View Full Version : Looking for a van...
johnnie2130
08-15-2003, 05:06 PM
I wasn't sure where to post this, so I decided to put it here and hope someone can help. I'm looking to buy a new full-size van. I'm having a lot of trouble find what I want. Most places I've talked to will do part, but not all. I'm wanting a lowered floor, raised doors, raised roof, front and rear air and heat, TV with DVD player, a lift, cloth seats, etc, and get it from one place. It doesn't have to be all fancy, just nice looking. I'd rather not have to sell half of what I own to buy it, too. Anybody have any ideas where I can look and find this?
I suggest a used van, its been our experience that the fullsize vans have the resale value of a used turnip(we gave our last fullsize van away). Tennessee Mobility in Gallatin, TN, usually has a few fullsize vans on there used lot, or even ebay. We bought a mini-van from a dealer in Georgia and have had a very hard time re-selling it. Be careful what you buy.
Johnnie, I may have the van you are looking for. 2002 ford, high roof and doors, full cut down floor, side lift, all the custom stuff, custom paint, 29,000 miles new brakes tires, fluids, 100% top shape. call 708-878-3735 Jon
How much are you asking for it EAA?
Paid over 49,500 2002 Feb. Minus 11,550 sell = $ 37,950, I need lower van now for parking in some down town lots.
SCI-Nurse
10-01-2003, 08:03 PM
I would also recommend looking at recent low-milage used vans. All vans depreciate very quickly, and you can save many thousands of dollars by getting one that is only a couple of years old.
A disadvantage of a full sized van with a raised roof is that they will not go into most parking garages. Are you so tall that you cannot use a mini-van?
Try searching on www.EBay.com (http://www.EBay.com) (often listings there) and also check out:
www.disableddealer.com (http://www.disableddealer.com)
(KLD)
Hey, I've got a 1997 Chrysler Town & Country, Loaded, about 77k miles I paid $18,900.00 for it last november, the power ramp is new, new tires in November as well, I'll take $15,900.00 for it. My wife drove it a month or two and hated it, i took the hand controls back off and put them on our Suburban. The ramp is a little steep if your a quad, my wife used her power chair to get in it, but you could have one leaf spring removed from each side of rear axle if you needed it lowered more. Anyway i want to sell the damn thing..... toyz911@bellsouth.net
wheelz1
10-04-2003, 07:58 AM
I have a 2001 Ford E250 with a raised roof and all the bells and whistles with a TV/video player etc. It has 75000 kms on it which is approx 40,000 miles. I am asking $40,000 cdn which works out to approx $25,000 US. It does not have a raised doors though but I can have that done for an extra $5000 cdn here. email me at wheelz1@hotmail.com if interested for pics etc.
Vans like cars are no different the way they depreciate.If you maintain your vehicle and your lift it will last you a long time.
I bought a E-150 with a lowered floor and I can take it anywhere,even the parking garage.
The cost of the E-150 with the lowered floor package is alot cheaper as to the price of the mini-van package.
The one thing I love about my E-150 is the room.. I can move around inside the van as to the mini-van where room is very limited.If you was to buy a E-150 I would choose the lowered floor package instead of the raised roof.
Hey Johnnie - I am just now finalizing my new full-size van purchase and modifications. Maybe my research can give byou some insight. I went with a 2003 E-250. I have a 6" dropped floor (I drive from my power chair), an E-Z Lock and a UVL. The hand controls I went with were the most costly, an EGB, 10" wheel and a digipad for secondary controls. There was no "one company" that did all of the modifications but the two companies that I went with worked together in every aspect. VMI did the mods to the actual van (even the cosmetic portion) while Innovative mobility took care of the hand controls.
I have owned both types of vans, mini and full-size, and I prefer the larger kind. I would not recommend the raised roof option, expecially if you lower the floor and drive from a wheelchair. The cons are numerous (no parking garages, leaks over time, drivability in high winds, etc...) Also with the full-size van, the rear seat has a tri-fold motorized mechanism that folds down into a bed. This is great for, well, just use your imagination! Here is the link to VMI:
VMI: http://www.vantagemobility.com/fullvan.html
One more thing, there is a company out of California that sells used vans that are traded in by veterans. I know this sounds weird but stick with me on this. From what I understand, the PVA allows their members to buy new vehicles every few years. These used vans have all the bells and whistles with low miles. It might be to your advantage to look into this further.
I hope this helps. Take care!
"Wherever you go...there you are"