Help Chosing the right Van

Tzarnaidu wrote:


My question is: based on this information which vehicle would be the best rig to go with for reliability and general any advice regarding these two options would be helpful. Cant work out how to get images up yet. will follow hopefully.

I wouldn't get either. Prices too high on both, too many miles and too old.

If I were in that price range, I'd get this one at eBay with the $8,500 reserve price. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1996-Coachmen-19-Foot-Class-B-Van-Camper-88K-Miles/281803968184

Bill

Hi,

What city are you looking to buy in?

If you are flying into the USA, then looking to buy a used RV, you can fly to another town, and probably get a better selection or price?

I was looking at the craigslist in Portland OR, and they have several RV's in much better shape, and built in the mid - 90's for around the $10,000 price range. Even a HMC gas model for $11,000 with only about 60,000 miles on it. That one will have a higher resale value, as it was top of the line for a gas model when it was built, with all the options too.

I would say no to all of the above, and keep looking. I was also looking at the pictures of the RV's in the clicky that is quoted above and the low cost Airstream looks like the same picture for several states and areas. This could be a sign that someone took a 'stock' picture, and is trying to sell something they do not own. . . Beware of scams.

If you ask for the VIN number, and run it through the vin decoder, you can at least find out what engine it should have, and perhaps get a 'car fax' on the vehicle, so that you can find out if it was ever part of a major accident, or was a rental van, ect. . .

Also remember that 'asking price' really has nothing to do with what the vehicle is worth, or what the seller will accept in the end. If you think it is worth $5,000 and the owner is asking $10,000, they might accept less once they realize nothing more is being offered for the 'gem' they have such fond memories of traveling all over the country.

Good luck with your selection.

Fred.

I always coveted those B190s with the beautiful woodwork inside. could be a little cheaper however.
bumpy

PastorCharlie wrote:
The Ford would be the better option BUTappears to be way over priced.

Compare these: CLICKY

X2.

I would stay away from the Dodge because it is carburated and very old. No fuel injection, no 4 speed transmission, probably a 4.10:1 rear axle and will turn 3,200 RPM at 65 MPH. The body can be very weak at this point, as it has traveled all those miles and spend all those years sitting too. Basically look at a shed in the back yard built 30 years ago, and think about how stable it is. . . Now you want to move it 10,000 miles down rough roads?

The Ford is way overpriced for as many miles as it has on it. It probably has a 460" engine and 4.10:1 rear axle, might have 4 speed or 3 speed, you have to find that out.

At around 200,000 miles, most vans are ready for the junkyard. Most motorhomes are only going to last around 100,000 miles.. . Some will last a little longer, like mine is built with a steel 1.5: square tubing chassis and will not have dry rot from the wood, or loose nails, ect.

I would keep looking for a better deal, or offer $6,500 on the Airstream, and see if they might come back with a $7,500 offer. It might be worth $7,000 or not? Probably not worth a lot more than $7,000 due to mileage, and chassis age.

You can check the vin number here, and see what engine it has, transmission ect.

http://www.fleet.ford.com/login/?redirecturl=/partsandservice/vin-decoder/

Good luck,

Fred.

I would prefer the newer Ford van to the older Dodge, if used in the U.S. But for driving to Panama, I don't know which might be better for finding parts and people to take care of it.

I would rather do this in a van than in a Class C RV, which is a box house built on a van chassis. Probably better to live in, but not as structurally solid as a van.

If you will consider converting a van yourself, $10,000 can get you a used passenger van less than 10 years old, or an even newer cargo van, in the 50,000 to 100,000 mile range, about the mileage where these come off long-term lease. It won't be a house on wheels, but it doesn't take much camping equipment to make a van livable, and it is not expensive if you do the work yourself.

The Ford would be the better option BUTappears to be way over priced.

Compare these: CLICKY

Both should have some more inspection because of the nature of the trip. You would want to make sure all of the drive train, suspension, and sundry other bits are in like new condition. You may also wish to carry some spare parts for repair convenience. All things considered, I'd opt for the Ford (just assuming repair would be easier).

Both seem really old for Mexico and central America plus lots of USA traveling. Both could spend a lot of time broken along the road.