Thread: What Vehicle have you been thinking about switching to and why?

I have been debating this past year to upsizing my personal work van.
I concidered a box van but they are just too big for small streets. width and height
I bought an e350 4X4 van for extremely rural areas. something tree branches wont hurt and potholes wont hurt too much and still be able to climb into the mucky clay mud in alot of areas.

So I am looking for input from you guys about the sprinter vans. Anyone have any background on them? any info would be great.

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I have been thinking of getting a izuzu npr (cab over) I just dont have enough room in the van anymore. If i did get one it would be used and scared of ending up with someone elses headace.

I have a friend who uses if for his construction business and has a diesel motor in his and swears he gets almost 30mpg??? spotman

I drive a Dodge 3500 sprinter for work @ my FT job, and it probably gets 30+ mpg. Its extended, dually, with the mercedes 5 cyl diesel drive train and gets better milage than anything I've ever owned, short of a few minibikes! It also weighs more as a plumbing van than it would as a carpet cleaning van setup with probably ANY truckmount! My boss bought it with 100K on it for $15k , but they're expected to last for 400-500K miles. OH, and it pulls a 4000lb jet trailer 90% of the time................wish I had more money!!!!!!!!!!!

I'd love to switch to a box truck but go a short ways outside of the "city" and I'm in some pretty rugged terrain (roads that make you wonder if you've found the end of civilization). I worry about the low clearance branches and keeping the cargo box looking good.

From what I was told, the 2006 and older Sprinter with the inline 5 cylinder diesel, gets 30% better fuel economy than the 2007 and newer models with the V6 diesel turbo. The problem with the 2006 and older Sprinters is that the steering wheel is in a fixed position and is awkward as hell, lying flat like a school bus from 1965. As far as reliability goes, reactions are all over the place, from saying they are ****s that blow rear ends at the mere sight of snow, the EGR valves fail, leaving them limping home, to "they will go 400-500k miles". I think the drivetrain (particularly the engine) will last a long time but the rest is VERY suspect. The driving feel and handling of the newest generation Sprinter is far better than the domestic vans. I just don't think that they are as practical when it comes to reliability and/or repairs and you shouid consider the cost therein. Fuel economy is much better than domestic vans, especially the 2006 and older ones.

I too am considering a Box truck love the idea of lots of room and a ramp but heck I have been looking and I cant find anywhere near the 2 great deals Rob and Jason W got on there;s even with the transmission replacement. 17K with 48,000 miles on a chevy G3500 2007 15 footer Box.Roll-up rear door and ramp. What do you think Jason can I do better?