Chevy & GMC Vans

No i don't do drugs BUT you know how Gm is closing dealerships
well i've been rolling the idea of buying one and start rebuilding Stro's i mean totally rebuild like sanding and repainting the frame and body and custom building the suspention and drive train to the customers desires even if it is for fuel economy (is that possible in a stro?) so heres the really question i have. ALL new parts except maybe the main Drive shaft just sand rebalance and paint. as so the vehicles would be warrantied of course jusy like a new car
how much would something like that be worth....



PS:obviosly this would be more for fun then a business but would it be possible as a business if you owned OLV's as well? i'm not suriously going to do this just a thought that keeps popping into my head and would be alot of fun IMO

Actually not a bad idea, but you would probably have to expand to several other popular vehicles. I know several companies that used to use Astro/Safari vans, who now are using full-size but would love to have Astro/Safari vans.

of course another canadian would support the idea


i guess if your doing stros you wouldn't have a problem working on savana's and such (why can't you get a 3500 AWD savana that always bugged me)

I agree that this is a good idea, and one I have had myself. I would think that there are several companies that would buy "refurbished" Astro's as utlilty vehicles. Cable installers, etc, people who bought them as cargo vans initially.

I mean I have seen people switch to HHR's and you know that an Astro is way better!

The problem is that no body is buying anything right now... I know of five or 6 companys that have fleets of 30+ vans and are only using half of them, but can not get rid of the extras..

The biggest thing is making them better than stock so people will want them for the price you'd have to charge. Engine options are a must small diesels and variable displacement V8 would make the most sense. Option for 2WD/AWD/4WD is a must too. Don't forget in dash navigation.

buying an entire dealership would possibly put your operating costs too high. Now if you could find a warehouse in an industrial area that might give you the floor space needed with also keeping your costs down. If you owned OLV and started doing customer installs that could turn into a good money maker.

But as others have said you would probably need to do more than just astrovans.

oh man you guys are great i couldn't help but laugh when i saw how many responses from my last post

Someone: people are still buying stuff they are just more cautious, the prices and the value of the item is harsly scrutinized.
ihatemybike:Of course theres no point if they aren't better then stock can't forget to reupolster the interior and maybe a full pioneer sound system with an avic Z3 for a source (or something along those lines ) how about full body kits or shaved bare and lowered oh i almost forgot to meantion ....... wait for it....... POP-TOPS and CONVERSION (whoa thought i was going to pass out for a sec shouldn't hold my breath waiting too often)
Kidhauler: whole dealership, obviously that would be if you had a REDICULOUS amount of money to through around or happened to find a power of sale or the likes. i happened to know of one place that would probably be perfect for that has a nice little reseption in the front and driveup ramps in teh back and loading docks near the airport next to my work.... actually part of the same building (we do auto parts btw ) oh make that two the another build not far from my work that used to be our competitor (till they got bought out). The customer installs, maintanence and general mechanic work would be a given since you are already a garage (more then a manufacturer anyways)
T.Low: Bingo that's pretty much right on the mark i didn't go through the site to see what all they do but that first page hit right out in front of my house lol. i didn't see anything about them selling whole ones tho but i'm sure they can help locate them for you

ok i think i'm done for this post

oh if you really wanted to try to do electric conversion their would not be a better chance

Dude, they are getting $10k-$125k for them! And, no they don't come stocked with a lifetime supply of weed, either and backstage passes to the entire Greatful Dead Tour with a gas card!

Don't get me wrong; I know how much things cost. I just can't believe there is a market for $125k VW, no matter what was done to it!

Look on the inventory page and scroll down.

WOW!!!!!! I cpmpletly missed the vehicles for sale button lol
i don't think even the most modded stro would sell for more then 50K

sounds like fun.. don't know about making it work as a buisness but who am I to say... bty i talked to dan at olv a week ago to order my lift and he said to wait a couple weeks while he finishes handing over the buisness to the new owner... maybe you could still buy that too..from the new owner.

you don't really need to own OLV's just find out where they get their good froms OR work out a deal with them so they can supply you for a better price

well that would be fine by me..hurry up and I'll be your first customer...

T.Low wrote:Dude, they are getting $10k-$125k for them! And, no they don't come stocked with a lifetime supply of weed, either and backstage passes to the entire Greatful Dead Tour with a gas card!

Don't get me wrong; I know how much things cost. I just can't believe there is a market for $125k VW, no matter what was done to it!

Look on the inventory page and scroll down.

Oh my Gawd!!! I think we are ALL on crack....duh, I want the blue syncro for $73,000 puleeze...

They are sweet lookin' vans though...I've owned 2 Vanagans but didn't pay near they are asking on the westy site.