What do you think of this

[VanKitten]

Opinions?  

What to look out for

Is it just too old?

Low miles.  

http://ocala.craigslist.org/cto/5602861026.html

 

[Gary68]

watch out for rust and that 460 to suck down the gas,besides that i like it

 

[highdesertranger]

yep with that 460 you can pass everything, except a gas station. highdesertranger

 

[GotSmart]

Tires and "routine maintenance" will double the cost.  Then you should have a nice rig for $4K. 

It is a gas hog.  Just stop more often and smell the roses. 

 

[steamjam1]

Oh yeah 460ci. It'll be fuel injected but still only get like 8mpg.

 

[VanKitten]

Well, didn't plan to be driving much. Mostly want to have a camper that I can stand in, and carry everything plus a couple solar panels up top. I like he realestate this one has up. I figure to take out the A/C and put in just a 12v vent/fan.

I notice there are no side doors. A back door. Hum...how hard is it to install a door?

So, think I will see what those "minor maintenance" things are the ad talked about.

I think I will go for it if it looks good. I can invest the extra 6k in serious maintenance and interior (exterior paint job too).

 

[Gary68]

the problem with adding a side door would be finding one that fit the contour of the vehicle,if it is flat then basic framing

460 is a good engine,it will shine pulling a trailer and going up the hills,if it has od it will help with the mpg

check for rust,that stuff is evil

 

[arctic cat]

Nice looking with a lot of prospect. Great project van

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

63,000 miles?  163,000 miles?  263,000 miles?  Unfortunately, you can't tell how many times that particular odometer has turned over.

Maybe for that price it's really not important to you, maybe it is.

Let's see.  2016 - 1988 = 28 years old.  63,000 / 28 = 2,250 miles a year, on average.

Let's say the odometer has turned over a time or two.

Maybe the current owner hasn't owned it too long, and he genuinely believes it only has 63,000 miles on it.  Or maybe he knows and is lying about it.  If he's lying about that, what else is he lying about?

If you're really interested in it, I'd get the vin # and buy a CarFax.  The history part will tell you how many times it changed hands, and what mileage was reported to the DMV each time.

Oh, and see if there's an hour meter on that Onan Generator.  Might be real interesting to see how many hours are on it.

 

[GotSmart]

That has a pass through from the cab.

A side door will be an expensive modification.

 

[murphy52]

Opinions?  

What to look out for

Is it just too old?

Low miles.  

http://ocala.craigslist.org/cto/5602861026.html

If the rust isn't bad I would jump on it for $1500.

 

[VanKitten]

63,000 miles?  163,000 miles?  263,000 miles?  Unfortunately, you can't tell how many times that particular odometer has turned over.

Maybe for that price it's really not important to you, maybe it is.

Let's see.  2016 - 1988 = 28 years old.  63,000 / 28 = 2,250 miles a year, on average.

Let's say the odometer has turned over a time or two.

Maybe the current owner hasn't owned it too long, and he genuinely believes it only has 63,000 miles on it.  Or maybe he knows and is lying about it.  If he's lying about that, what else is he lying about?

If you're really interested in it, I'd get the vin # and buy a CarFax.  The history part will tell you how many times it changed hands, and what mileage was reported to the DMV each time.

Oh, and see if there's an hour meter on that Onan Generator.  Might be real interesting to see how many hours are on it.

Thank you for the heads up.   I just did a car fax on it and the 63k miles are real.   There were service reports and the mileage noted at those times.   Because of its age, Florida does not require mileage report at renewal of registration...but those service records agree with the seller.    Seller says it has been in his garage for the last 4-5 years, and that agrees with the service records too.   So..all the belts and hoses have to be replaced first thing.  Then the tires, and whatever else seller is calling "Minor maintenance". I'll include oil, filter, air filter, tranny fluid and filter, break fluid and a serious once over with the mechanic I trust

Anything else I should just do straight off?

 

[highdesertranger]

I don't know how many times I must repeat this, Car Fax is nowhere near 100% accurate. this van could have been totaled then repaired and Car Fax might have no idea. Car Fax wasn't even around in 1988. on this van I have no idea on the mileage or condition all I am saying is don't take Car Fax as gospel. highdesertranger

 

[GotSmart]

Inspect every moving part.  Brakes, shocks, front end, steering, seals, U~Joints.

I have replaced almost everything on  my 91 when getting it ready for the road. 

Now I don't want to sell it as it runs better than anything else in its price range. 

 

[VanKitten]

Ok...give me your opinion

Seller now says the A/C compressor does not work. And....There is an electrical problem..intermittently doesn't start. Wants extra cash to get this fixed.

I am starting to feel maybe I am being lead into a con job? What is the proper response here? Wait till he has a price? Sounds like he isn't going to have the vehicle as advertised for that price. Is it still a decent buy at 3k? Or more?

 

[GotSmart]

Ok...give me your opinion

Seller now says the A/C compressor does not work.  And....There is an electrical problem..intermittently doesn't start.   Wants extra cash to get this fixed.

I am starting to feel maybe I am being lead into a con job?  What is the proper response here?   Wait till he has a price?  Sounds like he isn't going to have the vehicle as advertised for that price.   Is it still a decent buy at 3k? Or more?

Not in my opinion. You can find better mileage for the added cost.

 

[highdesertranger]

ah the old bait and switch. highdesertranger

 

[VanKitten]

I don't know how many times I must repeat this,  Car Fax is nowhere near 100% accurate.  this van could have been totaled then repaired and Car Fax might have no idea.  Car Fax wasn't even around in 1988.  on this van I have no idea on the mileage or condition all I am saying is don't take Car Fax as gospel.  highdesertranger

Hummmm.  Then there is no point to even running a car fax.   If the report is to be taken as inaccurate, why bother?  Like getting a diagnosis for an illness but knowing that the medical opinion is very often wrong.  

So it is confusing.  How does one go about getting reliable information?

 

[highdesertranger]

I didn't say there is no point, I said its not 100%. only shops that report to Car Fax will be on their records. most shops do not report to Car Fax. highdesertranger

 

[GotSmart]

Hummmm.  Then there is no point to even running a car fax.   If the report is to be taken as inaccurate, why bother?  Like getting a diagnosis for an illness but knowing that the medical opinion is very often wrong.  

So it is confusing.  How does one go about getting reliable information?

I trust my "gut" when it comes to vehicles.  Too much, or too little information is a red flag.

One guy was selling a "running van" in CA without a title, and he had not bothered to transfer ownership when he acquired it more than 2 years before from a non smog state.  His ad was bout 2 pages long, and no mention of the missing paperwork, 2 fires, (including the transmission)  or completely trashed interior. 

All you can do is look carefully, and try not to fall in love with a shiny paint job.