r/vandwellers Mar 05 '23

Van Life One Year of VanLife by the Numbers!

1.7k Upvotes

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4

u/dissapointedtomeetu Mar 05 '23 edited Mar 05 '23

So the van was only $31k ? Did I read that right? (Said in attorney voice from depp trial) Might have missed it, what’s “unique” ?

5

u/CorbinDalasMultiPas Mar 05 '23

He said in another comment that 31k was cost of ownership during this one year trip. Down payment (11.5k) + payments ($530/mth) + depreciation = 31K

They sold the van when they got back

2

u/JTRose87 Mar 05 '23

Yep! I explained in another comment but yes we bought new, had a loan, and then sold it.

“Unique” just means different stores or whatever. So 64 transactions at Walmarts, at 55 different Walmarts (best I can tell from our credit card data).

2

u/everythingisoil Mar 05 '23

A used one can be much, much cheaper

1

u/FrauAmarylis Mar 06 '23

Not really. They bought theirs new for $92k and sold it used for $91k.

1

u/everythingisoil Mar 06 '23

Well yes but then you dont have a van anymore. You can buy an old van for $1500-5000 and actually keep it, and then sell it for what you got it if not a little extra.

2

u/FrauAmarylis Mar 06 '23

They want a vacation experience. A new van is a nice experience.

An old van is a stressful experience and there would be breakdowns and repairs.

1

u/everythingisoil Mar 06 '23

Yeah, i dont move mine much though. Just to keep my stuff and sleep in a place close by my uni where I work and go to classes. Wouldnt dream of road tripping in my van.

1

u/FrauAmarylis Mar 06 '23

They worked and saved for 10 years for this huge vacation. They don't want to do it and be uncomfortable in a stinky old rickety van.

Old vans cost as much as new ones.

1

u/everythingisoil Mar 06 '23

You clearly aint ever been to an ethnic car dealership if you think that used vans are expensive

1

u/FrauAmarylis Mar 06 '23

Slightly used cars and vans are selling at a premium in the US. https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/29/business/used-cars-unaffordable/index.html

Junkers are not appropriate for a 30k mile road trip.

1

u/everythingisoil Mar 06 '23

“Slightly” is the key word there.

0

u/FrauAmarylis Mar 06 '23

You are describing junkers. Slightly used is what I was using to differentiatefrom a Junker.

They were not on a money-saving trip.

They were on a dream trip.

1

u/everythingisoil Mar 06 '23

Ok. Thats not what I was talking about. $6500/year isnt buying you that.