towing a car is much easier than you would think!!
Bob
 
Actually, many of us live without a shower or a toilet. I've lived in a vehcile for 12 years and never had either. It's much easier than you would think, but there is nothing wrong with want one either. They do give you a lot more comfort and more "normal" life.

I also agree with Unchained that you might consider a Class C instead. They are usually much cheaper than camper vans. Their big disadvantage is that they get much worse mpg, which if you drive a lot will cost you a lot more money. But, you can tow an economy car with a Class C and end up with much better average MPG

I have a friend who lives in an early 80s Class C (he paid $3500 for it) and tows a Ford Festiva. The Class C gets 7 mpg but he only drives it 2000-5000 miles a year. The rest of the time he drives the Festiva (which cost him $1500) and it gets an honest 44 mpg. He drives the Class C campsite to campsite and never drives it otherwise. Works out really good. Towing a car is much easier than you would think!!
Bob
 
It's definitely a little rougher than the first one but it still looks pretty good. I know nothing about the mechanics of cars so I can't be any help there but the salvage is troubling. Would it be difficult to get it titled and why does it have a salvage title in the first place?

Since it's in Sacramento you can go look at it in person. :) Check out the sleeping area over the cab. It looks like there's been a lot of water damage but that shouldn't be too much of a problem, just messy to fix, because the extended fiberglass top is still in good condition. The inside looks like it needs a good cleaning. Some parts like the air conditioner housing and the refrigerator vent can be replaced.

Good luck! Let us know what you find after you look at it.
 
They've got all the contents of the cupboards labeled!??

WTH....they can't remember what they've got where in a small camper like this??? OKKKK!!??

I like this rig better then that first one...at least the price is alot more down to earth.
 
OP, you need to be extra-vigilant on that auction since the seller is brand new with no feedback whatsoever (although of course all buyers and sellers are new at some point).
 
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