Van hunting in FL

[Madpeep]

i just landed in FL (from CT). I'll be staying with my aunt in Okeechobee for a few days. I'm really here to chauffeur my father around, but while I'm here, I might as well look for a van! Prices are a bit cheaper than CT, there are plenty to choose from, and hardly any rust. For starters, I found this one not too far away. Thoughts?

http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/5701392487.html

 

[JLynne]

Other members are more wise than I am. I recently purchased an E150 18' conversion and already wish I had gone a little bigger. It was pretty much ready to go without making a big project of it. Windows are important to me and from what I can see, my first reaction was Wow!

 

[mayble]

Interesting vehicle, looks like a transport van converted to a food vendor's van.  What's up with the side door/service window thing they've got going on there?  It doesn't look like those doors are operable.  It also looks very tall, which would limit where you could go with it (watch for low branches and bridges).  The original door step makes for low ground clearance as well.
It would still need to be built out for living or camping in.  I don't see the mileage listed in the ad but I would assume it's up there.
Personally, I think $3k is a bit much for a 20 year old van.  For that money you could surely buy a newer van or a 20 yr old motorhome, depending on your needs/wants.  I'd go see it just out of curiosity but I wouldn't buy it

 

[MrNoodly]

Woo-hoo! A P.A. system so you can play "Pop Goes the Weasel" as you drive around.

 

[Madpeep]

That would be freaky. Funny for a few minutes, then weird. Hah

 

[Freethinker9]

Currently selling my 1995 Ford e250 Coachmen http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/rvs/5677982589.html

 

[drysailor]

i just landed in FL (from CT). I'll be staying with my aunt in Okeechobee for a few days. I'm really here to chauffeur my father around, but while I'm here, I might as well look for a van! Prices are a bit cheaper than CT, there are plenty to choose from, and hardly any rust. For starters, I found this one not too far away. Thoughts?

http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/5701392487.html

Welcome Madpeep! Might be a good idea to start looking around, at campers, vans, small motorhomes, etc. Try to imagine how you'd use one, how it feels to drive one. Recognize your own likes & dislikes before letting someone else's ad drive you. Good luck!

 

[Madpeep]

Thanks for the input drysailor, but I can live inside just about anything. Doesn't really matter to me if it's a van, box truck, rv, etc. I've lived in basements, attics, spare bedrooms, on sofas, floors, couches. I've spent winters without heat and Summers without running water. No matter what I get, it won't be perfect I've slept inside quite a few cars, but I've never lived inside of one before. So I'll learn what I like and dislike as I go. I'd rather just buy something now. Try it out for awhile, then I'll reevaluate months/year from now.

That's a nice van freethinker, but I'm not going to spend that much on a 1995 no matter how nice it looks. Good luck with it though. I wish you the best. I hope to visit many of the places you've been to

 

[Madpeep]

I'm on my way to go check out this van.
https://cfl.craigslist.org/cto/5706460951.html

Anything I should look for or ask?

 

[Vacilador]

Nice looking van that sounds like it's in good shape. Given the age, I'd be looking to figure out the likeliest candidate to be next on the repair list and factor that cost into the overall life cycle value.

FWIW, Kelly Blue Book lists the value of the cargo version of a 1999 ford e-250 van in good condition at under $1,000. Don't know what value you would want to put on the conversion. If it has had lots of recent maintenance (new tires, belts, hoses, timing chain/belt, AC work, etc) that might up the value to you as well.

What's always helped me in negotiating is to keep in mind that there are more vehicles out there, maybe not right now but there always are. That willingness to walk away has saved a lot of difficulty later (and dollars!). Which may be preaching to the choir- perhaps we can share stories! - I wish you well on your hunt and hope to hear how it turns out.

 

[Madpeep]

Well, I'm now a van owner. I bought the van, or at least, there's an agreement in place. The Dmv's closed until Monday, so we're meeting up again to sign paperwork then. Ford just replaced a bunch of stuff. He has all the receipts. That's why it was a bit on the costly side, since he just put a bunch into it preparing for a trip. Engine runs strong, we drove around for awhile. Mechanically it doesn't need anything. Just a bit of cosmetic stuff (like cleaning). We did agree to a lower price. The older guy was a hoot. I hope I'm that funny when I'm 72.