Should I start with this beast? (Wheelchair van)

[planitEarth]

I'm thinking something like this would have likely been driven (and hopefully maintained) with care, since its used as a shuttle bus and especially for those in wheelchairs.

Downside might be all the windows and possible leaks with the door.

Any other downsides come to mind?

Ford E Series Van E 350 1 Ton Hightop Handicap Van | eBay

[bemerritt]

I would think it would be hard to have a passenger seat up next to the driver. Or at least it would be weird with the shuttle door opening right there

[Stillvanin]

That passenger side door also looks like it would limit your ground clearance if you are planning anything off-road be it 4x4 or lifted 2 wheeler. - my 2 cents

[MSD]

PlanitEarth welcome to the the #vanlife I sent you a PM check it out. Think it might be a better option and in your ball park for price $$ ~ Cheers.

[planitEarth]

So I test drove this beast yesterday: https://miami.craigslist.org/brw/cto/5702997042.html

Only $4.8k, 66k miles, and 6'4'' of standing room. Sadly its transmission broke down on the test drive just as I was imagining our future together. (better than a week later, at least!)

@MSD, I agree this ebay one is pricey (relative to the craigslist one i just linked to anyway).

Now I think I will go with a relatively new (~2004-~2010) econoline with <100k miles and also find a used bubble top or a donor for a DIY pop-top.

[REF]

I've looked at those E-series shuttle busses with rear wheelchair lift at a local auction company with the same thought in mind, seems like a lot of work to get rid of the lift and that front shuttle door to be able to put a passenger seat back in. I'd love to have something like this......

[TomsBeast]

My experience with shuttle vans is that they get ridden hard, and put away wet. Every one I've been in have more squeaks and rattles than you can count, an indication that its lived a tough life.

Stop and go miles, driven New York City Taxi-driver style by some fleet driver who doesn't give a rip.

When the repair bills start adding up, the fleet manager makes a business decision to cut his losses and move it down the road.