New Member- Michigan

[Michisurfer]

Hello, I've been researching and viewing used Sportsmobile ads in search of a sub $30K rig (its tough I know) with reasonable miles and setup.

Question: Found a 2000 Dodge Ram 2500 but has 160K and the 5.9L. Really great shape but that amount of miles makes me hesitate. Any feedback on that rig? Pop top, no rust, 2wd


Thanks!

[Orv]

Hey, welcome! I used to live in Michigan myself -- went to college at Michigan Tech in fact.



I don't have specific knowledge of the Dodges, but in general I find high-mileage vehicles are often a good buy if they've been well-maintained. It ain't like the old days when cars and trucks were basically worn out at 100,000 miles. I would rather have a well-maintained van with 160K on it than a neglected one with 80K. You need to let the vehicle's condition guide you more than the odometer reading.



The Dodge vans don't seem particularly popular on this forum but maybe someone can chime in with what particular weak points you need to look for.


I don't think you need to apologize for a <$30K budget, BTW. You'll have to look a bit longer, maybe, but it's not unreasonable, especially if you don't need 4WD. My budget was $10K!

[ctb]

Welcome to the Forum! My wife and I have fallen in LOVE with the UP!!! We have been back 2x in the past year! Our favorite so far has benn Mouth of the Two Rivers (I think that is right) on SE Superior shore....GREAT!!!!

30K will get you a Rig with lots of miles, but as Orv states, good ones in that price range can be had!! There is a lot north of Chicago, maybe the Six Flags city just north of there (Gurney maybe) that usually has a few SMB's for sale...and if you still can't find one, get a van and throw a mattress and cooler in and go for a few trips...if you still love it, get that one done in SMBNorth (Huntington, IN)...maybe a bit more, but will get just what you want....
Ps as Forum members have pointed out, if you do get a plain van, make sure it wasn't a fleet van...cheap van maintenance (oil etc) clogs things up and kills engines faster...GOOD LUCK!

[86Scotty]

Originally Posted by Orv

The Dodge vans don't seem particularly popular on this forum but maybe someone can chime in with what particular weak points you need to look for.

I think that has mostly to do with the fact that there are so few of them. And that is relative to the make. Fords = the most vans out there and thus the most Sportsmobiles. Chevy second, less vans and less SMB's. Dodge a distant third, but mostly because there are so few Dodge vans out there compared.

Dodges are good vans but not good 4x4 candidates. Also, much less aftermarket support for basically the same reasons given above.

Sorry for the more or less unrelated info. For specific Dodge questions I would defer to our resident expert, paging @PNTYRMVR.

[Michisurfer]

Thank you for the responses! This helps! I'm going to sit on this one for a bit and see where the price goes into the winter. Would like to have options and the Ford/Chevy's you have options (ie 4x4) vs the Dodge models. Thanks for all the suggestions and info- MUCH appreciated!!

[Orv]

Originally Posted by 86Scotty

Dodges are good vans but not good 4x4 candidates.

I think this has a lot to do with it. Judging from this forum, a majority of SMB owners want 4x4.


Companies that did van conversions on a production line basis really liked the Dodge, because its basic dimensions were unchanged for a *very* long time. They could keep using all the same jigs.