Have you looked at brand new handicap vans lately only to be surprised by the seemingly high prices? They are a fairly expensive purchase, and are most definitely more expensive than traditional vans are.
If you have suffered sticker shock, you may be in luck, as buying used handicap vans is a definite and somewhat appealing option when it comes to buying accessible vehicles. It's going to take some time and patience but it can definitely be done.
Where do you begin your search? The first place you should try is the classified ads in your local newspaper or online. Buying from an individual will likely net you a better deal than buying from a dealer, since the dealer is going to have to cover his costs, and will mark up the price to make up for it.
Of course, like anything, there are definite downsides to doing it this way. The first is that you must take someone's word that the vehicle is in good condition, and it will most likely be someone you don't know. This makes many people uncomfortable. You should ask the seller what kinds of repairs have been done, and if they have any kind of records that document this. Take a look inside to make sure there is no obvious damage, and be thorough in your search. It's also a great idea to ask the seller if you can have it inspected by your mechanic before going through with the sale. If you come across someone who doesn't want to do this, you should consider backing out, as they may in fact have something to hide. It goes without saying that you should check the market value for the handicap van in question; it's easy to do and can definitely save you money.
You should also check dealers in your area. If they don't have handicap vans available, they will likely be able to refer you to someone who does. Again, always look up the value of the van, and make sure it's in the condition described.
No matter where you buy your handicap van, you are taking a risk, and will more than likely have some kind of repairs at some point during the life of the van. This is unavoidable, even with new handicap vans sometimes. You can minimize this by getting all the information up front.
If you have suffered sticker shock, you may be in luck, as buying used handicap vans is a definite and somewhat appealing option when it comes to buying accessible vehicles. It's going to take some time and patience but it can definitely be done.
Where do you begin your search? The first place you should try is the classified ads in your local newspaper or online. Buying from an individual will likely net you a better deal than buying from a dealer, since the dealer is going to have to cover his costs, and will mark up the price to make up for it.
Of course, like anything, there are definite downsides to doing it this way. The first is that you must take someone's word that the vehicle is in good condition, and it will most likely be someone you don't know. This makes many people uncomfortable. You should ask the seller what kinds of repairs have been done, and if they have any kind of records that document this. Take a look inside to make sure there is no obvious damage, and be thorough in your search. It's also a great idea to ask the seller if you can have it inspected by your mechanic before going through with the sale. If you come across someone who doesn't want to do this, you should consider backing out, as they may in fact have something to hide. It goes without saying that you should check the market value for the handicap van in question; it's easy to do and can definitely save you money.
You should also check dealers in your area. If they don't have handicap vans available, they will likely be able to refer you to someone who does. Again, always look up the value of the van, and make sure it's in the condition described.
No matter where you buy your handicap van, you are taking a risk, and will more than likely have some kind of repairs at some point during the life of the van. This is unavoidable, even with new handicap vans sometimes. You can minimize this by getting all the information up front.