What the @#$% is up with van pricing?

[Jakedog]

I guess I just don't get it. I've been trying to buy a van for awhile now, and for the life of me, I can't figure out where these prices come from. I can buy a fully loaded used conversion van, for about half the price of a totally stripped, no options cargo van. What the hell is that all about? Does anybody know what justifies pricing fully loaded touring vans thousands of dollars less than beat to death cargo vans? There is no other type of vehicle I can think of where this would be possible, so why vans?


Jake

[Bob Rogers]

I've noticed the same thing. I'm thinking about getting a cargo trailer instead. About 2-3 grand new for something pretty good. My mother is thinking of getting rid of her Chevy Tahoe so I could have pretty good towing capacity.

[Snailhand]

That's easy. The car business is run entirely on the basis of supply and demand. You want a van that is stripped and most stripped vams have so many miles on them, they're already gone. Find one with average miles, and it's a rare, pricey commodity.
Conversion vans however, are typically loved by only the first owner, are in vast supply, and have, in some cases irreplaceable after-market parts, making them less desirable. If you want to haul the kids on the cheap, buy a conversion van. If you want to haul gear, strip that conversion van yourself.

PS: Don't cut ANY wiring.

[lenny]

i work for the phone company, and i often see vans around town that are former phone co vans. sorry im not sure exactly where or how they sell them, but i know they do. usually a bare bones work van with built in shelves and storage
they are generally well serviced, because we have in house mechanics that work at night
/shrug
in fact ive been hopin mine will die for some time now but the damn thing works great

ill ask at work how they sell em i might be able to find out

[El Capitan]

don't know if you've tried new or not, but THESE are the best.
Mercedes Benz of Vans. (really) Sold as Dodge in the USA.
http://www.daimlerchrysler.ca/CA/04/...SPRINTER,.html

Expensive, but, I gotta love a van that I can stand up in.

[0le FUZZY]

<li>Git yer seff a liddo rice rocket station wagon.
<li>After usin a chebby 20 cargo van and an Astro van I went with the much cheaper 4 door wagon.
<li>Cents I don't haff ta carry all the equipment it werked out purdy good.




Please visit my page

[Joe-Bob]

El Capitan,
The Mercedes of vans is actually made by Mercedes and carries the 3 point star. They don't sell them here, but they used to be called the Vito.

Jakedog,
You have to keep in mind that a conversion van is an Albatross. Nobody wants one because you can't do anything with them, except party. Nowadays the Highway Patrol is frowning on that more and more. But a cargo van can be a genuinely useful device because it will do almost everything a pickup truck will, and what it does haul will be dry.

[stantheman]

I swear by my Jeep Cherokee, in the very back, I can get
either 4 Twins OR 4 Super reverbs. In the back seat I can easily do three Guitars and a Bass NO PROBLEMO.
And if I gotta deal with Snow I just slip Her into 4WD and
off we go....and we'll get there and back.
There is an International Blues Star that I know who tours The USA with 2 Chevy Suburbans (oldies but goodies) and his crew is NEVER cramped or grouchy when they get out for the "load in".
Being a New Englander who lives in The White Mountains
I'd never buy a Van for any reason....can't trust 'em on
icy dirt roads and they blow all over Route 89, I've seen
a couple on their roofs on the side of 89....4-wheel drive
wagons are where it's at if You gotta get there on time.

[Ptrallan01]

Mini Van! No style, so you don't have to worry about it being stolen, and with the removable seats you can store a ton of stuff. I have a voyager with quad seats so I can remove all 4 back seats or just one. You can load amps, keyboard and guitars and stillsit three or four people. And you can get them used and cheap or new and luxurious with 4 wheel drive and towing capacity too!

Or my favorite vehicle of all time the Chevy Suburban! Rides better than a Town Car or a Deville!

[Jakedog]

For all of the input. I appreciate the advice on mini-vans, wagons, etc. Unfortuneately though, I have more to move than just me (and I don't mean the family, I have two good cars for that.)

The reason I am looking, is because I'm looking at putting my original project on the road in the spring, and I have to be able to move all four of us yahoos, all the stage gear, and hopefully have enough room to sleep us all if need be. Throw in some minimal luggage, and sleeping bags, and that's alot of space. I was hoping to avoid stripping a conversion van for security reasons (too many windows) but it may be the only way out. Hmmm... I wonder if there are any schools around here who would want to sell one of those short-buses the challenged kids use. That might be perfect, it's even got a gear lift!


Jake

[Ptrallan01]

Find a church with a 15 passenger van for sale, that may be your best bet. You can transport the people and the equipment but do a little research because some have a tendency to rollover.

Peter

[Showman]

Ive got a 96 Dodge 3/4 ton v8 automatic with 125000 miles.I'm having a hell of a time trying to sell it for 3 thousand bucks.The dealers want a heck of alot more than that for them.And mine has 2 seats and a homade wood rack in the back.I'm sure location has alot to do with it.