pricing a conversion van

[sephiro499]

I'm looking at this:

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/4690291917.html

Kbb lists an e-150 99 in excellent condition for 1899; they are asking 5k. Even if the conversion warrants double the price, that's still 4k. How much value does the conversion package add?

 

[user 423]

The NADA guide has the same van priced close to $4000. And that's for a plain van without a conversion:

http://www.nadaguides.com/Cars/1999/Ford/Econoline-E150-Wag-V8/Wagon/Values


Your KBB price must not account for the really low mileage.

BTW: a trailer hitch is nice to have but you have to wonder what they've been towing with it. Towing is very hard on a drivetrain. If you go look at it, see if there's a huge boat in the driveway...

 

[LeeRevell]

Nice van. Offer him $3,500 and see how it goes.

 

[PeterG]

I'm new here. Can someone explain the philosophy of the paint and decals on conversion vans? Is it an auto manufacturer contest to see who can come up with the butt-ugliest color/pattern combination? Are there prizes?

 

[LeeRevell]

Peter, that will be one thing I am not looking forward to, getting those huge age-hardened decals off the old conversion van so I can paint it properly. May just 'bite the bullet' and try liquid paint stripper - worked on my motorcycle.

 

[GrayWhale]

I'm new here. Can someone explain the philosophy of the paint and decals on conversion vans? Is it an auto manufacturer contest to see who can come up with the butt-ugliest color/pattern combination? Are there prizes?

1999 Van. That's 15 years ago. Style, fashion, etc. are different 5 years ago, let alone 15.

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Kbb lists an e-150 99 in excellent condition for 1899; they are asking 5k. Even if the conversion warrants double the price, that's still 4k. How much value does the conversion package add?

IMO, giant conversion vans are gas hogs and don't really warrant as much money as people want for them. They usually sit as forsale ads for a very long time if they ask this much. He probably gets like 1 inquiry a week if he's lucky. But CL is free, so most who aren't hurting for cash, don't care. Cargo vans of the same make/model/MPG, usually sells much faster, even for the same price or more, as most people buy them for work, and make money.

Low mileage doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be in good shape mechanically. Transmissions are usually what gives out, especially if people don't lock out OD in city driving. Much worse if towing stuff too. I would take it on a really long test drive. Offer to pay for gas if you have to and take it on the highway for 10+ miles doing 70mph then do lots of stop & go in the suburbs. Then check for leaks. Might be an awesome buy for $5k

 

[sephiro499]

The other problem is it's like 100 miles away from me! Why must it be so hard to find a full size van? I take it they are extremely popular with contractors and businesses of all kinds.

 

[LeeRevell]

Keep looking, one will pop up locally. I found mine at a dealer only a few miles from my Mom's place. And I live just ten mile further from her.
Had a couple others in town but not quite what I wanted.