Know anything about cars?

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  • Halcyon
    Spread The Pink!
    • Dec 2002
    • 8609
    #1

    Know anything about cars?

    I'm buying a beater RV to bring to Burning Man.

    Which should I weigh heavier? Age or mileage?

    I'm debating getting a '91 with 100K miles. Seems to run good.
    For the same price I could get one about 5 years older, but half the mileage.

    I am NOT a mechanic, so "easy to fix" is much less important than, "rarely breaks down." I'd rather have fewer, but more expensive, repairs.


    age or mileage?
    HAL on TEDx:
    Tags: None
    • WarChild
      Let slip the dogs of war.
      • Jan 2003
      • 17263
      #2
      I would count mileage as doing more damage over time than age.

      If you can get someone to help you check out a few things out on your perspective purchase, it will be a big help.

      Compression test is easy to do. I can probably even tell you how to do it on the internet, it's pretty simple. This will tell you a bit about what kind of shape the engine is in. Are the all cylinders running well or have one or more lost compression?

      If it's an automatic, check the transmission fluid. It shouldn't be burnt.

      Check the oil that's in the engine. Is it fairly clean or jet black? If it's jet black it's been in the engine too long and speaks to the kind of care the previous owner has given to the engine.

      These are just a few simple things to check, the list could go on and on. Try and find a friend with a little knowledge to help.
      .

        Comment

        • Timbo
          Confirmed User
          • Dec 2001
          • 550
          #3
          Originally posted by WarChild
          I would count mileage as doing more damage over time than age.

          If you can get someone to help you check out a few things out on your perspective purchase, it will be a big help.

          Compression test is easy to do. I can probably even tell you how to do it on the internet, it's pretty simple. This will tell you a bit about what kind of shape the engine is in. Are the all cylinders running well or have one or more lost compression?

          If it's an automatic, check the transmission fluid. It shouldn't be burnt.

          Check the oil that's in the engine. Is it fairly clean or jet black? If it's jet black it's been in the engine too long and speaks to the kind of care the previous owner has given to the engine.

          These are just a few simple things to check, the list could go on and on. Try and find a friend with a little knowledge to help.

          100% dead on

            Comment

            • aico
              Moo Moo Cow
              • Mar 2004
              • 14748
              #4
              Rent one...

                Comment

                • Halcyon
                  Spread The Pink!
                  • Dec 2002
                  • 8609
                  #5
                  Originally posted by aico
                  Rent one...
                  Renting will cost me 2000 for the trip. Buying used will cost Under 8K. (and then I can deck it out in pink fur)
                  HAL on TEDx:

                    Comment

                    • WarChild
                      Let slip the dogs of war.
                      • Jan 2003
                      • 17263
                      #6
                      Are you a member of any auto clubs? Many of them will do inspections on site or at their locations for vehicle purchases. I know the big one in Vancouver does it for non members too, at a higher price. It's still less than a few hundred dollars and will find any major problems.
                      .

                        Comment

                        • Screaming
                          I can change this!!!!!
                          • Feb 2004
                          • 18972
                          #7
                          A friend of mine wants to go to that and sell n2o balloons lol

                            Comment

                            • aico
                              Moo Moo Cow
                              • Mar 2004
                              • 14748
                              #8
                              Originally posted by Halcyon
                              Renting will cost me 2000 for the trip. Buying used will cost Under 8K. (and then I can deck it out in pink fur)
                              But renting will come with roadside assistance, towing, insurance, and an RV that is more likely not to break down.

                              Buy a bus and convert it. This one looks Pimp http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/rvs/332370771.html

                                Comment

                                • Halcyon
                                  Spread The Pink!
                                  • Dec 2002
                                  • 8609
                                  #9
                                  Originally posted by Screaming
                                  A friend of mine wants to go to that and sell n2o balloons lol
                                  If he tries to charge money, he will be chased off and ridiculed. He might want to read more about the event.
                                  HAL on TEDx:

                                    Comment

                                    • Halcyon
                                      Spread The Pink!
                                      • Dec 2002
                                      • 8609
                                      #10
                                      Originally posted by WarChild
                                      Are you a member of any auto clubs? Many of them will do inspections on site or at their locations for vehicle purchases. I know the big one in Vancouver does it for non members too, at a higher price. It's still less than a few hundred dollars and will find any major problems.
                                      Yeah, I think that's a good idea. Maybe I'll get inspections on 2 from the same person and have them give me a recommendation.
                                      HAL on TEDx:

                                        Comment

                                        • Huggles
                                          GFY'S #1 retard
                                          • Feb 2003
                                          • 12597
                                          #11
                                          Originally posted by Halcyon
                                          Renting will cost me 2000 for the trip. Buying used will cost Under 8K. (and then I can deck it out in pink fur)

                                          Hey Hal,


                                          Just make sure you test the cooling system before you go, maybe stock a replacement fuel pump if it's electrical.
                                          https://3-veo.com/
                                          The best AI video maker portal.

                                            Comment

                                            • Halcyon
                                              Spread The Pink!
                                              • Dec 2002
                                              • 8609
                                              #12
                                              Originally posted by Huggles
                                              Hey Hal,


                                              Just make sure you test the cooling system before you go, maybe stock a replacement fuel pump if it's electrical.


                                              good info!
                                              HAL on TEDx:

                                                Comment

                                                • WarChild
                                                  Let slip the dogs of war.
                                                  • Jan 2003
                                                  • 17263
                                                  #13
                                                  Originally posted by Halcyon
                                                  Yeah, I think that's a good idea. Maybe I'll get inspections on 2 from the same person and have them give me a recommendation.
                                                  I'd say pick one you like, and have it inspected. You'll get a run down on any problems it has and you can probably bargain based on that. If it's too much trouble, pick another.
                                                  .

                                                    Comment

                                                    • Halcyon
                                                      Spread The Pink!
                                                      • Dec 2002
                                                      • 8609
                                                      #14
                                                      good feedback. Thank you!
                                                      HAL on TEDx:

                                                        Comment

                                                        • stickyfingerz
                                                          Doin fine
                                                          • Oct 2005
                                                          • 24984
                                                          #15
                                                          Age is important with an RV too. Check that the roof doesnt leak. Prob not a big problem in the desert though

                                                            Comment

                                                            • Damian_Maxcash
                                                              So Fucking Banned
                                                              • Oct 2002
                                                              • 12745
                                                              #16
                                                              I heard they generally have wheels - but I could be wrong.

                                                                Comment

                                                                • schneemann
                                                                  Confirmed User
                                                                  • Oct 2006
                                                                  • 749
                                                                  #17
                                                                  Originally posted by WarChild
                                                                  I would count mileage as doing more damage over time than age.

                                                                  If you can get someone to help you check out a few things out on your perspective purchase, it will be a big help.

                                                                  Compression test is easy to do. I can probably even tell you how to do it on the internet, it's pretty simple. This will tell you a bit about what kind of shape the engine is in. Are the all cylinders running well or have one or more lost compression?

                                                                  If it's an automatic, check the transmission fluid. It shouldn't be burnt.

                                                                  Check the oil that's in the engine. Is it fairly clean or jet black? If it's jet black it's been in the engine too long and speaks to the kind of care the previous owner has given to the engine.

                                                                  These are just a few simple things to check, the list could go on and on. Try and find a friend with a little knowledge to help.
                                                                  Excellent advice. Some clarifications

                                                                  1 - Compression test: Make sure each cylinder is within 10% of the others.
                                                                  2 - Transmission fluid should smell sweet and be a reddish color. Brown & burnt is bad
                                                                  3 - Pull the dipstick and look at the oil on the dipstick. As Warchild said, black oil is bad. If it is black it hasn't been changed in a long time and as Warchild said it speaks volumes for what sort of care the vehicle had. Also, make sure you don't notice anything that resembles small globs of chocolate milkshake. That means coolant and oil are mixing. It could indicate a cracked head or blown head gasket.
                                                                  4 - Another good indicator are the tires. If they have any sort of weird wear pattern, i.e. cupping or wear on the edges, it could also speak about the owners level of care because it means they aren't getting it aligned and stuff.
                                                                  5 - If you can, try to take off a valve cover. The cylinder head should not have any sludge anywhere.

                                                                  Generally speaking, RVs tend to only get highway miles. That's a good thing. Long highway trips mean the engine is running at very high temperatures which reduces the chance of sludge buildup.

                                                                  I would ALWAYS go for low miles over age anyday. In fact, try to find something as old as you can with as few miles as you can and you'll probably get a good deal.
                                                                  Deranged World

                                                                    Comment

                                                                    • latinasojourn
                                                                      Confirmed User
                                                                      • Oct 2003
                                                                      • 3191
                                                                      #18
                                                                      Originally posted by Halcyon
                                                                      I'm buying a beater RV to bring to Burning Man.

                                                                      Which should I weigh heavier? Age or mileage?

                                                                      age or mileage?

                                                                      neither.

                                                                      IMO 7K for that unit is way too high. you are paying calif price for an RV.

                                                                      now go to ebay or RVtrader.com and look for units in the cold states where they have lower mileage on average, people are sick and tired of them sitting in the back yard and there's a bunch of them for sale everywhere.

                                                                        Comment

                                                                        • DBS.US
                                                                          Geo Cities
                                                                          • Aug 2003
                                                                          • 11842
                                                                          #19


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                                                                            • AsianDivaGirlsWebDude
                                                                              Purveyor, Fine Asian Porn
                                                                              • Jul 2004
                                                                              • 38323
                                                                              #20
                                                                              A pink RV sounds so gauche - why not try something with more panache...



















                                                                              Or you could also choose a Pink Panzer:



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                                                                                Comment

                                                                                • AsianDivaGirlsWebDude
                                                                                  Purveyor, Fine Asian Porn
                                                                                  • Jul 2004
                                                                                  • 38323
                                                                                  #21
                                                                                  A pink RV sounds so gauche - why not try something with more panache...





















                                                                                  Or you could also choose a Pink Panzer:



                                                                                  ADG
                                                                                  Asian Diva Girls - Exclusive Photos and Videos



                                                                                  Asian Diva Girls Affiliate Program (50% ccBill Revshare)

                                                                                    Comment

                                                                                    • Shoehorn!
                                                                                      Die With Your Boots On
                                                                                      • Oct 2003
                                                                                      • 22872
                                                                                      #22
                                                                                      Originally posted by DBS.US

                                                                                        Comment

                                                                                        • Fap
                                                                                          Just Du It
                                                                                          • Feb 2004
                                                                                          • 12094
                                                                                          #23
                                                                                          They both play big factors.. but 100k is a lot.. i dont know much about RV engines.. but with cars i usually dont get anything over 90k but i mean it's pretty cheap.. check for rust in the engine/headers if all checks out i say go for it

                                                                                            Comment

                                                                                            • the Shemp
                                                                                              congrats to the winners
                                                                                              • Nov 2001
                                                                                              • 10891
                                                                                              #24
                                                                                              16 year old RV vs a 21 year old RV....
                                                                                              avoid both of them..
                                                                                              i use Vacares...so should you
                                                                                              Submit your picture galleries to my site...Outlaw TGP

                                                                                                Comment

                                                                                                • Halcyon
                                                                                                  Spread The Pink!
                                                                                                  • Dec 2002
                                                                                                  • 8609
                                                                                                  #25
                                                                                                  I have partied on this bus many times.


                                                                                                  it is AMAZING. Sound system is INSANE.
                                                                                                  HAL on TEDx:

                                                                                                    Comment

                                                                                                    • WarChild
                                                                                                      Let slip the dogs of war.
                                                                                                      • Jan 2003
                                                                                                      • 17263
                                                                                                      #26
                                                                                                      Just get a van like this


                                                                                                      Then if badguys try to take over burning man you'll automatically have all the tools you need in the back to build a chi powered pink hug cannon and save the day.
                                                                                                      .

                                                                                                        Comment

                                                                                                        • Halcyon
                                                                                                          Spread The Pink!
                                                                                                          • Dec 2002
                                                                                                          • 8609
                                                                                                          #27
                                                                                                          Originally posted by WarChild
                                                                                                          Just get a van like this


                                                                                                          Then if badguys try to take over burning man you'll automatically have all the tools you need in the back to build a chi powered pink hug cannon and save the day.
                                                                                                          Unfortunately, that van is wanted for crimes it didn't commit.
                                                                                                          HAL on TEDx:

                                                                                                            Comment

                                                                                                            • miss_twisted
                                                                                                              Confirmed User
                                                                                                              • Apr 2005
                                                                                                              • 425
                                                                                                              #28
                                                                                                              I just skimmed so if no one mentioned it Hal, get service records, they should tell you a lot.

                                                                                                              We used to travel a lot with friends who had one that broke down about every trip, it didn't have a lot of mileage on it, but was a POS.

                                                                                                              Take a look at the service record if it has been in for everything under the sun, get the other one!
                                                                                                              I have no siggy and I want no siggy.. damn no I have one again!

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