Buying from a dealer:
Usually the issue here is that the loan math can be a little funny and vehicles are usually purchased underwater. I assume you're buying this van in cash? If not, read all the fine print. Pros of buying from a dealer: Nice clean interior, all repairs completed (probably), new tires (probably), but you still might want to drive it off the dealer's lot and straight to a favored mechanic*, just in case.
Buying from Craigslist:
Find a mechanic you like and trust, and tell the person you want to purchase the vehicle from that you want to take it to YOUR mechanic to have a diagnostic run, and you want THEM to pay for the diagnostic (reimburse them if you do purchase, imho). Diagnostic usually runs around $90 in my area, but should tell you all the current problems and about any upcoming problems. Use this info to negotiate the price. Once purchased, have the oil changed, air filters replaced, tires rotated and an alignment done, that way you reset the maintenance schedule at the time of purchase.
Or, that would be what I would do, having helped my DH with the purchase of a 10+ year old PT Cruiser, and having accidentally broken it three times so far. :') Car ownership has been more difficult than I anticipated.
Once the title is signed over, your next stop is the DMV to have it registered and get temporary tags. You'll need insurance to do this, but that can be done quickly online, or you can schedule an appointment with a preferred agent. Call the DMV for fee schedules and with any questions - you always hear that the DMV people are horrible, but honestly, most of them are just good Customer Service Reps and really want to help.
*Definitely get a well favored mechanic, or two. Talk to friends and family members, and use their names when you're referred. I've found that relatives that can easily be buffaloed/lied to tend to send me the way of mechanics that try to lie to/buffalo me. You get what you pay for, imo, and paying a little more for labor means better paid mechanics means better/more reliable services. This isn't really a place you want to scrimp and save, other than by doing the maintenance/repairs yourself. DH and I have had good and bad experiences, the worst being someone who ran a diagnostic, said the timing belt was due to go any second (based on the age of the car/total mileage), even though we knew it had been replaced recently by the previous owner. Turns out that mechanic knew it was going to go any second because he dropped some loose bolts down into the housing, where they could bounce up and get caught in the belt, breaking it. Hmm. Fortunately, our regular mechanic found them, removed them and informed us. Yay!
Best of luck! Would love to see your van house after it's built!
