I was over at Quadvan yesterday looking at vans.
Being very impressed with both their operation and the testride Eddie took me on I am seriously thinking about a purchase.
Anyone have any info regarding resale?
Ie van @ 15G + conversion @14G makes 29G if I put say 10000miles on it over the next year what could I expect to get back???
Many thanks

 

SAY WHAT?
I'd Like to help if I can, But I don't have a clue what you're asking.

 

My wild-*** guess is that you should be able to get $15-20k for it IF you find a person who wants it. This is a really small market niche, and any big gashog type vehicle is not going to be very good for resale in the next couple of years, if ever again.

Do you really need the 4WD? If not, and if you really need a van, get a used Ford van cheap, make sure it has a good posi in it (or put one in), put some gnarly tires on it, drive it for a year, and you should be able to sell it without taking a big bath.

If you really need 4WD, buy a 4WD Expedition or something like that used and cheap, drive it, and sell it.

Investing 14 grand in modifying a vehicle for a short term is not something that is going to pay off on resale. Alternatively, if you are getting the work done thru Quadravan, ask them if they have a customer list looking for used 4WD vans (and they may) and use them as a sale resource--they, more than anyone else, will know the market for their vans. If I were looking for a used 4WD van or any modified vehicle, I'd be scared about the quality of the conversion work, expensive failures that wouldn't be fixable by any Ford dealer or shop, and like that...

George

 

Just a thought here...hope it doesn't tip you over or anything:

If you are worried about re-sale value now, even before you buy it, then you probably shouldn't be considering this purchase. You also will be dis-enchanted with the relatively poor fuel mileage you will get with this, so you are setting yourself up for disappointment at the outset. And you'll never get as much as you'd like for it...anyone buying a used one is looking for a bargain. If they wanted to pay the long price, they'd buy new.

I bought a Quigley a year and a half ago. I really like it, but I probably could have bought a Lincoln or Caddy or some BMW's or Mercedes or most other production vehicles for the same money...and they'd still get better gas mileage. Doesn't make me like the vehicle any less, but points out to me that it wasn't the wisest purchase I have ever made. Why? Because there were used ones around for much less, much much less...today I own a used one that still has a new car payment book...and the parade of parts has begun...had to replace the rear brakes at 30,000 miles, a set of tires will be in order before next winter, if I drive it this summer at all.

When I bought it gas prices were headed down after peaking earlier last year. Diesel was headed up, so I thought I'd made the right move (the V-10). But the price of gasoline started to climb again. Then, last spring my car developed some problems that took me a while to repair. I drove the Quigley to work for most of two months, sixty miles one way. It cost me $160.00 a week, $640.00 for the entire month (gas card saves me $.05 a gallon). Still, I CAN afford that every month, but I don't WANT to afford it. That's not now I want to spend my transportation dollars, no matter how much I enjoy driving the Quigley. That's called making a choice...something we have fewer and fewer opportunities to do.

Right now gasoline is higher than it has ever been here in Western New York, but it may be creeping down. I paid $3.489 late yesterday for some "get by" gas, $3.419 early today to top off the tank. Today that month's worth of gas (I spoke of before) would cost me $706. I'll keep the Quigley, but it will be an old vehicle before it passes 100,000 miles.

Think about how you want to spend your money...today and 5 years 11 months from now.

 

If you're only going to own it for a year and put on 10,000 miles, I think you'll take a bath. A newer used SUV (already depreciated) sounds like a better choice. Spending $12K-$18K to convert a van won't translate well to most people in the resale market. Problem is new 4x4 trucks/SUVs are only $3K more from the factory than 4x2 models and they hold anywhere from $1K to $2K more in resale down the road. I'll bet you'd be lucky to get a third to half of the conversion cost back when its sold and the van will depreciate too. Maybe someone who really wants a 4x4 van will pay more, but its a much smaller market than pickups and SUVs.

We love our Quigley and bit the bullet to buy it new and fully loaded. It cost a small fortune (and cheaper 4x4 SUVs have many more luxury and convenience features). I couldn't stomach the loss if I sold it in a few years. If you just got to have a 4x4 van and can afford it - go for it but I think you have to own it until the wheels fall off for it to make sense financially.

Ford is supposed to redesign the van interior in 2009 to augment exterior changes made this year. That van may do better resale-wise than the current models because of the numerous upgrades and limited availability.

 

Thanks all...
I appreciate the info/advice.
For the record I was not contemplating selling the van after only a year moreover my interest was\is that if for some unforseen reason I needed to turn the van back into cash what kind of beating would I be looking at.
Thanks Again.
Geoff