Looking back at forward predictions

[jdcaples]

The attachment was a Microsoft Power Point Presentation dated Tuesday, October 15, 2002 11:26:11 AM and provides a projected cost of ownership for the Sprinter compared against Ford, GMC, Mitsubishi and ("Joe") Isuzu.

The document properties indicate the author was "t1257as," who is managed by Paul DiLisio of DaimlerChrysler Vans LLC.

I converted it to PDF because PDF readers are practically ubiquitous, but Microsoft PowerPoint is not free.

I am curious: If you've owned a Sprinter over the time projections in the attached document, how closely does your cost of ownership experience reflect DaimlerChrysler's marketing position in the autumn of 2002?

Or if in your opinion, is the data too incomplete or otherwise useless?
-Jon

[Altered Sprinter]

Hi Jon
Considering its mid 2007 Its a hard call fuel has gone up parts and labour included.
I did see this a few or more years ago and made one comment to myself dam How can they compare a Chev and Ford as an example! as the latter two are in a different class,
OK it's for the US, so we can't really compare! can we similar vehicles in the same class. Diesel v Diesel, Sprinter V Ford Transit, V Fiat Iveco, then you would have a real value to compare costings with, from labour to parts, and longevity of model life.

I can say with the oldest Sprinter I have now two years old today
there has been no repairs or costs associated with the van at 37 thousand KS
Apart from the original custom set up which can not be included, as My Sprinter is set for Euro V specs
One oil filter and oil which I did my self.
Admititally its due for a main servive at 40 K 24 thousand miles that will cost between 600 to one thousand dollars AU and thats expensive by any which way, one may look at it.On the other hand I remember when a local chev had to have its oil changed every one thousand miles plus and the dam things only had a 12 month or twelve thousand mile warranty, itermediate servicing , like plugs filters brakes etc, so a two year one off service, is still on par with lower service intevals, I think.
With the new Sprinters good for 40 thousand KS before an oil change is due they keep on getting cheaper to maintain, 10 years life frame I'd say twenty on a lower mile unit.
The catch is can you afford to buy one, these are not cheap fill it up with options in a cargo van and your looking at 45 thousand US Australia add another 30% on top of that.
Plenty of other simular vans Like toyota and Ford which are ten grand cheaper, then which really is a cheaper vehicle to own ? In a commerical reality of real life.
Not every one carrys 3,5 t more like the av would be 1.5t.
Its a golden olden thread for 2002 suprised its still active, but the Sprinters are still up and going , so it was good for a yesterdays laugh, not a waste of time by any means.
Richard

[gerrym51]

Richard and Jon,

I think people should just buy the van they want. Ownership costs
are not a zero sum game. its not the cost of using one to zero amount,
but how much more than another. in that respect the overall owner ship
costs difference is probably 4-6 percent at best. If your a big trucking
company with lots of trucks doing hundreds of thousands of miles
that can be a big deal- but an individual owner- not really.



gerry

[tegimr]

Originally Posted by gerrym51

Richard and Jon,

I think people should just buy the van they want. Ownership costs
are not a zero sum game. its not the cost of using one to zero amount,
but how much more than another. in that respect the overall owner ship
costs difference is probably 4-6 percent at best. If your a big trucking
company with lots of trucks doing hundreds of thousands of miles
that can be a big deal- but an individual owner- not really.

gerry

gerry - respectfully disagree. Depending on how many miles a person drives, ownership costs can be a really big deal. Mileage difference alone for us is rising to over $200 USD a month. The maintenance costs are relative to miles driven, so high-mileage owners experience savings/costs.

Tim

[BaywoodBill]

Anyone who's really serious about the cost to own a vehicle over a specific time will have to do present value calculations to counteract inflationary increase during the ownership period.

I haven't done that but I suspect the big operators do.

[gerrym51]

Originally Posted by tegimr

gerry - respectfully disagree. Depending on how many miles a person drives, ownership costs can be a really big deal. Mileage difference alone for us is rising to over $200 USD a month. The maintenance costs are relative to miles driven, so high-mileage owners experience savings/costs.

Tim

Tim,

i think we agree? if your a high mileage operator(either one or multiple
trucks) it is a big deal.

but if your a single owner-use like a car owner- 15000 miles or less a year owner- why not buy what pleases you- diesel or gas-

gerry

[topless]

While I am not, in any way, inclined to analyze costs of ownership. I do understand there are those that base vehicle buying decisions strictly on a list of needs vs cost numbers.

My Sprinter is an rv conversion, I've put 12,000 miles in almost 3 years, on it. Needless to say, it's not very cost effective. But, I don't care, I bought it because I wanted it.

[gerrym51]

Originally Posted by topless

While I am not, in any way, inclined to analyze costs of ownership. I do understand there are those that base vehicle buying decisions strictly on a list of needs vs cost numbers.

My Sprinter is an rv conversion, I've put 12,000 miles in almost 3 years, on it. Needless to say, it's not very cost effective. But, I don't care, I bought it because I wanted it.

Exactly,

if it pleases you -buy it.

gerry

[tegimr]

Originally Posted by gerrym51

Tim,

i think we agree? if your a high mileage operator(either one or multiple
trucks) it is a big deal.

but if your a single owner-use like a car owner- 15000 miles or less a year owner- why not buy what pleases you- diesel or gas-

gerry

I think you slipped in an extra 0 "15000 miles or less". 150,000 is a LOT of miles - I don't get that many hours behind the wheel! That is about 6 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year (I think I'd pull a double shift every Saturday, Christmas Eve, the day before our anniversary, and the day before Easter. Maybe the day before my wife's birthday, definitely the day before mine! I like attention.

We drive about 25-30,000 a year. Including vacations. ~ 500 a week. Not really that much.

But, if you can afford it, buy what you like.

Tim

[gerrym51]

Originally Posted by tegimr

I think you slipped in an extra 0 "15000 miles or less". 150,000 is a LOT of miles - I don't get that many hours behind the wheel! That is about 6 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year (I think I'd pull a double shift every Saturday, Christmas Eve, the day before our anniversary, and the day before Easter. Maybe the day before my wife's birthday, definitely the day before mine! I like attention.

We drive about 25-30,000 a year. Including vacations. ~ 500 a week. Not really that much.

But, if you can afford it, buy what you like.

Tim

tim,

it says 15000 fifteen thoudand


gerry