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Dec. 12, 2010 11:48 p.m. skierd Dork
I think I'm ready to own a car/van/truck thingy again. I've gone carless for far longer than I expected I would, but with another bad winter on the horizon as well as starting student teaching next year I need something with a roof and 4 wheels. The WR250R will still be my primary ride. From how I used my Tacoma before I sold it last year, I need/want something for:
- bad weather
- hauling the bike places to ride or get worked on. Can't have a trailer at my apartments, needs to fit in or on
- going someplace where locked storage becomes an issue (I'd like to start hiking and backpacking again, but can't with the bike)
- taking the dog places to do stuff other than in the neighborhood.
The last car was driven once every 4-6 weeks, but I'd guess that would be closer to every 2-4 weeks based on how often I have to borrow my roommate's truck. Pre-1991 means no inspection in MD, which fits nicely into my price range of cheap. Trying to stay under $1500. The plan is to run it into the ground and keep it as a beater for as long as possible.

So I'm thinking an older van or pickup. Ford vs GM vs Dodge, full size vans vs pickups, 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton, manual or auto?
Dec. 13, 2010 12:23 a.m. thatsnowinnebago Dork

A full size van is stupid cheap and can fit lots of things but I'm not sure if the roof is high enough to fit a bike. The doors also lock so it provides lockable storage. However, they don't get the greatest mileage but that might not be a problem if you only drive it once or twice a month. I don't see a reason to bother getting a 3/4 ton if all you need to haul is a bike.
Dec. 13, 2010 5:22 a.m. Big ego SuperDork

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/2104676818.html

pre 1991 - check..

straight six - check

made entirely of rust - check!

Ok, to be honest. I like ford trucks, but looking in that price range brand dosen't matter. Find the one that has the least rust and and the most receipts for care. Old conversion vans are best, because people usually don't beat the hell out of them like they do a work van. Plus if you can figure out how to do it right, you can keep the bed and have a mini camper.
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/2108970759.html <-- like that
Dec. 13, 2010 7:53 a.m. Ian F Dork

Raised roof conversion van. Remove the rear seats and there's plenty of room for a bike - I hauled a friend's bikes (street & dual sport) a couple of times.

For security, I can't think of anything that beats a conversion van - outta sight, outta mind. Just don't add anything silly like stickers... That's what I did back when I was using my van for mtn bike racing - have nothing on the outside of the van that would give any hints that the contents (my racing bikes) far exceeded the value of the van.

As far as brand, like big ego, I'm partial to Fords, but also agree that condition matters more.
Dec. 13, 2010 9:31 a.m. sachilles Dork

Small commuter bus, based on a van chassis. I know a couple of motorcycle racers that use them. Available with diesel, most have a big rear access door for handicap ramp/lift. Plenty of room, and available for dirt cheap. Big enough to sleep in.
Dec. 13, 2010 9:41 p.m. skierd Dork

As awesome as that would be, my apartment complex (and most) won't allow commercial vehicles or RV's.
Dec. 13, 2010 10:39 p.m. alex SuperDork

A good friend used to do fleet service on airport parking shuttle vans (like above) and he reports most E-series vans with V6 and V8s to be good for many hundreds of thousands of miles. (He didn't like the V10s for their propensity to spit out spark plugs, and after a couple heli-coils, you're out of material and need new heads.)

Taking their ubiquity into account, I'd look for one with a recent fleet history just to CYA on the maintenance.
Dec. 13, 2010 11:33 p.m. Stealthtercel Reader

The Ford that Big Ego found in Baltimore has mirrors that say "Former Fedex truck" to me. I don't know anything about Fedex maintenance practices, but clearly they can't be entirely bad, since (if I'm right about that vehicle) it's still going 20 years later.
Dec. 14, 2010 5:52 a.m. Big ego SuperDork

one of my old jeepin budies bought a short bus as a tow rig. He got a Powerstroke and low miles for about half the price of buying a powerstroke van.
Dec. 14, 2010 7:39 a.m. Ian F Dork

Another advantage of conversion vans - it's amazing how something so big can be so invisible. Depending on where you live, it may not be a 'truck' at all. In PA, my '90 E150 was titled as a 'station wagon', which not only saved $ on yearly registration ($36/yr vs. $54 for my old Toyota 4x4 p/u vs. $153 for my 8800 lb GVWR Cummins), but allowed me to drive the van on 'no trucks' roads.
Dec. 14, 2010 8:36 a.m. stuart in mn SuperDork

You can buy motorcycle trailers these days that can be broken down into pieces and stored in closet. This is the first one I found in a google search but there are several brands out there: http://www.discount-trailers.com/port-a-chopper.htm A WR250R is light enough that you should be able to tow it behind most any car.