Need advice on a new van | FerrariChat

Need advice on a new van

Discussion in 'General Automotive Discussion' started by Jedi, Mar 18, 2010.

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  1. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
    Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Mar 18, 2008
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    Dave
    I need to pick up a decent used van for my business. I've never owned a van
    before, and for that matter haven't had an American car in many years.

    Prices seem all over the board - 100,000 mile commercial panel vans for $10k!!

    My questions:

    1. Brand - Ford, Chevy, Dodge, other? Which do you think is the best as far
    as reliability?

    2. Mileage - it seems the vast majority of more commercial duty vans (like the
    Ford 350 series) have 100k miles or close, even though they are only model
    year 2006 or 2007. Is it realistic to expect another 100k out of a rig like this?

    The van will be used only a few times a month, but will often need to cover
    700 - 2000 miles per trip. I just want to pay cash, so I don't want to spend
    over $10k - would prefer less.

    Any suggestions?

    Thanks

    Jedi
     
  2. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
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    Amazing.... 16 helpful responses in silver on a re-post, zero here.

    Hmmmm....

    Jedi
     
  3. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    Jun 30, 2007
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    #3 GuyIncognito, Mar 18, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  4. agup48

    agup48 Two Time F1 World Champ

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    Free Hannah Montana Concert Shuttle?

    Ford Transit? <10K

    Chevy HHR

    Scion XB (covered in vinyl, depending on your business)

    PT Cruisers
     
  5. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
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    Gawd this is silly place sometimes :D :D :D

    Jedi

    Ps - MOST times :D
     
  6. agup48

    agup48 Two Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 15, 2006
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    :confused: Why?


    Sometimes :D

    Ps - ALL times ;)
     
  7. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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  8. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
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    Dave
  9. parkerfe

    parkerfe F1 World Champ

    Sep 4, 2001
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    Franklin E. Parker
    How about a Ford Transit?
     
  10. Isobel

    Isobel F1 World Champ

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    Is, Izzy for Australians
  11. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
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    Wow! That's the ticket!!! Don't have the cash until the 2007 camping trailer sells
    in the next month. But at least VERY encouraging.

    Thanks for posting that - not that I'll buy THAT one, but it clearly indicates that what
    I'm looking for is indeed out there at the right price.

    Many thanks,

    Jedi

    ps - And it would indeed look good next to the river, with a canopy and fire pit and
    a couple old sofas nearby and... and.... ;D
     
  12. LightGuy

    LightGuy Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #12 LightGuy, Mar 28, 2010
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2010
    How much weight are you going to carry ?
    If less than 1000 lbs a 1/2 ton is perfectly fine.
    I bought a brand new Chevy 1/2 ton in 99 with a V-6 for the gas mileage. On sale at $14k !
    Recently retired it a few months ago with 225K miles on it and it carried well over a ton of stuff everyday. It actually sagged in back.
    It was pretty bulletproof other than 2 transmissions, about 3 in tank fuel pumps (I'm convinced it was a crap design), and two power steering pumps that failed early on when the steering stops were incorrectly factory adjusted.
    Several sets of brake pads and rotors. These were the weak link in the van as it carried way too much weight for 1/2 ton brakes to work properly.
    Looking back a 3/4 would have been better.
    1 tons will use more fuel.
    I got 16 MPG with a ladder rack and all that weight.
    A great truck.
    I now have a diesel extended high top Sprinter. This is THE ticket for serious hauling.
    20 MPG fully loaded and ladder rack.
    Used ones can be found for <10k but you had better do your shopping.
     
  13. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
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    Mar 18, 2008
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    Thanks Lightguy for the tips... I've been doing a lot of homework... looking at a
    2006 E350 cargo van (1T, which I will need, actually) with 21K miles - $14k and
    can probably be had for $2k or more less. Still deciding...

    I've seen the Ford Transit which is mentioned a LOT in this thread - VERY cool
    looking, but likely not the cargo weight/capacity I'm going to need.

    Should have it nailed by the end of April one way or the other....

    Thanks for posting your thoughts....

    Jedi
     

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