ultimate guide to buying a car-camper Instagram: @annauncharted Good Reads: / annauncharted Pinterest: / annauncharted Spotify: tinyurl.com/sp... My Website: annauncharted....
Great advice. I had written a note on another video. I am semi-retired and because videos from you and other vanlifers, have decided work towards getting my own van to retire in. Looking at an extended Sprinter, brand new and have contacted several builders who have good reps in building. I have one year to make it all come true. Then its winters in my place in India and summers travelling across Canada!!!
Consider a minivan. Dodge Caravan's stow-n-go seats and boxy interior make conversion easier. Toyota Sienna is a pain - middle seats and seat rails can be removed with effort. Best source for ideas is Cheap RV Living.
Bob likes what Bob likes. We don't all think the same though. We need to speak to professionals. The best idea, go through Google reviews in your area for best mechanics and ask their advice for the best make model and year. Look on line for estimates re prices.
I bought an 84 Chevy G10 van a couple months ago that sat for 23 years on a farm. Got it running and driving again and I’m only into it for $1000 including what I paid. If you’re mechanically inclined or know someone who is it can save you thousands to buy something that most people would ignore cause it’s not already road worthy. I now have a reliable van that can also be used for camping if I need it to and it didn’t break the bank.
Great advice... I am lucky enough to be able to build anything mechanical...electrical or hydraulic. mechanic in every field, for over 40 years..and have built a few toys and trucks... I have owned multiple large 4 and 6 wheel drive trucks.. I lived in the box of my 6x6 dump truck, in an 11 foot camper for a year and a half. I lived in a school bus for about 4 years in two stints..-58 degrees F. in Saskatchewan at one point....IN the bus... Enjoy your freedom...I loved it...and am aiming to do something similar, with my Kiwi wife, in New Zealand.
@@hatdowntight My '02 'Rango agrees. 230k, and it shows no sign of quitting any time soon. Domestic full-size SUVs and pickup trucks are the most reliable vehicles on the road -- Tahoes, Suburbans, Excursions, Expeditions, etc. Routinely go for 500k trouble free miles. And when they do break, a lazy V-8 and a 4-speed auto or 5-speed manual are economically reparable.
As I attempted to tell you after your previous episode, you are a natural story teller, journalist, editor, and talent! These vids you do are really good! Like, all the elements of them are REALLY GOOD! So, keep an eye open for a way to slip your talent into a career that exploits your natural talent! How? Don’t know but I know talent when I see it… so, we will watch you go along and snap when you land a cool gig say with Pbs or on some Saturday morning show on cbs like mission unstoppable or innovation nation or pbs with will klinger… ok later!
Yes, nerdy spreadsheets! That’s what I’ve done for my car upgrade. I know what I want, just a matter of the market being terrible here, so I have to wait to find something that meets all my needs.
I can't see your ears, but I bet they are pointed, lol 😆. I love your logic. I know you have heard this a million times but you have a very old soul to be so young yet so wise. I am glad you are out there ❤
OMG guess what Anna?? Last video I told how two had slipped through my fingers and Sunday I bought an 08 tangerine EX AWD for 5k!!! 148k miles and she runs like a dream!!! Already ordered the lift and so much more. Haha
Thank you Anna, for another informative video. But for Anna and the other followers I feel the need to provide a warning about one of the recommendations; Carfax. A few years back I bought the car of my dreams; a BMW 328i hardtop convertible. Low mileage, one prior owner. I retired to Mexico and drove it down. Big mistake. US BMW's are designed with lower ground clearance than Mexican BMW's. The BMW dealership service departments couldn't even drive it into their shop lifts; four shop staff would have to physically LIFT IT into the lifts to work on it. And work was constantly needed because the topes (speed bumps Mexico has everywhere to slow traffic) caused havock with the suspension, rims, and the alignment of the hardtop convertible sections. So after 5 years, and with great sadness, I decided to drive the BMW back to the states and trade it in. The BMW dealership I had always dealt with refused to take it as a trade because it had a Carfax report that claimed it had been in a severe accident in Florida (at the time it was in Mexico). BTW, the car had never, ever, been in Florida. Carfax was no help in getting it's report corrected. Their response was "we base our reports on police accident reports, and these often can have errors if the VIN number is even 1 digit off." Their recommendation was that I would have to find the car that DID have the accident in Florida, then have the policeman who wrote up the accident report, write a correction. Yeah, right. Like that's possible! So my recommendation is to take every precaution in vetting a potential car purchase, but don't depend on everything some 'expert' tells you. That goes also for the 'professional' pre-purchase inspector. I've (as an architect) had many inspections miss major problems they shouldn't have. Anna's advise is good, but her best is "listen to your gut" (or whatever were her exact words to that effect!)
One huge tip that I recommend because it happened us and we did get scammed, always look at your vehicle during the daytime. I know it makes sense but we didn't do it and we didn't notice a lot of damage. On the plus side my husband is a mechanic and we fixed most of it but I won't do that again.
Thank You for another enchanting video. Your voice is so soothing and comforting yet at the same time energetic and positive. Very well organized and presented advice, but... I thought in an earlier video, while traveling with your friend, you received a telephone call about a delay in the shipping of a vehicle you had purchased from Australia? I do love Mango! Unfortunately, I am too curious. Thank you for your videos and your insights into our complicated world. ♥
👍 🚗 👍 excellent presentation l have had several different camping vehicles Smaller is better in My opinion they’re easy to set up camp and getting in and out of tight spots 🚗 enjoy your Honda element 👍
Hi Anna! I'm so glad you came back to RU-vid posting after your hiatus! As a recently retired engineer, I have to say you are TOTALLY an engineer at heart! That said, I think you would not like the rigmarole involved in the profession. (This is one of the reasons why I retired as soon as I could. Your videos are one of the catalysts that provided other reasons). I just want to say that your approach to life is "totally awesome" (sorry, I'm from CA... not sure how to say it in Midwest-speak). I particularly like the "for the love of Christmas trees" phrase that you used in lieu of the usual non secular version. Keep up the awesome positive attitude! I aim to eventually shed the currently-engrained rat-race mentality that has permeated my life for the last several decades and lose the sharp corners of the giant brick that is this person's life and end up a more well-rounded and contently happy tab in my little piece of the vertical file of life-as-we-know-it. I'm not sure how to message you outside of video comments but I can recommend a few books (...which I can surmise that you might have already read). Take care, and I wish nothing but the best for you! A
Mango fits you. As a mechanic, almost any car can be kept running forever. The only enemy is severe rust or bad engineering like when plastic parts are a large part of the engine. Most plastic parts such as oil filter adapters or intake manifolds can be changed with metal after-market parts. Happy to see your travels.
Excellent advice! I drove 4 Elements before finding one I was comfortable with, it’s been a fantastic camper for me. I love yours, the ecamper is so cool.
Anna, so proud 👏 of you. That's Some good advice. Also thanks For the update about telegram Even though it was a couple Weeks late for my dumb a$$. Your the best! ❤
Off topic, but I saw on your Good Read lists The Little Prince. As a philosophical adventurer, you might enjoy another book by de Saint-Exupéry, Wind, Sand, & Stars.
I 100% understand what you’re talking about. When you say the car that you test drove just didn’t feel like it was yours. I just recently had the same experience buying a Honda pilot. I test drove several as well as a few other kinds of cars and the day before I found THE one, I actually thought to myself that there just hadn’t been that love connection yet.
Hi Anna. Kootenays is a great place to start...kind of a central approach to the province,right next to several border crossings and then branches out to more stunning areas of the province...A person can wander in circles, or, follow the main highways into every part of the province.. If you're ever in this neck of the woods, look us up. Wife and I would be happy show you some cool spots right off the bat....or give you a map with known locations that are beautiful resting points...I have lived all over this country, but mainly in British Columbia. My wife is from New Zealand. I have shown her all kinds of places here.... Best of luck on your journey... Stay Healthy, Be Strong, Live Well, Die Shameless.
@@AnnaGoodWolf Thanks for the reply. Hope that you are doing very well and have a great time while you are over there... May your adventures see sunny days and happy faces along the journey. The road of life is long, for most of us, and all we get to take with us is our memories, if we are lucky, so I believe that it is best to make as many good memories as possible..
great info! I am job searching right now, and most of your advise can overlap a job search. Always glad to see a notification from this channel. stay safe!
This has to be yet another sign!!!!!! I have been in search for an Element for car camping and this could not have come at a better time! Wow, thank you!! I was not subscribed prior to watching this or your previous on the Element but I AM NOW!!! Your previous video gave me the push to start the pursuit full steam ahead! I am glad to see some of my efforts were on the right track
I totally am sold & wand to do this with my next van/week ender car now! Ive had my heart set on a mimi van for sooo many years! Now thanks to your video, i finally think i have worked out the final peice to my puzzle! Thank you! Subscribed! ❤
I love listening to your voice, it has a great ASMR quality. That Honda looks great but never seen one in The UK. I sort of did something similar with my electric Nissan E-NV200. Looking forwards to seeing more of your awesome posts. Got the message about Telegram mate!
Great video Anna, I really like your little mango 🥭 😂❤ it's a great camper, never seen one with poptop it's great hope it brings you lots of luck, cheers rick from Perth Australia 🇦🇺
aux a smart choic for a car to travel in. I used to have one and I ended up putting 300k miles on it. I still miss it! I often wish Honda still made element. Perhaps in the future...
interesting video interesting video. I am still not decided yet what will be my exact setup. At first i thought about to buy a van. But after thinking, likely my base will be on my actual jeep wrangler 4 doors. Maybe a roof top tent at first.
Are you able to do a suspension lift and larger tires so Mango is a bit more capable off road. All it takes is for one rock to hit your cast aluminum oil pan, break off a chunk and your oil is draining all over the ground, and you are stranded. I have done some pretty hairy jeep trails in my Acura(Honda) sedan by going slow and picking my line very carefully so as to avoid any protruding rocks coming near the center line of the car. The only thing that stopped me was high elevation snow in Olympic National Park that was high centering the car and losing traction even with chains on all four corners.
I’m saving up for a newer Toyota Sienna. The hybrid models get 36 miles per gallon highway. I don’t want a very high payment so will save up the money for a large part of it.
I have a Lexus NX and is the worst car for camping. I’m waiting for the new plug ins and electrical cars to get a bit cheaper and 2 year used. I refuse to buy another gas car! Hoping I find an electrical one I can put seats down and camp with my 2 large dogs.. 🤞
For of nice car of I hope use make a good team for an absolutely amazing adventure I'm time ty for sharing my beautiful spirit sister of Anna 🌱🌳❤3love TRUTH offers PEACE
Who you calling a kid, kid? LOL 🤣😂😘As always Anna-amazing tips. I'm so glad you found Mango...but I still think you would of looked bad-ass in a 4Runner😉
