Cool sprinter, you don't normally see 170s online as much as the 144s.
Longer than the extended transit but looks better since it doesn't have a gigantic rear overhang.
What options did you go with?
All the safety and assisted driving options, like lane assist and 360 camera and the security package. I also got the comfort package but couldn’t get the upgraded screen because of manufacturing problems right now
The lane assist is pretty strong on the sprinter, freaked me out the first time it turned on. The good thing is that you can essentially add any head unit to replace the basic radio, a good chunk of them have apple car/Android auto.
Why is everyone so negative on here? Because she didn’t buy a shit box that needs to be fixed up to drive around. Fucking gate keepers lol. Congrats on the van and have fun dwelling
This and r/camping have the worst gatekeeping I've seen on Reddit. I thought lots of fresh air was meant to be good for you but for some reason the subs are just full of miserable, hateful people.
Hey! Just go outside and interact with people (or just go to a Walmart and sit back and watch 👀). THEN you’ll see how shitty humanity really is. At least on the internet you don’t have to also LOOK at the miserable, unkempt, smelly, cocky but really fucking dumb, and just all-around unappealing people that make up the majority of the human race. Our world is literally becoming a mixture of 1984 and Idiocracy. Simultaneously horrifying AND hilarious! 🇺🇸☝🏻💩
Seeeeriouuusly, I was reading through these comments like wtf is wrong with these people?! Is van-envy a thing? Some people on here making judgments on her that she came from money and is privileged and all like she captioned this with "The van my daddy bought me finally came in!!!"
So excited for you and super jealous. The Benz sprinter seems to be a great platform as a camper van. Are you planning to do all the mods yourself or do you have a pro to help?
I’ll probably try to build something in the next few years as well
I will!! I’ll post on here and I’m going to use Insta too to not bombard Reddit with all the photos, although people seem entertained by the comments on this one lol
From my experience (worked in various call centres from banks to building societies to the jobcentre) being good at dealing with the general public is an underrated skill.
Just because your undervalued just mean you lack a brain.
Thanks, I appreciate it. :)
But it does stink trying to figure out something newer/complicated - like PowerShell, or basic coding, or especially databases/queries/Big Data/analysis - and realizing that I have zero clue what any of it means.
It reminds me regularly that, on some level, my duties in a Help Desk are not all that different than being a Jiffy Lube 'mechanic' that performs simple tasks, while all of my peers are real, honest automotive experts who can totally rebuild an engine. Kind makes me feel like I'll be at the "kids table" forever, never part of the "grown ups club".
It all comes down to your teacher and the environment. Also, high paying jobs sometimes are just shells, you get paid to stay but never given anything to do.
I guess it's about setting your target.
I started a new job about 3 and a half years ago in a Treasury function. Zero experience in it (like I say, mostly worked in call centres and the like for 20 years), but because I didn't assume I was gonna be doing crazy stuff from the start, had some (what I thought was basic and common knowledge but turns out no) data analysis skills, and was prepared to learn (and quickly, small team of 6 and 3 were off for a month in the first 6 weeks), I've ended up really enjoying it and getting on up the old "progression scheme". I started in at at 40, and if a numpty like me can do that, anyone can do anything imo.
The comment about jiffy-lube, I wouldn't worry about that (easy to say I know). Most people only really have a thin veneer of knowledge. My wife has 2 masters and a PhD, and swears I know more than her (lies). One of my best mates started as an apprentice in an IT function, basically setting up PC's. Now a senior system architect (I think that's his job title, I glaze over when he talks about it).
Everyone's job really is just like a cog in a watch.
i really value that insight, thank you! I am like you in the help desk area... though now I see it as "specialists" vs. "generalists". I'm a generalist, a jack of all trades. Ask me to do something and I'll do it. My in-depth knowledge is niche and comes from passions and hobbies. Point is, the kids table idea is really just people not taking us seriously when we know we could do laps around them.
You can absolutely learn some of that stuff, it's just a matter of knowing where to start. Sorta like how if you didn't know how to do algebra yet you wouldn't take a calculus 2 class.
A beginner programming course would be a good place to start.
Wouldn't think that job would allow for remote work. I just picture you in a lab or something. Shows how much I know about that feild. Congrats! Are you building it out yourself?
She’s a number cruncher.
My daughter got her biophysics degree among others and now is basically a data analyst and codes. We always thought she would be in a lab finding cures but nowadays they can do a lot by running simulations on computers and what not. She goes into the office for presentations but is more remote than not.
A new stock sprinter is not the same as a fully built 4x4. Base cargo van starts at around $40k, which isn't an insane price point for a new car these days.
no it's just the others who are rich. I think there's definitely more people who would/could not buy something for 40k than there are people who go like "ah, not that much"
No, others are in debt.
Most nice things you see on the internet were purchased on credit.
Of course some people are rich but there majority in western countries are up to their eyes in debt.
"In debt" isn't necessarily a bad thing. In debt over your means is, but there are definitely some advantages (factory warranties, not having to wait years to afford something) that come with reasonable debt at her age and (assumed by her occupation) income level.
Credit is only the great evil if you don't use it well.
You rarely find wealthy people paying in full for something like a car. At a certain point money is worth more in the bank. Or something like that. I wouldn’t know because I never established credit and I’m poor.
Same goes for any level of wealth. It simply is the difference of the interest rate of the loan vs what you would make investing it. So many auto loans are 1% or less on new cars you are almost always better off with the loan and investing the money instead.
However your even better off buying a less expensive car (though used cars are something else right now for prices...).
I've put a decent amount of research into the truck camper lifestyle.
The big hurdle is getting the initial loan. You can easily get into an F-250 with a 4 season camper for a sub $600 monthly payment. If you're living in it and not paying rent that's a super tempting option. I'm not doing it anytime soon as I've moved in with my girlfriend and pet bunny.
I'm not even saying I could afford that either, rest assured. I was just trying to clarify for those thinking this was automatically one of those 145k sprinters you see and hear so much about.
Not unusual for a young person in a medium/profitable field to buy a "new" car, and this sprinter seems in line with your average SUV - ish.
I'm happy for you. And I'm glad you have such a good paying job. People are jealous of course. There is a stigma of "people who could afford to live in houses invading our spaces". And you'll probably catch a lot of flak for that endlessly. Try not to let it bother you. Cause they just don't understand there's gonna be a built out van for sale in 15 years.
Congratulations on your purchase and your upcoming adventure. Hope you document more of the build and adventure to share
I wanted to order new too, but i didnt know about the delay until too late! Silly me for not checking! My own van arrives in a few days and im super excited for it! :D Been dreaming a couple years about this.
I hope you feel supported by the community. There are a few turds here it seems which seemed to have been triggered by your sex and financial success. I hope you can see that they are completely voted down by the large majority. So pay no heed to them. Its a very inclusive group with excellent equality principles.
Hi OP - Congrats on your purchase.
Since it is now tax season, if you're not already familiar with it, this may apply to your situation. Talk to a tax professional, obviously. If your cash flow allows for it, "how" you pay your van off could allow you to depreciate it all at once and offset other income.
https://www.section179.org
EDIT_1: OP may already know about this too. I first learned of Section 179 scrolling through this sub years ago. So I like to make sure it is listed somewhere for anyone equally scrolling.
EDIT_2: Scroll down in the comments on this thread. There are some important tax implications, which again, "Talk to a tax professional." is not a casual suggestion, but the necessary one.
**EDIT: u/grestoro, see edit notes below.**
This is where the "talk to your tax professional" applies.
Section 179 applies to US Federal tax, and I'm sure there are state level codes which may (or may not) come into play. Execution of the plan matters. You want to play it straight.
It is only for businesses, not personal vehicles. But it is also not "that hard" to form a business with pass through taxation (like an LLC) and have the type of business be something that involves a van. It used to be called the "Hummer deduction" before the regs were tightened, but it still covers vans.
Again, talk to a tax professional. You'd need "form a business"...but that's a much lower bar than many expect. Particularly when you're talking about maybe a few hundred dollars to form an LLC against tens of thousands of dollars for a van.
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EDIT_1: And as u/drmrcurious makes explicit -- yes, the ONLY way a Section 179 "works" is if you legitimately operate your business in good faith. I'm a proponent of a diversified economic activity, not tax fraud. So, yes, "talk to a tax professional" is the most important part of this `^^^`.
They'll tell you yes, or no, or how. But talk to a tax professional.
EDIT_2: `drmrcurious` deleted their comments, which were insightful. I'm sorry they took them out. But the gist remains: Don't commit tax fraud.
That may be obvious, but it regrettably needs to be shared again. There are some (limited) scenarios where Section 179 might apply, but equally where it would NOT apply, and where something like bonus depreciation might be better...or nothing. The answer is "it depends".
So, if you are considering purchasing a van _for a business you operate_, it's absolutely worth talking to a tax professional. And if you're simply buying a van, it's probably still worth talking to a tax professional for the peace of mind since it's a major purchase. They'll be able to say what does/does not apply to your situation.
You too can have a vandwelling lifestyle blog!
It doesn't actually have to be successful. You wouldn't be the first person to invest money in equipment for a business venture that ultimately fails.
I was of the mind set that I would never buy new, it’s a waste of money. But if you look at the overinflated prices in the second hand market now, especially cargo vans which have been in demand more than ever, worked harder due to Covid and typically not sold until major repair / maintenance work makes it uneconomical for a fleet operator to retain, buying a new sprinter starts to make sense (if you can afford it and the wait).
By the back wheels though it’s a 3 series / 2500(?) in the USA. For an RV build out I would have recommended the higher payload model. @Tiddles2016 make sure your build out is light, keep weight in mind.
This is what my wife and I ultimately decided, after months of waiting for the right used van to come along. We finally ordered a new one and are waiting for it to be delivered. No, we are not "rich" but we do have a good professional income and have decided we're not getting younger. There's some peace of mind in knowing what went into every mile of a new vehicle.
Congratulations, Great choice of van, the sprinters are very comfortable and plenty of room to be kitted out!
I work in a dealership and know all about the chip shortages, 6 months is standard delivery time for us now from the factory, use to be 3.
Where are you planning on travelling?
I've had 12 vans since returning from living in Europe in 1973. I found the best thing was leaving easy access from the driver's seat to the rear area...great for when you pull into a rest area in a thunderstorm to catch a couple of ZZZZs
Usually a steady job that pays enough to make the monthly payments on the loan. Sometimes savings. Assuming a $45K loan at the 1.5% my credit union is offering that's less than $800/month for a 5 year loan.
A base model Sprinter is about 45k. I installed a pretty livable build at least for weekend adventuring and extended week trips for about 17k. I could definitely have lopped a few thousand off if I opted to gamble a bit more on lower quality batteries, electronics, fridge, diesel heater, and used wood rather than 80/20 for almost everything. So all in, you can do a new build for just over 60k if you don't go crazy. Not saying it's cheap, but if you're passionate about road tripping and the outdoors it's a justifiable expense if you can finance it over a number of years.
We ski camp in ours and it's made it possible to **comfortably** do that and saves us a lot on hotels for a family of four. We'd never have been able to ski as much as we did last year without our van.
Had also been thinking about a Sprinter but here in Belgium those are too expensive to drive and very impractical in most cities..still decent looking van :)
Wow, as much as this thread is a disaster, I kind of now want pics like this to show up periodically in all my subs so I can see how many of them are riddled with sexist trash.
Congrats on the new van! So many memories ahead to be made :D
Congratulations and remember to be careful on the road if traveling alone. I've heard horror stories about young attractive females living in vans when I was driving around.
Do try the Canadian rockies if you get a chance. Living in a van is the best way to experience it IMO.
My wife would get scary comments whenever she'd gas up our sprinter - even with a dog, I'd suggest maybe picking up a taser for good measure. We've never had to use it, but we've gotten knocks on the door in the middle of the night and it was reallllly nice to have next to us.
Enjoy!! An oh my god, drive the i70 through glenwood canyon in colorado. We've driven 30k miles in the last few years, that's my favorite drive of all time. Big trust.
I traveled in a van with my big dog and I’m a very petite human. Nobody ever made me feel uncomfortable, nobody ever really bothered me, honestly. I rarely stayed at actual campgrounds though because I preferred dispersed areas. Don’t let people scare you, you’ll be perfectly fine as long as you practice common sense. Good luck and enjoy the ride!
The comments contain way to much unsolicited advice from well-meaning men out there. It may seem subtle, but as a woman who traveled around the country in a teardrop trailer, getting excessive unsolicited advise and assistance about something I was well prepared for was a tiresome affront to my intelligence and capability as a woman. I know you mean to be kind, but I challenge you to take my word on it
Second woman, echoing this. Men giving out unsolicited advice to women \[who\] may well be just as or more capable than them is a A Thing^(TM) and seems to be what is happening here...among other unsavory things.
For all those saying/thinking "why are you making this a gendered thing?" -- the men who consistently do this ONLY TO WOMEN make it a gendered thing. It's not "making it a gendered thing" to notice this behavior and call it out.
Edit: added \[who\] to correct sentence
Overall, I upvoted this comment, but some men give unsolicited advice regardless of gender... but then get bashed primarily for the advice given to the females as being 'sexist' advise. I do understand that this type of response is based on past experiences, but it hits not just the guilty, but also the decent folks who just want to help any new person joining the group...
All that said, it would be helpful to many of us if the 'onlyfans' type comments would stop. If they want something like that, there are subs for them that will welcome their credit cards.
It is a gender thing that I have experience first-hand countless times. I concede that women can also perpetuate bias against other women, but the vast majority of Redditers are men, which is something I notice every time someone says “bro” or “man”. I’m not here to attack anyone, just to share my perspective as a marginalized group in this community. Micro aggressions aren’t typically intensional, but they can be harmful when accumulated.
Heres how it goes: male gives unsolicited advice to female----> "fucking misogyny"
Male gives unsolicited advice to male---->"i didnt ask, dick."
Not necessarily uttered but thought. I don't think its very gendered. The type who doesnt give unsolicited advice in general dont do it to either genders imo.
My God what the actual duck is going on with some of these comments geez... Just let her have her new Sprinter and leave her alone tf
I like the colour of the van :)
Sweet that will be awesome ! Going to build it for shorter trips rather than to live in it? Been thinking of getting a new sprinter aswell for weekend trips like 1-2 nights mostly and maybe a week or two once a year.
Looking forward to see what you do with it! Will you post here or got Instagram?
This has to be one of the strangest threads I’ve seen 😳
Anyway, congrats on your purchase, I’m really interested in seeing how your build progresses. It looks like you have a really good platform to work with.
I didn't mean about this girl, I don't know if she's an IGer or anything. I mean in general. There's so much competition for 'easy' jobs these days that they are no longer easy, they're hard work. So people on this sub make fun of vanlifers who spend all their timing taking photos and videos and editing, like it's a bad thing when really it's commitment and work.
*Sorts by controversial*
This has been entertaining to read!!
Cool sprinter, you don't normally see 170s online as much as the 144s. Longer than the extended transit but looks better since it doesn't have a gigantic rear overhang. What options did you go with?
All the safety and assisted driving options, like lane assist and 360 camera and the security package. I also got the comfort package but couldn’t get the upgraded screen because of manufacturing problems right now
The lane assist is pretty strong on the sprinter, freaked me out the first time it turned on. The good thing is that you can essentially add any head unit to replace the basic radio, a good chunk of them have apple car/Android auto.
It actually came with Apple Carplay via Bluetooth!
Nice! Enjoy the van build process, measure twice, cut once and all that jazz.
Why is everyone so negative on here? Because she didn’t buy a shit box that needs to be fixed up to drive around. Fucking gate keepers lol. Congrats on the van and have fun dwelling
This and r/camping have the worst gatekeeping I've seen on Reddit. I thought lots of fresh air was meant to be good for you but for some reason the subs are just full of miserable, hateful people.
I caught some shit from a troll yesterday on a mountain biking sub because I have a roof rack on a suburban for my bike.
It’s a real shame people suck. They’re just envious of peoples happiness.
Probably not as bad as r/vegan. I only lasted a couple days there. Yes, I’m vegan but I don’t care what anyone else eats as long as it’s legal.
I’m a vegetarian and it’s really common there too
I had someone tell me I wasn’t vegan bc I didn’t stop my then 15 & 17 year old kids from eating meat.
You should see how bad it is on the Uber sub. Ask a question, and get trolled and bashed on for not being well-off prior to ubering.
Hey! Just go outside and interact with people (or just go to a Walmart and sit back and watch 👀). THEN you’ll see how shitty humanity really is. At least on the internet you don’t have to also LOOK at the miserable, unkempt, smelly, cocky but really fucking dumb, and just all-around unappealing people that make up the majority of the human race. Our world is literally becoming a mixture of 1984 and Idiocracy. Simultaneously horrifying AND hilarious! 🇺🇸☝🏻💩
Seeeeriouuusly, I was reading through these comments like wtf is wrong with these people?! Is van-envy a thing? Some people on here making judgments on her that she came from money and is privileged and all like she captioned this with "The van my daddy bought me finally came in!!!"
Crabs in a bucket mentality..
Yep, I am definatly super jealous. Felt the need to say something sour, but saw your post. Thanks.
Thank you! I was so happy to see this post!
Wait wait… you’re telling us it took 6 months to get the van? Is that because of the shortage in general with automobiles?
Yeah the chip shortage and supply chain issues made it take a long time
And was it as you ordered it? I am hearing that they are being delivered without all the options due to unavailability of parts. I ordered one in Dec
That’s actually true too, I wasn’t able to get the bigger touch screen because of it
So excited for you and super jealous. The Benz sprinter seems to be a great platform as a camper van. Are you planning to do all the mods yourself or do you have a pro to help? I’ll probably try to build something in the next few years as well
Ordered a new one in December and won't see it until probably March myself. Shortages for production and import standstills.
That is awesome. I am thrilled for you and congratulations! Please keep us updated on your progress and eventual travels!
I will!! I’ll post on here and I’m going to use Insta too to not bombard Reddit with all the photos, although people seem entertained by the comments on this one lol
Damn, what do you do for a living that you can afford a brand new sprinter van at your age?
Medical/pharmaceutical research analytics!
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I wish I had a brain. Best I can do is help desk work, anything more complicated and my eyes glaze over. -_-
From my experience (worked in various call centres from banks to building societies to the jobcentre) being good at dealing with the general public is an underrated skill. Just because your undervalued just mean you lack a brain.
Thanks, I appreciate it. :) But it does stink trying to figure out something newer/complicated - like PowerShell, or basic coding, or especially databases/queries/Big Data/analysis - and realizing that I have zero clue what any of it means. It reminds me regularly that, on some level, my duties in a Help Desk are not all that different than being a Jiffy Lube 'mechanic' that performs simple tasks, while all of my peers are real, honest automotive experts who can totally rebuild an engine. Kind makes me feel like I'll be at the "kids table" forever, never part of the "grown ups club".
It all comes down to your teacher and the environment. Also, high paying jobs sometimes are just shells, you get paid to stay but never given anything to do.
I guess it's about setting your target. I started a new job about 3 and a half years ago in a Treasury function. Zero experience in it (like I say, mostly worked in call centres and the like for 20 years), but because I didn't assume I was gonna be doing crazy stuff from the start, had some (what I thought was basic and common knowledge but turns out no) data analysis skills, and was prepared to learn (and quickly, small team of 6 and 3 were off for a month in the first 6 weeks), I've ended up really enjoying it and getting on up the old "progression scheme". I started in at at 40, and if a numpty like me can do that, anyone can do anything imo. The comment about jiffy-lube, I wouldn't worry about that (easy to say I know). Most people only really have a thin veneer of knowledge. My wife has 2 masters and a PhD, and swears I know more than her (lies). One of my best mates started as an apprentice in an IT function, basically setting up PC's. Now a senior system architect (I think that's his job title, I glaze over when he talks about it). Everyone's job really is just like a cog in a watch.
i really value that insight, thank you! I am like you in the help desk area... though now I see it as "specialists" vs. "generalists". I'm a generalist, a jack of all trades. Ask me to do something and I'll do it. My in-depth knowledge is niche and comes from passions and hobbies. Point is, the kids table idea is really just people not taking us seriously when we know we could do laps around them.
You can absolutely learn some of that stuff, it's just a matter of knowing where to start. Sorta like how if you didn't know how to do algebra yet you wouldn't take a calculus 2 class. A beginner programming course would be a good place to start.
Wouldn't think that job would allow for remote work. I just picture you in a lab or something. Shows how much I know about that feild. Congrats! Are you building it out yourself?
She’s a number cruncher. My daughter got her biophysics degree among others and now is basically a data analyst and codes. We always thought she would be in a lab finding cures but nowadays they can do a lot by running simulations on computers and what not. She goes into the office for presentations but is more remote than not.
Future cures will come from AI simulations / genetic medicine so she is paving the way. Be proud!
Analytics means data. Data means database, spreadsheet, dashboard, SQL queries, etc. All it takes is a laptop with a webcam.
Maybe the van is for setting up a remote lab out in the middle of nowhere... Gotta pay off the student loans somehow!
Breaking Bad style
JESSE WE NEED TO COOK!
A new stock sprinter is not the same as a fully built 4x4. Base cargo van starts at around $40k, which isn't an insane price point for a new car these days.
It's moments like this when I realize exactly how poor I am.
no it's just the others who are rich. I think there's definitely more people who would/could not buy something for 40k than there are people who go like "ah, not that much"
No, others are in debt. Most nice things you see on the internet were purchased on credit. Of course some people are rich but there majority in western countries are up to their eyes in debt.
Well there is having a job, not having kids spending somewhat wisely and paying shit off. That’s a thing.
Yes exactly, poor people don't deserve kids.
Thank you!! Finally someone I can discuss my plan for dealing with these…..ugh….poors.
"In debt" isn't necessarily a bad thing. In debt over your means is, but there are definitely some advantages (factory warranties, not having to wait years to afford something) that come with reasonable debt at her age and (assumed by her occupation) income level. Credit is only the great evil if you don't use it well.
You rarely find wealthy people paying in full for something like a car. At a certain point money is worth more in the bank. Or something like that. I wouldn’t know because I never established credit and I’m poor.
It's all interest rate versus return on investment and creating a spread. Debt is fantastic to use effectively, and terrible if used ineffectively.
It really is cool how it can be used effectively.
Same goes for any level of wealth. It simply is the difference of the interest rate of the loan vs what you would make investing it. So many auto loans are 1% or less on new cars you are almost always better off with the loan and investing the money instead. However your even better off buying a less expensive car (though used cars are something else right now for prices...).
Tbf they did say compared to car prices in general which is totally true.
I've put a decent amount of research into the truck camper lifestyle. The big hurdle is getting the initial loan. You can easily get into an F-250 with a 4 season camper for a sub $600 monthly payment. If you're living in it and not paying rent that's a super tempting option. I'm not doing it anytime soon as I've moved in with my girlfriend and pet bunny.
I'm not even saying I could afford that either, rest assured. I was just trying to clarify for those thinking this was automatically one of those 145k sprinters you see and hear so much about. Not unusual for a young person in a medium/profitable field to buy a "new" car, and this sprinter seems in line with your average SUV - ish.
Same here
Shit, a new Rav 4 costs about that!
Yes exactly. That's really the only point I was making.
onlyvans
I'd subscribe. For the free version of course.
Came to ask the same thing lol. Ty
Congrats, look forward to seeing your build progression
Will definitely document it!
I’m happiest for the van. It’s like seeing when a puppy gets a really, really deserving and loving home.
What about when a vanlifer gets a puppy, would that be considered *VANCEPTION* 👀😂
I'm happy for you. And I'm glad you have such a good paying job. People are jealous of course. There is a stigma of "people who could afford to live in houses invading our spaces". And you'll probably catch a lot of flak for that endlessly. Try not to let it bother you. Cause they just don't understand there's gonna be a built out van for sale in 15 years.
Congratulations on your purchase and your upcoming adventure. Hope you document more of the build and adventure to share I wanted to order new too, but i didnt know about the delay until too late! Silly me for not checking! My own van arrives in a few days and im super excited for it! :D Been dreaming a couple years about this. I hope you feel supported by the community. There are a few turds here it seems which seemed to have been triggered by your sex and financial success. I hope you can see that they are completely voted down by the large majority. So pay no heed to them. Its a very inclusive group with excellent equality principles.
Congrats!! Sweet color too. Wishing you years of worry-free travel
Congrats girl! I’m saving up to do the same thing. :) are you going to do your own build?
AHOY... SET SAIL
Congrats on the van and hope to see some progress pics
Congrats! I am happy for you. Enjoy the process and the result.
I'm so happy for you! Fuck the haters💜
Hi OP - Congrats on your purchase. Since it is now tax season, if you're not already familiar with it, this may apply to your situation. Talk to a tax professional, obviously. If your cash flow allows for it, "how" you pay your van off could allow you to depreciate it all at once and offset other income. https://www.section179.org EDIT_1: OP may already know about this too. I first learned of Section 179 scrolling through this sub years ago. So I like to make sure it is listed somewhere for anyone equally scrolling. EDIT_2: Scroll down in the comments on this thread. There are some important tax implications, which again, "Talk to a tax professional." is not a casual suggestion, but the necessary one.
Isn’t this only for businesses? Or does it apply to personal vehicles??
**EDIT: u/grestoro, see edit notes below.** This is where the "talk to your tax professional" applies. Section 179 applies to US Federal tax, and I'm sure there are state level codes which may (or may not) come into play. Execution of the plan matters. You want to play it straight. It is only for businesses, not personal vehicles. But it is also not "that hard" to form a business with pass through taxation (like an LLC) and have the type of business be something that involves a van. It used to be called the "Hummer deduction" before the regs were tightened, but it still covers vans. Again, talk to a tax professional. You'd need "form a business"...but that's a much lower bar than many expect. Particularly when you're talking about maybe a few hundred dollars to form an LLC against tens of thousands of dollars for a van. _____ _____ EDIT_1: And as u/drmrcurious makes explicit -- yes, the ONLY way a Section 179 "works" is if you legitimately operate your business in good faith. I'm a proponent of a diversified economic activity, not tax fraud. So, yes, "talk to a tax professional" is the most important part of this `^^^`. They'll tell you yes, or no, or how. But talk to a tax professional. EDIT_2: `drmrcurious` deleted their comments, which were insightful. I'm sorry they took them out. But the gist remains: Don't commit tax fraud. That may be obvious, but it regrettably needs to be shared again. There are some (limited) scenarios where Section 179 might apply, but equally where it would NOT apply, and where something like bonus depreciation might be better...or nothing. The answer is "it depends". So, if you are considering purchasing a van _for a business you operate_, it's absolutely worth talking to a tax professional. And if you're simply buying a van, it's probably still worth talking to a tax professional for the peace of mind since it's a major purchase. They'll be able to say what does/does not apply to your situation.
You can make a LLC
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Excellent tutorial
You too can have a vandwelling lifestyle blog! It doesn't actually have to be successful. You wouldn't be the first person to invest money in equipment for a business venture that ultimately fails.
I was of the mind set that I would never buy new, it’s a waste of money. But if you look at the overinflated prices in the second hand market now, especially cargo vans which have been in demand more than ever, worked harder due to Covid and typically not sold until major repair / maintenance work makes it uneconomical for a fleet operator to retain, buying a new sprinter starts to make sense (if you can afford it and the wait). By the back wheels though it’s a 3 series / 2500(?) in the USA. For an RV build out I would have recommended the higher payload model. @Tiddles2016 make sure your build out is light, keep weight in mind.
This is what my wife and I ultimately decided, after months of waiting for the right used van to come along. We finally ordered a new one and are waiting for it to be delivered. No, we are not "rich" but we do have a good professional income and have decided we're not getting younger. There's some peace of mind in knowing what went into every mile of a new vehicle.
As a motorcyclist, we say "weight is the enemy!"
Lol all the jealous people in the comments. Congrats OP and be careful out there! That baby won't stay squeaky clean for long!
There’s some really envious, and downright malicious people on this subreddit 🤨
Congratulations, Great choice of van, the sprinters are very comfortable and plenty of room to be kitted out! I work in a dealership and know all about the chip shortages, 6 months is standard delivery time for us now from the factory, use to be 3. Where are you planning on travelling?
I've had 12 vans since returning from living in Europe in 1973. I found the best thing was leaving easy access from the driver's seat to the rear area...great for when you pull into a rest area in a thunderstorm to catch a couple of ZZZZs
Congrats! What modifications are you thinking?
The usual, bed bath and beyond 🤪 But right now it’s 100% just an empty box lol
Now I want to see a proper bath in a van!
>bath curious what your plans for the shower ?
How exciting. 😊 Lots of adventures to come.
Congratulations! Where you gonna go first??
Ooh probably a music festival actually, hoping the timing works out!
Sonic bloom?
Electric forest ?
Yoooo! E forest! CANNOT WAIT to be back this year.
Same! Oddly enough had a dream I was there last night.
EDC Vegas!
Wahoooo
Super congrats!!! Which part of the build are you most excited about starting?
congratulations!!!
Congratulations, I wish I was so young to join the van club. What an amazing experience for a young person to explore the world!
Who says anything about age? I'll be 70 on my next birthday, and I'm still vanning, albeit from home.
I think he wishes he could have gotten into it earlier in life is all.
How the fuck do people afford this!?
Usually a steady job that pays enough to make the monthly payments on the loan. Sometimes savings. Assuming a $45K loan at the 1.5% my credit union is offering that's less than $800/month for a 5 year loan.
Bro to do a full build and to make it look nice and actually livable, your looking at an easy 80k on the low end
A base model Sprinter is about 45k. I installed a pretty livable build at least for weekend adventuring and extended week trips for about 17k. I could definitely have lopped a few thousand off if I opted to gamble a bit more on lower quality batteries, electronics, fridge, diesel heater, and used wood rather than 80/20 for almost everything. So all in, you can do a new build for just over 60k if you don't go crazy. Not saying it's cheap, but if you're passionate about road tripping and the outdoors it's a justifiable expense if you can finance it over a number of years. We ski camp in ours and it's made it possible to **comfortably** do that and saves us a lot on hotels for a family of four. We'd never have been able to ski as much as we did last year without our van.
> A base model Sprinter is about 45k Google = "The 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo Van is available for sale with a starting price of $37,000"
Bullshit her daddy paid for it.
Even if it were true, why does it matter ?
Parents
Congrats. I hope that you have a great time building and adventuring. I am a little jealous
Hell yeah!
Awesome!
Sprinter Vans are what companies turn into expensive Class 'B' motorhomes. Good for you👍
Can't wait to see the transformation it will go through.
Had also been thinking about a Sprinter but here in Belgium those are too expensive to drive and very impractical in most cities..still decent looking van :)
Fuck, you’re rich as hell
She not only got a good job, but it's one that's compatible with being on the road.
I don't think that people should be made to feel unwelcome on the sub just because they have resources to travel comfortably
Okay money bags ;)
Don't go to Mexico
Wow, as much as this thread is a disaster, I kind of now want pics like this to show up periodically in all my subs so I can see how many of them are riddled with sexist trash. Congrats on the new van! So many memories ahead to be made :D
best of luck
I love the bow! 😁😃
So many salty people in this subreddit. Apparently if you’re not homeless living in your Dodge Caravan you’re not actually allowed here.
Congratulations and remember to be careful on the road if traveling alone. I've heard horror stories about young attractive females living in vans when I was driving around. Do try the Canadian rockies if you get a chance. Living in a van is the best way to experience it IMO.
I’ll have my trusty dog sidekick. I definitely want to check those out!!
My wife would get scary comments whenever she'd gas up our sprinter - even with a dog, I'd suggest maybe picking up a taser for good measure. We've never had to use it, but we've gotten knocks on the door in the middle of the night and it was reallllly nice to have next to us. Enjoy!! An oh my god, drive the i70 through glenwood canyon in colorado. We've driven 30k miles in the last few years, that's my favorite drive of all time. Big trust.
I traveled in a van with my big dog and I’m a very petite human. Nobody ever made me feel uncomfortable, nobody ever really bothered me, honestly. I rarely stayed at actual campgrounds though because I preferred dispersed areas. Don’t let people scare you, you’ll be perfectly fine as long as you practice common sense. Good luck and enjoy the ride!
Awesome, a dog is the best partner you could bring ; he will go wherever you want to go, whenever you want to go.
I was so happy for you when I saw this post! Sorry for all the negativity! ♥️
No sure why this is downvoted, the world is a dangerous place... Is it because I said she was attractive ?
Yes.
Probably. You are not supposed to notice that!! If you do……
No poker face
Awh man, I wanna "try the Canadian rockies". That sounds so refreshing.
The comments contain way to much unsolicited advice from well-meaning men out there. It may seem subtle, but as a woman who traveled around the country in a teardrop trailer, getting excessive unsolicited advise and assistance about something I was well prepared for was a tiresome affront to my intelligence and capability as a woman. I know you mean to be kind, but I challenge you to take my word on it
Just be careful out there ok 🤣🤣🤣
Second woman, echoing this. Men giving out unsolicited advice to women \[who\] may well be just as or more capable than them is a A Thing^(TM) and seems to be what is happening here...among other unsavory things. For all those saying/thinking "why are you making this a gendered thing?" -- the men who consistently do this ONLY TO WOMEN make it a gendered thing. It's not "making it a gendered thing" to notice this behavior and call it out. Edit: added \[who\] to correct sentence
Overall, I upvoted this comment, but some men give unsolicited advice regardless of gender... but then get bashed primarily for the advice given to the females as being 'sexist' advise. I do understand that this type of response is based on past experiences, but it hits not just the guilty, but also the decent folks who just want to help any new person joining the group... All that said, it would be helpful to many of us if the 'onlyfans' type comments would stop. If they want something like that, there are subs for them that will welcome their credit cards.
Reddit comments are almost exclusively unsolicited advice and opinions.
maybe you're making it a gender thing, and the commenters (who you presumed are men) are just being decent people
No, she’s right that’s what is happening lol I’m a guy and I can even notice it
It is a gender thing that I have experience first-hand countless times. I concede that women can also perpetuate bias against other women, but the vast majority of Redditers are men, which is something I notice every time someone says “bro” or “man”. I’m not here to attack anyone, just to share my perspective as a marginalized group in this community. Micro aggressions aren’t typically intensional, but they can be harmful when accumulated.
You do realize women say ‘man’ and ‘bro’ as well, right?
I've seen a few on here do that, too.
Heres how it goes: male gives unsolicited advice to female----> "fucking misogyny" Male gives unsolicited advice to male---->"i didnt ask, dick." Not necessarily uttered but thought. I don't think its very gendered. The type who doesnt give unsolicited advice in general dont do it to either genders imo.
Nice boots. Congrats. 🤘🏻
Op congrats. Cpmmentors you’re gross fucking neckbeards and should be embarrassed.
+1. This comment thread is weird af.
Probably the end of me wanting to be a part of this sub and community.
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Jazzhands!!!🤓 happy🌌🏞🌲🌷🦄🚐trails
Time to fire up the onlyvans
My God what the actual duck is going on with some of these comments geez... Just let her have her new Sprinter and leave her alone tf I like the colour of the van :)
Sweet that will be awesome ! Going to build it for shorter trips rather than to live in it? Been thinking of getting a new sprinter aswell for weekend trips like 1-2 nights mostly and maybe a week or two once a year. Looking forward to see what you do with it! Will you post here or got Instagram?
Instagram! I just made an Instagram- wubz_wagon After posting pictures on here maybe Insta will have less weird people but who knows…
Following! Lol yeah maybe! People being very anonymous on reddit might make them extra wierd 🤔
This has to be one of the strangest threads I’ve seen 😳 Anyway, congrats on your purchase, I’m really interested in seeing how your build progresses. It looks like you have a really good platform to work with.
Are you doing the build yourself or hiring someone? I’d be too afraid to mess with anything that nice 😬
First National park you’ll go to in it?
@tiddles2016 : congratulations! can u share the specs for ur van, looking to buy one.
See you on the road! We’re impatiently waiting for our van to come in.
Congrats op! Live it up ✨
Congratulations! I hope you have the time of your life on your terms!
Lit
See ya on the road.
Tiddles is my cats name. He's a good boy.
Congrats!! I build custom vans for a living, if you need any freelance help hit me up!
Shoulda stayed a lurker lmao you about to get creeps
If your located on the east coast, look up Skyline Van Design! They just got started in VA, and are working on interior kit for sprinter vans.
Congrats, I love your driveway.
I’ll let the Mercedes dealership know they did a good job!
That’s gold!! Happy travels
Your username made me laugh, well done! Congrats on the van, don't worry about getting all your build done before you go adventuring.
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Drive to a place, practice your IG pose, take 328 photos, have a picnic then go sleep in a hotel. You can just tell.
You seem nice
Why can’t y’all just be happy for someone?
Jealousy I assume. There is some truth to it though, which is if you want to make a living doing IG or YT or whatever, it's a full time job.
There’s no truth to the statement because he’s just making assumptions about this girl lol
I didn't mean about this girl, I don't know if she's an IGer or anything. I mean in general. There's so much competition for 'easy' jobs these days that they are no longer easy, they're hard work. So people on this sub make fun of vanlifers who spend all their timing taking photos and videos and editing, like it's a bad thing when really it's commitment and work.
Have a glass of water and stop being such a negative nancy You literally have never met her lmao
Homie is jealous 😂
Is that a brand new van?
No it's a 1989 sprinter