The rising cost of used vans

[Deb_A]

Wow! I've been thinking about van dwelling for about two years now, and have been checking out van prices constantly in that time. I'm seeing some OUTRAGEOUS prices on vans that are literally pieces of crap! One guy wanted $2300 for a 1999 van with over 200,000 miles that had no a/c, a bashed in back door and a side door with "slider problems." REALLY?

Another one, a 1997 GMC, had 187,000 miles and a slipping transmission and they wanted $3,000 for. You could actually SEE the rust in the pictures. 

Pretty soon, you won't be able to buy a decent used van for a decent price anywhere. Just look at what's happened to VW vans - they are 5x what they cost new, at least, and those are the ratty ones. 

I guess it's just supply and demand, but I'm getting very discouraged. By the time I get enough money to buy a van, I won't be able to afford one!

 

[highdesertranger]

believe me this happens to everybody. just keep looking you will find the right one. have you posted here as to what you are looking for and the price range? highdesertranger

 

[DannyB1954]

Trucks are the biggest money makers for manufacturers. New prices are skyrocketing and people are still buying them because they can afford the payment, (for the next 10 years). Auto loans used to be for three years. If they did that today people would realize they would be paying way too much for what they are getting. You can buy houses in parts of the country for less money. Vans start at $30,000, and if you look at 3/4 ton pickups, $50,000 won't buy you anything too fancy. I seen one listed for $74,000.
I see truck adds claiming $10,000 off of sticker price. To do that they are charging you $15,000 too much to begin with.
So as new prices go up there is a market for used trucks and the price goes up.

 

[GreyWulf]

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones I have found a beautiful van type RV Class B I believe, on Facebook an 82 year old man selling it nicest guy you'll ever talk to, he told me that he blew the engine up driving from Arizona to Ohio so he paid to get a brand new engine new transmission and new radiator the engine now only has a little over 1,500 miles on it and the transmission has a little over 2,500 miles on it I told him my situation and he is letting me make payments he wants 3000 for it he gave me 4 months to pay it off I have $1,100 to go and it is mine I am so stoked I can't wait to drive it. So the good ones are out there you just have to look and don't forget to get a mechanic to look them over before you purchase them I am currently on my fifth van and I so wish I had a mechanic before I bought them fingers crossed number 6 will be my last even though I'm not getting a mechanic to look at it I'm taking the guys word for it number 6 is the charm LOL.

 

[MrNoodly]

Supply and demand. The supply of good quality, lower mileage, older vans keeps decreasing as they keep turning into worn out, high mileage, even older vans on their last legs. Newer vans that are just becoming good quality, lower mileage older vans get snatched up by those with money to buy them before they become affordable to the rest of us. Then those once-newer vans go back on the market after they're nearly worn out. Add to that the increased demand from the growing full-time nomad community.

 

[GreyWulf]

Look at ProVan tiger gt & xl on the Astro van chassis10 years ago you can pick them up all day long for under 2 Grand but people has gone pretty nuts over them and are buying them up like crazy so now the prices of them went through the roof now you can't find one for less than ten Grand and that's for a junky one

 

[cyndi]

It took me 4 years to find the used classic I wanted at a price I could afford.

It took me 2 years to find the van I wanted at a price I was willing to pay.

Patience is required

We've got some great shoppers on CRVL. If you tell us what (must haves and definitely note)
where you're looking and budget, you might get some help. We'll probably tell you more than you want to know.

 

[Deb_A]

I'm nowhere near ready to buy yet, but I will be in six months. I'm just hoping I can find something within my budget by then. I don't want to put more than $3,000 into the van itself, if possible. I'm not a mechanic, wouldn't know a brake line from a fuel line, so I'd have to pay someone for repairs. I'd have to get it, then spend a couple thousand fixing it up mechanically before I hit the road, then another thousand or so on the build & solar. 

Luckily, I have most of what I need for the build, but need most of my essentials. I've learned that I cannot be picky about color, that's for sure. The cheapest ones I find are red or blue (my two least favorite colors). Every silver one I've seen has paint peeling on the hood and roof. I know it will have to be a long-term project for me to even afford the van, but that's o.k. I've got time.

When I get ready to buy one, I'll let you know what I'm looking for.

 

[closeanuf]

Everybody wants a 2 year old van for $3000.  In my opinion if you don't have some mechanical ABILITY (which means you are capable of learning and want to learn) you're probably gonna be in for major complications in your life.  If you have lots of money or good friend who is a mechanic you might make it.  It's amazing how much money you can spend very quickly on an old van or anything else.  I actually kept track of every item I bought to convert my 96 Ford E350 and although I have the receipts you can't see where it all went..  I sold it yesterday and lost money but was tickled to death to see it go.  I can work on my pickup or get it done reasonably if I have to hire it done.  Same with my travel trailer.

 

[Wanderer]

That sounds like a "Buy here Pay here" place. They only have the finest junk available  I suggest looking also at your state motor pool auctions. They sometimes have gems for sale....

 

[Firtree]

What people ask for a vehicle is their dream and what you should pay are very different things. Show cash for the right vehicle and the price can change a lot. If you are not good at negotiating start looking for a friend to help. Don’t fall in love with any vehicle or think god, the universe brought ‘the one’ to you so you must buy. There are millions of trucks, vans out there. This is not finding your solemate. Find the mechanic you will use to check out your prospects. If you are in the area, Les Schwab is good at checking tires, brakes, shocks, a touch of front end. Not certain I’d say it was not yours, tho they may not mind.

$2-3000 is not terrible to put into a good van. I usually plan on $2000. Ex- Change all fluids incl tranny, 1/2 or whole brake job, tires (those and brakes most critical to be safe) maybe shocks. Even if something’s not needed at the start, several likely needed in first 12-18 months so keep in piggy bank. I budget $1500 a year for repairs on my used vehicles. Some years you get by with just oil changes, other years the tires, brakes, something else all hit at once. Normally it will average out.

Color of van vehicle can change. If you want a a white vehicle for heat issues but the best you find is green. Maybe paint the whole thing, paint the top, paint the hood. Racing stripes or flames. I’ve never done but my frugal friends say you can do good job with rattle can paint. Who cares, this is your life and you are not hurting anyone.

 

[GreyWulf]

Well I have an old van type bus that I will be selling as soon as I get my RV it's a rust bucket but it does run and drive good it's a good start for somebody that doesn't want to spend too much money I'll let it go for $1,000 I'm taking a $1,500 loss but that's my stupidity for paying 2500 for it currently in Georgetown Kentucky

 

[steamjam1]

I have notice a steady rise in the price of used vans over the last few years as van dwelling has become more popular.

 

[mpruet]

Don't confuse the list price with the sale price.  My RV was listed at $115K, but I only paid $75K...

 

[Dingfelder]

I needed to get out NOW so I paid pretty much full price, LOL. Oh well. Not many choices in a small town and I couldn't afford waiting for perfection. But if it's good for a few years, it's fine. I would have lost money paying rent anyway, right?

Check Craigslist religiously as you can. Sometimes there are great deals there but the good ones are sometimes snatched up an hour after posting. It can take a ton of dedication, patience, and luck to get a good used *anything* almost. Especially if you're not a mechanic yourself, in this case, and can't tell a brake from a break from a broke.

Good luck on your search!

 

[bpdchief]

My 92 GMC was free, BUT, I very quickly invested $2700.00 fitting it out. Biggest chunk being $458 for an Edgestar FP-430 fridge. It doesn't take long.

 

[terranaught]

I got my 2000 savana for $1000 at the transit authority, motivated seller vs motivated buyer.
I took a chance but I figured I could fix it and still come ahead.

ps  I didn't need to.

 

[GreyWulf]

I paid 2500 for the current van I am in knowing all that was wrong with it, only worth a 1000 to 1500 couldn't get the guy to budge he held steady at 2500 and would not take no less only reason I wanted it was cuz it had a very tall top I'm six foot two and I guarantee you someone 6 foot 5 could stand up in here but it's rusted out and the roof leaks but it's a home for a couple months until I get my RV which is almost paid off.

 

[eDJ_]

I once worked for an Auto Repo business.  We Guys could get some dynamite deals on whatever was available.  But if you wanted something in particular the owner's advice was to "keep your shirt on"  and relax and take your time or wait.   In time you would find a deal on what you wanted.  But the trick was not to be in too much of a rush.   In time what you were wanting would come along  (just save your money for the day when it showed up. And then don't get in a rush.  Take your time when it's in front of you and really check it out first.  

It's a skill you develop to keep your eye's open and when you find it then let your reasoned senses kick in to evaluate the vehicle and the deal being offered.   If it's close then go for it.   Depending on your skills,  you may be able to restore a run down model,  but if you don't have that you'll have to look for above average vehicles and be good with negotiations.

 

[GreyWulf]

Well I have been waiting patiently for 20 years for my dream motorhome which is a pro van tiger XL four-wheel drive on an astro chassis I find them but these people want outrageous prices and I cannot afford them maybe someday but I'm not going to hold my breath in the meantime I will just keep looking and dreaming.