Hello hello.
No I am not looking for a yuppie van life Oregon van.
Now that is out of the way. after living with a 2012 Mazda 5 for 8 years and a TSX Wagon for 6 years, need a van with more space.
- Need to carry people
- need to carry stuff
Almost pulled the trigger on a NV3500 pre Covid but since I didnt and production was stopped - they are all in the $45-70$k asking price. So thats not happening.
Brings me back to GMc/Chevy Express/Ford Econoline and if there is a Dodge variant.
#1 requirement is reliability.
I drove a Express 3500 Sliding door red 96k miles with 6.0L last week. It was not the best driver when empty (expected).
Most of these vans are white and have the clamshell passenger door (dont want those already have FJ Cruiser).
So what is my best bet for a reliable van? Which engine to get? WhT years to avoid?
I dont need the 3500 or e350 capability. But dont mind if I have it
What say you hive? Best bang for the buck for a reliable van?
edit: no towing required
How much to you want to tow and what weight. Under 5K and not very often changes the suggestions really fast.
E350 with the 5.4 after '08 should be away from any of the spark plug issues. It will meet the 5k pound towing requirements but it is going to get 16-18mpg max.
I have an '02 E350 with the V10. It has 220k miles, but it did just blow one spark plug out. That issue should have been resolved in later models but YMMV.
If you don't like the clamshell doors, the Ford Transits were optional with a sliding side door. Prices have gone stupid on those (and all used vehicles) in the past couple years though. But it may not be comfortable with the 5k pound towing.
How many kids? I have 6 plus 1 on the way and we all can squeeze into our '04 Odyssey if needed. '05+ Odysseys have the jump seat so you actually get a seatbelt with those. Doesn't meet the towing needs though.
wearymicrobe said:
How much to you want to tow and what weight. Under 5K and not very often changes the suggestions really fast.
0 towing needed. I have a few trucks for that.
jmabarone said:
E350 with the 5.4 after '08 should be away from any of the spark plug issues. It will meet the 5k pound towing requirements but it is going to get 16-18mpg max.
I have an '02 E350 with the V10. It has 220k miles, but it did just blow one spark plug out. That issue should have been resolved in later models but YMMV.
If you don't like the clamshell doors, the Ford Transits were optional with a sliding side door. Prices have gone stupid on those (and all used vehicles) in the past couple years though. But it may not be comfortable with the 5k pound towing.
How many kids? I have 6 plus 1 on the way and we all can squeeze into our '04 Odyssey if needed. '05+ Odysseys have the jump seat so you actually get a seatbelt with those. Doesn't meet the towing needs though.
Thanks! Oddy/Sienna doesnt meet my requirements for pass needs. I wish it did. Then I would just order a hybrid Sienna and be done with it.
I will look at the 2008 5.4 You suggested. Thank you
Express vans had either the clamshell doors or a sliding door ,
they also came in 2 lengths , nice thing is the longer one has an extended wheelbase and not just a longer tail like a Dodge Maxivan or the long Ford vans.
californiamilleghia said:
Express vans had either the clamshell doors or a sliding door ,
they also came in 2 lengths , nice thing is the longer one has an extended wheelbase and not just a longer tail like a Dodge Maxivan or the long Ford vans.
Yeah the one I test drove (sold while I made up my mind UGH), was the extended wheel base. I liked that the rear overhang wasn't huge, and the "space" was between the wheels.
Obviously $50,000 isn't what I want to pay - but something like this https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/455bfee9-3d11-431e-842c-0870a08c3ce8/
My E250 camper van has the clam shell doors. The sliding door is nice but I don't find it enough to live on (had a van with sliding door). I can still get my bicycles in and out of the van; it just takes a set sequence but part of that is there is a cabinet in the way.
I wouldn't automatically dismiss the calm shell doors if you can get a nice van for a good price.
I'd buy the best van you can get for the money you want to spend.
Tom1200 said:
My E250 camper van has the clam shell doors. The sliding door is nice but I don't find it enough to live on (had a van with sliding door). I can still get my bicycles in and out of the van; it just takes a set sequence but part of that is there is a cabinet in the way.
I wouldn't automatically dismiss the calm shell doors if you can get a nice van for a good price.
I'd buy the best van you can get for the money you want to spend.
Thanks Tom! Guess I should give the clam door a chance.
Aside from towing, anybody know the differences between the 1500 vs 3500? The 3500 here has a 4.8 and the 1500 has a 5.3 motor. One has the 4 speed auto other has the 6 speed auto
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/337bbbfc-acbc-41a6-b4d4-14518b7d401f/
VS
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/7ab1517c-5a0f-4284-ba04-e22cb3834d88/
I kinda read the title wrong. I was thinking:
I have an 06 Express. I went with the Express for two reasons - 1) I wanted the AWD, and 2) it has the option of rear doors on both sides. Doesn't seem like much, but having barn doors on both sides is wicked awesome.
I have owned a few E250 vans as well, one with the 4.6L and one with the 7.3 Powerstroke.
If I had to buy another van right now, I don't think I could rightly pick between the Econoline and the Express/Savana. Both solid trucks that will do it all. If you get an Express, DO NOT get white. They used a super cheap paint to save money and it peels like plasti-dip revealing ugly gray primer underneath.
GM pros: Dead-reliable LS mill, good trans, more comfy ergo/better seats
GM cons: Sometimes slightly more electrical gremlins, slightly lower assembly quality
Ford pros: Dead-reliable mod mill, good trans, brick E36 M3house build quality, beefy chassis bits
Ford cons: Tendency for steering boxes to have slop, not-great ergo, twin-I-beam front can wear tires a bit faster. (I never had that problem but maybe I just had gooder tires)
Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) said:
I have an 06 Express. I went with the Express for two reasons - 1) I wanted the AWD, and 2) it has the option of rear doors on both sides. Doesn't seem like much, but having barn doors on both sides is wicked awesome.
I have owned a few E250 vans as well, one with the 4.6L and one with the 7.3 Powerstroke.
If I had to buy another van right now, I don't think I could rightly pick between the Econoline and the Express/Savana. Both solid trucks that will do it all. If you get an Express, DO NOT get white. They used a super cheap paint to save money and it peels like plasti-dip revealing ugly gray primer underneath.
GM pros: Dead-reliable LS mill, good trans, more comfy ergo/better seats
GM cons: Sometimes slightly more electrical gremlins, slightly lower assembly quality
Ford pros: Dead-reliable mod mill, good trans, brick E36 M3house build quality, beefy chassis bits
Ford cons: Tendency for steering boxes to have slop, not-great ergo, twin-I-beam front can wear tires a bit faster. (I never had that problem but maybe I just had gooder tires)
Thanks CUrtis! On the ones I am looking at, I don't see doors on both sides. Would be amazing, but doesn't seem like much of a choice.
On the Chevy, any thoughts on the 4.8, 5.3, vs 6.0?
mr2s2000elise said:
Tom1200 said:
My E250 camper van has the clam shell doors. The sliding door is nice but I don't find it enough to live on (had a van with sliding door). I can still get my bicycles in and out of the van; it just takes a set sequence but part of that is there is a cabinet in the way.
I wouldn't automatically dismiss the calm shell doors if you can get a nice van for a good price.
I'd buy the best van you can get for the money you want to spend.
Thanks Tom! Guess I should give the clam door a chance.
Along with the thread title there's a joke in here somewhere.
My buddy is on his 2nd or 3rd Sprinter Van, but I have a feeling seeing what he asked for his used a one a few years, it's way more than you want to spend.
In reply to preach (dudeist priest) :
I was going to post a pic of my vans, nice work
z31maniac said:
mr2s2000elise said:
Tom1200 said:
My E250 camper van has the clam shell doors. The sliding door is nice but I don't find it enough to live on (had a van with sliding door). I can still get my bicycles in and out of the van; it just takes a set sequence but part of that is there is a cabinet in the way.
I wouldn't automatically dismiss the calm shell doors if you can get a nice van for a good price.
I'd buy the best van you can get for the money you want to spend.
Thanks Tom! Guess I should give the clam door a chance.
Along with the thread title there's a joke in here somewhere.
My buddy is on his 2nd or 3rd Sprinter Van, but I have a feeling seeing what he asked for his used a one a few years, it's way more than you want to spend.
Sprinter Diesel would be amazing. But at those prices, just doesn't make sense for the usage I am looking for. Also I believe reliability is suspect.
Ideally a Toyota Hiace extended would do the trick, but I am trying to stay legal for the usage of this and not run a MT/SD plate.
Sprinter diesel won't last as long as the 4.8 or 6.0 in a 2500 Express or Savanna.
If you notice used Chevy Express vans on the road all the white ones have grey primer areas where the paint peeled or white areas that have been spot painted and do not really match ,
on the Chevy van forum this is a very common problem ,
For some reason there was never a recall to fix this , maybe because it would have cost billions !
Also most of them have 200k miles before being taken out of fleet service , cable companies etc,
You can get an Idea of the real mileage by putting the plate number or Vin in the California smog check website ,
When I bought mine I looked at a few that had the speedometer kicked back ,
Good luck
californiamilleghia said:
If you notice used Chevy Express vans on the road all the white ones have grey primer areas where the paint peeled or white areas that have been spot painted and do not really match ,
on the Chevy van forum this is a very common problem ,
For some reason there was never a recall to fix this , maybe because it would have cost billions !
Also most of them have 200k miles before being taken out of fleet service , cable companies etc,
You can get an Idea of the real mileage by putting the plate number or Vin in the California smog check website ,
When I bought mine I looked at a few that had the speedometer kicked back ,
Good luck
100% not buying white. Appreciate the info. I see the paint issues on the 08-11 Civic Si as well (mine didn't have it).
Any areas you recommend looking? Norco Truck center seem to have a bunch (locally speaking). Also ready 120-150K mile they need trans rebuild. I am used to land cruisers and other japanese cars , that never need a trans rebuild at such low mileage.
Thus any input from you guys would be helpful. Interestingly I am seeing 3500 LWB that seat 11 or 15. If one seats 11, can you add the last row bench? Just curious if the holes are predrilled.
Also are there any model year changes?
I was hoping for one around 75-100K miles or so. I would like to keep it 100k more miles.
Enterprise, Hertz or Avis might have some used 11 or 15 passenger vans listed on their car sales sites. Expect they'll be white, ha. And, they're probably not cheap but what is any more.
The rental companies used to have GMs with 11 seats but just a V6 engine. So, if you see one cheap, verify engine.
John Welsh said:
Enterprise, Hertz or Avis might have some used 11 or 15 passenger vans listed on their car sales sites. Expect they'll be white, ha. And, they're probably not cheap but what is any more.
The rental companies used to have GMs with 11 seats but just a V6 engine. So, if you see one cheap, verify engine.
Hertz doesn't have any in the whole country.
Avis has 1, 2019 68K miles, $34K, 6.0L . But white. It is a 11 pass. I don't need more, but looking at cargo area, I can't figure out if it can be a 15 passenger, or the ones that are 15 are like that from factory.
https://www.aviscarsales.com/used/Chevrolet/2019-Chevrolet-Express+3500-4d9917d20a0e0a9a0eb144ab9ee45516.htm
Enterprise seem to have TONS of them. All white of course. All clam doors. They don't list motor size.
I'd lean toward a modern Ford like this Enterprise in CA but given the price, I'd consider new too.
Chevy in Vegas. The seats go all the way to the rear door denoting 15 passengers
90% are white ,
since you want lots of seats I assume you also want windows ,
I know Long Beach city college has a bunch of them parked at Vets stadium ,
Probably not for sale but might be worth a phone call.
Here is a company near my that upfits chassis to buses and transit vans. They have new and used There must be similar companies on west coast.
When looking there, the magic number is 15 (14 plus 1 driver.) If you get into 16 you're now in Commercial territory (CDL needed.)
Here's a lead. I went to this manufacturer's site and then clicked on find a dealer. One in Las Vegas
californiamilleghia said:
90% are white ,
since you want lots of seats I assume you also want windows ,
I know Long Beach city college has a bunch of them parked at Vets stadium ,
Probably not for sale but might be worth a phone call.
Thank you. Yes for me seats are important, as I will be using it for family/passengers. Wish LBCC would sell them!
