Hello,
>
> I may have a chance to buy a 1999 Ford E350 Chateau van. It is pretty much
> loaded and only has ~ 30K or less. It's a V8 with most of the bells and
> whistles, along with 4 captains chairs and a rear bench seat, making it a
> 7 passenger vehicle. It also has new Michelin tires on it with ~ 500 miles
> on them. I've checked the usual sites (Edmunds & Kelly Blue Book). With
> that, I've found prices for either trade-in or private sale, which fall
> between $5k and $7.5k. If purchased from a dealer the price is around > $9.8k.
>
> The problem is that I'm looking for an independent price, as the seller
> has asked me to find out what it is worth. I'd like to be able to present
> them with an unbiased 3rd party valuation. Obviously, I'd like to pay as
> little as possible, but I also want to be fair. That said, I also don't
> want to pay more than is necessary for the vehicle, as it is almost 8
> years old, even though it has low mileage.
>
> I thought about getting a Carfax report, but I already know that this is
> the original owner and I don't think that the report would help me with
> regard to the actual price of the vehicle.
>
> Does anyone here have any ideas or suggestions? What would be a fair > win-win price?
>
> Thanks in advance to those who post a reply here.
>
> Peter.
Peter - Follow this link to the NADA Price Guide site, enter your zip code and search the used car section under conversion vans (not mini vans, they have their own section)... This will give you the prices that dealers in your area would use to evaluate this van. Based on what you've written here, it sounds like the owner isn't really interested to sell, and is hoping you come back and make a very high offer. Of course a lot of the value is in the condition of the van. It only has 30k miles, but has it been serviced on a regular basis, and does the owner have the records to prove it? It sounds like it sits around in someone's driveway a lot, I'd check carefully for leaks underneath (trans pan and rear seal, pinion seal, etc...), backing plates (wheel cyl and brake hoses, bearing/axel seals), and in the engine compartment (valve cover & intake gaskets, etc...). Seals tend to dry out when a vehicle isn't used regularly, then begin to leak when it is.
I'd look up the price at NADA site below, and make him an offer between low and high. If the van is really exceptional, solid body - no dents/rust, clean interior w/no rips, etc... lean towards the higher end.
Good Luck
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