Used Vehicle Purchase - Title Question (in name of previous owner)

[Bobby Stainless]

So to make it work for me I'd have to strip all the flammable materials, isolate and protect any electrical lines, and have my welder buddy try to restore the floor to the point where a seat could be mounted with equal strength to the original. THEN I restore the plastic covering

Registering the vehicle seems to be the least of your problems.

[billyk]

HA!

It was a series of tiny steps and there are external steps on the door... so maybe its useful for someone on crutches or a fused spine?

The wheelchair lift was located by the barn doors (whats normally a sliding door on a van).

Probably easy access for the able-bodied driver to get in and out to help the person in the wheelchair.

[RShea]

I see what you are saying. I went an measured it out on an E150 and the step modification definitely removed the mount outer mount holes and would require such an inboard mount that it would be flush with the center console or have to be moved back to the point where it interfered with the side entrance or camp van space in an already tight floorplan (this is a normal length short wheelbase van). This thing is already quite a compromise... too much so and I lose the motivation to pump time, sweat, and $ into building it up.

So to make it work for me I'd have to strip all the flammable materials, isolate and protect any electrical lines, and have my welder buddy try to restore the floor to the point where a seat could be mounted with equal strength to the original. THEN I restore the plastic covering and go find a rotating mount and seat, start drilling and bolting the seat on... THEN I can start on the actual camper van part.

That's a lot of time and effort. I could ask for a big price break but even then...

I figured shag carpet would be part of this project and already in the budget.

There you seem to have your answer and as Bobby S. stated the work to get the title and registration is minor compared to the seating you want. Time to continue your search as now you understand the effort due to the measuring.

[MontuckyFried]

Hope you're getting this thing for free. Even then...

[Name Redacted]

Summit, check with CME. They sell a lot of their van at the end of the season and they are usually in pretty good shape. High miles, but they are sprinters that are well maintained and mostly hwy miles.

[Bobby Stainless]

Earthroamer and call it a day.

[billyk]

^^ My buddy has one of those. They’re kind of expensive. He had the transmission go out somewhere north of the Arctic Circle in Alaska in the middle of nowhere. Cost him close to $25K for the tow and fix. But other than that, he still loves it. Goes to AK every year.

[summit]

^^ My buddy has one of those. They’re kind of expensive. He had the transmission go out somewhere north of the Arctic Circle in Alaska in the middle of nowhere. Cost him close to $25K for the tow and fix. But other than that, he still loves it. Goes to AK every year.

My upper end budget for buying a van and building it up is 25K... so no Earthroamer or Sportsmobile... and no having someone else build it up for me...

I really just want a cheap reliable high top van (6' of head clearance) with two front seats and airbags that isn't RWD. Bonus for being 03 or newer. Bonus for <100K miles. Bonus for ~145" of cargo area (instead of ~123" of a regular SWB Express or E series). I'll check out shredgnars idea though!

[iceman]

I would definitely look around where it doesn't snow. Here's one from Phoenix Craigslist that might work, more miles than the one you're looking at but probably easier miles, and it's in Arizona (you'd have to check where it lived earlier but that's not very hard): https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/c...569818116.html

[Danno]

If you end up buying and are in CO, check out Blinker to buy/sell. You and seller create logins, seller gives you buy code, everything is automated and can be done remotely via IOS or Android app (including bill of sale), you pay Blinker and Blinker pays seller (at no cost) and Blinker then pays you both $200 for using the app. Just sold on Blinker last month. Super smooth transaction and the $200 bonus check didn’t hurt.

I have a buddy that works for them. So yeah, use them.

[billyk]

If you end up buying and are in CO, check out Blinker to buy/sell. You and seller create logins, seller gives you buy code, everything is automated and can be done remotely via IOS or Android app (including bill of sale), you pay Blinker and Blinker pays seller (at no cost) and Blinker then pays you both $200 for using the app. Just sold on Blinker last month. Super smooth transaction and the $200 bonus check didn’t hurt.

I don’t get the business model. If they pay both the buyer and seller $200 each, where does that come from? How do they make money?

[summit]

I would definitely look around where it doesn't snow. Here's one from Phoenix Craigslist that might work, more miles than the one you're looking at but probably easier miles, and it's in Arizona (you'd have to check where it lived earlier but that's not very hard): https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/c...569818116.html

It's a good price, but Astros are 3ft smaller than a regular body SWB Express 1500... its the same size as my 4runner. But yes on the looking in Phoenix or KC or similar.

It's hard searching because high top and no RWD means limits me to an AWD Express, a converted 4WD Econoline, or a FWD Promaster. These come in three flavors... rare... beat... and pricey.

[The Reverend Floater]

If it's a sprinter van, there are definitely extra steps involved. (disclaimer: I appreciate Sprinters like I do Minis).

Step 1: Start by taking your pants off. If your dick is mere fraction of average OR if you have vagina, proceed to step 2. Otherwise, Step 5.

Step 2: Make sure you have an ample supply of lycra matching cycling kits, large Patagonia fish stickers OR a bike rack big enough to carry ten bikes. Check to make sure the van has some sort of subtle lift even if it's not 4x4, expensive lights and solar charger, then proceed with caution to step three. If it doesn't meet any of these requirements, I need you to proceed to Step Five.

Step 3: Check the previous owner's Instagram page. If his/her van isn't in a minimum of 20% of the posts, question his integrity as well as the existence of the van in the first place. If he really owned it, why isn't he prominently displaying it with hashtag "vagabond" or "vanlife" or "borntodouche"? Why is there an HID light bar and $10K custom rack with nothing on it in November of 2016, but single HID corner lights and Thule multi-SUP rack with every accessory ever made by Thule in 2017? What happened to the swing out rear bumper he had in 2015 with 2,0000 megawatts of HID back up lighting and a fridge? And If he really did take it from Red Rocks through Joshua Tree, up to Smith Rocks and all the way back over to the Unitas, where are the stickers on the interior fridge? WHERE ARE THE STICKERS? If he passes these questions, proceed to Step 4. If he can't explain any of this or if the van is nicer and represents more than 50% of your net worth, proceed to Step 5.

Step 4. Do you really want to own a Sprinter Vag? Then get the previous owner to sign the title, pass it to your guy so there are absolutely no issues. Call the DMV and make sure shit is kosher.

Step 5. Buy something cool like an old Sportsmobile or sweet ass trailer and truck combo, retain your dignity, and kick ass.

[Danno]

I don’t get the business model. If they pay both the buyer and seller $200 each, where does that come from? How do they make money?

I think they also do auto loans, so that could be a source of income. Also, they're new, so they could be trying to get established.

[adrenalated]

I was going to make fun of #vanlife but the Reverend did it better.

[Danno]

I like all the sprinter vans. Because in 5 years or so, there might be a bunch more 4x4 camper vans that I can afford.

It's easy to make fun of #vanlife, and I don't intend to live in one down by the river, but camper rigs are cool.

[iceman]

...and floater knocks it out of the park

[summit]

I like all the sprinter vans. Because in 5 years or so, there might be a bunch more 4x4 camper vans that I can afford.

That's my thought! But for right now those fuckers are like $80K for just the vehicle and over 100K if you want it built out. That's not in my ballpark.

Something like this is:
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ngId=484008259

Too bad its in Rhode Island. Only found one place fabbing fiberglass high top shells... like $3K plus ship. Could build my own high top? https://simplymountainpeople.com/201...van-phase-one/
Wood frame adds a decent amount of weight up high vs a fiberglass shell.

[stuckathuntermtn]

I would definitely look around where it doesn't snow. Here's one from Phoenix Craigslist that might work, more miles than the one you're looking at but probably easier miles, and it's in Arizona (you'd have to check where it lived earlier but that's not very hard): https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/c...569818116.html

Where's the Free Candy sign?

[iceman]

Well Southwest flies to Providence and that dealers right in the same town as the airport fwiw

[Danno]

I bought my last 3 vehicles long distance: CA, OH, PA. 2 I had shipped, one I flew there and drove it back. Saved a shitton of money versus what I could find here (and it was hard to find 2 of the 3 here, not impossible but not a lot of selection).

[lifelinksplit]

If it's a sprinter van, there are definitely extra steps involved. (disclaimer: I appreciate Sprinters like I do Minis).

Step 1: Start by taking your pants off. If your dick is mere fraction of average OR if you have vagina, proceed to step 2. Otherwise, Step 5.

Step 2: Make sure you have an ample supply of lycra matching cycling kits, large Patagonia fish stickers OR a bike rack big enough to carry ten bikes. Check to make sure the van has some sort of subtle lift even if it's not 4x4, expensive lights and solar charger, then proceed with caution to step three. If it doesn't meet any of these requirements, I need you to proceed to Step Five.

Step 3: Check the previous owner's Instagram page. If his/her van isn't in a minimum of 20% of the posts, question his integrity as well as the existence of the van in the first place. If he really owned it, why isn't he prominently displaying it with hashtag "vagabond" or "vanlife" or "borntodouche"? Why is there an HID light bar and $10K custom rack with nothing on it in November of 2016, but single HID corner lights and Thule multi-SUP rack with every accessory ever made by Thule in 2017? What happened to the swing out rear bumper he had in 2015 with 2,0000 megawatts of HID back up lighting and a fridge? And If he really did take it from Red Rocks through Joshua Tree, up to Smith Rocks and all the way back over to the Unitas, where are the stickers on the interior fridge? WHERE ARE THE STICKERS? If he passes these questions, proceed to Step 4. If he can't explain any of this or if the van is nicer and represents more than 50% of your net worth, proceed to Step 5.

Step 4. Do you really want to own a Sprinter Vag? Then get the previous owner to sign the title, pass it to your guy so there are absolutely no issues. Call the DMV and make sure shit is kosher.

Step 5. Buy something cool like an old Sportsmobile or sweet ass trailer and truck combo, retain your dignity, and kick ass.

This needs to be reiterated.

[ski-wpk]

I think they also do auto loans, so that could be a source of income. Also, they're new, so they could be trying to get established.

Yes on financing. And as a startup, they want registered users and are willing to pay for hem. First sale was smooth enough that I have two more vehicles posted. OP, want a sweet Sienna Limited with low miles? Not quite standing height but the sliding doors are cool I guess.

[The Reverend Floater]

To be totally honest, Sprinters are very impressive. Like a Mini, I couldn't bring myself to own one but they are pretty amazing vehicles--they drive like cars despite their size and I admit they are very versatile. I just can't stand the tribe, that's all.

[summit]

TRF your post was hilarious. I've never really been in a sprinter. I rented a sweet Transit camper in another country... that is where I decided I'd like to have something like that...

Yes on financing. And as a startup, they want registered users and are willing to pay for hem. First sale was smooth enough that I have two more vehicles posted. OP, want a sweet Sienna Limited with low miles? Not quite standing height but the sliding doors are cool I guess.

Good vehicle. Too small for my goals. I have drawn out very specific floor plans. I need a vehicle that has a cargo area at least 72x72x120 (preferably 74x74x135).