Please tell me what you think about this van

[citytravelfotos]

Hi, I'm considering buying this van, it is a 2001 Dodge Ram Van extended with high top with a 5.9L engine (11 - 15 mpg.) &nbsp;<br /><br />http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/3225048263.html<br /><br />There is one significant issue about this van (other than that it has 100,000 miles on it): &nbsp;it hasn't been used much for the past 4 years. &nbsp;<br /><br />According to carfax records, the van was used regularly (9,000 to 13,000 miles a year) until at least late 2008, from October 2008 to October 2009, the van was driven 4,000 miles. &nbsp;From October 2009 to November 2010, the van was driven only 2,000 miles (perhaps only from occasional trips). &nbsp;From November 2010 to November 2011, the van was driven 4,000 miles. &nbsp; &nbsp;Since November 2011, the van has probably only been driven 2,000 miles.<br /><br />I remember reading that a low mileage car that has been sitting for long periods of time is not good to buy. Do you think that advice applies to this van? &nbsp;(in fact, when I first visited this guy, I couldn't test drive the van because the engine wouldn't idle and he had it sent later to the repair shop and supposedly it was a simple repair that the mechanic even done for free because of how simple it was, but the mechanic said that it needed changing some sensor or something because the van hadn't been used much.) &nbsp;The van has been used by an organization to transport disabled children for most of its life, and the guy selling it is I guess selling it in behalf of the organization, and uses it at times to transport disabled children (in other cities apparently, he said he went to San Diego to do that just recently.)<br /><br />&nbsp;Also, what do you guys think about the make and model year of this van, thanks.

 

[Ricekila]

Do you need the chair lift ?<br /><br />I'd guess it wasn't driven hard - fast cornering and speeding with kid's in the back - is a no - no <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rolleyes.gif" alt="" align="absMiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />But every time it stopped to drop off or pick up --- is wasn't turned off - and the mileage is a wee-bit high <img src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" alt="" align="absMiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />Me -- I'd give it a pass <img src="/images/boards/smilies/comp.gif" alt="" align="absMiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />Options will vary ---

 

[citytravelfotos]

BTW, I don't need the chair lift, its just that it's nearly impossible to find an extended van with a high top (that's not an RV conversion) that is not a wheelchair conversion van.

 

[Ricekila]

I would think the lift could be sold off - or it could be donated ----- to a member or two here <img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" alt="" align="absMiddle" border="0" />

 

[Where~the~wind~blows]

First I can only hope the person (s) who required such vehicle and equipment are alive and well and that this&nbsp;vehicle&nbsp;is just being upgraded for them. <br /><br />The miles don't scare me as much as the maintenance, if well done then this sucker should be good, upkeep will always be a factor on older vehicles. &nbsp;<br /><br />I agree with Ricekila the lift should be donatable, or sellable. I would find out what the lift is worth.<br /><br />Looks very clean from the pics. Good luck

 

[citytravelfotos]

^ The person selling the vehicle doesn't have any maintenance records. &nbsp;You know, several of the vans I've been interested in, noone could produce service records. &nbsp;I don't believe I've ever thrown away my oil change receipts. &nbsp;Maybe because they really haven't done an oil change in some time? &nbsp;Dunno.

 

[Les H]

Most PEOPLE won't keep that detailed of records, but most BUSINESSES will. Try looking at Fed Ex, DHL, Us mail or other govt vehicle auctions . Not only do these businesses make thier living with the vehicles, the maint is a tax write off, further encouraging them to do so. My daily driver, an 01 Blazer 4x4 and my bus were former govt vehicles, both bought in good shape, for way below retail cost.

 

[Ricekila]

Usually with an agency owned van - the state has mandatory maintenance and stringent safety checks -- if its a big outfit they'll have a motor pool dept. and have records --- a midsized one like I worked for -- the "Vehicle Maintenance Director" who never turned a wrench in his life --- will look at his chart and say -- "Gary" ( that's me <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif" alt="" align="absMiddle" border="0" />&nbsp; ) take your van to Jiffy Lube for service and to ???? for an inspection ------- and give me the receipt's.<br /><br />Then he passed them to finance ---- no records to show ----<br /><br />Would I trust the work was done -- yes --&nbsp; but you know what - "Regan" said <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" alt="" align="absMiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />P/S -- You know what -- I am a moron ---- ACLD in Bethpage, NY --<br /><br /><a href="http://www.acld.org/">http://www.acld.org/</a><br /><br />At their main offices on South Oyster Bay Road - in the lot next to the rear parking lot - at any given time there's 10 to 12 vans that where taken out of service -- whether there for sale or not I don't know -- the Director in charge - I still want to strangle <img src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" alt="" align="absMiddle" border="0" />

 

[Guest]

<span id="post_message_1274926810"> The person selling the vehicle doesn't have any maintenance records. &nbsp;You know, several of the vans I've been interested in, noone could produce service records. &nbsp;I don't believe I've ever thrown away my oil change receipts. &nbsp;Maybe because they really haven't done an oil change in some time? &nbsp;Dunno.</span>

<br /><br />I am with you on the receipts and record...I ALWAYS keep records and they go with the vehicle. We had another thread on that very topic if I remember right. To me, if someone can't produce receipts I have to assume the work wasn't done (or in some cases done by some shade-tree guy that is an unemployed IT guy and barely knows a wrench from a hammer) (no offense to any unemployed IT guys who may be far better mechanics than I!<img src="/images/boards/smilies/redface.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />)...that is just me. I am willing to pay more money for a vehicle with receipts and/or a maintenance record...and I have bought and sold a LOT of vehicles and I used to be a fleet mechanic.... As Gary sez, if you buy from a fleet, they will have records....nowadays it will be digital. <br />Bri

 

[PYSCHOWard]

<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />take it for a test drive, after a Cold start, listen carefully all during the drive, of atleast 10-15 minutes after being at operating temperature. drive over varing terrain if possible, and at highway speeds. Pay attention to shifting for smoothness and regularity, with a several starts and stops.<br />After the return, look at the tailpipe and listen to the exhaust for roughness.<br /><br /> Forgot check for all instrumentation lights with the key just ON, make sure Check Engine light works. watch gauges during trip and check for leaks and smells.<br /> Price is VERY Reasonable for the unit if it checks out OK.<br /><br />Good Luck.

 

[citytravelfotos]

My only other issue with this is its low MPG (11 - 15 mpg.) &nbsp;I remember driving my dad's SUV around the silicon valley and remember just how much money I had to spend in gasoline (that got about 12 - 15 mpg.)

 

[PYSCHOWard]

If it checked out OK, I'd buy it and save for a Gear Vendors O/D unit.<br /><br />&nbsp;My 97 only gets 14.6, the 74 get around 12, looking to cange Both to O/D Trans eventually.