BajaNomad

Commuter Vans

DianaT - 6-14-2008 at 07:03 PM

The moutain bike team in Bahia Asuncion has asked us to check out prices of good used commuter vans in the San Diego area. They hope to be able to buy one---the kids now ride in the back of pick-up trucks. Right now, they really just want to know what kind of money they would need.

The different agencies that have these computer vans must sell them at some point. I am just at a loss of where to begin to look.

Any ideas where to look? Our oldest son says to look for a Chevy, but I don't want to start that argument. :lol:

Thanks
Diane




[Edited on 6-15-2008 by jdtrotter]

Diver - 6-14-2008 at 07:16 PM

That depends on how "good" of a van they are looking for.
Check with Budget Fleet Sales or other fleet sales lots.
An '04 - '08 with under 50K miles should run $11 - $15K.
Plan on it being white ! :lol:

Older is cheaper but harder to find in fleet sales.
You would be looking for municipal surplus auctions or used car sales.

DianaT - 6-14-2008 at 07:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Diver
That depends on how "good" of a van they are looking for.
Check with Budget Fleet Sales or other fleet sales lots.
An '04 - '08 with under 50K miles should run $11 - $15K.
Plan on it being white ! :lol:

Older is cheaper but harder to find in fleet sales.
You would be looking for municipal surplus auctions or used car sales.


Jisreal says White?----no way, it needs to be yellow with black and white accents like our new uniforms.



And he is the boss. :lol::lol:

Seriously, they would like to find one an older and cheaper one---$11 to 15K is way too pricey.

Thanks--headed down to check out diverlandia soon.
Diane

Diver - 6-14-2008 at 07:30 PM

Quote:
[quote--headed down to check out diverlandia soon.
Diane


You kill me every time !! :mad: :lol::lol::lol:

DianaT - 6-14-2008 at 07:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by grover
I'd recommend private party; are you talking about extra large airport shuttle types? Large cargo/no seats? Some seats/room for bikes in back?

Try craigslist; many many available.

My personal druthers for something like this:
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/search/car?query=van+Ford+-co...

Ford, by owner, has pics, not conversion/aerostar/windstar, $5k and under.


Grover,
There are about 20 members mas o menos now. If they get a van, they hope to be able to add a rack on top for bikes---it is their dream.

Really appreciate your help and advice. As I said, they are just wanting to know possibilities at the moment---I will check out and copy your above suggestion.

Diane

CaboRon - 6-14-2008 at 08:13 PM

The largest commuter vans I am familier with are fifteen passanger. With twenty riders you are looking at a small bus or two vans. There will be more than twenty with drivers and supervision.

CaboRon

DianaT - 6-14-2008 at 08:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by CaboRon
The largest commuter vans I am familier with are fifteen passanger. With twenty riders you are looking at a small bus or two vans. There will be more than twenty with drivers and supervision.

CaboRon


Yea, there will still be other vehicles required, but they want to get the kids out of the back of the pick-up trucks. The optimal situation is just not in grasp.

Sometimes when they go long distances, like the National meet in La Paz, those from the district teams who were invited traveled by commercial bus--here some of them are with their bikes.



Teenagers are same everywhere!

But the last state meet in Constitution, they drove. We hope to be having a state meet in Asuncion in November---won't have to drive anywhere that way!.

Right now their dream is one old commuter van with a bike rack. Available prices will determine the possibilty.

Thanks for the input

Diane

CaboRon - 6-15-2008 at 07:00 AM

I very much appreciate getting them out of the back of a pick-up truck. It is extreemly dangerous and for good reason is illegal in many states in the US.

CAboRon

Jumex - 6-17-2008 at 11:59 AM

I'd hate to see anything happen to all those great guys. I love them all, they're so sweet.

rob - 6-17-2008 at 01:34 PM

I ran a search on Autotrader for a Ford E150 1998-2000 (anything earlier and you run into trouble with the new import regulations I hear).

Sorry about the URL . ..

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?num_records=...

DianaT - 6-17-2008 at 02:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by rob
I ran a search on Autotrader for a Ford E150 1998-2000 (anything earlier and you run into trouble with the new import regulations I hear).


Thanks for the search and thanks for reminding me about the 1998 thing. They did mention that.

What I have hoped someone knew offhand was when and where any agencies sell their commuter vans. I have no idea and need to search. Places like the state, or county, or big corporations---since they are set up for the maximum in passengers.

Thanks
Diane

bajalou - 6-17-2008 at 02:47 PM

I have been told that the 1998 thing is NOT being applied to imports into Baja Calif., only the Mainland states.

bajaguy - 6-18-2008 at 01:13 PM

Maybe you could find a church or a school (district) in the states that would donate a bus.........and get a trailer for the bikes and other supplies. It's gonna take some leg or mouth work.......better if you have somebody working on the inside to help out. Take photos of the kids and the races and how you transport them now........maybe play the sympathy/safety card...........remember, all you have to invest in the project is time, and the worst they can say is no.

DianaT - 6-18-2008 at 01:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Maybe you could find a church or a school (district) in the states that would donate a bus.........and get a trailer for the bikes and other supplies. It's gonna take some leg or mouth work.......better if you have somebody working on the inside to help out. Take photos of the kids and the races and how you transport them now........maybe play the sympathy/safety card...........remember, all you have to invest in the project is time, and the worst they can say is no.


Thanks for the ideas. We have a set of our pictures we use and it is sure easier to ask for something for someone else and then just accept no and move on.

School District---good idea. We will have to contact some of our inside contacts from the days when we did that thing called work.

Thanks
Diane