Thoughts on this van?

[Cheli]

I know it's older but it says new transmission only has 70k miles and it looks in fairly decent condition.  And I'm loving the high-top since I'm 5' 10".  All the other recent work sounds good too.

But I don't know anything about makes and engines and all that stuff so was hoping I could get some input.  I know I've asked for opinions on a couple others already but I am so afraid of making a wrong decision and all your input has been helpful in the past.  I'm trying to find a happy medium between reliable and affordable and keeping in mind that I have to put some money into customizing it.

http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/cto/5584607937.html

I think where reliability is the most important to me I might have to go newer and spend more money.  I am totally capable and excited about doing my own customization's but I have zero mechanical knowledge so this might be too old for me.  But I still hold out hope I might find a random gem.

In a recent thread Bob mentioned to stay away from the newer Fords but I think he said the older ones were ok?  But I can't find the thread now to see what he said about that.

TIA  

 

[Gary68]

to many miles for me,on ford i think the 351 and 7.3 diesel are the good engines
the year it was made is not as important as maintenance and repair,newer van are more efficient with much higher repair cost,pre electronic vans are less efficient but more reliable and cost way less to repair

 

[Almost There]

Chelli, that high top won't give you standing height if you're 5'10" tall!

My 24" high top ends up with a 6'2" standing height after losing space for ceiling and floor. It's the only size top that will actually give you standing height.

As to this specific van - I'd pass on it if it were me. 231,000 miles on the body and engine means that it's due for some serious work. Being a '99 it's new enough to have all kinds of electronics on it - not old enough to have escaped all the 'modern technology' so you're not saving yourself from all the complexities while getting something that is now 17 years old.

It sounds from the long list of 'new xxxx' that they've been throwing repair money at it left, right and center and have now decided enough is enough.

It needs body work in at least the rear passenger corner and it's a 6 cylinder engine which means that for a full size van, it's been pulling the weight.

I know how badly it feels to search and search and not find the right van - it's worse than searching for the perfect prom dress...  

BUT, patience wins out in the end.

 

[Crabbyjerry]

I know it's older but it says new transmission only has 70k miles and it looks in fairly decent condition.  And I'm loving the high-top since I'm 5' 10".  All the other recent work sounds good too.

But I don't know anything about makes and engines and all that stuff so was hoping I could get some input.  I know I've asked for opinions on a couple others already but I am so afraid of making a wrong decision and all your input has been helpful in the past.  I'm trying to find a happy medium between reliable and affordable and keeping in mind that I have to put some money into customizing it.

http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/cto/5584607937.html

I think where reliability is the most important to me I might have to go newer and spend more money.  I am totally capable and excited about doing my own customization's but I have zero mechanical knowledge so this might be too old for me.  But I still hold out hope I might find a random gem.

In a recent thread Bob mentioned to stay away from the newer Fords but I think he said the older ones were ok?  But I can't find the thread now to see what he said about that.

TIA  

If it's from Massachusetts I'd be concerned also about rust underneath.  They use some heavy  stuff to melt ice and it does a number on vehicles and bridges. 2500 sounds cheap enough as its seems to have a lot of new parts that probably add up to more than that so Even if you had to part it out , I don't think you lose out.

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

V6 in a van with 231k is not something i'd be comfortable with. Most likely well maintained to reach this point, but almost a sure bet it's going to need constant repairs from here on out. Once a new/rebuilt tranny has 70k on it, I would no longer consider that a plus either, not like it was just done a few thousand miles ago. Def better vans in our area.

 

[Cheli]

V6 in a van with 231k is not something i'd be comfortable with.  Most likely well maintained to reach this point, but almost a sure bet it's going to need constant repairs from here on out.  Once a new/rebuilt tranny has 70k on it, I would no longer consider that a plus either, not like it was just done a few thousand miles ago.  Def better vans in our area.

Yeah you're right.  I just need to keep looking......I'll know when the right one comes along.

 

[Cheli]

Chelli, that high top won't give you standing height if you're 5'10" tall!

My 24" high top ends up with a 6'2" standing height after losing space for ceiling and floor. It's the only size top that will actually give you standing height.

As to this specific van - I'd pass on it if it were me. 231,000 miles on the body and engine means that it's due for some serious work. Being a '99 it's new enough to have all kinds of electronics on it - not old enough to have escaped all the 'modern technology' so you're not saving yourself from all the complexities while getting something that is now 17 years old.

It sounds from the long list of 'new xxxx' that they've been throwing repair money at it left, right and center and have now decided enough is enough.

It needs body work in at least the rear passenger corner and it's a 6 cylinder engine which means that for a full size van, it's been pulling the weight.

I know how badly it feels to search and search and not find the right van - it's worse than searching for the perfect prom dress...  

BUT, patience wins out in the end.

So many great points, thank you! 

It's agonizing, and yes worse than searching for the perfect prom dress.  lol  I want so badly to have the money for something newer and more reliable but I guess I'll know when the right one comes along.  My goal is to hit the road by the first of the years so I still have time, and I'm still selling my stuff so I'll have more money saved up.  I just want to get something in time to be customized and ready to hit the road by the first of the year.

Maybe it's time to pick up a night job and start stashing some serious money aside for this adventure.

 

[Cheli]

See now if I could save up more money fast I could get something nice like this. hahaha Just rip out the commercial stuff and start customizing with an empty shell.

Hmmmmm. Time to figure out a way to make some good money fast.

http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/ctd/5588680865.html

 

[Cheli]

Or this. *drool*

http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/ctd/5586480705.html

Ok I'll stop being a pain now. hahaha

 

[eDJ_]

I'll offer this about the Ford V6's.   1)  I've never owned one.  2)  There is a guy down the road from me who has a Ford (only) wrecking yard.   I've heard him say several times now that he can't keep V6 engines and can't seem to even give away V8 engines.  The V6 Ford engines are prone to some kind of issues. 

If you find a Ford Van that has a inline 6 (not a "V")  those will be 240's or 300 cubic inch motors and both of them are good motors.  The 300 has been used in UPS trucks and other fleet vehicles for years and are known
for their ruggedness and reliability.   These aren't as common today since most people would just purchase a V8
when buying new.   In City fleet operators often buy the V6 equipped Vans for their economy.  (knowing they are going to use them a limited period of time and their accountants depreciate them on their taxes before selling them off as clean low mileage used units to independent tradesmen or small businesses for delivery trucks)

In the larger town down the road from me there is a used car lot that gets 5 to 10 of these used Vans like this
at a time.  Generally they sell for around $1500 dollars.   most still have the ladder rack on the roof.  They don't have high tops,  and they have been cleaned and detailed. 

 

[Cheli]

I see these Fords everywhere online and there is a used car lot near me that has a dozen of them. It concerns me to see so many of them and not much else, must be issues with them. I've been trying to look for Chevy's and GMC's.

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

Or this.  *drool*

http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/ctd/5586480705.html

Ok I'll stop being a pain now.  hahaha

If you were to ever have this budget in mind, you can get a brand new one from quirk for a few grand less
http://www.quirkchevy.com/inventory...van-rwd-full-size-cargo-van-1gcwgaff6g1280342

I'm actually really close to going and buying one of these.  


I'm in the same town as you,  if you ever find something you are really interested in, I can go take a look for you.  I'm not a master mechanic or anything but i've bought and sold dozens of vehicles and can trouble shoot, work on, fix most issues that arise and can check all the basics to help avoid some of the potential disasters.

 

[Cheli]

If you were to ever have this budget in mind, you can get a brand new one from quirk for a few grand less
http://www.quirkchevy.com/inventory...van-rwd-full-size-cargo-van-1gcwgaff6g1280342

I'm actually really close to going and buying one of these.  


I'm in the same town as you,  if you ever find something you are really interested in, I can go take a look for you.  I'm not a master mechanic or anything but i've bought and sold dozens of vehicles and can trouble shoot, work on, fix most issues that arise and can check all the basics to help avoid some of the potential disasters.

Oh I would love to be able to get something like that.  I have always purchased new vehicles but since my divorce four years ago, I don't seem to have the same budget anymore.  hahaha  But never say never I guess.  

Oh yeah, you're in Weymouth too right?  I might just take you up on that offer sometime and would greatly appreciate any input.  Thank you!

 

[cognitive dissonance]

Cheli -

A few more thoughts since you're getting used to looking at used vans:

1) it was only a half-ton van. If it were me, I'd hold out for a 3/4 or 1 ton model.

2) for having just been detailed, the carpet in back looks awful. Imagine what it looked like before it was cleaned, and that gives you an idea how the van was cared for while it was a work van. Anytime I see clues like that, I get more and more interested in maintenance and service records, which anyone using a van for business should have (for tax deductions!)

3) there are a lot more used Fords out there because it's the best selling van. Pay attention to the make of the vans you see on the road to get a better feel for this.

4) it's not necessarily bad that a bunch of things have been replaced on a higher mileage van. A lot of the things mentioned in the ad are "wear items" that should be replaced.

I usually buy older vehicles too - I'm always very interested in ones that have had a bunch of wear items replacedrecently, because the cost of the work is much higher than the slightly higher price you pay for something that's been maintained. Better them than you!

5) East coast vehicles rust like crazy! Is there any chance someone you know could help you pick something up out west where rust isn't such a problem? (Personally, I'd look really hard at that option. I hate dealing with rust. Even though it's a minor issue here in Colorado, I often shop for vehicles in Arizona!)

6) My preference would be a Chevrolet/GMC product, but Fords are ok too. In the GM vans, always get the V8 engine. In the Fords, get a V8 or the 300 cubic inch inline 6. (Keep in mind you'll be much happier with a V8 if you ever come out west to visit us mountain goats!)

The GM drivetrain (engine/transmission package) is very robust and GM parts are the cheapest if you ever need work. Don't know enough about Dodge to say anything - perhaps someone else could chime in!

Shopping for a vehicle takes patience, especially when you're on a tight budget. (Ask me how I know...) So, hang in there and good luck!

cd

 

[steamjam1]

When it comes to Ford, If its a 6cyl, you just can't go wrong with the old 300ci straight-6. IMHO its the best engine Ford ever came up with. Out here on the left coast, these engines often times outlast the body of the trucks/vans they are in.

From Chrysler, it is hands down the Slant-6. Although I was impressed with my G/F's old van which had a LA3.9L V6 with 280K on it. It ate a quart of oil every 300 miles at the end. (I gave up doing oil changes to it, I just kept adding oil every week, and changed the filter once in a while..) It vibrated and buzzed like a stoned yellow jacket caught in a mayonnaise jar, and didn't get that good a gas mileage. But that engine just wouldn't quit.

The best bet if your not mechanically inclined is to go buy a van from a Ford/Chevy/Dodge dealership that's gone through its factory services and most of the time the dealership will back the van up with a warantee of some kind. (Often for Extra, but its cheap insurance)

 

[steamjam1]

[quote pid='200642' dateline='1463448824']
5) East coast vehicles rust like crazy! Is there any chance someone you know could help you pick something up out west where rust isn't such a problem? (Personally, I'd look really hard at that option. I hate dealing with rust. Even though it's a minor issue here in Colorado, I often shop for vehicles in Arizona!)
[/quote]

Yeah rust is a major bummer.

 

[Milk Hauler]

When it comes to Ford, If its a 6cyl, you just can't go wrong with the old 300ci straight-6. IMHO its the best engine Ford ever came up with. Out here on the left coast, these engines often times outlast the body of the trucks/vans they are in.

From Chrysler, it is hands down the Slant-6. Although I was impressed with my G/F's old van which had a LA3.9L V6 with 280K on it. It ate a quart of oil every 300 miles at the end. (I gave up doing oil changes to it, I just kept adding oil every week, and changed the filter once in a while..) It vibrated and buzzed like a stoned yellow jacket caught in a mayonnaise jar, and didn't get that good a gas mileage. But that engine just wouldn't quit.

The best bet if your not mechanically inclined is to go buy a van from a Ford/Chevy/Dodge dealership that's gone through its factory services and most of the time the dealership will back the van up with a warantee of some kind. (Often for Extra, but its cheap insurance)

Yeah, I had the 4.9 inline 6, 5 speed manual in an 88 4x4 f150. It was my winter only vehicle.

I beat that thing senless, it never let me down. The hwy performance was lack luster, but boy did that thing have crazy torque. Good farm and local trks. [emoji1]

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[Every Road Leads Home]

Oh yeah, you're in Weymouth too right?  I might just take you up on that offer sometime and would greatly appreciate any input.  Thank you!

Yeap, I'm in Weymouth, born and raised. (If all goes according to plan I'll be out by years end!) Live just down the street from the Landing.

 

[66788]

Yeah you're right.  I just need to keep looking......I'll know when the right one comes along.

Buying a van is kind of a spiritual thing.   You need to see it, feel it, sit in the driver's seat and just soak in the vibes.   If you don't feel 100% comfortable, don't buy it.

Every vehicle I've had good vibes from has turned out to be an exceptional vehicle.

Once it's passed the "vibes" test, take it to your mechanic for the final approval.

 

[Milk Hauler]

Buying a van is kind of a spiritual thing.   You need to see it, feel it, sit in the driver's seat and just soak in the vibes.   If you don't feel 100% comfortable, don't buy it.

Every vehicle I've had good vibes from has turned out to be an exceptional vehicle.

Once it's passed the "vibes" test, take it to your mechanic for the final approval.

THIS!

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