Ok change of plans, new van

[PharmAstrocist]

I went to a couple of upholstery/interior places today and doing my van is going to cost me between 3-5k just to get started on what I want. So I think I'm going to take this opportunity to FINALLY scrap the wife's '91 Taurus (aka bi-monthly PITA) and just get another van.

Spoke to this guy tonight and going to take him some money in the a.m.

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/car/560579934.html



Says some misc scratches barely noticeable. Unfortunately it's barn doors (was really wanting a dutch version, I have barn already), and it's the front bench seat instead of captains which would have been a nice bonus. Power everything, everything supposedly works. He buys and flips, so not a single owner, but didn't say he did anything to it except change some "funky" wheels and oil change.

So about the price, would anyone ACTUALLY low-ball this guy or do you think it's worth the full price (3200)? I intend to pay 3G even, without a fight.

Comments welcome!

[WVKayaker]

For what it's worth I paid $2450.00 for my '99 AWD with 127k Miles on the clock one year ago.

[astrogurl]

Hey went to http://www.kbb.com
filled in the details you told me for the charlotte area and this is what I found on a private party price

http://www.kbb.com/KBB/UsedCars/Pricing ... onditions=
HTH

[PharmAstrocist]

Cool, thanks, so it's at least worth the asking price.

WV you got an outstanding deal! I wouldn't expect him to go that low..

[tim k]

just me but seems like a lot of miles for the price I would look a little longer for something that is set up the way you like

[PharmAstrocist]

This guy got back to me finally by email.




http://charlotte.craigslist.org/car/547008668.html
It's green and it's clean! Runs great, recently rebuilt transmission done by a Chevy transmission professional, new shocks, good tires, and clean interior. Meticulously serviced, service record can be produced. Single-owner, just inspected, and we have no need for a van any more. Bench-style seats for seating of 7 passengers, and they can be removed. Serious inquiries only, please. 203K miles and many more left.


He's only asking $2399, so now I'm a bit torn except to say that my final offer on the white one will be $2800 given this other choice, if he doesn't take it then I'm going to go look at the green one. They're all about an hour apart from my home.

Any opinions just straight out between the two? The green has my dutch doors but prob still the bench seats. Pricer is nicer, one year older with comparable miles. Says it has "nothing more than a door ding"... I hate door dings. White one has "some scratches bare noticeable", also has nicer wheels from the pics.

What do you guys do? Do you make a point of looking at both first or what? I'd like to nail one of them down tomorrow before I lose my nerve!

Rob

[peter]

Honestly, I'd wait for something with lower mileage. Either that, or go for the green one seeing as the previous owner's already sunk lotsa dough into it. But it's still a lot of mileage bro

[LiftedAWDAstro]

I like the green one better...but I'm biased

Like Peter says, the green one has already had a bunch of money thrown into it with the tranny job alone. At 199k, the white one is possibly on it's last tranny legs unless that one has been rebuilt as well.

I guess you need to look at them both and go from there, one may have a much cleaner interior and under carriage.

[PharmAstrocist]

hmm... waiting has never been one of my strong points... my van has that kind of miles and 10 years older, same tranny. Are the newer ones especially vulnerable? Mine just can't be stopped, and I guess I'm attributing the mystical qualities of Krispy to all Strofaris!

[astrogurl]

I like the fact that the service records can be produced for the green one. Door dings can sometimes be popped out, I've seen it done with the little suction cup thingy. And if you really want to repaint it you could always strip it and gingerly fill in the ding with some putty. Plus I'm a really big fan of the dutch doors as well.

Look them over really well in person. If they are reputable, they won't mind you driving it a bit to see if there are any problems with hard shifting or looking at the oil and transmission fluid for any cloudiness or burnt smells. Waiting is probably not going to hurt you though

[GnarliSafari]

its one thing if you put the 203,000 on it because you would know its strong and weak points by now, but to purchase one with that kinda mileage would be a little bit scary if you ask me. i purchased my 99 6 years ago with 50,000 miles it now has 166,000 miles and still runs good, but it has the original tranny so i know just to baby her a little bit more than used to. i just happened to see about 10 4l60E's on ebay at buy it now prices of about $550 or so and shipping at $300, i was awful tempted to buy one just for the hell of it, but didnt, now mine will probably go out soon and i will get stuck paying thousands of dollars or something.

[meetthespeakers]

I am terrible at waiting, but I waited and I think I got a steal. 1998 Astro AWD, blue on blue, dutch doors, power locks, rear heat/ac. No power windows or cruise control, but it only had 32,000k miles on it! I only paid $4200 cash. No dents or anything... So I would say wait, there are deals out there to be had, and mine was from a flipper too.

[PharmAstrocist]

Thanks for all the trying guys, but she drove the white one and wasn't going to get out of it.

He accepted my 2800 no prob. The thing drives great, I gave it a bunch of hard stomps and stops, sounds great, undercarriage looks great, no/little rust. Interior immaculate except for some "fuzzy" edges on the upholstery, but intact, no rips or stains. EVERYTHING works electrically, even the cigarette lighter, which quite frankly shocked the heck outta me... always the first thing to go!

[justice]

will the new van be named "Cream"?

[trybe13]

will the new van be named "Cream"?

I think it would have to be "Kreme"!! Good one Justice! Good luck with the new van Rob.