1997
Dodge Caravan fancy LE model:
Vantage/VMI conversion
52,000 miles! (by one
owner)
Current Cash Price: $14,500
INCLUDES WARRANTY
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Rare top-of-the-line LE
model Ø Special ordered with mobility components which require nearly zero maintenance and have almost no chance of breakdown Ø Yes, it has only 52,000 total, original miles by one owner (a professor) Ø Beautiful and highly-featured with a long life remaining |
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Options and Equipment THE VAN: This began as a top trim level Grand Caravan. This one is an LE (luxury edition) which very few wheelchair vans are. It was the top trim level at the time, which in addition to popular power and convenience features such as windows, locks, mirrors, tilt, cruise, power rear vents and more...this one also has: upgraded interior materials; colored bumpers; special LE striping; Sliding door on drivers side; power drivers seat; dual heat and A/C; high-power infinity sound system with CD, cassette and equalizer; rare and desirable anti-lock brakes (ABS); factory 16 inch alloy wheels...and more. Let's just say that this van is about as fancy and well-equipped as a minivan at the time could be. THE GOODIES: In addition to the factory LE striping it has custom accent striping which coordinates with original stripes. MOBILITY: This van was built by one of the two significant companies which take brand new vans and convert them. This one was made by a division of Ricon called Vantage, also known as VMI. The man I bought it from is a professor at the University of Arizona and he custom ordered it from Ricon which was only a few miles from his house. He wanted a wheelchair van of highest quality, and also with highest possible reliability of the mobility features. Therefore, it has the features you see below, which are different than most of the minivan wheelchair vans on the market: * Deeply lowered floor (11 inches) which is level all the way to the dash * Has manual ramp made of very strong, lightweight aluminum. This ramp is extremely easy to move in and out, even for a small and/or weak person. The ramp has virtually zero chance of breakdown and essentially needs zero maintenance. It will function with or without electricity and there is almost nothing that can go wrong with it. (the power ramps are very nice, but they can fail and do need maintenance) * Has manual sliding door on both sides. Once again, there is virtually zero chance of breakdown and nearly zero maintenance. Operates with no electricity and has no complicated mechanism. * Removable front seats, in case you want to park a wheelchair in either front location * Multitude of locations to insert anchor straps in front, middle and rear of floor area * I added BRAND NEW commercial-grade flooring material. This is a rubberized vinyl flooring which is now being installed in many new wheelchair vans. It is extremely durable and very easy for a wheelchair to turn and maneuver on. * This does have air-operated kneeling suspension, which allows the van to drop several inches toward the ground in order to make the ramp angle extra-easy. This feature can be turned off or on with a toggle switch, it's your choice. * Has an EZ-Lock electronic docking station, which can be used instead of the manual straps and anchors. This is a wonderful feature which many people love to have. This would have cost apx. $2,000 when it was installed. Note: there is a cost of apx. $500 +/- to custom-orient your chair if you want to use this feature. Dimensions, capacity and specifications: Please feel free to email or call me with any such questions. I will gladly assist with anything you wish to know. I have discovered that due to the unique way each person evaluates, measures and expresses their needs, I can be most helpful regarding this subject if we communicate directly. History of Ownership Yes, yippee. This has had one owner since new. Personal use only, no harsh commercial use. He sold it only because he treated himself to a brand new van from the same company which made this one. History of Care As is not often the case, I DO HAVE a sizeable maintenance file on this van. Of course, as a shopper you always love finding a vehicle with a history of care, but the reality is that even with common vehicles rarely are there extensive records available, which for certain reasons is even more true with wheelchair vans. However, there is a nice file on this one. Each of my vans receives a detailed (about 75 items) inspection by the general mechanic shop which I consider to be the finest in my area. Then, after discussing their report, I have them do what is needed to repair, replace or service items on the vehicle in order to reach my high standard of overall mechanical condition. And in case you may wonder, their process on each van does include an oil, lube and filter service. The aforementioned inspection, repair and service process is a major and very valuable element of my "Rick's rejuvenated" process. As a result of the above mentioned process, here is a list of some items which were cared for by the shop I speak of: Note: This van was in such amazing overall condition when I bought it that it has set a record for minimal service or repairs suggested by the expert mechanic who works on my vehicles. In addition to the usual lube and service, he suggested and performed only: * Fuel pump replaced * Anti-lock brake (ABS) service ( FYI: this is a rare and desirable feature) In addition: as part of my 'Rick's rejuvenated'' process, each mobility/adaptive component is inspected, serviced, adjusted and repaired (if needed) by a different mechanic, who owns the premium company in this area which exclusively cares for wheelchair vans.
Carfax Report
Summary Nothing negative or derogatory on the report. Shows as a guaranteed Carfax "one owner" You Might Like To Know... * Each of my vans has a superb paint sealant as the final step of the extreme detail. If you were to have a professional apply a treatment the cost would be several hundred dollars. Summary of this Gem Super low miles, absolutely immaculate condition inside and out, with nearly every feature you could imagine or hope for on a wheelchair minivan...this one is a rare gem. And as with each van I sell, the mechanical and functional condition is superb as well.
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Very
lightweight
folding aluminum
ramp is easy to
use with
virtually no
possibility for
malfunction nor
any need for
maintenanceNotice: do to the deeply lowered floor, this and other lowered floor minivans have generous entry clearance and interior headroom (Click on Picture to Enlarge) |
This brand
new
commercial-grade
flooring is a
rubberized vinyl
material which
is often used in
new wheelchair
vans(Click on Picture to Enlarge) |
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Driver Side
Full View(Click on Picture to Enlarge) |
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Driver Side
Rear View(Click on Picture to Enlarge) |
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Hatch View(Click on Picture to Enlarge) |
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Passenger
Side Rear View(Click on Picture to Enlarge) |
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Passenger
Side Front View(Click on Picture to Enlarge) |
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Driver Side
Interior(Click on Picture to Enlarge) |
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Notice the
odometer
indicating
53,000 miles(Click on Picture to Enlarge) |
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This photo
indicates:
upgraded
infinity sound
system; rear and
front
ventilation
controls; misc
other controls(Click on Picture to Enlarge) |
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The Switches
on the left
operate the
kneeling
suspension. The
rectangular box
is the control
unit f for the
EZ Lock
wheelchair
anchoring system(Click on Picture to Enlarge) |
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Engine
Compartment(Click on Picture to Enlarge) |
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Driver Side
View of deeply
lowered floor
area(Click on Picture to Enlarge) |
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Passenger
Side Interior(Click on Picture to Enlarge) |
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This ramp is
virtually
identical to the
power-operated
version except
for with no
potential for
breakdown or
maintenance
required(Click on Picture to Enlarge) |
Both front
seats are easily
removable should
you choose to
park a
wheelchair in
any location.
Note: in these
locations a
wheelchair could
be anchored
using manual
straps or the
electronic
docking station(Click on Picture to Enlarge) |
I took this
photo to show
the rear
ventilation
ducts and rear
lighting(Click on Picture to Enlarge) |
This is in
the "kneeled"
position which
makes the ramp
angle more
gentle(Click on Picture to Enlarge) |
This van
comes with both
original remote
controls and all
three original
keys(Click on Picture to Enlarge) |
This is in
the raised
position which
is the height
when being
driven(Click on Picture to Enlarge) |
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* I apologize for any unclear photos. At times, the conditions make a clear photo impossible. |
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If you would
like more
information or
to see and drive
this vehicle,
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