Van Guys - 85' Chevy G30 Van - V8 - Need your opinions!

whoatherechunk · #1 09-01-2009, 08:44 PM

My TB buds! Once again, I come to ask a few questions on topics I have no idea about (even though I try and do the best research I can). So my daily driver is a 05' Honda Civic. I'm tired of cramming my stuff in there....and well now it's not even possible. I'm in a few bands and now there's a time where I need a vehicle to haul equipment. I know this baby is a gas guzzler and well.. I'll be splitting gas with the other members. Plus, I'm assuming most old vans suck on gas anyways. I took this thing out for a test drive. Everything seemed just fine. The guy is asking for $1500 but I talked him down to $1250. I just want some opinions on it..whether you have owned a G30, have had experience with a G30, or just any experience with vans of these sort. In addition, I gave the guy a $380 down payment so yeah...I'm probably going to end up getting it. What's not included in the ad is that it's a V8.

Anyways.....here it is!

http://elpaso.en.craigslist.org/cto/1349505048.html

Jim Campbell · #2 09-01-2009, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoatherechunk

My TB buds! Once again, I come to ask a few questions on topics I have no idea about (even though I try and do the best research I can). So my daily driver is a 05' Honda Civic. I'm tired of cramming my stuff in there....and well now it's not even possible. I'm in a few bands and now there's a time where I need a vehicle to haul equipment. I know this baby is a gas guzzler and well.. I'll be splitting gas with the other members. Plus, I'm assuming most old vans suck on gas anyways. I took this thing out for a test drive. Everything seemed just fine. The guy is asking for $1500 but I talked him down to $1250. I just want some opinions on it..whether you have owned a G30, have had experience with a G30, or just any experience with vans of these sort. In addition, I gave the guy a $380 down payment so yeah...I'm probably going to end up getting it. What's not included in the ad is that it's a V8.

Anyways.....here it is!

http://elpaso.en.craigslist.org/cto/1349505048.html

depends how much you drive......sit down and factor in insurance costs tags,how often and how much to move gear etc.....sometimes you can make money with a van....even sleep off a buzz in it and save a dui if you drink

Tama · #3 09-01-2009, 09:07 PM

Their decent vehicles. The small block Chev is bulletproof. Looks like an okay deal.

warwick.hoy · #4 09-01-2009, 09:11 PM

You're keeping the civic as your daily driver?

Your main source of income is something other than being in bands?

As a gear hauler for the weekend gigs,...seems alright to me.

ryco · #5 09-01-2009, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Campbell

sit down and factor in insurance costs tags,how often and how much to move gear etc.....sometimes you can make money with a van....

And if you make your living playing music, you can write off some or all of these costs.

Downside: if you have a van you will find yourself helping all of your friends move

Mike N · #6 09-01-2009, 09:22 PM

Hope your handy with a wrench. It's nearly 25 years old. Expect stuff to go wrong with it.

sobie18 · #7 09-01-2009, 09:23 PM

I have one of those Space Shuttle-looking Chevy Lumina APV's ('95) and it can haul some gear!

Keep the Honda for day to day stuff and use the van for hauling.

hbarcat · #8 09-01-2009, 09:25 PM

I had the G30 conversion van but it was an 88 with the fuel injection and it got about 16 MPG. I only used it to haul gear for gigs but we could stuff the whole band's equipment into it including drums and PA. And we could sleep in it, too. It's not the most fun vehicle to drive at 70 MPH on the highway but it was indispensable for doing shows.

The drummer in my current band has an 86 G30 conversion van and we use it for the same hauling of band gear. He also uses it for weekend camping and other stuff.

But if you're considering using it as a daily driver, forget it if you drive more than about 50 miles a week.

whoatherechunk · #9 09-01-2009, 09:27 PM

That is correct. The Civic HAS to be my daily driver since these things are gas guzzlers for sure. My father's friend told me to take it to a mechanic and get it checked up. He says compression problems in the cylinders are common in vans.

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

You're keeping the civic as your daily driver?

Your main source of income is something other than being in bands?

As a gear hauler for the weekend gigs,...seems alright to me.

Justice · #10 09-01-2009, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoatherechunk

That is correct. The Civic HAS to be my daily driver since these things are gas guzzlers for sure. My father's friend told me to take it to a mechanic and get it checked up. He says compression problems in the cylinders are common in vans.

That is the oddest statement I have heard in a while. I was not aware that vans were more likely to have compression problems.....thats just silly, really.

The Chevy 350 engine is probably one of (if not the) most reliable V8 engines ever made. 109000 miles is nothing for one thats been properly maintained.

THe van looks to be in good shape per the pictures. If you can have a mechanic check it out and give it a clean bill of health, I think you will have a pretty nice van. The fact that the A/C is working says a lot for the way the van was maintained.

Tama · #11 09-01-2009, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justice

That is the oddest statement I have heard in a while. I was not aware that vans were more likely to have compression problems.....thats just silly, really.

The Chevy 350 engine is probably one of (if not the) most reliable V8 engines ever made. 109000 miles is nothing for one thats been properly maintained.

THe van looks to be in good shape per the pictures. If you can have a mechanic check it out and give it a clean bill of health, I think you will have a pretty nice van. The fact that the A/C is working says a lot for the way the van was maintained.

You couldn't be more right.

whoatherechunk · #12 09-01-2009, 10:53 PM

thanks Justice. well i'm glad i have you guys! I dont know **** about cars except how to drive em and pick chicks up in em. thanks.

playinpearls · #13 09-02-2009, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tama

You couldn't be more right.

Yeah, and on top of that, pretty much anyone can work on an old 350 with a chilton's manual. you could completely rebuild the engine in your driveway with a basic tool set and some rentals from autozone...if it came down to that.

unless its smoking regularly, you wont have to touch the block. Depending on maintenance it could probably use some valve seals, or maybe even a valve job to help any lost compression....and thats only 3-4 parts to take off. but unless you're flooring it and it isn't really going anywhere, i would'nt worry about it...

i'd use some octane boost before i tried a valve job anyway. could be just gunked up in there...

Pilgrim · #14 09-02-2009, 09:16 AM

I agree that a Chevy small-block is one of the best engines ever made. the fact that it's in a van is immaterial. I WOULD make sure the automatic tranny is working properly - at 109K you're much more likely to have a problem with it than with the engine.

Also, since the Craigslist posting is in El Paso, I assume you're out there - where body rust is nonexistant. I think the van makes good sense, the price is right, and since you won't be driving across TX in it, I don't think the gas mileage matters much. People worry about that 'way too much.

Also - MikeN is right on target - if you buy this, get ready to learn how to do your own repairs. A van this age WILL need some work done on it, and you won't want to pay a shop. The vans are harder to work on than pickups since the motor is buried under the front end, but it can be done - you just have to be patient. If you buy it, immediately get a Chilton's manual, and if you can find a factory service manual on Ebay, get it too.

Webtroll · #15 09-02-2009, 11:20 AM

Just don't leave any gear in it while unattended unless you want to give it away and pay for a window replacement

whoatherechunk · #16 09-02-2009, 05:34 PM

thanks guysss! gonna learn about cars

Mike N · #17 09-02-2009, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by playinpearls

Depending on maintenance it could probably use some valve seals, or maybe even a valve job to help any lost compression....and thats only 3-4 parts to take off.

Don't know the last time you had to pull heads off a G30 with a/c, but there's alot more than 3 or 4 parts to remove.

LCW · #18 09-02-2009, 09:23 PM

Looks clean

Anyways parts are easy to come buy and that engine is very easy to work on .

spellcaster · #19 09-02-2009, 09:38 PM

Looks good to me as well.
Love vans!!! Take out those seats, tint the windows for security and privacy and enjoy.

I have a 68 Chevy with a straight 6 and three on the tree.

Photos here:
http://s82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...albumview=grid

**NOLA Bass** · #20 09-02-2009, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spellcaster

Looks good to me as well.
Love vans!!! Take out those seats, tint the windows for security and privacy and enjoy.

I have a 68 Chevy with a straight 6 and three on the tree.

Photos here:
http://s82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...albumview=grid

What van, I didn't even notice one in those pics!!!!