I figure a vehicle a tool…..if cant get to the job, what good is all the other tools?
Help me figure out a price, please. I have the oportunity to pick up a slightly used 350 econoline van. diesel engine, 681,000 miles. body is sound, engine sounds smooth. I havent driven it, as it is no longer tagged. But I do know the owner, he has meticuliously maintained it. Body is very sound, almost no rust. Just a very basic van, extra heavy suspension. He used it for an expediting service. My uses would be local handyman / remodeling. What do you figure it may be worth?
I did check Kelly, and Edmonds, but am wondering what you think? I am familiar w/ diesel engines, albeit stationary.
Thanks, J
The more I learn, the richer I become, if I ever stop learning life here will no longer be worth living.
Replies
681,000 miles? I know diesels run a long time, but holy cow.
What is the asking price?
blue
FRAMING ADVICE ALERT!!!! DON'T TAKE ANY FRAMING ADVICE FROM ME. I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IF YOU WANT GOOD FRAMING ADVICE, JUST ASK GABE. DON'T ASK ANYONE ELSE....JUST ASK GABE! REMEMBER, I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT FRAMING...I JUST BS ABOUT IT.
The asking price?
Sellers comments on what he is asking" "its old...high miles...all highway...but dependable for interstate travel. ignition fouled up. but an easy fix. do a list of pros and cons and we'll get together on price. probably CHEAP"
Needs tires all round, and ignition is messed up....have to pull fuse to kill it. Basicaly sound tho.The more I learn, the richer I become, if I ever stop learning life here will no longer be worth living.
Jim, don't make the mistake of naming the first price. It's his van...he's gotta give you the asking price....that's the rulez of selling...
If he really gets stubborn, then offer him 1/4 of what you think you want to pay him. Then, go back and forth till you hear a low enough number from him. finally, make him offer to "split the difference". When he says that magic phrase, you ask him "am I hearing you say that you'll take x amount?". If he says yes, tell him you'll go check with your higher authority, bookeeper, wife, partner...whatever.
When you come back, of course you tell him that you only can give x-some....and the bracketing starts all over again...from a lower starting point.
At this point he's invested enough time and the little bit won't matter.
Keep in mind that the more he sells for the more recaptured depreciation taxes he pays.
blue FRAMING ADVICE ALERT!!!! DON'T TAKE ANY FRAMING ADVICE FROM ME. I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IF YOU WANT GOOD FRAMING ADVICE, JUST ASK GABE. DON'T ASK ANYONE ELSE....JUST ASK GABE! REMEMBER, I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT FRAMING...I JUST BS ABOUT IT.
END OF ALERT!
Jim, don't make the mistake of naming the first price.
I used to be in sales. Old saying: "he who speaks first looses." I am planning to let him start. Usually, when I let them start, they usually start lower than I was thinking.The more I learn, the richer I become, if I ever stop learning life here will no longer be worth living.
Welllllll what do you do? Well I'm kinda a handy man. Well what do you really do?????? Well I've got this pretty big job. Oh ya Whats it???? Workin on my van with 681 thou mi on it, keeps me pretty busy.
Get new sneakers and point them 180 of that van and see how fast they go.
You didn't say what year. Around here, if I want to donate a junk vehicle to a charity, it costs $55 for the paper work. I guess at 650,000 miles I might offer $60 if it was in good shape. A van with that much mileage is probably hanging by a thread. You can count on $700 a month repair bills until you have to finally donate it. I'd look around a bit more even if it was free.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
it a '96. Feels sound according to a good friend who has driven it & knows vehicles....engines esp.
The more I learn, the richer I become, if I ever stop learning life here will no longer be worth living.
Are you sure it has 681,000? I would not buy anything with that many miles and I am a cheapskate. I have bought many used and some used up cars. I try to stay away from used up cars. When you have that many miles every little thing is worn out unless it has been replaced. The engine may have been rebuilt but has the trans, brakes, ball joints etc. been rebuilt. Something does not jive here. Highway miles are a lot easier on a unit than stop and go, but 6800,00 is a lot even if your grandmother is driving it. I would look for something with 150,000 highway miles that has just had a lot of work done on it or a lower milage unit with a big dent. You can get ugly units with a lot of life left in them for not much money.
well, I just bought a '98 E-350 extended w/ 240K miles (5.4 gas) - price - $3200 - had new tires, 90%+ straight, quite presentable - spent about $600 on new ball joints, a tie rod end, front brakes and alignment/balancing - still needs a new windshield ($300) - but it's a very sweet ride -
while considering whether to 'trade up' to a vehicle with 60K more miles than the one I was driving, I talked to several people (and posted a thread here) - one was an expiditer with a 600K+ mile van who just happened to stop by the lot while I was kicking the tires - he found out it wasn't diesel and wasn't interested - he did say that 240K wasn't anything to worry about in regards to chassis/body -
this model econoline is hard on ball joints - other than that, as trouble free as a vehicle ever is...
the one you are considering is pretty used up - if I had to offer, I'd offer $500, and consider it being worth $1000 - I'm guessing he will shoot you a price between $1500 and $2K -
good luck - at this price range, you aren't risking much - altho the image you project as you drive up to a potential job might be worth a couple of truck payments...
I fogure out ..If I can fit all my tools in a fiat
then I don't need a truck.
Here it is ... The legendary Dino's EZ- Fiat.
heh heh
I think Dino must be a pretty cool dude.
be a friend
Yea, wait till you see him carry that bunk of ply!
A year ago I stop to help some friends to install a kitchen, trim all the doors and few other finishing stuff, You should see thei'r faces when I stop with the EZ Fiat. Take the guide with the saw and few small tools from the trunk, a 4 feet level from the front seat and go to work.
The guide (spoiler) is removable.When I left I have no spoiler on the Fiat.
My friend Steve (the homeowner) was very upset.
He said: man, you're crazy. How can you do this to the Pinifarina? You're not putting back this ugly spoiler on the Fiat.
See you guys.
YCF Dino
Half million miles and counting...
Is that half way to the moon and back?
Bought my from Enterprise - the auto rental company. They have a group that flogs stuff from their fleet.
'98 E150 with about 19k miles at $300 over book. No dicker sticker. Ford dealer up the road had one with more miles for $2000 over book.
I would start with Enterprise for my next one. Want an E250.
Anon.
Half million miles and counting...
Is that half way to the moon and back?
half a million will get you there, several orbits, and back...."there's enough for everyone"