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| Buying dad a Mobilty Van sticker shock off topic [message #135394] |
Wed, 20 July 2011 21:48  |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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I'm guessing some of us have experience in the moblity van area. Dad needs one for his scooter as the trunk winch car setup is proving too dificult. Wants the side entrance not rear and I'm steering them toward Chrysler/Dodge as first choice, and Honda as second only if it has better driver fit for my mom. The new ones at the Mobilityworks dealer are from 57-63K and they have a used 2009 with 9k miles for 43K. Holy cow. I see them for a lot less on ebay with buy it now but they are all the rear entrance. The dealer 'strong armed' a one thousand dollar deposit from them even though they promised me they were just going for an initital look on Tues while I was working. I had the salesman bring the 2007 by to examine and it had some good features like clean oil and trans fluid, but 4 years and low miles had serious corrosion issues on the suspension, flakey exhaust parts, upfitted seams rot and the alloy wheels were deep pitted and stained beyond saving. It had not yet been through the dealer cleanup process and needed an alignment with pull to right. No accidents he said. It was a VMI upfit and I think they and Braun are the 2 big players. Now leaning towards new as that 2007 is just not discounted enough for it's age. GM Uplanders are now discontinued and not that many upfitted I can find. Also, any recommendations on VMI vs Braun for features and reliability? Might someone in our group need to sell a late model van of this type or know someone who has a clean one to sell? I could fly in and drive out if it's not in the Chicago area. I trust our bunch more than a dealer.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: Buying dad a Mobilty Van sticker shock off topic [message #135401 is a reply to message #135394] |
Wed, 20 July 2011 22:14  |
Dennis S
Messages: 3046
Registered: November 2005
Karma: 2
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John,
You may have looked at most of the dealers on line --- this one has a location in Memphis -- but that is all I know about them -- http://www.unitedaccess.com/ -- they have a large inventory on their site of Dodge 2010 vans with about 20k miles -- in the $44k range.
Dennis
| JohnL455 wrote on Wed, 20 July 2011 21:48 |
I'm guessing some of us have experience in the moblity van area. Dad needs one for his scooter as the trunk winch car setup is proving too dificult. Wants the side entrance not rear and I'm steering them toward Chrysler/Dodge as first choice, and Honda as second only if it has better driver fit for my mom. The new ones at the Mobilityworks dealer are from 57-63K and they have a used 2009 with 9k miles for 43K. Holy cow. I see them for a lot less on ebay with buy it now but they are all the rear entrance. The dealer 'strong armed' a one thousand dollar deposit from them even though they promised me they were just going for an initital look on Tues while I was working. I had the salesman bring the 2007 by to examine and it had some good features like clean oil and trans fluid, but 4 years and low miles had serious corrosion issues on the suspension, flakey exhaust parts, upfitted seams rot and the alloy wheels were deep pitted and stained beyond saving. It had not yet been through the dealer cleanup process and needed an alignment with pull to right. No accidents he said. It was a VMI upfit and I think they and Braun are the 2 big players. Now leaning towards new as that 2007 is just not discounted enough for it's age. GM Uplanders are now discontinued and not that many upfitted I can find. Also, any recommendations on VMI vs Braun for features and reliability? Might someone in our group need to sell a late model van of this type or know someone who has a clean one to sell? I could fly in and drive out if it's not in the Chicago area. I trust our bunch more than a dealer.
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Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
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| Re: Buying dad a Mobilty Van sticker shock off topic [message #135407 is a reply to message #135394] |
Wed, 20 July 2011 23:25 |
GMC Cruse
Messages: 606
Registered: June 2009
Location: SE Michigan
Karma: 3
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| JohnL455 wrote on Wed, 20 July 2011 22:48 |
I'm guessing some of us have experience in the moblity van area. Dad needs one for his scooter as the trunk winch car setup is proving too dificult. Wants the side entrance not rear and I'm steering them toward Chrysler/Dodge as first choice, and Honda as second only if it has better driver fit for my mom. The new ones at the Mobilityworks dealer are from 57-63K and they have a used 2009 with 9k miles for 43K. Holy cow. I see them for a lot less on ebay with buy it now but they are all the rear entrance. The dealer 'strong armed' a one thousand dollar deposit from them even though they promised me they were just going for an initital look on Tues while I was working. I had the salesman bring the 2007 by to examine and it had some good features like clean oil and trans fluid, but 4 years and low miles had serious corrosion issues on the suspension, flakey exhaust parts, upfitted seams rot and the alloy wheels were deep pitted and stained beyond saving. It had not yet been through the dealer cleanup process and needed an alignment with pull to right. No accidents he said. It was a VMI upfit and I think they and Braun are the 2 big players. Now leaning towards new as that 2007 is just not discounted enough for it's age. GM Uplanders are now discontinued and not that many upfitted I can find. Also, any recommendations on VMI vs Braun for features and reliability? Might someone in our group need to sell a late model van of this type or know someone who has a clean one to sell? I could fly in and drive out if it's not in the Chicago area. I trust our bunch more than a dealer.
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You might try here for one, they have new and used:
http://www.rollxvans.com/currentinventory.aspx?IsNew=3&VanType=1
Not sure how they are on the vans but a lot of us have had good dealings with them in buying Honda seats for our GMC's.
Mike K.
'75 PB
Southeast Michigan
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| Re: Buying dad a Mobilty Van sticker shock off topic [message #135412 is a reply to message #135394] |
Thu, 21 July 2011 03:46 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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| JohnL455 wrote on Wed, 20 July 2011 19:48 |
... but 4 years and low miles had serious corrosion issues on the suspension, flakey exhaust parts, upfitted seams rot and the alloy wheels were deep pitted and stained beyond saving. ...
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For the prices you are talking, I would find something used... from OUTSIDE the rust belt. It should be worth the drive.
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] Buying dad a Mobilty Van sticker shock off topic [message #135415 is a reply to message #135412] |
Thu, 21 July 2011 06:47 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Also realize, used prices are currently inflated everywhere. I'd see if I could stretch a new Chrysler or Dodge. They will talk on them.
--johnny
--- On Thu, 7/21/11, Mike Miller <m000035@gmail.com> wrote:
From: Mike Miller <m000035@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Buying dad a Mobilty Van sticker shock off topic
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Date: Thursday, July 21, 2011, 8:46 AM
JohnL455 wrote on Wed, 20 July 2011 19:48
> ... but 4 years and low miles had serious corrosion issues on the suspension, flakey exhaust parts, upfitted seams rot and the alloy wheels were deep pitted and stained beyond saving. ...
For the prices you are talking, I would find something used... from OUTSIDE the rust belt. It should be worth the drive.
--
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#1)'73 26' exPainted D. -- (#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: [GMCnet] Buying dad a Mobilty Van sticker shock off topic [message #135422 is a reply to message #135394] |
Thu, 21 July 2011 06:29 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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I'm in the process of wearing out my fourth Mopar van. Two T&Cs, two Grand Caravans. The early - through the mid 90s - had transmission problems, these have been cured. The trick is, use Chrysler fluid. Do >not< let a shop put Dexeron III or IV and then add the aditive which supposedly makes it OK. Buy the Chrysler stuff and don't worry. I normally manage to wear the insides out around 200K miles. They're still running strong at that point. I currently have the 3.3 engine in an '05 Caravan, the latest iteration of it moves then van along nicely. The last one had the 3.8, bit more power, bit less mileage. Like any FWD with weight, rotating tires is essential - every 5K miles. Otherwise you will ruin the fronts fairly quickly. Also, expect 25 - 30 K miles on a set of brake pads, depending on where its driven.
I can't address the chair lift - we're both still ambulatory. For my uses, the Honda simply doesn't have enough room.
--johnny
n.b. 'Strongarmed' a thousand? I'd have that back instanter, and change dealers. And tell the Zone about it.
--- On Thu, 7/21/11, John R. Lebetski <gransport@aol.com> wrote:
From: John R. Lebetski <gransport@aol.com>
Subject: [GMCnet] Buying dad a Mobilty Van sticker shock off topic
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Date: Thursday, July 21, 2011, 2:48 AM
I'm guessing some of us have experience in the moblity van area. Dad needs one for his scooter as the trunk winch car setup is proving too dificult. Wants the side entrance not rear and I'm steering them toward Chrysler/Dodge as first choice, and Honda as second only if it has better driver fit for my mom. The new ones at the Mobilityworks dealer are from 57-63K and they have a used 2009 with 9k miles for 43K. Holy cow. I see them for a lot less on ebay with buy it now but they are all the rear entrance. The dealer 'strong armed' a one thousand dollar deposit from them even though they promised me they were just going for an initital look on Tues while I was working. I had the salesman bring the 2007 by to examine and it had some good features like clean oil and trans fluid, but 4 years and low miles had serious corrosion issues on the suspension, flakey exhaust parts, upfitted seams rot and the alloy wheels were deep pitted and stained beyond
saving. It had not yet been
through the dealer cleanup process and needed an alignment with pull to right. No accidents he said. It was a VMI upfit and I think they and Braun are the 2 big players. Now leaning towards new as that 2007 is just not discounted enough for it's age. GM Uplanders are now discontinued and not that many upfitted I can find. Also, any recommendations on VMI vs Braun for features and reliability? Might someone in our group need to sell a late model van of this type or know someone who has a clean one to sell? I could fly in and drive out if it's not in the Chicago area. I trust our bunch more than a dealer.
--
John Lebetski
Chicago, IL
77 Eleganza II
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: [GMCnet] Buying dad a Mobilty Van sticker shock off topic [message #135444 is a reply to message #135424] |
Thu, 21 July 2011 12:25 |
John Sharpe
Messages: 489
Registered: February 2006
Location: Texas
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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John, I have a 2001 T&C VMI conversion that we bought new. At that time the conversion was 18K plus the cost of the van.
The electronics stuff like the power rear lift, power windows, and the body computer that controls the dash lights have been weak points. The multitude of other problems like transmission, ac, brakes, and fuel pump I blame on the sorry service department as they actually caused the problems with there substandard performance on routine service and repair items. It took several trips to River Oaks Chrysler to resolve all the problems created by other dealers service departments.
The conversion by VMI had problems with damaging the ac duct work in the headliner to a point that the rear ac did not cool adequately at all; the VMI custom wiring for the air bags was repaired 6 times and finally had to be replaced. The replacement had to be custom made by VMI as it is not a stocked item. The fuel filler hose failed. It has to be a different size on each end as the filler neck pipe is like 1" and the fuel tank neck is 1 1/4". I was told that a custom hose would take a month to ship and cost about $400. I found out that they take a 1" hose and stretch it to 1 1/4". When I told them that was not possible, because the hose has cords in it like a tire. I was told that it was ok and that it only had to be stretched 1/8" on each side. My way of figuring is that it's it's still a quarter of an inch and percentage wise that's 25% larger! I was told the way they stretch it is to take a tailpipe expander and a heat gun and get after it. Give me a break!!! Two hoses and a bell is a lot better, faster and didn't cost $400.
The van is porky with all the extra weight. The largest available engine helps on that front. It drives well for what it is and alignment has never been an issue. It's been real handy for carrying large heavy items as it has the extra 10" of interior height and a ramp.
Now it's 11 years old & 70K. Figure it's good for at least another 10 or 20 years at this rate. If I were in the market for a new one, my first choice would be Honda, Toyota, Chrysler/Dodge in that order. Definitely a mini-van so that you can valet park and self park in medical center parking garages. We were pressured heavily to get the drop down ramp but we went with the Northstar concealed slide out ramp. We have had no problem with the ramp and it doesn't block the door or get in the way of large bulky items. With my experience, I think Braun is probably the premiere conversion. Another consideration would be an equipped Ford Transit. Don't really know about the height issue but it seems that it would be versatile. It all comes down to trade offs on what features are your priorities. Of course your mileage may vary.
John Sharpe
Humble,TX
'78 Eleganza TBI
'89 Spectrum 2000 MPI V-10
'40 Ford Panel Delivery TPI
johnasharpe@gmail.com
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| Re: Buying dad a Mobilty Van sticker shock off topic [message #135522 is a reply to message #135394] |
Thu, 21 July 2011 21:53 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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Senior Member |
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Thanks for all the input. I too was aware of the early trans issues on the mopars so that confirms it. But, we're leaning towards new now and the 2 links to other dealers will be interesting to go to this dealer with a printout and an average 15K at least difference in asking price. Got some splainin to do.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: [GMCnet] Buying dad a Mobilty Van sticker shock off topic [message #135535 is a reply to message #135522] |
Fri, 22 July 2011 06:50 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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Easy - "We're gonna hose ya $15K worth if you're dull enough to bite." Had I the money, I'd go for the new T&C with the Pentastar motor and twin clutch auto. I figure in about 5 years, when the current Grand Caravan wears out, they'll be on the used market at a price I can stand.
--johnny
--- On Fri, 7/22/11, John R. Lebetski <gransport@aol.com> wrote:
From: John R. Lebetski <gransport@aol.com>
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Buying dad a Mobilty Van sticker shock off topic
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Date: Friday, July 22, 2011, 2:53 AM
Thanks for all the input. I too was aware of the early trans issues on the mopars so that confirms it. But, we're leaning towards new now and the 2 links to other dealers will be interesting to go to this dealer with a printout and an average 15K at least difference in asking price. Got some splainin to do.
--
John Lebetski
Chicago, IL
77 Eleganza II
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: [GMCnet] Buying dad a Mobilty Van sticker shock off topic [message #135543 is a reply to message #135535] |
Fri, 22 July 2011 09:20 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Local Ford Dealer had a brand new Ford Connect Van with wheel chair equipment installed. Access is thru the rear double doors. Rear doors opened all the way up. Still retained the second row of seats, making 3 additional passengers in the second row. Posted price was $38K. Pretty little thing. Don't need it, but a very clean conversion.
Tom Phipps,
75 GMC Avion "MS II"
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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