Van Shopping

[JeriLynn]

I could not find a place to put this so I will post a new thread for those who are looking to buy a van.

Finding an affordable van is more difficult than I thought it would be. I had a great PT Cruiser that got attacked by a tree limb and I ended up buying it back from insurance company as a salvage because the cost to fix the dented roof was more than than the insurance company valuation.  At that time, my friend in LA turned me on to a body shop that did the work for about a third of the typical estimate.  Salvage vehicles are cheaper and I think they can be a good deal if there is no structural damage. 

In the meantime, I have a 2003 Windstar minivan I bought from an estate sale that has less than 30K miles on it which is not as big as I would like, but is definitely big enough to sleep in. I bought it through a probate lawyer who handles estates for wealthy people.  The 95 year old lady who passed had 5 low mileage vehicles. I found it on CL in estate sales. Buying from an estate can yield great deals because the heirs often want everything sold as quickly as possible. 

Good luck to all fellow van shoppers.

 

[TrainChaser]

That sounds like good information! Everything sounds so simple... once someone else points them out.

 

[Nomadicguy]

I could not find a place to put this so I will post a new thread for those who are looking to buy a van.

Finding an affordable van is more difficult than I thought it would be. I had a great PT Cruiser that got attacked by a tree limb and I ended up buying it back from insurance company as a salvage because the cost to fix the dented roof was more than than the insurance company valuation.  At that time, my friend in LA turned me on to a body shop that did the work for about a third of the typical estimate.  Salvage vehicles are cheaper and I think they can be a good deal if there is no structural damage. 

In the meantime, I have a 2003 Windstar minivan I bought from an estate sale that has less than 30K miles on it which is not as big as I would like, but is definitely big enough to sleep in. I bought it through a probate lawyer who handles estates for wealthy people.  The 95 year old lady who passed had 5 low mileage vehicles. I found it on CL in estate sales. Buying from an estate can yield great deals because the heirs often want everything sold as quickly as possible. 

Good luck to all fellow van shoppers.

Thanks, I never thought of checking estate sales on CL. You got a kickin' deal on that Windstar. I am looking at purchasing a Dodge Grand Caravan. The seats are easily removed and it should provide the space I need.