Thoughts on this van?
- Thread starter iflewoverthecuckoosnest
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iflewoverthecuckoosnest
Well-known member
Thanks for the advice, @Matt Derrick 
I am heading down to the coffee shop to zone out on CL van options for a few hours. Will definitely let you fine people know what my final choice is.
I am heading down to the coffee shop to zone out on CL van options for a few hours. Will definitely let you fine people know what my final choice is.
DumpsterfunkE
Member
I used to have a 1997 Dodge Gerwin.It was like driving a boat.To big and bad on gas.Just don't buy a lemon.A-team van would rock!!
DesertRat
Well-known member
If you're not absolutely stuck on a van, keep an eye on older SUV's.
Example: just a couple of months ago, I scored a 94 Chevy Suburban. Just a tick over 300k on the body, but about 61k on a full block up rebuilt 350 TBI. Price was $800.
Moral of the story is CL is but one option.
Example: just a couple of months ago, I scored a 94 Chevy Suburban. Just a tick over 300k on the body, but about 61k on a full block up rebuilt 350 TBI. Price was $800.
Moral of the story is CL is but one option.
Talk to people, too. I got lucky, because I work at Sears in the tool department, I happened to meet a guy who had his own garage and also does mobile mechanic work, along other car related activities. I told him I was looking for a van I could convey and BAM! Turned out he had am 88 Chevy Astro cargo van with just 70,000 miles on the motor (he rebuilt it himself) and something life 130,000 miles on the body. Got it for $800. The guy who did the inspection was so impressed, he offered to buy it right away if we turned it down, saying it was really worth $1200 in that condition.
Don't be afraid to tell people what you need, you never know. Hell he was putting in a new water pump and added new brake shoes the day before we bought it and didn't jack the price up. Only thing trait wrong with it :the horn didn't work. Can't wait to really get working on it!
Sent using Tapatalk.
Don't be afraid to tell people what you need, you never know. Hell he was putting in a new water pump and added new brake shoes the day before we bought it and didn't jack the price up. Only thing trait wrong with it :the horn didn't work. Can't wait to really get working on it!
Sent using Tapatalk.
iflewoverthecuckoosnest
Well-known member
Nice information, guys! Keep it coming. I am definitely not stuck on a van at all, nor am I stuck on anything from CL. Just as long as it will take me a quite a ways and I can stretch out in it at night, I'm golden. I'll keep my eyes peeled everywhere and keep doing my homework
iflewoverthecuckoosnest
Well-known member
Looks pretty promising. I would go check the van out . If everything is ok with it I'd offer the guy $700. I didn't see if it was a 2wd or 4wd in the ad. If I were gonna get an astro I'd want the 4wd. Also if you do buy the van you can take the lift off/out and either try to sell it or just scrap it for a little extra $. Probably wouldn't be hard to convert it with whatever you'd wanna do with it. I'd give it a 7.5/10 on the 'potential new van' scale.
[emoji41]
[emoji41]
Fatboy
Active member
Astros are notorious for eating transmissions every 70 to 100k miles. If it has had a new tranny or a rebuild from a reputable shop with in the last 40k its a good deal if not id be worried.
iflewoverthecuckoosnest
Well-known member
iflewoverthecuckoosnest
Well-known member
Damn! Talked to the guy and no pink slip Also a flat tire. And he has no clue about any maintenance on the vehicle. Back to the races!
Also a flat tire. And he has no clue about any maintenance on the vehicle. Back to the races!
milkhauler
Well-known member
Back in the day titles in California were printed on a special punkish color paper to combat forgery. Without the tilte its a pain in the ass to register in ur name. A title will also have any listed liens that are on the van. I was burned a few yrs ago by purchasing a Honda without a title. The owner was a so-called friend. He skipped town in the middle of the night and I couldn't register the car. Had to sell to junkyard.
Once bitten twice twice shy. I now refuse look at anything without proper papers. Its also a good idea to call the local P.D to see if its stolen. Give them the vin over the phone and they can tell you if its legit or not.
Btw... My favorite vans are the G20 coversions. The insides are super sturdy for rubber tramping. Minimal plastic, and shit tons of storage The drive train is bullet proof, with an unbundace of parts all over the world. !
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Wait a minute - from what I am reading - you are not planning on packing too much gear, the hell with getting a van - find an old school 1980s' Ford Crown Victoria LTD Country Squire station wagon, preferably one with a HO 5.0 SVO motor.
I got an 86 with [today] only about 131,000 miles, the thing rides like a limo, I can sleep in the back [I'm 6' 7" and 265 lbs] and she gets 23-24 mpg highway, and that's loaded with a canoe on the roof, camping gear.... although I just had her converted to dual exhaust so I'm thinking the milage may even go up a little bit more as she's really cruising way way better now.
Parts are plentiful, cheap, and since this is essentially based on the Crown Vic platform [think Police car...] they are built for years and years of extreme use.
On balance, I have an 84 Ford E-350 diesel van - conversion van - that sits in my front yard.
When that ran, wow... it was like driving a truck - but she was expensive to keep on the road, hence why she's off......
The station wagon on the other hand runs like a dream.
I'd very seriously consider that option if I were you.
Plus the coolness factor can never be denied.
I got an 86 with [today] only about 131,000 miles, the thing rides like a limo, I can sleep in the back [I'm 6' 7" and 265 lbs] and she gets 23-24 mpg highway, and that's loaded with a canoe on the roof, camping gear.... although I just had her converted to dual exhaust so I'm thinking the milage may even go up a little bit more as she's really cruising way way better now.
Parts are plentiful, cheap, and since this is essentially based on the Crown Vic platform [think Police car...] they are built for years and years of extreme use.
On balance, I have an 84 Ford E-350 diesel van - conversion van - that sits in my front yard.
When that ran, wow... it was like driving a truck - but she was expensive to keep on the road, hence why she's off......
The station wagon on the other hand runs like a dream.
I'd very seriously consider that option if I were you.
Plus the coolness factor can never be denied.
so you're 5" shy of being 7'? How in god's name do sleep in the back of a crown vic? [emoji33] But yeah, I agree. Those cars are built to last. From what I hear they are nearly indestructible.
iflewoverthecuckoosnest
Well-known member
Nice! Thank you! I will now head down to the coffee hive and mull over station wagons for several hours. Wish me luck, guys! Thanks so much for all of your help so far
You, the internet, and caffeine have been my greatest allies through this venture, and this lady really appreciates it.
iflewoverthecuckoosnest
Well-known member
Alright, guys, found a low mileage station wagon in my price range. What do ya think?
http://fresno.craigslist.org/cto/5226599363.html
This one is SLIGHTLY higher in mileage, however, it's closer to where I am currently, so it wouldn't be nearly as much of a hassle to check out.
http://modesto.craigslist.org/cto/5230672849.html
http://fresno.craigslist.org/cto/5226599363.html
This one is SLIGHTLY higher in mileage, however, it's closer to where I am currently, so it wouldn't be nearly as much of a hassle to check out.
http://modesto.craigslist.org/cto/5230672849.html
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