Buying SMB sight-unseen

[loren85022]

I bought an 08 e150 w Quigley sight unseen. Worse yet, it was in Hawaii. Paid for the van, plus $1000 to ship it to San Diego. The van was perfect. Not one problem. Can't say I wasn't nervous, but it clearly added to the entire adventure. I sorta tow the "sportsmobile" part of the vessel.

[ANZAC]

I am also in the same area.

I bought mine site unseen from the rust belt, Detroit. The interior turned out to be be even better than the photos, leather everything and in good condition. Mechanically it was fine, having been inspected by a Ford dealer and front end rebuilt by Quigley. I am slowly cleaning up the chassis and painting it with POR-15. The van was way cheaper than a lot of newer ones, and given I will use it maybe 2 or 3 times a year I figured that was good enough for me. I also bought a boat sight unseen, though it was surveyed.

I got good advice from jage, which is figure out body style, layout and engine, which are things you can't change, and don't sweat the small stuff like does it have a microwave.

I know I needed the extended body from my prior 2wd van, and once I looked at a few I knew EB50 layout was what I needed. I also saw all the PSD stories and knew I wanted to stick with the v10, especially seeing as my prior v10 had given me 8 great years of towing with no issues.

I was most nervous about the layout and passed up some great deals on good rigs that weren't EB50, but so so happy I waited for the layout I wanted because it works perfectly for my use.

[whitham]

Well, things suddenly moved quickly since my last post!

I came across a 1998 4x4 V10 on crazedlist a few days ago, which is located in Bakersfield, a thousand miles from me but a mere 200 miles from my most trusted friend, wheeling and motorcycling buddy, Chris. He rode up this morning and gave it a clean bill of health, so now I am the proud owner of my first Sportsmobile!

I have been agonizing over the high price of newer vans, and I got this for a price that I am comfortable with, to see if it performs as we expect it to, and we use it as much as we are thinking we will.

Now all we have to do is figure out how to get it back up the coast ... ROAD TRIP!!

Thanks for everyone's comments and feedback, and I will keep everyone up to date as this little adventure continues.

[Ford_6L_E350]

Congratulations! Welcome to the club.

Hope to see you on the road someday.

Mike

[ANZAC]

Pictures?!

[jage]

Originally Posted by ANZAC

Pictures?!

Says the guy with (1) in his gallery!

[ANZAC]

Originally Posted by jage

Says the guy with (1) in his gallery!

Corrected: "Picture?"

[whitham]

Ask and ye shall receive ...!



What really sold it was the axe on the front ...



My girlfriend is flying out tomorrow for an all expenses paid vacation to drive it home, while I stay home to work and look after the dog ... I think she won!

[jage]

Girlfriend drives SMB...

I think you won!

[larrie]

Looks like a sweet ride. Hope you enjoy it.


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.606048,-123.945662
- Larrie
89 Ford RB