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rv:assessment [2023/08/08 20:28]
princess_fluffypants [Miles] 		rv:assessment [2024/02/12 18:43] (current)
princess_fluffypants [Assessing a vehicle for possible purchase]
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-====== Assessing a camper or other vehicle for possible purchase ======+====== Assessing a vehicle for possible purchase ======
  
 +"//No van ever costs less than $5,000.//" - Anonymous
 ===== Do extensive research on the exact vehicle you're looking at ===== ===== Do extensive research on the exact vehicle you're looking at =====
  
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     * Having some mechanical abilities are useful to help tell the "Oh that's annoying but I can live with it" problems from the "shut down the engine immediately to prevent further damage" problems.     * Having some mechanical abilities are useful to help tell the "Oh that's annoying but I can live with it" problems from the "shut down the engine immediately to prevent further damage" problems.
   * 200,000-300,000   * 200,000-300,000
-    * This is where miles can start to be a concern. If you're buying something with this mileage, you should be capable of doing minor to medium repairs yourself. +    * Vans with this many miles can be //very// cheap if you are savvy, but this is also where miles can start to be a concern. 
-    * Vans with this many miles can be //very// cheap if you are savvy. +    * If you're buying something with this mileage, you should be capable of doing minor to medium repairs yourself. 
-    * Passenger vans are typically in better shape with higher mileage. Especially if you can find something that did a lot of highway driving (like airport shuttles), this many miles can be not //as// much of a problem.+    * Passenger vans are typically in better shape with higher mileage. Especially if you can find something that did a lot of highway driving (like airport shuttles), this many miles might not be //as// much of a problem.
   * 300,000+ miles   * 300,000+ miles
     * This is the danger zone, only experienced mechanics should be looking for vehicles in this range.  They can still be acceptably reliable, but you need to know what you're doing.     * This is the danger zone, only experienced mechanics should be looking for vehicles in this range.  They can still be acceptably reliable, but you need to know what you're doing.
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 If the vehicle still interests you after the above it is time for a **pre-sale inspection**.   If the vehicle still interests you after the above it is time for a **pre-sale inspection**.  
  
-The potential camper is taken to a preselected mechanic (who knows you're coming!) to have it professionally inspected.  This usually takes less than an hour and costs $50 - $100.+The potential vehicle is taken to a preselected mechanic (who knows you're coming!) to have it professionally inspected.  This usually takes less than an hour and costs $50 - $100. 
 + 
 +If you're buying a factory-made RV, you'll want to take it to an RV specific repair shop to have it inspected by someone who specializes in RVs. These inspections take much longer and are more expensive, because they are checking many more systems. Expect to pay $150-200 and it might take a few hours.
  
 If the seller balks at the inspection you might sweeten the deal by offering to provide him with a copy of the inspection.  This will reassure him you are honest and give him something to show other buyers if you decide to pass.  If the seller still won't allow the vehicle to be inspected it may be safest to assume they are hiding something about the vehicle's condition. If the seller balks at the inspection you might sweeten the deal by offering to provide him with a copy of the inspection.  This will reassure him you are honest and give him something to show other buyers if you decide to pass.  If the seller still won't allow the vehicle to be inspected it may be safest to assume they are hiding something about the vehicle's condition.
  
-On new or nearly-new vehicles the mechanic may find nothing interesting.  On older vehicles there will generally be work needed immediately or at some future time ;  the mech will be able to ballpark the costs of the needed repairs. +On new or nearly-new vehicles the mechanic may find nothing interesting.  On older vehicles there will generally be work needed immediately or at some future time; this isn't necessarily a problem, but you should take it into account when negotiating the price of the vehicle. The mechanic should be able to ballpark the costs of the needed repairs. 
  
  
rv/assessment.1691540889.txt.gz · Last modified: 2023/08/08 20:28 by princess_fluffypants

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