I am looking at a very nice, one owner 1998 E350 equipped with 7.3 Power Stroke diesel. I need some help deciding what it's worth since the Power Stroke vans don't seem to follow the book values. Here is a photo: http://images.craigslist.org/5Lb5I65...cc49ac1ff8.jpg It looks as good or better in person. The 80 year old owner waxed it twice a year.

Some info on the van.... It is a cargo van with 120,000 miles on it that was factory ordered with full headliner and full carpet. The carpet has been covered with plywood since new. The owner is a carpenter and did a nice job installing foil backed refrigeration type insulation and then panelling with horizontal solid oak horizontal mouldings in the rear. Even the plywood floor is edged with oak. There is no body damage or rust of any kind other that cosmetic surface rust under the van which I believe is normal since they were never coated with anything good. The bucket seats are in excellent cond and it has power wind, locks, A/C, cruise and tilt. What do you guys think I should be paying for something like this? The guy had it up for 10 and had no takers. He has since dropped it to 8500 and is FIRM on the price; won't budge at all. Oh and he had an aftermarket two seat bench installed, I need a three seater for my kids so I'll have to rip it out. There is a nice hitch on there already as well as nice running boards, tires are excellent 10 ply Michelins, front brakes done this past August and rear brakes April 2010. Basically, it is as good as it gets. Stock radio but what did you expect from an 80 year old? That means he ordered it new when he was 66 years old. He got it to tow a modest 24 foot trailer during retirement. Anything else you need to know, just ask. Do yo think the price is fair? Seems high for a 1998 but what the heck do I know about PS vans...

 

BUY IT .....it will be still be running when your grand kids will be in college.....

 

$8500.00 doesn't sound too high to you blageurt? The reference books say it should go for 6750.00 full retail, A-1 shape with diesel and 120K.

 

Link doesn't work here. Still, $8500 sounds high to me for a 14 year old van, PSD or not.

 

I think it's too high as well but I'm telling you, the old guy (80) won't budge. I just uploaded some photos of the van, take a look: E350 pictures by music-maestro-dj-service - Photobucket
The orange tarp is covering the freshly painted floor. The rear bench was made locally by a shop that used to customize vans / RV's, it removes easily with a lock-lever system. Your thoughts? The old guy says that if I don't buy it, he's no longer selling it cause he's tired of all the lookie-loo's that just don't have the cash. I guess there are a lot of PS fans out there.

 

He's probly one of these people who thinks that just because it has a diesel in it that the van is worth big money. I've seen this happen with the 6.9L diesels. The person selling it decids it has to be worth Xthousands because it's a diesel. There's not much you can do about it. If he won't budge, then he won't budge.

 

Just as a suggestion maybe post a few questions about the 7.3 PSD in that forum---lots of current owners there who'll have a few ideas and thoughts too.

For me even with all the goodies that's a bit steep a price for a '98. The KBB and similar buying/selling pricing services is only applicable when/if the seller cares to play that game---its his van and he's right to ask his price regardless what KBB or anyone else says. Truthfully when I'm selling something and I get the "well, so & so says it should sell for this amount........." the negotiations are over---so & so ain't selling my stuff, I am!

Do I detect a bit of ageism about this guy whose selling his personal property?

 

Unless I have an accident or Fall off a Roof or one of my Superbikes in the near future or have another type of work related deal , my Van will be running LONG after I am Dead ... I have 415 K on it now , and at my current rate of 20 K per year it will take at least 30 years for it to reach 1 million K, and I will be Over 82 so I will not be shingling at that age ...Sooo I will say since it has windows take off 1000 bucks.....You could get 9-10000 all day here in Toronto if it has NO RUST and No Windows ...even if it is 14 Years old.....2006 6.0 Powerstrokes go for 10-12 Grand with over 200 K here....A low Mileage 7.3 is worth twice that .... I agree you would never get it but even 8 grand is a decent price

 

It's a cargo van, it only has windows on the side 60/40 split-doors and the rear doors. Did you think it was a passenger model? I posted a link above to a bunch of photos. The body is 100% rust / damage free, it's very nice to look at. The underside has that very light surface rust coating but nothing more. I'm not used to seeing that underneath though since my '91 Astro has nothing under it.

 

My Van is a Cargo ...Cargo means ( or What I think it means ) no windows at all........

 

This is a cargo van as per the VIN info. The cargo's are not fitted with seats to transport people but often have the windows in the pass side doors and rear windows.

415K on your 7.3 now, wow... Still running strong?

 

And also keep in mind vehicles almost always sell for under book value especially in this crappy economy. People simply don't have money. Maybe if it was perfect, had 60k miles, and no history of towing I would consider paying $8k but not from what you told us.

Offer gramps $6000 (or whatever you want) and tell him he has your number if he changes his mind.

 

Thanks EconolineFan, kind of what I was thinking...

 

My truck is a beast....oil tests come back with like new wear levels ...does not burn any oil ....like I said it will be running when I am dead....probably rust out well before that ....

 

Please, by all means do this, exactly and then tell us what he says to your insult of an offer----I'd be highly interested to know how such tactics work!