Opinions on this 89 GMC Vandura

[AbuelaLoca]

I would probably want to negotiate on the price, I'm sure... but what mechanical issues would I need to worry about? He says the floor is not in good shape, but I would ask about whether that's the carpeting or the metal!! Also... I saw somewhere that there is a spray on paint for vehicles now?? Is that true? Could I just spray paint this thing? That would be awesome! LOL   In all honesty, I want to go buy this one.

@GotSmart, this is one I couldn't pull up on my phone today...

https://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/5962060101.html

 

[Theadyn]

Sure wish there were interior pics... In the looking phase, myself. This is van porn for me, haha!! I don't have any input, but wish you luck!!

 

[jonsun]

you can spray paint a car and make it look really good....if you use urethane 2k clear coat over it.

it's more expensive than 2 stage car paint bought by the gallon.

 

[LeeRevell]

Visible is a major rust issue in the left front conversion window. That rust streak indicates serious rust in the channel under the rubber trim. Might mean water leakage inside.

 

[Queen]

I wonder if he just means the carpet is trashed when he mentions the floor? If you're in STL might be worth a look.

 

[AbuelaLoca]

you can spray paint a car and make it look really good....if you use urethane 2k clear coat over it.

it's more expensive than 2 stage car paint bought by the gallon.

Watched a video of Dave2D painting his van a sand color... I think it took him 8 cans of Rustoleum...  Plus another 8 cans of clear coat (for me), hmmm... still cheaper than having it done! LOL

 

[AbuelaLoca]

Visible is a major rust issue in the left front conversion window.  That rust streak indicates serious rust in the channel under the rubber trim.  Might mean water leakage inside.

I saw that too... and figured that might be the issue with the floor inside... It could mean the floor is rusted out too instead of just yucky carpeting!

 

[AbuelaLoca]

I wonder if he just means the carpet is trashed when he mentions the floor?  If you're in STL might be worth a look.

About an hour away, so for sure wanna take a look if it's an easy-to-fix van! I'm just not sure what kind of issues a van this year might be waiting to unload on me!! Ha!!

 

[Queen]

About an hour away, so for sure wanna take a look if it's an easy-to-fix van! I'm just not sure what kind of issues a van this year might be waiting to unload on me!! Ha!!

Totally get that.  After getting burned badly on our roadtrek purchase and then the sale, I'm really gun shy about buying older used.

 

[jonsun]

Watched a video of Dave2D painting his van a sand color... I think it took him 8 cans of Rustoleum...  Plus another 8 cans of clear coat (for me), hmmm... still cheaper than having it done! LOL

that's not really clear coat though. it doesn't protect against solvents and will melt right off the moment it sees gas.

real stuff has to be mixed with an activator and sprayed right away out of a gun.

and spraying is easy, sand that thing down for a few days.....

 

[poncho62]

You can take the screws out of the trim on the inside of that window and it pops out fairly easy......then cleanup and reseal. Also assess any damage to the area. 

I painted this van using spray bombs. Worked out pretty good 

 

[jonsun]

About an hour away, so for sure wanna take a look if it's an easy-to-fix van! I'm just not sure what kind of issues a van this year might be waiting to unload on me!! Ha!!

I said it before and I stand by it, fixing older vehicles is way easier and way cheaper than fixing one that's say 10 years old. Often times stuff has already been fixed...that's why it's made it this long.

On a van a transmission, a rear main seal, etc is piece of cake...the engine is a pain in the ass. 

I would look at the brake fluid and rubber lines going to the caliper. then look at the vacuum lines for dry rot...just to see how well it's been maintained. replacing them is cheap. 

if you know what you're doing judging the trans, u joints, front end and engine is pretty easy. everything else you should expect to have to fix. whether its 30 years old or 10. On those vans the big problems tend to come in the front suspension and steering. look for unsual wear in the front tires.

 

[jonsun]

as far as paint is concerned....

there's two kinds

single stage automotive (old school) that you mix up and spray and it shines, is chemical resistant, and buffs but oxidizes. its about $150 a gallon.

then there's 2 stage. this CAN BE spray paint, automotive paint, oil based rustoleum from a quart, etc that gets covered with a clear coat.

real clear coat ($80-100 a gallon) is urethane and it melts lacquer...which is what spray paint is. but you can still use it, just put on multiple layers and let it dry well.

you can buy a gallon of automotive paint for $80-100 or buy 10-12 cans of spray bomb for $80-100

it's a hell of a lot nicer using a gun doing 3 coats than holding down a nozzle all day and doing 8 coats.

 

[AbuelaLoca]

You can take the screws out of the trim on the inside of that window and it pops out fairly easy......then cleanup and reseal. Also assess any damage to the area. 

I painted this van using spray bombs. Worked out pretty good 

Yes, very nice paint job! Love the look! Thank you for the info about the window! That sounds relatively Belinda proof, although I will have help from my kids!

 

[AbuelaLoca]

I said it before and I stand by it, fixing older vehicles is way easier and way cheaper than fixing one that's say 10 years old. Often times stuff has already been fixed...that's why it's made it this long.

On a van a transmission, a rear main seal, etc is piece of cake...the engine is a pain in the ass. 

I would look at the brake fluid and rubber lines going to the caliper. then look at the vacuum lines for dry rot...just to see how well it's been maintained. replacing them is cheap. 

if you know what you're doing judging the trans, u joints, front end and engine is pretty easy. everything else you should expect to have to fix. whether its 30 years old or 10. On those vans the big problems tend to come in the front suspension and steering. look for unsual wear in the front tires.

Awesome! I had already figured on having to replace hoses, belts and probably tires... I've had to on most of the used vehicles I've owned! I will take someone along that can judge engine stuff, I hope! Thanks for the advice!

 

[jonsun]

that one might have a serpentine belt.

 

[steamjam1]

"Floor is not good shape" would give me pause. I'd have the chassis checked over with a fine tooth comb. Just bad carpet? No problem. A couple of rust holes? Not too much of a big deal. Rusted out sub-frame? Game over.

You can buy colour matched by-the-spray-paint-can from these people:
http://www.automotivetouchup.com/index.htm

I've bought paint a few times from this site. Quality is good.

Those old GM vans are easy to work on. Just basic tools and multi meter.

 

[AbuelaLoca]

"Floor is not good shape" would give me pause. I'd have the chassis checked over with a fine tooth comb. Just bad carpet? No problem. A couple of rust holes? Not too much of a big deal. Rusted out sub-frame? Game over.

You can buy colour matched by-the-spray-paint-can from these people:
http://www.automotivetouchup.com/index.htm

I've bought paint a few times from this site. Quality is good.

Those old GM vans are easy to work on. Just basic tools and multi meter.

Definitely gonna check under the carpet and under the van! Thanks for the paint link, adds lots of possibility to future vehicle finds! LOL

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

One possibility.  At least one person here used one of these services and was happy with the results.

https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/pre-purchase-car-inspection

https://wegolook.com/services/auto-inspections

http://lemonsquad.com/?gclid=CMqzkoaq-dECFUaHswodS3sKaA

 

[AbuelaLoca]

One possibility.  At least one person here used one of these services and was happy with the results.

https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/pre-purchase-car-inspection

https://wegolook.com/services/auto-inspections

http://lemonsquad.com/?gclid=CMqzkoaq-dECFUaHswodS3sKaA

Thank you very much!! I did not realize they traveled to the site. I'm sure there's a few in St. Louis at least!