Learn me: Vans for people who don’t pull out

Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) said:

Is that what they're going for?  Just as a counterpoint, I got my 06 with 80k-ish mid-pandemic for $6500.  I shopped hard and negotiated harder, but I can't imagine 170k miles for $8k.

I might be wrong, but that feels like at least 60% more than what it should cost.  You've shopped them more than I have recently, just a price point from 1.5 years ago.

Price is right on the money.  

I started the journey wanting a NV3500 Nissan 12 passenger. Read tons about the 5.6L oil consumption issue.  Now debating between 4.0L V6 in the NV3500 (supposedly more reliable motor) vs the Express.  

Nissan NV newest are in the $48-70K range.  I don't need a van that bad to be honest. 

Should have bought the blood red 99K 3500 LS for $16K early covid. I am still looking for the right van and deal. 

These don't pop up in non white locally - thus wnated to share this brown one. He already has 2 people looking today (ad is 7 hours old)

Dang.  If I could live without mine I could get a healthy payday.

Sorry for chiming in with outdated info, just a little surprise.

Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) said:

Dang.  If I could live without mine I could get a healthy payday.

Sorry for chiming in with outdated info, just a little surprise.

Just what the market is, for clean ones.  I essentially look in west coast + utah (lots there as you can guess).  Hopefully I will pull the trigger before summer comes. 

I've owned *lots* of passenger vans. The MO has always been to buy a 5grand Chevy or Ford, and replace as needed. But then the market went silly and 5 grand wouldn't buy anything remotely decent. So after much whining and research we have a pair of 15 pax 3.5 Transits with slider side doors, a 17 and a 22. Don't fear the 3.5 ecoboost. The 17 has 120k on it and no issues. Both of them drive so, so, so much nicer than anything else in this category, more grunt than the triton v10 to name one example, they're sooo much easier to get in and out of, Way better sightlines, quieter etc that any future vans we need'll be transits too. Only thing I like about the ladder frame vans is the seats are easier to r n r. Those transit seats are heavy...

Jay_W said:

I've owned *lots* of passenger vans. The MO has always been to buy a 5grand Chevy or Ford, and replace as needed. But then the market went silly and 5 grand wouldn't buy anything remotely decent. So after much whining and research we have a pair of 15 pax 3.5 Transits with slider sider doors, a 17 and a 22. Don't fear the 3.5 ecoboost. The 17 has 120k on it and no issues. Both of them drive so, so, so much nicer than anything else in this category, more grunt than the triton v10 to name one example, they're soo much easier to get in anx out of, Way better sightlines, quieter etc that any future vans we need'll be transits too. Only thing I like about the ladder frame vans is the seats are easier to r n r. Those transit seats are heavy...

Hi Jay, thanks for the info ! I am pretty scared about the ecoboost thus haven't even shopped them.  What kinda price you guys pay for those?

Seat being heavy is not an issue - I wouldn't remove them. 

the market around here was normal, til it wasn't. paid 28k for the 17, 2 yr ago with about 100k on it.  Last year I had to buy another one, looked at prices, and decided it made more sense to buy new with warranty. First call was to a chevy dealer for an Express. I said "how much". they said "40k but there's a markup" I said "what sorta markup" they said "40k and yagotta wait a year" I said "OK well lemme tell ya what you can do with your markup" and went to a Ford place and bought this spankin new awd med roof transit for msrp.  Which, I'd never buy new in the Before Times. Incidentally we sold a 95 E350 15 pax I paid 5k for when it was 10 years old, sold it this year for um 7500. No, I don't know what planet this is cuz where I come from (Earth), you don't sell old junk at a profit. 

Jay_W said:

 I come from (Earth), you don't sell old junk at a profit. 

My 125K 73 Bronco would disagree. LOL

Appreciat the info. I will see how much the low roof Transits are going for. 

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

To update you. Seller of brown Express 1500 I posted photo of, said first guy gave him full $ and van is sold. That is the market. 

I looked back through this and don't see how many people you actually need to move around.  

If it is like 12 people, I would look for the nicest van of any of the big hitters that you can afford.

It doesn't sound like you need a 2500 or 3500 since you won't be towing or carrying sheetmetal or anything.

I bet trips with that many people are fun!

wvumtnbkr said:

I looked back through this and don't see how many people you actually need to move around.  

 

If it is like 12 people, I would look for the nicest van of any of the big hitters that you can afford.

 

It doesn't sound like you need a 2500 or 3500 since you won't be towing or carrying sheetmetal or anything.

 

I bet trips with that many people are fun!

9-10 people- adults.   8 person sienna/oddy won't work.   Need room for gear and some relaxing space. 

Not towing with the van. 

Did 9 years on a Mazda5. Loaded it to the brim. Bought it new. 140K miles, roof turtle 21 cubic feet. Now need a proper van.

We did a Tanzania/Kenya safari last summer 17 people. I had 2 Hiace there. Did a 14 person trip Fiji/NZ - had hte Hyundai van.  Did 9 person Egypt - that was a Hiace as well .  Thus need the van for domestic.  We are on the road about 8-10 weeks a years. 4 weeks outside US, 4-6 weeks inside US.

If I could get a new Hiace here - I would. Till then Chevy/Ford/Nissan has to be it

mr2s2000elise said:

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

To update you. Seller of brown Express 1500 I posted photo of, said first guy gave him full $ and van is sold. That is the market. 

Dang.  Consider my perspective sufficiently adjusted

mr2s2000elise said:

wvumtnbkr said:

I looked back through this and don't see how many people you actually need to move around.  

 

If it is like 12 people, I would look for the nicest van of any of the big hitters that you can afford.

 

It doesn't sound like you need a 2500 or 3500 since you won't be towing or carrying sheetmetal or anything.

 

I bet trips with that many people are fun!

9-10 people- adults.   8 person sienna/oddy won't work.   Need room for gear and some relaxing space. 

Not towing with the van. 

 

Did 9 years on a Mazda5. Loaded it to the brim. Bought it new. 140K miles, roof turtle 21 cubic feet. Now need a proper van.

 

We did a Tanzania/Kenya safari last summer 17 people. I had 2 Hiace there. Did a 14 person trip Fiji/NZ - had hte Hyundai van.  Did 9 person Egypt - that was a Hiace as well .  Thus need the van for domestic.  We are on the road about 8-10 weeks a years. 4 weeks outside US, 4-6 weeks inside US.

 

If I could get a new Hiace here - I would. Till then Chevy/Ford/Nissan has to be it

Wow!  That sounds awesome!  Can you adopt me?  Haha.

In this market, I'd buy anything Ford or Chevy that popped up. be ready to act fast.

I have an '06 E250 w the 4.6. It's been good. Has 333k on chassis with a rebuilt motor and trans. Steering box needs rebuilt. No major issues in two years of ownership. Did brakes, valve cover gaskets, plugs. Needs a new cat currently. Also springs and shocks.

The 2008+ Econolines with the updated front end got bigger brakes, improved front sway bar mounting, and supposedly some other steering improvements (despite researching I can't figure out what they are, maybe a different steering boxes x and radius arm bushings?). At nearly 7500 lbs, it warped a new set of rotors in about 10k miles, hence the desired larger rotors. Next time I do the front brakes I'm going to upgrade. Not worth holding out for a 08+ in this market, just passing along the info.

When I bought it, I paid on the spot full asking price. This was early 2021.

Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) said:

mr2s2000elise said:

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

To update you. Seller of brown Express 1500 I posted photo of, said first guy gave him full $ and van is sold. That is the market. 

Dang.  Consider my perspective sufficiently adjusted

It was a deal in this economy. I just wasn't that desperate for it.

wvumtnbkr said:

 

Wow!  That sounds awesome!  Can you adopt me?  Haha.

Sadly, can't afford any more humans.

CyberEric said:

In this market, I'd buy anything Ford or Chevy that popped up. be ready to act fast.

I have an '06 E250 w the 4.6. It's been good. Has 333k on chassis with a rebuilt motor and trans. Steering box needs rebuilt. No major issues in two years of ownership. Did brakes, valve cover gaskets, plugs. Needs a new cat currently. Also springs and shocks.

The 2008+ Econolines with the updated front end got bigger brakes, improved front sway bar mounting, and supposedly some other steering improvements (despite researching I can't figure out what they are, maybe a different steering boxes x and radius arm bushings?). At nearly 7500 lbs, it warped a new set of rotors in about 10k miles, hence the desired larger rotors. Next time I do the front brakes I'm going to upgrade. Not worth holding out for a 08+ in this market, just passing along the info.

When I bought it, I paid on the spot full asking price. This was early 2021.

You are right on Eric. As I said, I missed a gorgeous Redd Express 3500 with 99K miles, earlier in Covid. Should have pulled the trigger. 

LIve and learn.  Hopefully before summer trips start, I can snag something decent.

CyberEric said:

In this market, I'd buy anything Ford or Chevy that popped up. be ready to act fast.

I have an '06 E250 w the 4.6. It's been good. Has 333k on chassis with a rebuilt motor and trans. Steering box needs rebuilt. No major issues in two years of ownership. Did brakes, valve cover gaskets, plugs. Needs a new cat currently. Also springs and shocks.

The 2008+ Econolines with the updated front end got bigger brakes, improved front sway bar mounting, and supposedly some other steering improvements (despite researching I can't figure out what they are, maybe a different steering boxes x and radius arm bushings?). At nearly 7500 lbs, it warped a new set of rotors in about 10k miles, hence the desired larger rotors. Next time I do the front brakes I'm going to upgrade. Not worth holding out for a 08+ in this market, just passing along the info.

When I bought it, I paid on the spot full asking price. This was early 2021.

I wouldn't hesitate to go Econoline either.  I've owned two, one was a 4.6L and one was a 7.3L powerstroke.  Only reason I don't have the powerstroke anymore is because I was living in Pittsburgh and even with an LSD, it was totally helpless in the snow.

Not a big fan of the Triton/Mod motor.  I've had some 4.6 and 5.4s in F-trucks as well.  They will run seemingly forever.  The little things like coil-on-plug and spark plug issues are so well-known that they are super easy to fix.  Not quite as easy in a van, but not the end of the world.

If you happen across a hen's-tooth Duramax Express, also a winning bet. You can bet on about 25-30% better MPG, and CA diesel averages about 22% more than gas, so it will likely be a wash until prices stop being crappy, at which point you'll likely save a notable amount at the pump.  Skips the smog test line, though.  The vans got a detuned (250hp) version of the Dmax, but the torque makes it a non-comparison.  Only reason I don't have one is because they never made them with the AWD option.  Did I mention torque?  They have a lot of torque.  See also: resale value.

I clicked on this thread hoping to give Odyssey advice.

After reading through 3 pages, I've realized I need an express van. 

There is a Used Van lot on Sherman Way in North Hollywood , 

seems to be mostly commercial vans , but you are up that way it might be worth a stop and see if they know of anything for you , 

Another thing I like about my Econoline, is that because it was made into an RV a lot, there's actually a good aftermarket for upgraded parts. Upgraded suspension parts, steering box rebuilds, ECU reflash, and other custom parts are readily available. Just in case you want to make it handle better. Hehe. 
 

This is probably true of the Chevy as well, now that I think about it. I just haven't checked.
 

I enjoy having something with a lot of aftermarket support.

DirtyBird222 said:

I clicked on this thread hoping to give Odyssey advice.

After reading through 3 pages, I've realized I need an express van. 

Oddy and Sienna are for responsible families - this thread is occupied by none of those demographics 

This thread is the poor version of Nick Cannon.

Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) said:

CyberEric said:

In this market, I'd buy anything Ford or Chevy that popped up. be ready to act fast.

I have an '06 E250 w the 4.6. It's been good. Has 333k on chassis with a rebuilt motor and trans. Steering box needs rebuilt. No major issues in two years of ownership. Did brakes, valve cover gaskets, plugs. Needs a new cat currently. Also springs and shocks.

The 2008+ Econolines with the updated front end got bigger brakes, improved front sway bar mounting, and supposedly some other steering improvements (despite researching I can't figure out what they are, maybe a different steering boxes x and radius arm bushings?). At nearly 7500 lbs, it warped a new set of rotors in about 10k miles, hence the desired larger rotors. Next time I do the front brakes I'm going to upgrade. Not worth holding out for a 08+ in this market, just passing along the info.

When I bought it, I paid on the spot full asking price. This was early 2021.

I wouldn't hesitate to go Econoline either.  I've owned two, one was a 4.6L and one was a 7.3L powerstroke.  Only reason I don't have the powerstroke anymore is because I was living in Pittsburgh and even with an LSD, it was totally helpless in the snow.

Not a big fan of the Triton/Mod motor.  I've had some 4.6 and 5.4s in F-trucks as well.  They will run seemingly forever.  The little things like coil-on-plug and spark plug issues are so well-known that they are super easy to fix.  Not quite as easy in a van, but not the end of the world.

If you happen across a hen's-tooth Duramax Express, also a winning bet. You can bet on about 25-30% better MPG, and CA diesel averages about 22% more than gas, so it will likely be a wash until prices stop being crappy, at which point you'll likely save a notable amount at the pump.  Skips the smog test line, though.  The vans got a detuned (250hp) version of the Dmax, but the torque makes it a non-comparison.  Only reason I don't have one is because they never made them with the AWD option.  Did I mention torque?  They have a lot of torque.  See also: resale value.

Thanks! Will add Dmax to the list. 

californiamilleghia said:

There is a Used Van lot on Sherman Way in North Hollywood , 

seems to be mostly commercial vans , but you are up that way it might be worth a stop and see if they know of anything for you , 

Thanks, that is a great lead!

I stopped by NORCO van store on the way to the farm yesterday. They have all the vans I want, ONLY issue, is they are all beat on, slimy type dealership, with the vans having questionalbe history.

I will check out the N. Holllywood one.

CyberEric said:

Another thing I like about my Econoline, is that because it was made into an RV a lot, there's actually a good aftermarket for upgraded parts. Upgraded suspension parts, steering box rebuilds, ECU reflash, and other custom parts are readily available. Just in case you want to make it handle better. Hehe. 
 

This is probably true of the Chevy as well, now that I think about it. I just haven't checked.
 

I enjoy having something with a lot of aftermarket support.

Good aftermarket is always a plus. Dreams of a DAJIBAN is always fun. 

North Hollywood place  is west of the Hollywood freeway , Sherman Way offramp about 3 blocks west, 

its on the South side of the street , around Ethel ave.

if you get to Fulton Ave you went too far !

Good Luck