Van Shopping - The Day is Almost Here and I'm Freaking Out!

[BigGirlLilVan]

Why is this the biggest/hardest decision?! I am shopping around for my van and hoping to purchase either this weekend or next.

I have had options from people that I know selling their vans and I have been looking around online.

I think I'm settled on getting a minivan from a dealership. This is going to my daily commuter as well as roadtrip adventure home. My plan is to get something newer and nice looking as I will be using it do Uber to save more money up before I set off on my epic road trip next year.

It seems like Dodge Caravans are abundant for decent prices. Are the newer ones (2010 and newer) okay? I've read reviews about transmission issues, so that kind of worries me.

I think I'm just a perfectionist and want to get the "perfect" van, but I just need someone to hold my hand since I'm doing this all by myself lol. I think the more I look for "perfect" the more I'm gonna keep putting it off.

Any suggestions for what to check for and ask when shopping at dealerships? Anyone wanna hold my hand? [emoji31]

Any help is much appreciated. Thank you in advance!

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[PattySprinter]

I have owned 5 Dodge vans - 3 of them were Caravans.
My 2010 had factory defective brakes and transmission - fixed by Dodge. Even after the fix though it was not quite 'right' and last year another driver spun out and totaled my van the mechanic asked if the transmission had issues before the accident. Hmm. On the bright side, I received $10k replacement value on an 8 year old van.
The advice I got and I will give you - is get a van you can stand up in if at all possible.
Post a pic of your van when you get it!

 

[BigGirlLilVan]

I worry about that, but then again, I am buying used so I'm sure I'm going to have problems with any van eventually, right?

I don't want anything bigger than a minivan just because this is going to be my normal daily car for now and then I'll hit the road for about a year and then I need to go back to a normal car lol. I'm thinking long-term, so a minivan is perfect for me. If I was planning to live the van life for a while, I would look for a bigger van, but I'm okay for now in a little one.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[BigGirlLilVan]

I also worry about shady used car lots. I think I just hate car shopping as a whole as a woman. I need more man friends LOL

 

[bullfrog]

Does Uber have an age limit of the vehicle you use to work for them?

 

[BigGirlLilVan]

Does Uber have an age limit of the vehicle you use to work for them?

Yep. It is within 15 years of the current year.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[Minivanmotoman]

Suggestion, search Craigslist for the newest, lowest mileage Toyota minivan you can afford. Have a mechanic check it out.
You will save $1000s.
Last time I checked you could get one reasonably priced in PHX.

 

[Neal]

Does Uber have an age limit of the vehicle you use to work for them?

If you drive for Uber your car must be under 10 years old. I believe Lyft is 15 years or younger.

 

[BigGirlLilVan]

If you drive for Uber your car must be under 10 years old. I believe Lyft is 15 years or younger.

It varies by city. It's 15 years or younger here in Phoenix.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[travelaround]

My son drives for Uber/Lyft in California. He started with Lyft in his own new car and then was with Uber. It has been a few years and he put a lot of miles on the car, and it developed problems. Now he's back with Lyft driving one of their cars.

I've heard from another man who had no car and was able to start with Uber driving one of their cars. So, just wondering if that would be a possibility for you rather than driving your mini-van that you live in.

 

[BigGirlLilVan]

Well I won't be living in my minivan yet. It will be my daily car for now until I save up enough to skidaddle out of here. I only plan on ubering part time to get extra money. To use one of the rental cars that Uber/Lyft provides is a lot of money.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[travelaround]

Ah, I see. My other son drives a semi - started driving for Swift (for the training) and now is with a company that pays more. My daughter is doing food delivery for ... DoorDash, in her spare time to earn extra cash. Just some more ideas for earning money with travel. DoorDash doesn't seem to have a rule on the age of vehicle - as my daughter is driving an older car right now.

 

[runabout]

In the same place as you are searching for a van. I'm sticking to Chevy's and GMC vans. Lots of them out there, but high miles. I'm on the east coast and after researching west coast prices they seem to be more affordable. I've decided not to set a time limit on when I need to have the van by, that way I can breath and not make a bad decision. A cargo van is what I want, but i have looked at mini vans and there is not much room.
Happy Hunting

 

[BigGirlLilVan]

I have all the anxiety. I found a few vans that I like, but I'm not sure how I feel about the lots that I found them at...

Vans look good and Carfax looks good... But I'm just suspicious why it's at a crappy car lot lol



Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[tx2sturgis]

Vans look good and Carfax looks good... But I'm just suspicious why it's at a crappy car lot lol

Most of the bottom tier car lots buy cars at dealer auctions. So, no matter what the salesman says, if he wont put it in writing, it means NOTHING. 

Buyer Beware.

 

[highdesertranger]

remember Car Fax is not 100% they are only reporting what has been reported to them. a lot of bad stuff flies under the radar for a variety of reasons. highdesertranger

 

[closeanuf]

Carfax is about as sincere about helping you as your mother in law telling you how much she loves you.  Carfax just wants your money.