Need help buying van
 

I have a 2000 Express van w/5.7. It is grinding when starting after it sits for a couple days. I changed out the flexplate and starter after the were both ground down.
If I start it every day, it's all good but sitting for a couple days and it's pretty horrible sounding. It was good for a month after the flexplate change and then sat for a couple days
recently and I am having the same issue. Pretty sure the flexplate is ground again looking at it today as I was changing out the starter again. After getting it all back together
trying to start sounds like like something is really screwed up, so I stopped to not cause more damage.

So my problem here is should I keep trying to fix this or just get a newer one? I am looking at around 2010 in the same vehicle with close to 100k miles but I have heard
that the newer ones are trouble to deal with. I was getting pizza a few hours ago and noticed a mechanic picking up some too and asked what his thoughts were.
He also said try to fix the older one and stay away from newer ones. I also buy them used since I pretty much ruin them cosmetically with my line of work which is why I'm not getting brand new.

This current one was bought with 100k and now 6 years later it's at 160k. I know it will go much more than that if I throw monet at it but I'm not sure if I should start throwing that money
at it or just plop down another $10k for the 2010? Are the newer ones not worth getting into?

What on earth is your line of work ??…… :eyebulge:


humfrz

Pavers and acrylic decking which includes solvents, sealers, paints, stains, glues, resins, sand, concrete, etc...all the kind of stuff that gets everywhere and sticks.
The van was hit in the rear passenger side though but I wasn't around when they did it and it is very possible it was a demolition derby vehicle gone rogue off the demo derby pit.

Check the bolt holes for the starter. Sometimes the outer one will crack and the starter will wobble under load. Deflection is the most likely cause of the issue.

Here ya go …….. :thumbsup:


humfrz

I say repair the one you have now for all shits and giggles you may just end up paying $200 to fix vs $10k.
That's if you just want a newer van then just get a newer van. If it's going to keep nickel and dime you to death then just say fuck it and get the new van.
It's your call, your wallet.

Don't buy a white one.. any colour but white...

That will kind of narrow down the choices a little. Wait I didn't mean "a little", I mean "to nothing".
If there was a way not to get a white one that would mean I wouldn't be doing this kind of work and honestly I'm also fine with that at this point.
Nothing like inflation for 20 years chipping at you and the prices for this work staying the almost same for that entire time.

Figure out what is causing the premature were on the plate and starter and fix that. With 160 k on it that van is barely broken in yet.

Another vote for fixing your current one, especially given your usage requirements. $10,000 buys a LOT of repairs, or it buys a newer van that will need repairs. Hmmm... seems pretty clear, no?

Van is sitting in shop and I am going to hold off on a newer one for now.

Down by the river in a van! RIP