Help me find a work vehicle

[Klutch9]

Just accepted a new job today. Later in the year, I'll be needing a work vehicle. Something that can haul a ladder, tools, and has decent access for finding parts and whatnot. I don't really want to spend more that $5,000. The vehicle will also rack up miles very quickly (I'm thinking at least 20,000 miles/year). Here's my dilemma...

I can do either of two things:
1) Sell my Focus and buy a vehicle that is good not only for work, but also for general use on the weekends. Problem with this idea is that I'd probably end up needing a nicer vehicle. I don't care how many seats my work vehicle has, nor do I care about general 'niceness'. But if I also used this vehicle for family stuff, I'd want something more than an old work truck/SUV.

2) Keep my Focus and get an old work truck/SUV. These can be had a dime-a-dozen. The only issue here is that I'd really rather not have 3 cars for just my wife and I. And if I did have 3 cars, the third would most certainly be a Mustang and not a Focus

Anyhow, in this scenario the Focus would get very rarely driven, and would stay low-mileage probably forever. It's a great car, honestly.

If I did get a cheap work truck, I'd probably also look at retired DOT trucks. A guy near me has one. They are usually older-model Dodge Ram 1500s or 2500s. They have seen years of engine idle time, but are usually pretty well maintained from what I have personally seen working for the DOT. Any ideas?

 

[Donald]

You need a truck dedicated to work I think.

 

[LeakySeals]

That sounds like a good idea. Maybe a few deposits and varnish from idling that should clean right up with a Full Synthetic or an additive. Any links you can share?

 

[Klutch9]

Originally Posted By: Donald
You need a truck dedicated to work I think.


That's where I'm leaning as of now I think. It'll just kind of stink that the Focus will sit there and barely ever get driven. It's paid for, so it's not like I'll be paying for something that I don't use. But I could also sell it... so from that standpoint it'd be money just sitting around, losing value every day. I guess if we got by on a work truck plus the Fusion without issue, maybe then we'd consider selling the Focus. But we'll see.

 

[jeepman3071]

Originally Posted By: Donald
You need a truck dedicated to work I think.


+1 to what Donald said.

I would keep your Focus as a nice family vehicle that gets good mpg and get a cheap work truck for work. That way you won't care so much about abusing the work truck since it is only for work.

 

[Klutch9]

Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
That sounds like a good idea. Maybe a few deposits and varnish from idling that should clean right up with a Full Synthetic or an additive. Any links you can share?


Unfortunately no. I actually have no idea where people get the old DOT trucks from, I just know that they auction them off/sell them once they get old enough. I know about the massive amounts of idling since I used to work for the DOT as a co-op a few years back. I'll have to do some research and see how to go about getting one.

 

[Coprolite]

Why don't you use your wife's car for family stuff and you drive the work truck? That solves the three car dilemma.

Given that you have time, you might want to start trawling CL for a hidden gem. If you have basic mechanical skills, you should be able to find one with minor issues that the owner doesn't want to pay someone to do.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Fullsize cargo van. Run forever & dirt cheap.

 

[Sunnyinhollister]

Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
Fullsize cargo van. Run forever & dirt cheap.


Or a Chrysler/Dodge minivan. When I worked field service, that's what we used.

 

[The_Jeff]

I'd get a body on frame passenger van like an Astro and rip out one of the rear seats. You can sometimes get low mileage pimping conversion vans for less than stripped out contractor ones.

When I worked in a tire store I was shocked how many 5 year old work trucks and truck-based vans were in horrible shape, totally shot front ends in particular.

IDK how MI is on registering commercial vs passenger vehicles, one may get the nod over the other if rates are radically different. I know a guy who kept a 2nd passenger seat in his "work van" so he could get "car plates".

If this is a new career consider a Transit Connect, brand new with financing. The money you'll save in gas and sharp appearance will be helpful.

 

[earlyre]

3 separate(yet related) thoughts came to me while reading this:
1)used minivan. seats removed, plenty of space in the back.

2)the guy who remodeled our kitchen a few years back, works out of an 80's era fullsize GM station wagon.

3)there's a small used lot near here, that 90% of whats on the the lot are "old" work/fleet trucks and vans. (the ones with all white paint) they usually have/had a few minivans that came with the back cargo area bare, and sometimes a catch fence to separate the driver from the cargo.(I say had,since the minivan is dying out)

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Jeep Cherokee! You can fit a ladder on top! And they're cheap and reliable!

 

[BigCahuna]

Check Craigs list. The only possible issue is for that money, expect a vehicle with around 100k miles on it. The body condition will be a, how rough can I live with? sort of thing. But at that mileage things will start going in nickel and dime fashion.The biggest concern is what was the van used for before I got it. If the guy was in the masonry, or sheetrock business I'd pass on it. Hope there's some reliable service records on it.

 

[hypervish]

Originally Posted By: Sunnyinhollister
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
Fullsize cargo van. Run forever & dirt cheap.


Or a Chrysler/Dodge minivan. When I worked field service, that's what we used.


+1, get a Caravan or T&C.

They are cheap to purchase, but be aware of transmission problems and electrical gremlins.

 

[Spazdog]

Ford Ranger/MazdaB2300

Durable, cheap, and plenty of parts available.

Pull the rear seats out of a PT Cruiser, HHR, or 1st gen Scion xB

If your employer is buying the gas or you are writing it off, get a Tahoe with 100-150,000 miles.

 

[Klutch9]

I'll get reimbursed by the state for any mileage I drive, so gas mileage isn't a huge concern. I had thought about a Ranger/B-series truck 5-speed, but idk if that could hold enough cargo.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: Klutch9
I'll get reimbursed by the state for any mileage I drive, so gas mileage isn't a huge concern. I had thought about a Ranger/B-series truck 5-speed, but idk if that could hold enough cargo.


Ouch. That certainly limits things.

Silverado 1500HD with a Vortec 6000 and a Knapheide or Stahl style service body should be able to do it, but the service body alone will probably bust your price.

I don't think they make the 1500HD anymore. Might have to get a 2500

You might still be able to write off such an expenditure on your taxes. You could at one time up to $50,000. I have no idea if that still holds true. I'm really out of my element on current tax law.

 

[earlyre]

Originally Posted By: Spazdog

Pull the rear seats out of a PT Cruiser, HHR, or 1st gen Scion xB

They made a panel version of the hhr as well, with an optional slide-out cargo tray.

 

[01rangerxl]

Ford offered the Ranger with a long bed (7'), but only with the regular cab. A four door Super Cab with a cap with ladder attachments would work well if you're doing something along the lines of satellite installs or home inspections.

Explorers tend to be even cheaper than Rangers, and with the rear seats folded you get a decent amount of cargo room. 97-02 Expeditions are also cheap and good for 300K miles if they aren't neglected/beaten to death. I'd also consider '96-'99 Tahoes and Suburbans. The pickup variants (F-150, C/K Series) are good too, but clean ones will cost you more than an SUV.

I lived down the street from a guy who was an installer for Dish and did various other handy man work. He was an Astro/Safari fanatic. At one time he had five of them.

And there's always the option of a full size van. Cargo vans can actually fetch pretty high prices used if they aren't beaten, so a conversion van would be cheaper. As unprofessional and leisure suitish as they look, it will probably be half the cost of a cargo van with similar miles in similar condition.

 

[earlyre]

Originally Posted By: Klutch9
I had thought about a Ranger/B-series truck 5-speed, but idk if that could hold enough cargo.

when you say your not sure if it could hold enough cargo, are we talking volume(cubic feet), or weight(Tonnage)?

reason i ask:
Dad was a District manager for Big Lots, and as part of that job, he was always transferring merchandise from one store in his district to another, in his company provided vehicle.(started with Caprice wagons(2), then on to 3.0l Aerostars(5),Then Windstars(2) and an Escape)
For a while he had a 1/2 ton Chevy pickup (standard cab, with a standard cap on the bed)as his personal vehicle, and on @ least 1 occasion hauled some weed whackers in the back of the truck (i think the company van was in the shop) and found it wouldn't fit nearly as many of them as the Aerostar sans seats. (not enough cubic feet)
heaviest load i can remember him hauling in an Aerostar(RWD, Vulcan 3.0) was vhs tapes. boxes upon boxes, floor to ceiling, back of the drivers seat clear to the rear hatch. the rear squatted a good bit, but the engine and trans didn't seem to mind terribly much.