Buying a old van 1991 GMC Vandura vs 1994 Chevy G20

[krazyatom]

Hello fellows,

I am trying to buy a van (shorty van) and I saw two potential one from the CL. I know it can be personal preference but I just want to hear some of your opinions. My personal preferences are that it has to be short van with no high top. I know some other state I may find better van with lower mileage but I am nearby Los Angeles County so my options are limited.

1. 1991 GMC Vandura (Short) - Brief spec: 6 cylinders, auto, 174k miles,
Asking price $2100.

Ac doesn't work. I asked the owner if he was the original owner and he said that he's father was. Not sure if that makes any difference.

https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/5243476046.html

2. 1994 Chevrolet G20 (Short) - Brief spec: auto, 181k miles, not sure if it's 6/8 cylinders. Asking price $2895

Ac doesn't work. Transmission recently replaced. Owner told me that he let it go for $2400 because AC doesn't work. Also, tires may need to be replaced especially one tire is almost bald. Owner is not sure how many owners were in the past and he's assuming like 2 owners not including himself.

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/5233103174.html

 

[mvbighead]

I'd lean toward the second if the transmission has any kind of warranty. Never know what the other transmission will end up doing if it is still the original.

 

[krazyatom]

I'd lean toward the second if the transmission has any kind of warranty. Never know what the other transmission will end up doing if it is still the original.

I will check if there is any warranty left. Thanks!

 

[tracerbullet]

Have you driven them both and if so how did they compare? Any funny noises, blown shocks, etc.?

 

[krazyatom]

Have you driven them both and if so how did they compare? Any funny noises, blown shocks, etc.?

I haven't yet. It's bit long drive so I'll test drive both by next weekend. Anything I should check when I test drive?

 

[krazyatom]

I'd lean toward the second if the transmission has any kind of warranty. Never know what the other transmission will end up doing if it is still the original.

Seller told me transmission was replaced 9 months ago and there is no warranty left. So how do find out if he really replaced the transmission? Lol.

 

[mvbighead]

Paperwork is really the only way. I'd lean towards a new one though, even if out of warranty. Eventually they fail, and they're usually not that cheap to fix.

 

[krazyatom]

Paperwork is really the only way. I'd lean towards a new one though, even if out of warranty. Eventually they fail, and they're usually not that cheap to fix.

I'll take it to one of my local shop for inspection this Saturday. I am going to ask mechanic to test drive and check. Thanks

 

[heymrdj]

Unless they had a propensity for buying one horrible tire at a time, check that undercarriage really well. They've either improperly loaded it, or something is way off alignment. Vans are difficult to keep in alignment anyways.

 

[WoodButcher]

2nd one. It's a 3/4 ton truck, if it has the 4.3 like the first one pass on it.

I like the 4.3 it is a good motor just not enough for a truck. I have 2 minivans, both GMC Safari and I don't feel the V6 is enough in either of those. I did swap a 350 into the '93 but my '97 has seen better days, not worth the effort of a swap.

 

[krazyatom]

2nd one. It's a 3/4 ton truck, if it has the 4.3 like the first one pass on it.

I like the 4.3 it is a good motor just not enough for a truck. I have 2 minivans, both GMC Safari and I don't feel the V6 is enough in either of those. I did swap a 350 into the '93 but my '97 has seen better days, not worth the effort of a swap.

I didn't know 2nd was 3/4 ton truck. They both looks short. How do you know it's 3/4 ton truck??

 

[WoodButcher]

The G20

G10 =1/2 ton,
G20 = 3/4,
G30 = 1 ton

My donor van was a '93 G20 w/ the 5.7
If your interested here is the build thread.
http://www.astrosafari.com/viewtopic.php?f=127&t=17922&start=80#p532602
The motor swap begins at that post but I pulled the donor and had the motor built long before.

 

[krazyatom]

The G20

G10 =1/2 ton,
G20 = 3/4,
G30 = 1 ton

My donor van was a '93 G20 w/ the 5.7
If your interested here is the build thread.
http://www.astrosafari.com/viewtopic.php?f=127&t=17922&start=80#p532602
The motor swap begins at that post but I pulled the donor and had the motor built long before.

Thank you for a clarification. Does that mean its 8 cylinder van?

BTW, thanks for the link!

 

[krazyatom]

Update:

I asked owner of g20 if I can take the van to local shop for inspection and he said I need to make a deposit and i told him I would, but he's not responding to my text anymore. Maybe he's busy? Oh well...

 

[nakedfrog]

Is this your first time buying on craigslist? Sounds pretty typical to me.

 

[krazyatom]

Is this your first time buying on craigslist? Sounds pretty typical to me.

Yea. I never bought a car from craigslist, but I had experience with electronics.

 

[RLGL]

Save your money, buy something way newer and more reliable.

 

[krazyatom]

Save your money, buy something way newer and more reliable.

I wish I can buy newer one, but van would be use for weekend trip or vacation. Also, my budget is limited

 

[WoodButcher]

Thank you for a clarification. Does that mean its 8 cylinder van?

BTW, thanks for the link!

Not necessarily, I've seen the six in a one ton many times but the odds a good for the 5.7. Most often the 5.3 or 305 CI I've seen more in the passenger vans. The 4.3 was popular for fleet vehicles, you know how cheap the boss can be,,,
Conversions are generally cargo vans done by an independent contractor, the G series were all cargo while the passenger were Beauville and Sport, Vandura was a GMC I don't remember half the names they had.

 

[krazyatom]

Not necessarily, I've seen the six in a one ton many times but the odds a good for the 5.7. Most often the 5.3 or 305 CI I've seen more in the passenger vans. The 4.3 was popular for fleet vehicles, you know how cheap the boss can be,,,
Conversions are generally cargo vans done by an independent contractor, the G series were all cargo while the passenger were Beauville and Sport, Vandura was a GMC I don't remember half the names they had.

I see. Well.. It seems like owner doesn't want me to inspect his van so I have look for another van.

 

[WoodButcher]

There are many to be had at a good price. Be patient, keep the cash handy and keep looking. In the meantime you can add to your kitty so when the opportunity knocks you can jump.

 

[krazyatom]

There are many to be had at a good price. Be patient, keep the cash handy and keep looking. In the meantime you can add to your kitty so when the opportunity knocks you can jump.

Yes, I will be keep looking. It's kind of hard to find 3/4 ton short van nearby Los Angeles, but I'll wait patiently.