A Van called Quest

I have made my decision that I think I would like my steed of choice for the $2016 Challenge, Soccer Mom Class to be a 2004+ Nissan Quest.

I think the single greatest challenge that I will face is actually finding the van under budget given that this is a pretty current model. That is why I am posting here and trying to harness the power of the entire hive to find the right one.
I am located in Northern Ohio so that puts me square in the rust belt and I would rather not buy here. I much prefer something from south of The Mason-Dixon.

I choose this vehicle because I hope that after The Challenge, it can continue to serve me in a family/business capacity though I do expect that it will initially be purchased in rough condition. I can accept that roughness as long as that roughness does not include "really rusty."
The perfect van could be high miles though preferred if not needing an engine/trans swap or priced accordingly if it does. Very rough interior is acceptable. Much of the interior will be pulled for the event and if after the event when the interior returns, if I have to replace seats leaving me with front seats that don't match rear seats; that's perfectly fine.
Needing some paint work and or really minor body work is fine too.
One with bad tires/brakes would also be great as a way to keep purchase price low. This vehicle will also need a title since it will be a road-going vehicle.

I know the first year of these vans have some issues and one is that they have odometers (LCD) that fail. I have learned there is a fix but I am okay with "miles unknown." I think the earliest were also known for bad timing chain tensioner/guides also.

What more can you tell me about this Quest?

Can you find one for sub $2k in your area?

Other title considerations were:
Quest Love
Learn me: Quest
Find me: Quest
A fools Quest

PM might not get right to me so...
jwelsh02......yahoo

Wow thats a hard one.

Did a quick CL search. not much under 2k, engine with a bad knock, in TX.

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/5448991206.html

Or $1700 in baltimore, looks good, may be scam...

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/5436191361.html

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/5437958507.html

I would've went with "Jonny's Quest".

We had a 2004 Quest for almost 10 years. Put lots of miles on it. Brakes seemed to constantly need done. Ours suffered from a lot of random electrical faults. The gas tank ended up leaking too and front wheel bearings seemed like a regular maintenance item. Engine and the four speed auto seemed solid.

Tactical Penguin wrote: I would've went with "Jonny's Quest".

Spectacular!
Thanks Hadji but with a suggestion like that I would guess you are more Race Bannon.

tuna55 wrote: http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/5437958507.html

add this!

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/5473010787.html

Looks like it will be a challenge to find one that will work with the budget. There some close to it, but only one that showed up in central Mass that will start out below budget.

One with a possible bad engine:
Woonsocket, RI with possible bad engine $1500

Slightly over budget:
Brockton, MA with possible trans issue $2300

Another couple over budget, but close:
Southbridge, MA with oil leak $2500

Lowell, MA with typical CL ad $2500

http://richmond.craigslist.org/cto/5465954295.html - no pics, but I can go put eyes on it for you http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/5432963776.html - dead trans

This Baltimore does look great! Do we have anyone on the ground in the area? Snow on the ground leaves me concerned about the whole rust free desire.
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/5436191361.html

The stuff around Boston really misses the Mason-Dixon line though the red interior is very desirable to me.

szeis4cookie wrote: http://richmond.craigslist.org/cto/5465954295.html - no pics, but I can go put eyes on it for you http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/5432963776.html - dead trans

Very interested in Richmond.
I have written an email to Richmond requesting pictures.

I should also add that I will be visiting S-I-L in Fairfax, VA near Easter. Most likely, I would just have it shipped in from most locations.

Another point worth mentioning, I live is an area/state where no testing or inspection is required but a title is needed.

Side note: Searchtempest really sucks because it brought up none of these when I searched the entire country.

With three to four searches on craigslist you could cover the whole eastern seaboard. Check the search surrounding areas and keep clicking on the show more link at the bottom of the list. Even if it says add 0, it'll usually pop up a couple more. I was able to search 30 different locations in addition to my home town CL.

If you want me one in Texas, let me know. Nissan's seem to keep value a little better down here for some reason. I didn't find anything in my initial search, but I'll keep my eyes peeled. I'd even drive it up to you.

In reply to mazdeuce: That's a heck of an offer!
Yes, please keep an eye out. It's the one that never makes it to CL that I would really like to find.

PS: I'll send you an email.

Let me know if you want me to go look at the Richmond van. Might be the weekend before I get out to it though.

This one is about 15 mins from me:

http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/5467509660.html

Looks pretty decent, if not particularly exciting. A little over budget but probably attainable. Let me know if you need me to look into it further or help in any way.

edit: One the islands usually means a good deal of surface rust / scale underneath but not rot in anything of that age... not southern clean but not new england ugly.

szeis4cookie wrote: Let me know if you want me to go look at the Richmond van. Might be the weekend before I get out to it though.

I have written to him to initiate contact but nothing back yet, if ever, I'll let you know. Thanks for the offer.

2,000 and has a questionable trans

2,700 In Louisville.

Edit, I've never driven one of these but I seem to remember automotive journalists absolutely despising the ergonomics.

I'm sure you've seen this one if you're searching around NEO, I can try to run out there at some point and investigate the rust situation if you'd like:

http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/5470736282.html

JohnRW1621 wrote: This Baltimore does look great! Do we have anyone on the ground in the area? Snow on the ground leaves me concerned about the whole rust free desire. http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/5436191361.html

Edgewood is northeast of Baltimore so the snow on the ground would be appropriate for the time the ad was posted. It is salt country so a check over would be needed. I know we have a few members in the area, I am a couple hours west of there.

I have vivid memories of those vans. My former boss had one of those and his kids literally destroyed the interior of it. I also had a distinct odor and stains beyond belief.

john, my avalanche came from baltimore and looked brand new underneath with zero rust at 110k and 8 years old, i would not worry about anything from that area being rusty.

i may be heading to NC soon but not planning to take a trailer.

https://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/5435698294.html

Fly and drive?