So after much deliberation, consideration, and some other -ation words, I've decided to sell my van.
It's a 1999 Chevrolet Astrovan.
I am selling it for $2000. I bought it for $2400 last year and put over $4000 worth of work into it to get it to a drivable, everyday usable vehicle that doesn't need much done to it.
The reason I am mentioning it on RttP is that I bought it for band shit and it's been great for that. Wish I didn't have to sell it but hey, my loss is your gain, right? I will be listing this on Craigslist next month for slightly more money, but I'd rather a band have it then some dumb ass that wants to use it for kids or god knows what else and won't understand what it means to drive this hurly bastard.
PROS:
-Completely rebuilt transmission from AAMCO. Basically like new, 2+ years left on the warranty (I bought a 3 year warranty)
-Brand new tires, still under warranty
-I have a stereo that has a CD player and all that but never found the time and energy to install it. It's yours with the van.
-Spare tire underneath
-New starter, new alternator.
-I am pretty sure there's a trailer hitch but I've never used it.
-Engine is much younger than the vehicle itself. It bought the van at about 198,000 miles and the engine only had 80,000 miles on it. I'm at 202,000 right now I believe.
-I've installed a contractor's lock on the back of the van. These are super intense and can't be taken off without going through hell or, of course, using the fucking key. What I mean is they are ass hard to break into.
-The emergency brake was the only issue when I had it inspected last year and I had it fixed on the spot. It wasn't setting high enough and now it is.
-I've had some brake line work upon buying the van as well as an alignment.
-I have both the seats that came with the van. You can fit either 8 people and an ok amount of equipment or 5 people and enough equipment for a 5 person band. We've fit two bass cabs, two 4x12 guitar cabs, three heads, all our instruments, a five piece kit, suitcases, mic stands, and a pedal board in here, plus additional luggage up front.
CONS:
-The van itself is 10+ years old and 200,000 miles. Expect to be doing some repairs here and there. What I can tell you is that since I had the transmission, alternator, starter, tires, a few brake lines, and an idler arm fixed, plus the engine is way younger than the vehicle, you should have far less to worry about than other vans in this range of miles an years.
-Needs some routine maitenance like a coolant flush that I'm not interested in doing right now. I have a full list from NTB of what needs to be done and none of it is particularly time sensitive.
-Selling AS IS. I don't know how to repair a van, there's no advantage to me making any guarantees cause I'm not a car guy, so all I can do is tell you what I know about it and meet the requirements of the law.
-It could probably use a tune up and an aligment, but I've been on top of this van since day one and use it all the time. Did a small tour in it, too, so you can use it at once but expect no miracles.
I'll give you every scrap of relevant paperwork for the warranties.
Email thefutureiswideshut(at)gmail.com. I can let this go October 1st, so you have a little time to think it over.