Optimistic van lifer tries to flog their van on Facebook for $89,000

Travellers who bought vans during the COVID boom are now trying to sell them. The results have been mixed.

A steal or a joke? Images via Facebook.

As you drive into the sunset, with your $1000 mattress in the back and your free-spinning passenger seat in the front, you might think van life is a breeze. It isn't...

Why not? Well, besides the rabid rangers and punctured tyres, there is also the small matter of selling your steed when you're done curtain-flapping around the country.

Enter: a recent post in the Bondi Local Loop Facebook group. In the post, one Facebook user shared a photo of his Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van, located in Mullumbimby, in an attempt to sell it for $89,000. 

The van, a Sprinter 416 4500kg GVM, is apparently "rare as rocking horse poo" and has undergone a "complete off grid, contemporary modern camper conversion."

Are vans now just 5 star hotels in disguise? Image: Facebook (Bondi Local Loop).

The seller says they are sad to flog it, but that they have no choice, as they now have to head overseas at short notice.

They wrote: "This van has been our absolute lives for the last 2 years. From buying, to design and complete fit out, we have sunk all our money, time and souls into this project to build a van that would last a lifetime."

"And now after only using the van for 9 months on the road, we are forced to sell our baby. This timeless modern design is so cosy and relaxing."

"[The van is] packed with heaps of functional must haves and many different lighting features and effects," the seller added. 

Would you rather a one bedder flat deposit, or this? Image: Facebook (Bondi Local Loop).

"GVM 4500KG (rare as rocking horse poo) Odometer: 279,000km (full service history). RECONDITIONED ENGINE INSTALL. 180,000km. New clutch."

Though numerous van-curious people asked serious questions on the post, others treated it as a joke. One user wrote: "He's dreaming."

Another said: "Van with a mattress and fancy LEDs, or generous house deposit? Your choice!"

Yet another quipped: "People are trying their luck before the big crash comes."

Now that's an escape pod. Image: Facebook (Bondi Local Loop).

Others quibbled about the price and the claim it's fully off grid when the toilet is "a cheap pull out from under the bed."

One not-so-sold commenter had a crack at the price, writing: "Well you can pick up a Sprinter with only 60,000km for $60k ... even if you spent $10k fitting it out you would not be buying a car that is going to need a engine rebuild in a few years."

The seller hit back with: "This van already has a new engine... Also this van has $45k fit out. So an absolute bargain if you know what your [sic] poking at mate."

Others were impressed, however, making more positive remarks like: "Mate, if you sell that for anywhere near that price please let me know... I'll throw mine up for sale immediately!" and "beautiful, seriously... never seen a shower set up like that... good luck with the sale... some wealthy old/young couple will fall in love with it."

Could this officially be the peak of the second hand van boom? Image: Facebook (Bondi Local Loop).

This is far from the first van to raise eyebrows on social media with its optimistic listing price. And given how many people took to the road during the pandemic, it won't be the last. 

According to CarsGuide, on Gumtree, in 2020, there were significant increases in the volume of searches for trailers, campers and caravans. Various car camping companies also told CarsGuide they had seen a boom in van life accessories during the pandemic. 

The New York Times went as far as to call it a "fantasy life" where people are sold freedom and simplicity without giving up comfort, with one reporter in 2020 writing: "These are not backpackers looking tired and worn, with massive calves and wild hair."

"Vanlife is an aesthetic trend, closer to the tiny-home movement, yet even richer, lusher and typically sexier."

Though the logical assumption is that this tiny sexy home movement will soon be over now that people are once again able to travel overseas, due to the insane airfare prices of 2023 (and Facebook posts like the one we just discussed), perhaps we shouldn't write it off just yet. 

Originally published as Optimistic van lifer tries to flog their van on Facebook for $89,000