I need help pricing an Astro

[htgardens]

It is a 1996 one owner Astro Explorer Conversion, 41,000 original miles, I test drove it today and it drives better than my 2002 Blazer, very clean and straight body, white rear wheel drive..........Clean!!! Help, any ball park figures? Thank you, Joyce
Hello from Oregon

[RECox286]

If it is on a dealer's lot, more than likely they will ask in excess of $4K. Mileage is very low, but beware it is a CMFI fuel injection system.

Age has more to do with problems than the mileage. I would take it for a presale inspection, which is well worth the money spent. Talk to

the mechanic before doing this to let him/her know what you intend to do, since you will probably need an appointment. Usually it only

takes about an hour or so for the inspection. Hopefully, you know of a shop that you can trust, or one of your friends does. If the inspection

uncovers any really bad things about the truck, then you have a bargaining chip to use against the asking price. Sight unseen, I would probably

bid $2000-2500 and see if that flys. One trick you can use is have CASH in your pocket, in the amount you think might buy the truck, then, as

you are casually negotiating, just happen to pull the wad out of your pocket, and start unconciously flipping thru the bills. The buyer will see

green, and absolutely want to do the same thing. It has worked for me several times ! If it falls thru, don't get upset, there are still plenty of

good trucks around.

Good luck and good hunting

Uncle Bob

[htgardens]

It was listed at 5500.00, I originally bid 4000.00 and walked away, it was gone off craigslist, and I was gone on vacation, so I forgot about it for two weeks. The daughter of the owner said her mom turned down 4800.00 and wanted her to call me back. She said I could have it for 2500.00. She wanted me to have it beacuse she was a nurse, and I was looking for a van that when I did Home health Nursing, I could pull over and sleep if I broke down due to weather in the winter, she insisted I have it.
I want to thank you for your reply, my brother who is a mechanic saw it and said, if your not buying I am, my mechanic drove it, and said it was a lot of van for the money. I have a blazer that is well cared for, so I think I'll mjust park it and drive the astro. It all power window and fold down seat, tv and vcr that needs to be updated, she really took good care of it until she got sick, she bought it off the Chevy lot in 97 for 26,000 dollars. Thank you again, your quote was much needed to help me figure out if I was gonna buy this van, is it true these van can go 200,000 miles? Thank you again Uncle Bob, Joyce

[Big_kid]

These vans easily go 200K and beyond. 41K on the odometer and you got it for $2500? WITHOUT a gun?! Congrats!

Welcome aboard!

[htgardens]

I was reading the reviews on Kelly Blue Book lastnight, one owner had up to 400,000 miles on their Astro, wow! I pick it up today, I will post pictures soon. It's not a raised roof, but it sure is nice inside and out. I want to thank you guys for responding, I lost my dad last year, he was my rock, and I making decision on your own is tough, Thanks to this site and the love you guys have for these vans, has helped tremendously. My heart is full. Thanks Kid

[Lumpy]

Pics! We want pics!


Lump

[RECox286]

True ! It is not uncommon for these vans to go the distance. My Dailey Driver Work Truck has 320k mi on the original engine. It smokes on start up,

but so would you if you were as old in truck years. (it's a 93, with a TBI injection system). The real trick is to do oil changes on a regular basis,

with the same type oil all the time (don't switch brands, or flavors.) Our fleet gets oil and filter every 5k, with Valvoline part 141. You chose your

poison, then stick with it.

Good luck, and Keep truck'n.

Uncle Bob

[Leeann_93]

Welcome and nice find!

My '99 has 275,000 and my '02 has 200,000 miles. They can run well over 300,000 with regular maintenance.

[htgardens]

That's comforting to know. When I was looking on Autotrader, I was shocked to see how many were posted with such high milage, thank you for responding. Joyce

[RECox286]

No problem at all, Joyce. Hope you hang around once you get your new truck. Great place to pick brains when it comes time for trouble shooting

and fixing information. (BTW: Welcome to the fold.)

(Actually I only stick around here to meet greasy women. Ha !)

Uncle Bob