Looks beautiful. But I PERSONALLY would never take on a vehicle with 232,770 miles. I’m not handy enough to fix it meself, and therefor, it will inevitably be a money pit.
There are other Astros listed in colorado for $2k. They're only a little older and not as pretty, but why not swap the engine in one of them?
It really depends on your budget and what you want tho
This has a 4x4 conversion, 3” lift kit and 2k worth of tires. Swapping engines on these aren’t that expensive. I went and saw it today- taking to my mechanic Monday. Also- he had a $1k power bank in there that he said he’d Keep (cuz I already have one) so that’s 1k down. Also I met him and his buddies at their hobby garage and it’s right where I work so I think if anything was wrong they’d literally help me fix it.
They were restoring a 78 jeep while I was there.
Almost every other part also has nearly a quarter million miles on it, too. The engine would not be my first concern with this mileage but a mechanic could shed some light on it.
I just wanna travel this summer. It’s depressing hitting up CL and FB market everyday and there’s nothing. Seriously google CO (any van) under 10k that isn’t a disaster waiting to happen.
If my mechanic says no then I’ll be fine. Bummed out cuz it’s camp season here rn. But I’ll survive. I appreciate this subs help tho!
If he did a 4x4 conversion then it has a LOT of new, better components under there..if somebody went through that trouble then they prob weren't going to sell it. Also if you have a group there that knows the van AND they're handy, it's like buying an extended warranty..price is a little high, but it looks clean and well cared for...but hard to tell much from just pictures.
It wasn’t as clean as I would have liked it to be. We’re dropping it at my mechanic tomorrow morning. I’m not loving the v6 (esp in CO) I think if my mechanic gives it a solid yes I’ll offer 6800-8000 and it’ll be what it is.
This is isn’t for living in. It’s for getting me where I wanna go this summer and I can sleep in the back. The seller was like 5’8 170lbs and I’m a 6’1 270lb viking so it’s a little small for me. Its not a forever van but the market in CO is so terrible theres middle. It’s either a $10k+ 20yr old 200kmi astro or a half built f150 transit for $35k.
I'm 6'1 as well so the bubble top is the shit...not standing up gets old fast..but if you're just using it for sleeping then doesn't matter... See what the mechanic says and go from there...offer what you feel it's worth.
Problem is i don’t think anything is worth what people are asking anymore. Like fuck you want 700k for that pos house? Cuz thats what colorado is like now. But ya I’ll just throw it out there. Maybe next week he calls me back and the wife wants it gone or whatever.
Hey man if you can find me a steal within a 100mi of Colorado I’ll be eternally grateful. Sooooo many transit half builds asking 35k. We’re dropping it at my mechanic on Monday. It may not be the one, so we’ll see. I already got him down to 9k. Also these engines can easily see 300-400k miles, or find a salvage and swap.
Look at Market Place and Craigslist in Florida. All of these old timers are selling off their rigs. Most are stock, rust free and you can probably get a steal of deal. You would just have to take the time to come and pick it up if the Van market in your area is out of control. Just my .02 cents.
Man you just tripped me up so bad. I’m on fb market rn and it’s ridiculous how many of those vans are on there w 80k miles asking for realistic prices. Damn man. That’d be a hell of a road trip
It seems like you really want this based on your replies but the price does not make sense with the miles for this one. I’d offer $9k and if he tries to ask for anymore I wouldn’t take it. I know you said you know the owner, but you could do this same “conversion” on a $4k ride for less
Ya I already took off a grand for a power bank that I don’t need. We’re meeting Monday at my mechanic for him to look it over and then negotiate from there. Also the dude was solid. I met him and his buddies at a shop where they were restoring a vintage jeep. So it’ll be what it’ll be.
Definitely a sellers market. Especially in colorado “bro”. But if its reliable (I already got it down to 9k) it gets me out this summer and I wanna sell it next summer, then this is a viable option imo.
Don't do it. I worked contractor cable installs for 15+ years. We used old astros for company vans too often. They were at least half of our fleet and most of them were in the shop getting work most of the time. They fall apart more than a truck driver's marriage.
Just like a chick. The body may be sexy but it's what on the inside that counts. The beauty is more than likely skin deep here on this one.
Pay for a mechanic to check it out if you really feel like you like it.
I was gonna ask him to let me bring it over to my mechanic. But he did do a 4x4 conversion, a 3” lift, new tires etc. and ppl who don’t take care of their stuff don’t do things like that imo. But id want my mechanic to look it over
He didn’t do it :( the previous owner did. But I did stilll meet him and his friends in a little mini shop restoring a vintage jeep. So he’s not a total stranger
Really? Yikes. It does look like it has been well-maintained from the work that's been done to it. The conversion looks good too. I can't imagine paying 8k for it still but if that's how the market is, your mechanic gives you the green light, and you have the money for it and potential expenses, I guess what would hold you back?
Yep. Thats exactly where I’m at. Travel the summer away. Sell it next year if I want. But ya if you look through craigslist or Facebook market for vans here there’s so many half finished conversions that want 50k. Or unfinished high mileage for 38k.
It really sucks
I owned a lifted astro for a while. It was a fun vehicle, but requires constant maintenance… as any 20+ yr old vehicle usually does. It was kind of a dog in the mountains, due to the gearing and the larger tires, and all the weight I was carrying (bikes, camping and climbing gear). I drove it across the country multiple times and it never left me stranded, it would do like 70mph alright and get like 15mpg. If I were to do the vanlife thing again id go with a full size van with a v8. Like an awd express van.
Ya not stoked about the v6 in CO mountain passes. If I can talk him down to 8 I’ll take it for the summer. Problem in Colorado is sprinters, transits, econolines etc are insanely expensive. It’s a seller market. I don’t have 35-90k for a vehicle that I want. Which would be like a high top transit hybrid w awd.
Meh, it is what it IS, you're going to be driving the thing for PLEASURE right..? You won't be in a hurry, and you stop caring how fast you are driving after like 2-3 days trust me. I have a 2004 ford bubble top campervan and I drive it like a campervan..I don't expect it to haul ass like my diesel truck
I appreciate that perspective. I’m looking at this for the destinations and the trek.. not racing from place to place. *Cue my John Denver/simon and Garfunkel cassette tape*
I guess you can’t fucking edit posts on Reddit anymore. Anyway- got it to the mechanic this morning. We had a lift for 10 minutes and the entire undercarriage is rusted out. He said he wouldn’t trust it over a pothole. So there you go.
Looks beautiful. But I PERSONALLY would never take on a vehicle with 232,770 miles. I’m not handy enough to fix it meself, and therefor, it will inevitably be a money pit.
Ya it’s high mileage. By these engines are available and easy to swap
There are other Astros listed in colorado for $2k. They're only a little older and not as pretty, but why not swap the engine in one of them? It really depends on your budget and what you want tho
This has a 4x4 conversion, 3” lift kit and 2k worth of tires. Swapping engines on these aren’t that expensive. I went and saw it today- taking to my mechanic Monday. Also- he had a $1k power bank in there that he said he’d Keep (cuz I already have one) so that’s 1k down. Also I met him and his buddies at their hobby garage and it’s right where I work so I think if anything was wrong they’d literally help me fix it. They were restoring a 78 jeep while I was there.
It also has the vanity plate “busbus” which could be worth some money.
😂
I’ll see if he’ll let me keep them
Almost every other part also has nearly a quarter million miles on it, too. The engine would not be my first concern with this mileage but a mechanic could shed some light on it.
Junkyards have tons of these to pick over.
Sounds like you want to be told to go for it. You should go for it.
I just wanna travel this summer. It’s depressing hitting up CL and FB market everyday and there’s nothing. Seriously google CO (any van) under 10k that isn’t a disaster waiting to happen. If my mechanic says no then I’ll be fine. Bummed out cuz it’s camp season here rn. But I’ll survive. I appreciate this subs help tho!
Like I said, "Go for it." It's better to regret the mistakes you made than the chances you missed. Seriously, have a great summer.
If he did a 4x4 conversion then it has a LOT of new, better components under there..if somebody went through that trouble then they prob weren't going to sell it. Also if you have a group there that knows the van AND they're handy, it's like buying an extended warranty..price is a little high, but it looks clean and well cared for...but hard to tell much from just pictures.
It wasn’t as clean as I would have liked it to be. We’re dropping it at my mechanic tomorrow morning. I’m not loving the v6 (esp in CO) I think if my mechanic gives it a solid yes I’ll offer 6800-8000 and it’ll be what it is. This is isn’t for living in. It’s for getting me where I wanna go this summer and I can sleep in the back. The seller was like 5’8 170lbs and I’m a 6’1 270lb viking so it’s a little small for me. Its not a forever van but the market in CO is so terrible theres middle. It’s either a $10k+ 20yr old 200kmi astro or a half built f150 transit for $35k.
I'm 6'1 as well so the bubble top is the shit...not standing up gets old fast..but if you're just using it for sleeping then doesn't matter... See what the mechanic says and go from there...offer what you feel it's worth.
Problem is i don’t think anything is worth what people are asking anymore. Like fuck you want 700k for that pos house? Cuz thats what colorado is like now. But ya I’ll just throw it out there. Maybe next week he calls me back and the wife wants it gone or whatever.
Beautiful but not 10g beautiful
What if I told you in CO 10k is a steal now. This market SUUUUUUUUCKS
10k for a 2 decade old vehicle with a quarter million miles on it is a steal for sure. Just not sure who is stealing from who.
Thank you for the best laugh of the week.
Hey man if you can find me a steal within a 100mi of Colorado I’ll be eternally grateful. Sooooo many transit half builds asking 35k. We’re dropping it at my mechanic on Monday. It may not be the one, so we’ll see. I already got him down to 9k. Also these engines can easily see 300-400k miles, or find a salvage and swap.
Look at Market Place and Craigslist in Florida. All of these old timers are selling off their rigs. Most are stock, rust free and you can probably get a steal of deal. You would just have to take the time to come and pick it up if the Van market in your area is out of control. Just my .02 cents.
Ya I should look. FL pretty far from CO. Is rust not an issue down there?
Man you just tripped me up so bad. I’m on fb market rn and it’s ridiculous how many of those vans are on there w 80k miles asking for realistic prices. Damn man. That’d be a hell of a road trip
It seems like you really want this based on your replies but the price does not make sense with the miles for this one. I’d offer $9k and if he tries to ask for anymore I wouldn’t take it. I know you said you know the owner, but you could do this same “conversion” on a $4k ride for less
Ya I already took off a grand for a power bank that I don’t need. We’re meeting Monday at my mechanic for him to look it over and then negotiate from there. Also the dude was solid. I met him and his buddies at a shop where they were restoring a vintage jeep. So it’ll be what it’ll be.
Barely worth half this. If that. This remains a sellers market.
Definitely a sellers market. Especially in colorado “bro”. But if its reliable (I already got it down to 9k) it gets me out this summer and I wanna sell it next summer, then this is a viable option imo.
Don't do it. I worked contractor cable installs for 15+ years. We used old astros for company vans too often. They were at least half of our fleet and most of them were in the shop getting work most of the time. They fall apart more than a truck driver's marriage. Just like a chick. The body may be sexy but it's what on the inside that counts. The beauty is more than likely skin deep here on this one. Pay for a mechanic to check it out if you really feel like you like it.
I was gonna ask him to let me bring it over to my mechanic. But he did do a 4x4 conversion, a 3” lift, new tires etc. and ppl who don’t take care of their stuff don’t do things like that imo. But id want my mechanic to look it over
Doing a 4x4 conversion isn't cheap and involves a lot of new parts
He didn’t do it :( the previous owner did. But I did stilll meet him and his friends in a little mini shop restoring a vintage jeep. So he’s not a total stranger
Lol I just posted the same basic comment
Maybe Jesus wants it.
Nice.
Lifted Astro goes crazy.
As in they’re beasts? I swear this thing will go pretty much anywhere my buddies lifted Tacoma will go
I don't know if I have seen one! Looks sick! Gamechanger for a van, for sure.
K. So my buddy disagrees cuz it’s too long.. but still. 3” lift, 4x4 w 4 hi and low and phat boy tires.
I still think the asking price is too much but might give you an idea for modifications for the same model.
In Colorado 8k is a steal. Vans here are ridiculous.
Really? Yikes. It does look like it has been well-maintained from the work that's been done to it. The conversion looks good too. I can't imagine paying 8k for it still but if that's how the market is, your mechanic gives you the green light, and you have the money for it and potential expenses, I guess what would hold you back?
Yep. Thats exactly where I’m at. Travel the summer away. Sell it next year if I want. But ya if you look through craigslist or Facebook market for vans here there’s so many half finished conversions that want 50k. Or unfinished high mileage for 38k. It really sucks
I owned a lifted astro for a while. It was a fun vehicle, but requires constant maintenance… as any 20+ yr old vehicle usually does. It was kind of a dog in the mountains, due to the gearing and the larger tires, and all the weight I was carrying (bikes, camping and climbing gear). I drove it across the country multiple times and it never left me stranded, it would do like 70mph alright and get like 15mpg. If I were to do the vanlife thing again id go with a full size van with a v8. Like an awd express van.
Ya not stoked about the v6 in CO mountain passes. If I can talk him down to 8 I’ll take it for the summer. Problem in Colorado is sprinters, transits, econolines etc are insanely expensive. It’s a seller market. I don’t have 35-90k for a vehicle that I want. Which would be like a high top transit hybrid w awd.
Meh, it is what it IS, you're going to be driving the thing for PLEASURE right..? You won't be in a hurry, and you stop caring how fast you are driving after like 2-3 days trust me. I have a 2004 ford bubble top campervan and I drive it like a campervan..I don't expect it to haul ass like my diesel truck
I appreciate that perspective. I’m looking at this for the destinations and the trek.. not racing from place to place. *Cue my John Denver/simon and Garfunkel cassette tape*
I guess you can’t fucking edit posts on Reddit anymore. Anyway- got it to the mechanic this morning. We had a lift for 10 minutes and the entire undercarriage is rusted out. He said he wouldn’t trust it over a pothole. So there you go.