Van question

[kidiekat]

Thank you all for your information and patience.&nbsp; I realize that trying to teach a novice about cars is difficult.&nbsp; I'm trying to cram a life time of information in a small amount of time.&nbsp; I haven't driven a van in at least 20 years and the new and long beds are quite intimidating.&nbsp;&nbsp; I had a short bed Chevy and loved it.&nbsp; I sat up high and could drive it like a truck driver.&nbsp; (almost)&nbsp; I did get good enough I could parallel park lol.<br><br>I did find this van....&nbsp; I have emailed the seller and will drive the miles to look at it.&nbsp; It's smaller, so I am gona try this first.&nbsp; I have also located some other vans, longer wheel base, that I will try if it goes that way.&nbsp; <br><br>http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ingId=345841475&amp;listingIndex=57&amp;Log=0<br><br>The pictures look fair, the mileage too.&nbsp; So I have some hope.&nbsp; <br>Getting the van now will help me get my junk to the flea markets to off the rest of it.&nbsp; <br><br>Willy, if your there.&nbsp; Craigslist has been a God send.&nbsp;&nbsp; I have sold over $6,500. worth of junk.&nbsp; This has not even dented what I have in this house.&nbsp; Thank you for your encouragement and the push to get me started.&nbsp; I owe you a hot cup of coffee and a good steak dinner.<br><br>Spirtuallife.&nbsp; Wow.&nbsp; Turn to the right, turn to the left and listen for clicking.&nbsp; CV joints.&nbsp;&nbsp; Good information.<br><br>RUST:&nbsp; When I saw the van with all the rust bubbles and over painting on it.&nbsp; I knew it went through sandy.&nbsp; I have seen older cars that had a little ding or spot of rust but this van was unbelievable.&nbsp; <br><br>Willy, so 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 ton has nothing to do with the length of the vehicle/wheel base.&nbsp; It is all to do with the mechanics under the van?&nbsp; Better suspension, better brakes, etc.&nbsp; Okay.&nbsp; I get it.&nbsp; With your explanation it sounds logical.&nbsp; As far as mileage.&nbsp; I figure if I get 18 to 20 on the highway it's a gift.&nbsp; <br><br>My pile of supplies for camping is growing.&nbsp; Will I really be taking on that much weight?&nbsp; The things I figure that will be the heaviest will be the water containers.&nbsp; I want more than enough so that Luci and I will not dehydrate in the desert.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I am gona boon dock for sure.&nbsp; YAHOOO!<br><br>Today I rested.&nbsp; Looking at all the vans and all the chit chat questions wore me out.&nbsp; Tomorrow I start over again.&nbsp;&nbsp; I have racked my brain but there is zero on the find a mechanically inclined person to go with me.&nbsp;&nbsp; Since most of the vans I will be looking at are out of state now, I'll have no idea where I could take it to get a look at on it.&nbsp; <br><br>I will succeed!&nbsp; I'm saying lots of prayers and learning as much as this ole brain can consume.<br><br>Thank you all again<br><br><br>

 

[kidiekat]

Wagoneer.&nbsp; The final decision to buy or not to buy is the person's responsibility.&nbsp; When you graciously offer help it is not you that should bear the brunt of it being a bad deal.&nbsp; You should be appreciated for the help you have given.&nbsp; <br>Even a new car can be a lemon, there is no guarantee in life about what is in any ones future.&nbsp; Be thankful for the help and support of the people around you and that they are there, deal with the hand you are dealt.&nbsp; Blaming some one else is usually done by people that have to blame the world for their problems.&nbsp; <br>It's not my fault that the gas tank is empty....&nbsp; duh....&nbsp; Must have been the milkman's responsibility.....<br>Thanks again

 

[kidiekat]

Wagoneer.&nbsp; What is an in line van?&nbsp; Never heard of this term.&nbsp; <br>Thanks

 

[Willy]

An 'inline' engine is basically one with the cylinders arranged sequentially in a straight line, vs a 'V' type engine which has 2 banks of cylinders, side by side and at an angle. &nbsp; http://www.howstuffworks.com/question366.htm&nbsp; ..Willy. &nbsp;

 

[rokguy]

<EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">+1 Wagoneer.</SPAN></STRONG></EM>

 

[kidiekat]

Willy, thanks for the link.&nbsp; I did read it.... Hmmm.&nbsp; Yep it's over my head.&nbsp; But I am learning.&nbsp; I understood the concept in line, v, etc.&nbsp; but not why one was better than the other.&nbsp; I will read again.&nbsp; <br><br>I'm still searching.&nbsp; I stopped and looked at a van. OMG.&nbsp; This guy must have thought "here is a stupid woman"&nbsp; and I realized he had a head that needed a brick up side of it.&nbsp; I just nodded and took his card and left.&nbsp; 200,000 hard miles on this van, it looked and smelled like a dirty garage.&nbsp; Tore up it was. <br><br>I will not give up.

 

[wagoneer]

Most hi-mile vehicles /big rigs/locomotives workhorse vehicles have inline 4/6/cylinder power plants I recommend the 6 because it's most common and easy to maintain. Many studies have proven the inline to be the most efficient use of space V engines are just two inline combined to save space and at an angle creating other issues/complexities. I had a 1987 mercedes wagon with a &nbsp;inline 6 diesel WOW power and milage 500k no problem.

 

[kidiekat]

I found this van.&nbsp; Has some dings but mileage is 77k.&nbsp; Email to owner, says engine is good. Gona look at it. <br>http://easternshore.craigslist.org/cto/3862042593.html<br>I can get rid of the shelving and stuff.&nbsp; I am looking for a place to take it to be checked out. <br>kidie

 

[kidiekat]

Found a second one.&nbsp; 100k.&nbsp; Pictures look good.&nbsp; Gona call on it and check it out too<br>http://easternshore.craigslist.org/cto/3860310027.html<br>It would be nice if I knew what I was doing. lol<br>wish me luck<br>kidie

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Good luck.&nbsp; I am the lemon king, so I have very little advice to offer <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp;

 

[kidiekat]

I now have heard back from a chevy astro van 145k miles.&nbsp; Looks really good but what the heck on the engine.&nbsp;&nbsp; Jeesh.<br>http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...03&amp;searchRadius=0&amp;listingId=348057871<br>DazarGaidin oh no lemons?<br>kidie

 

[Spirituallifetime]

I just bought a astro/safari van, nice and easy to drive. I think These are 1/2 ton vans, mine is about 7 1/2 feet in the back. The passenger seat come out easy on the passenger vans.

 

[MK7]

You're in Maryland, where the MD State Safety Inspection that your car must pass (ONCE) in order to get registration &amp; tags.... is probably the hardest to pass in the entire USA.&nbsp; They check just about everything there is to check, safety-wise.&nbsp; You buy a junker and it may cost $1000 or more to pass. <br><br>If you're not good with cars, there's no way that just a few posts on here will equip you well enough. The best way is to work out a deal where the owner will agree to have it inspected first. They are not obligated to and it also costs $70-90 to inspect. If it's a really good deal, you may want to pay for inspection to see what you're getting into before you actually buy it. Owner may still refuse as it's a pain in the butt for him still and/or he's trying to hide some hidden problems that will be uncovered. This is where you have to be nice &amp; gentle with the seller.<br><br>MD State Inspection still won't guarantee a good working motor, transmission or such. Usually the same shop can check the rest (decently) for another $50. Then another $50-80 for a compression test if you need more peace of mind.<br><br>I checked out a decent looking '97 Conversion van for $1500. Finessed my way with the owner and we went in 50/50 on the $80 inspection. Comes back needing $800 of work to pass. I was going to do it as it's still a good deal, but passed due to some horrid smell of the van that stuck to my clothes and nose hair for over 2 days....and I was only in the van less than 20 minutes, damn.<br><br><br><br><br><br>

 

[kidiekat]

MK7&nbsp;&nbsp; thanks,&nbsp; it's complicated.&nbsp; I am trying to learn as much as I can but I know I lack in information and experience and don't expect that I will become a super buyer in a short time.&nbsp;&nbsp; But I am all I have so I keep plugging away.&nbsp; <br><br>It's helpful to learn about splitting the&nbsp; cost.&nbsp; I will keep that in mind.&nbsp; Every little bit of info helps.<br><br>Thank you again<br>kidie