The cheap vans out there are always going to be used vans, that is why you might find yourself looking at used ones. Used vans are less in demand and are usually older models, making them a cheaper vehicle option to buy as people won’t pay so much money for them.
In general, vans tend to be a cheaper option for a vehicle because they are less in demand than other vehicles. They tend to fall inbetween the middle ground of what many buyers are looking for when searching for a new vehicle.
The good news is that van sales are starting to pick up as people become more and more aware of the benefit of owning a van. This is also starting to happen as more car brands are offering more van options for buyers.
People Won’t Pay a Lot for a Used Van
Many vans that you might see when looking for a vehicle are going to be cheap if you are looking at buying a used van. This is because used vans are significantly less in demand by buyers.
Used vans also tend to be older models that might be undesirable to modern-day buyers. Many used vans can also have a significant amount of miles already on them, making them less of an investment.
Like any used vehicle, a used van is going to be of less value since it may be several years old or damaged. This naturally makes vans cheaper if they are used.
Many vans in general are affordable, used, or bought brand new, but used vans in particular are a steal.
How much a used van costs will greatly depend on where you are located, but you can often purchase a used van for around $14,000. This is most likely a cheaper option that you will find as better quality used vans could cost up to $30,000.
Vans Last for about 10-12 Years or More
When you look at the price of a vehicle, you also want to take into account how long that vehicle will last. This is a huge detail to take into account when purchasing a vehicle.
This is very important when buying a used vehicle since you don’t want to waste your money on a very old van. This is something that you will want to pay close attention to.
Because vans are built to withstand more than a car, they can be a great investment vehicle-wise. They can haul more, travel farther, and carry more people without wearing out overly fast.
Most vans can last anywhere from 10 to 12 years if taken care of regularly. You can easily lengthen the lifespan of your van by replacing parts when needed and taking it to an auto shop yearly.
Considering how affordable a van is, 10 to 12 years is a great investment that will pay off in the end. You can use a van for many purposes without too much risk of shortening its life.
If you buy a used van, you will want to take age into account to decide whether the price is a good deal or not. Many used vans go for as little as $1,000 depending on the age and the seller.
It’s important to take the age of the van into account, however, because a used van that will only last a few years might not be worth the price.
For the lifespan and capabilities that a van has, the price is usually very affordable and will be a great investment later on down the road.
Vans are Less in Demand
Because vans are a less popular option among vehicle buyers, they tend to be on the cheaper side. This is because things that are less in demand are naturally going to be cheaper to buy.
This rule also applies to less popular van models that have maybe fallen out of the public’s grace or are less advanced and modern then newer models.
Vans have always been less popular when it comes to choosing a vehicle. They aren’t as cool and flashy and tend to be more practical. This is why they are often bought by families that know that they need the extra room.
Vans might also be a less popular option as they are often seen as being difficult to navigate. This can sometimes be true depending on the size of the van that you get.
Vans are naturally larger and bulkier, even being similar in shape to a box which can feel rather bulky to drive. But what many people don’t know is that vans often drive very similar to a car.
Because of this, vans are a great option to look into when purchasing a vehicle as they are an affordable option. Some vans might seem pricey, but they are often very affordable for the size of the vehicle that you are getting for the money.
Used vans will always be the cheaper option, but their prices also fluctuate quite a bit.
Minivans are Around $30,000
If you want to buy a cheap van, a minivan is going to be one of your best options. This is because minivans are naturally cheaper due to their size.
Though a minivan is still considerably larger than a car, it is still considered to be a very small van. That is what makes a minivan the cheapest option when you are looking at vans.
Generally, most minivans are going to be somewhere around $30,000 to $50,000 to buy brand new. If you are looking to buy a used one, these prices will be considerably cheaper.
Despite their small size, minivans can still hold quite a large load in the back, whether that be passengers or other items. Most minivans can comfortably seat 7 to 8 passengers with minimal trunk room.
Some minivans also come with the additional benefit of being able to remove or flatten the seats, giving you even more room.
A used minivan can be bought for a price under $20,000, depending on the age and mileage of the van.
Some common minivan options that are reasonably priced are:
- Toyota Sienna: $32,410
- Dodge Grand Caravan: $28,285
- Honda Odyssey: $31,235
- Kia Sedona: $28,245
- Chrysler Pacifica: $28,480
Medium Sized Vans are Around $40,000
If you are looking for something a little larger than a minivan, you might need to look into medium-sized vans. These are still large vans, but they aren’t quite a cargo van.
Medium-sized vans are the average-sized van that you are going to find at any car dealership. They are the most common option you will find and are a great vehicle to go with if you want plenty of room.
Despite the fact that most medium-sized vans are about $40,000, you can still find some that are significantly cheaper. It really depends on the make and brand that you look at. Some less popular vans might even be cheaper than a standard minivan and their price devalues more quickly.
With an average van of this size, you can safely and comfortably carry 7 to 15 passengers and haul small things behind the van. These vans have quite a lot of power and can be used in a variety of ways.
Despite their size, these vans still run very cheap compared to other more popular vehicles. They are more expensive than some cars, but they offer more room and power to make up for it.
Of course, a used van is going to be on the cheaper side, but they can still cost around $30,000 depending on the value of the van.
If you are interested in buying a van that is slightly larger than a minivan, these are a few of the most popular options:
- Chevrolet Express Passenger: $37,200
- Ford Transit Connect Wagon: $27,400
- Ford Transit Crew: $37,635
- GMC Savana Passenger: $37,200
- Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Crew: $41,375
Vans are Multipurpose Vehicles
Despite their lack of popularity, vans are an amazing vehicle option for anyone looking to buy something new. Not only are they large, but they offer much more power than a car ever could.
There are many benefits to buying a van that many people don’t consider. They are a very affordable option while giving you many benefits that other vehicles don’t have.
They Can Haul
Vans can haul a relatively heavy load on the back, whether that be a smaller vehicle, a u-haul, small boat, or horse trailer.
Vans have the strength and ability to haul smaller items on the back, making it easier to transport things as you need to.
Many vans can manage a weight capacity of around 4,000 to 10,000 lbs.
Vans Are Good for Transporting Lots of Passengers
Vans are the best vehicle option when it comes to transporting passengers, whether you have a large family or need to transport other people. Vans are the best vehicles to trust this job to.
Most vans can comfortably seat 7 to 15 passengers with room to spare in the back. This can come in handy if you ever need to drive a large group of people somewhere.
Vans are Traveling Vehicles
Vans are also great traveling vehicles since they are built more sturdily than most cars are. They can handle more wear and tear and withstand more work and harsher situations.
They are the perfect vehicle for moving since you can fit so much into a medium-sized van. They are also a great option for road trips as they can carry a lot of passengers and items as well as hauling something behind. All without becoming too weighed down to drive properly.
They can be Good for Living In
Another multipurpose reason you might want to buy a cheap van is to live in it. This is, of course, not what it’s made for. But a van can be quite comfortable living quarters if necessary.
Unlike a car, you have much more room, and a van is more comfortable. Whether you are driving or living in it.
Vans Prices Vs Cars Prices
When comparing van prices to car prices, you may notice vans being considerably more expensive in most cases. This is because you are getting more when you buy a van.
Even a used van is going to be more expensive than a used car due to the size difference and the abilities of a van that a car doesn’t have.
From a paying perspective, vans are still pretty expensive vehicles, but you have to think of the price for value as well. Because vans have a lot to offer for the price you are paying.
Here is a side-by-side comparison of how much a van typically is vs how much a car usually is. This should help you to have some perspective when buying.
Vans Cost More to Buy Than Most Cars
Because most standard-sized vans are around $30,000 to $50,000, they are going to be more expensive than a car.
When it comes to vehicle prices, you have to consider all of the factors because it can’t just be about price. Yes, a car may be cheaper, but can it offer as much as a van? No, it can’t.
This is why a van is often going to be more expensive than a car unless it is a high-end car brand or model.
Some Car Models Are Cheap, Others Are Expensive
Most new cars are going to be priced somewhere around $20,000 to $40,000 depending on the make and where you are buying it from. Cars can be very cheap or very expensive depending on the make and model.
With a car, you are often buying a cheap and convenient vehicle to use for all of your day-to-day needs. This includes driving to places or doing some traveling.
Most cars are too small and lightweight to haul anything behind, and they can only usually seat up to 5 passengers. They do have trunk space, but most cars have very limited room in the trunk for extra items.
Here are some of the cheapest cars that you can buy new:
- Nissan Versa: $14,980
- Chevrolet Spark: $13,600
- Kia Rio: $16,050
- Hyundai Accent: $15,395
Vans Prices Vs SUV Prices
If you are looking into vehicles that are affordable and are leaning towards a vehicle more like a van, you may be wondering about the pricing between a van and an SUV.
Though they look similar, a van and an SUV are both very different vehicles and cost significantly different amounts. They are also designed for different purposes, which will make them more appealing to different customers.
Even though you can find used SUVs that are cheaper, a used van is still going to be a much more affordable option in the long run.
Vans Are Cheaper Than SUVs
Vans are generally priced between $30,000 and $50,000 depending on the model and size of the van that you are getting. If you are looking into buying a minivan, they tend to be significantly cheaper.
These prices are very reasonable considering the size of the vehicle that you are getting. Though a van is not as large as an SUV, they still have plenty of room for what you may need them for.
SUVs Are More Expensive Than Vans
SUVs are considered to be one of the most expensive types of vehicles that you can purchase. This is because they are very versatile and built more like a truck than a van.
Though an SUV may look most similar to a van, they are built with the body of a truck with the roof of a van. This gives them all of the abilities that a truck has.
This gives an SUV the ability to haul, transport, and drive off-road much like a truck can, only they have more usable space in the back.
Because SUVs have so many uses and are built to do all of the things that a truck can do, they are significantly more expensive than a van. This is why many who want something similar to an SUV will buy a van as they are so much cheaper.
While a van can be as cheap as $37,000 to $40,000, an SUV is generally going to be over $45,000. A small-sized SUV will be around $43,000, while the larger models can go up to $99,700.
Because there are several models of SUVs to choose from, you have the opportunity to pick a size that will align with your budget. Some cheaper SUVs that are popular are:
- Chevrolet Tahoe: $49,600
- BMW X5: $59,400
- Porsche Cayenne: $67,500
- Toyota 4Runner: $37,305
Pros and Cons of Buying a Used Van
As great as vans are when it comes to buying an affordable vehicle, they do have their own pros and cons. Just like any vehicle is going to have. Especially when it comes to buying a used vehicle.
Here are some of the biggest pros and cons to consider when buying a van.
Pros With a Used Van
- They are large vehicles and have a lot of space to work with. This can come in handy in a number of ways, whether it be for passengers or transporting items.
- Affordable, considering the size of the vehicle that you are getting. You could easily pay twice as much for a truck as you would a van, but you would be getting much less space.
- Have a high weight capacity, so they can tow items behind them within a reasonable weight. Unlike cars that can’t tow anything, vans can tow things like small vehicles or a small boat.
- They can also be altered on the inside to accommodate those with disabilities or walking problems. A slide-out path, steps, or a lift can all be added to the inside of a van to accommodate people.
Cons With a Used Van
- Many vans tend to be gas guzzlers and eat up gas pretty fast per mile. This is an expense that can easily add up pretty fast, depending on how much you are driving—making this something that you should definitely consider before buying a van.
- Vans can be large and bulky, making it hard to maneuver them into small places or to park in parking spots. They can be hard to drive downtown or in places that are crowded and narrow.
- Vans are often less modern and don’t have the kinds of modern technology that some other vehicles might have. This can be a big downside if you want to have all of the modern pleasures of the technological world in your vehicle.
- Despite popular belief, vans aren’t actually safer than cars despite their much larger size. This is becausevans have less of a crumple zone in the front due to engine positioning, putting the driver more at risk in the case of an accident.
- Vans can also have much less visibility which can make driving a bit difficult at times. They often don’t have reversing cameras unless you buy a very new model. This can make it dangerous to maneuver in tight or congested areas.
- It might already have a lot of miles on it, which will significantly shorten its lifespan.