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Originally Posted by billwilson
and good arguments from both camps
diesal vs gas
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Please note that starting Diesel vs. Gas discussions is no longer allowed. There is plenty of existing information already, which you can find with the Search.
As far as your search, consider that High Mileage is not your only option for reducing the expense of owning a Sportsmobile or similar van. The older models are less and less likely to have Sportsmobile branding, and even less likely to be identified as Sportsmobile. If you concentrate on "Camper Vans", "Pop top" or other phrases that people might use for older models you are more likely to turn up older (but mechanically sound) vans.
In addition you might be able to save some money doing part or all of the interior yourself. It gets tougher to get a penthouse top on older vans that don't already have one, but if you can find something or settle for a normal roof or fixed top (fixed tops are great, just more likely to be found as work vans, etc) and make it work, it can save you some money.
High mileage is where things start to go wrong. My recent diesel repairs to a 7.3L in my 99 F250 could have been as much as $3000 or more at a dealer or less honest shop. The truck had 55,568 miles on it, but has spent a fair amount of time at idle which doesn't show on the odometer. The problems I fixed are more indicative, that is to say common for, this engine at 125,000 miles according to the shop.
My point is, if you're shopping for a $10,000 vehicle and find a high mileage one for $5,000, then it is only a "deal" if you can keep the repairs under the $5,000 you saved, and live with the downtime and possible interruption of trips.
If you've only got $5,000 to spend in the first place, the 100,000 mile vehicle could easily turn in to something you cannot afford to fix. You're shopping at the cusp where owners start to hide problems or don't want to gamble with possible failures anymore. It's totally possible to find a gem that will run forever, but I'm not sure it's likely without careful evaluation.
It is very worth it though- to camp in a van in my opinion, so be patient and look for the right thing at the right price.
it is 4x4 so the search was harder to find what I wanted lucky for me it was from a member of this Forum. The best thing I can say has already been said by Bill Willson and thats do lots of research dont be in a hurry and be picky. There are alot of camper vans out there some are really great some well lets just say not so great. 
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