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upgrading from subaru outback to ???

Original Post
C C · · Mammoth Lakes, CA · Joined Mar 2012 · Points: 77

so i've had a 98 legacy outback for going on 4 years. its been really great.. I've spent many months sleeping in it and taken it on some great climbing trips. she now has 218k miles, but still charges it! the only real issues are the rear shocks being pretty shot, and a missing right side mirror.

anyway, I've basically made the decision to no longer pay to rent a room for the remainder (2 more years) of my college career. I've been living out of it, but realizing that if I'm going to be committing to living out of a vehicle for a few years, it would be nice to have something a bit comfier, roomier, and that has some more creature comforts (headspace, kitchen, etc…)

so far i've been thinking either a van that i could convert, or a pickup truck with some sort of camper, or maybe a small rv like a toyota dolphin or something.

I have about $10,000 max to spend on the entire setup.
any insight would be much appreciated. I've read a ton on here already, but given that I'll be investing in a pretty long term setup, I really want to find the perfect fit.

some things to consider:
good gas milage is definitely a plus
if i could spend less than the 10k budget, that'd be pretty sweet
i need something dry and durable (it rains a lot where I'm going to school)
i'd like something comfortable and that can really feel like a home.

keithconn · · LI, NY · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 35
media.caranddriver.com/imag…

This is the answer. No doubt.

Sorry. Couldn't resist.
keithconn · · LI, NY · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 35

Good luck. Wish I did that at your age.

20 kN · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 1,346

Except for a diesel Sprinter, there are no vans that get good fuel economy that are large enough to be even remotely acceptable for living in for two years. The closest would be something like the Ford Transit Connect, but that's on the small side for actually living out of long term. You're going to probably want something like a full size econoline van or something of the sorts, and you are looking at maybe 12 MPG city or so.

NickO · · West Slope · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 30

I have a friend who has lived out of an Astro for quite some time. Not the cushiest but he makes it work.

mediocre · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2013 · Points: 0

How the hell do you have 10 grand to spend on a car in college?

TSluiter · · Holland, VT · Joined May 2013 · Points: 314

Box truck? Gas is shit, but I literally just read an article about a google employee who does:
businessinsider.com/google-…

Personally, I would get an older truck with a flip-pac camper.

Morgan Patterson · · NH · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 8,945

Learn how to invest the 10k...stay in your room where you will still be able to get laid because you're in COLLEGE! Or find a rad chick who wants to live in your van and then move.

Sean Haynes · · Los Angeles · Joined Aug 2015 · Points: 102

With only 10k, I think it would made more sense to keep the subi and make any mods you can. Struts and a mirror are cheap and it's a plus that you know the cars mechanical history. Two years is a long time but I'm not really sure that you have enough money for something bigger and reliable.

Kirtis Courkamp · · Golden · Joined Mar 2011 · Points: 378
mountainproject.com/v/fs-99…

Just buy this van
T340 · · Idaho · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 5

Oh yeah. The Maclaren for sure!
;)

Jon H · · PC, UT · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 118
Kirtis wrote:http://www.mountainproject.com/v/fs-99-ford-econoline-dirtbag-van/111132861__1 Just buy this van
+1 - that's a rad van and would definitely work for a 2 year home. Take the extra $3500 that you saved and put it towards gas, or better yet, throw it in a savings account and just hold on to it for the eventual repairs and standard maintenance you'll need to do.
C C · · Mammoth Lakes, CA · Joined Mar 2012 · Points: 77

thanks for all the advice everyone!
my logic is that i can take out my student loans to buy the whip, live in it, not pay any rent, and then use the money saved on rent to pay off my loan.. then when i graduate, i'll have a van thats ready to hit the road with, instead of just paying monthly rent that i get nothing from in the long run… i could keep staying in the subaru, but i'm really trying to commit to not paying rent. i hate the idea of it. i think i'll be able to live rent free for a lot longer and therefore save more money if i invest a little more up front for something really reliable and comfortable.
keep the opinions coming!

Marc801 C · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65

Wasn't there a camper pickup for sale recently for $8500, either here or on Supertopo?

Bolting Karen · · La Sal, UT · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 56

Pre-2007 112" wheelbase sprinter will be around $8,000 and gets about 30 mpg on a turbo diesel engine that will run for 300,000-400,000 miles.

If you want to save a bunch I have a 2000 Ford econoline with 150,000 miles that I'm gonna sell for $4,000. Its already converted to a camper with a memory foam mattress, table, storage, fully insulated with solar power. Take that $6,000 and hold on to it. You're gonna want it later.

keithconn · · LI, NY · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 35

^^

Sounds like a deal, although the I'm still hoping you go for the P1!!!

C C · · Mammoth Lakes, CA · Joined Mar 2012 · Points: 77

i think i've decided on the sprinter. the long term reliability combined with the great fuel economy make it the most appealing. even though its definitely more expensive, i think it'll be an investment that will benefit me for years to come.
so, next question. Which year/ model sprinter is the best as far as lifespan and reliability?

20 kN · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 1,346

Also, FYI the average fuel economy of a pre-2009 Sprinter is not 30 MPG, it's 19 MPG. Even the newer Sprinter 1500s are only averaging 20 MPG. Considering the OP is using this for living in the city, I suspect a large amount of his miles will be city miles, in which those MPG values drop even further.

http://www.fuelly.com/car/dodge/sprinter_2500

fuelly.com/car/mercedes-ben…

sprinter-source.com/forum/s…

Mike Marmar · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Aug 2013 · Points: 67

About sprinters, there are two models in the U.S.

The T1N (2006 and before) and the NCV3 (2007 and after). They have completely different builds, different bodies, different engines.

T1N:

  • Proven workhorses that go to 400k+ miles
  • Smaller engine (2.7L 5 cylinder)
  • Get 22+ MPG.
  • 6'1" headroom, <6' with insulation
  • Louder, rougher ride, less comfortable
  • Some mechanical issues (glow plugs, turbo resonator, black death), but they are known. See sprinter-rv.com/2011/11/25/…

NCV3:
  • The 2007-'09 use EGR to meet the new strict NOx emissions requirements. This means the engines provide lower horsepower and get worse mileage (18MPG).
  • 2010 and later have BlueTec (DEF system) which gives better performance and better mileage (20+MPG). However, the system is complex and when it breaks down the van will refuse to start. Also, you have to refill the DEF every 800 miles or so (available at truck stops).
  • Also have mechanical issues, but are not as old as the T1N so the common issues are less well understood.
  • Have a known rust issue (bad paint). This seems to apply more to the 07, 08.
  • 6'6" headroom.
  • Smoother quieter ride

So...they both have their ups and downs. Read the forums for more sprinter-source.com/forum/s…
David Tysinger · · Winston-Salem, NC · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 0
Christian C wrote:thanks for all the advice everyone! my logic is that i can take out my student loans to buy the whip, live in it, not pay any rent, and then use the money saved on rent to pay off my loan.. then when i graduate, i'll have a van thats ready to hit the road with, instead of just paying monthly rent that i get nothing from in the long run… i could keep staying in the subaru, but i'm really trying to commit to not paying rent. i hate the idea of it. i think i'll be able to live rent free for a lot longer and therefore save more money if i invest a little more up front for something really reliable and comfortable. keep the opinions coming!
You do realize student loans carry a higher interest rate than most car loans, right?

student loan:
navient.com/assets/loan-cus…

Car loans:
bankrate.com/calculators/au…

Of course there is a reason a good portion of our population is still paying off student debt in there 40s.
Bill Kirby · · Keene New York · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 480

Honda Element and take the back seats out.

The only minus is my 3/4 ton pick up gets better fuel mileage than my Element

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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