Well, all in lieu of my little bro needin a ride other than his motor cycle (1997 suzuki bandit), I'm selling him my van.... I have the malibu, but it's just not the same..... I really am having second thoughts.... He's talkin about sellin the bike to buy the van, and herein lies the problem... Next spring he'll sell the van (for way less than it's worth) to buy another POS motorcycle, then be in the same boat again come this time next year.... Should I maybe sell it to my dad instead and have him regulate the usage? They (dad and little bro) live together.

 

Going from a bike to a 1 ton van will be a huge change for him. Have you considered suggesting a small car or Ranger pick up instead?
Maybe Dad will help him get a Ranger to put his bike in?
AL.

 

How old is your brother?

 

He'll be 20, nov 5th.... He also already drives my van when his band has shows. His biggest issue with it is the gas mileage... He doesn't seem to understand that a 36 gallon fuel tank does not get full with $20 worth of gas. He likes drivin it.. It's a 1/2 ton van (according to vin and axles) but has a payload capacity closer to a 3/4 ton, and sits like a 1 ton.... It's really an amazing vehicle... But he has done this twice already, two years in a row.... He sold his 1986 monte carlo LS to buy his first bike, then he bought my uncles beretta, then he sold the beretta to buy the bandit, and now he wants to sell the bike to buy the van and fix it.. (It needs a clockspring..) I think I have seriously lost my mind.... My father is the one that really need the cargo van as he's a carpenter, and his clubwagon need to be turned back into a people mover. So I guess I'll take it up with dad. MY biggest problem here is that it leave me with no way to travel any long distances..... I need to finish the malibu........ But I can use the $$$ that I am getting out of the van..... I need to get the new motor and trans into the car....

 

Yeah, I would let your Dad have it,I mean,he's your dad,whats little bro done for you lately?

 

Here's a thought,Let little bro sell or trade his bike for a ranger,then get the "band" to chip in and get a small cargo trailer to hual the bands stuff in.they could paint it up real nice with the bands name and stuff,( it would look more professional then a van).If they are serious about the band they should have no problem chipping in since without transportation nobody gets paid.

 

This band is comprised mosty of unemployed pot-heads. What little money they get from the shows they do goes into their "weed" fund..... I had orignally told them that they could buy the van for 1500, they were interested but have since backed out. My other problem is this will leave me fordless....... AHHHHHHH!! But I am looking for an 81 or 82 E350 EXT that's not rotten...... (This is proving to be a chalenge) I want those years becasuse emissions controls were not yet implimented (air pump and egr that's it.) so true duals are a nice touch. I also drive alot (planning a trip to st louis for the beginning of next year), and I will probably take the malibu. I would prefer to take a ford van tho.. They seem to ride nicer.

 

Unless you REALLY need the money, I would let Bro try to find another van for the $1,500, that way in a year from now you still have your van and he can sell the other for $500. Is the van worth more than that to you now with the work it does and satisfaction it gives you? Also, would you actually see the money? (Maybe this is where your dad would come in.).

 

Yes, I would see the money, the van in it's current shape is worth about 2k, and I am selling it to them (him) for $500.. It needs a clock spring, tires, and an alignment. THat's it. It runs good... I haven't been driving it, I drive the malibu to work, so the van has just been sitting here.... but I really need to talk to my dad about it.

 

Probably not a bad idea, he knows both of you and can probably offer some pretty solid advice!