For Sale ? - 2000 Chevy Sportsmobile w/ Advanced 4x4

[MTADVENTUREVAN]

Hey everyone, I am kicking around the idea of putting our SMB up for sale. My daily driver, 2005 Astro AWD w/Journeys Offroad Lift is currently getting the full Moog/Bilstein treatment, new shoes as well as a few other goodies that continue to drain my bank account

As a recent member asked in a recent thread, "What is my SMB worth?"

I really do not know what an asking price for our van should be so I am hoping to get some help from the SMB Community --> Show & Tell area of the Forum. I haven't listed it in the Classified section as of yet as I wanted to get an idea of asking price to see if it is something we should part with.

Van runs excellent, just got back from a short weekend trip of 300 miles it was a pleasure to drive and hang out in Averaged around 14.5 mpg on this trip on two lane windy and slightly hilly highway at 68 mph. Currently using it as my daily driver and getting tons of thumbs up from everyone around town.

2000 Chevy Express 3500 w/ 350 Vortec Gas - 157k miles

-I am the third owner

Recently completed FULL service: All fluids flushed and changed, spark plugs, drag link bushings and Moog tie rod/end, all filters etc. The last 1,300 miles it has driven, started and stopped like a champ!

-Sportsmobile Conversion (manual top, no cuts holes, minimal signs of wear)
-Interior condition is in good shape, all seats and carpet in good/great condition
-All appliances work
-Exterior is in great condition with the minor scuffs here and there

Specs:

-4x4 Conversion: Advanced Four Wheel Drive System of Salt Lake, done: 09/2006 (I have asked Advanced for the full build specs on the 4x4 system)
-Newer 10-Ply Tires
-Poptop: Sportsmobile, great condition, no leaks
-Suburban forced air furnace
-Microwave
-Fridge/Freezer
-Secondary A/C system
-Sink
-Water holding tank
-Electric water pump
-Two Burner Cooktop
-House Battery (under sink)
-Breaker box
-Converter/charger
-gray water tank for sink
-City water hookup
-RV style exterior plug for shore power
-Two swivel front captains chairs
-Rear single removable swivel jump seat with belt
-Underslung propane tank
-Hitch

Would love to hear everyone's opinion on value. Have a look at some pictures. Feel free to PM me or post a reply.

Cheers.

[MTADVENTUREVAN]

pictures...

[MTADVENTUREVAN]

ones...

[capnkurt]

Hey, MTA!

Sorry, I can't offer you any advice on pricing your rig...I can say, however that I purchased our 98 extended 3500 express for $11,250.00 in 2015. It had 161K on it when we picked it up. It's a 2WD, so not really comparable to yours... long story short, I was talking with the guys over at Agile and they mentioned that my rig was probably worth closer to 20-25 based on how clean it was, and that was over a year and-a-half ago. I know that prices have shot up recently, but you also have to consider that the Chevy doesn't get the same love that the Ford does. Ours was listed at 16,000 and sat on Craigslist without moving for a few months. I've included some pictures; one exterior shot showing what the van looked like when we bought it, the other exterior showing what it looked like after Agile installed the lift kit (the condition that it was in when they told me it was worth closer to 20-ish) and a few interior shots. Take this info for what it's worth - not much!

On a side note, I'm getting a new custom lift done by Jeremy at Weldtec and was wondering what size tires you're running on that Express and whether or not you have any rubbing? I've got 265s on it now, but would like to go up to 285s.

thanks,

capn

[MTADVENTUREVAN]

Clean rig, capnkurt! Mine needs a bath and a clean as we've been in/out and about a bunch lately Too much to explore around MT!

Awesome seeing another Express- killer photos and thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience, very helpful! That at least gives me some additional information. Hoping some other folks out there can chime in too.

I am running 265/75/16s with zero rubbing and plenty of room. She sits pretty high as is and I like the way this size tire runs so I don't think I'll go any larger. I'd love to see what yours looks like when you've slapped them on. Good luck with the lift!

Do you have any info on your awning and the type of brackets used? Looks like a great setup- do you like it, is it as functional as you'd hope? Also, I saw somewhere else around the forum a similar vintage Express with a slick side ladder that mounted to the top of the wheel well of the drivers rear tire and seemed to secure to the drip rail/edge. Have you sourced or located a side ladder? We are considering the Yakima Track system and a ladder is a MUST.

Cheers!

[capnkurt]

Thanks, and you're welcome. Those 265s look bigger on your van than they do on mine...maybe the difference between the extended and regular body? I too, am looking forward to seeing what it will look like with additional lift. I think it will be similar to what you've got on yours now (around 5").

My awning is a Fiamma F45 Plus. I bought new endcaps and a few other parts for it, as the Texas sun had turned those into chalk and they simply broke apart after a few uses. We use ours every time we're out, weather permitting (wind). We would definitely not be without one after having had this one to protect us from the desert sun. We'll sometimes add something to the sides just to give us added protection when the sun is lower in the sky, and that's easy to do with some spring clamps. The brackets that hold it in place were installed when the van was built at SMB Austin, so I don't really know anything about them...other than they were bent and misaligned and needed to be tended to. We don't store anything on the top, so a ladder isn't something that we've looked into. I do plan on permanently mounting my solar panels up there one day, however.

I hope that helps,

capn

[Poptopper]

Sweet rig!

I've kept a pretty good eye on the market over the past year, and I too have noticed that the Chevy's stay on the market a lot longer and sell for a lot less than the Fords. Chevys are considered inferior to the Ford vans for hard core off-roading due to a more flexible frame and limited upgrade choices. But they are fine for what most people really use them for.

Capn's Chevy is a pretty good comp, and a reputable 4x4 conversion usually adds $8-10,000 over a comparable 2wd. Advanced is a reputable builder, but not as well regarded as Quigley, UJoint, or Sportsmobile.

With all that in mind I'd list it at $25k, and be happy with a $20-22k offer if it doesn't generate much interest at $25k.

Good luck with the sale!

[86Scotty]

You cleaned up on that rig Kurt. I love what you've done with it too.

[capnkurt]

Thanks a lot, Scotty! I haven't exactly "cleaned up" on it though...I have well over what it's worth in just repairing everything that the previous owners ignored for 160K miles. My wife and I love it though, so we'll continue to pour money into the hole to be able to keep enjoying it. I'd love to do a 4x4 conversion, and maybe someday that could happen...maybe.

capn

[MTADVENTUREVAN]

Great insight, poptopper, thank you!