FreedomVan
New member
I have an 2001 E250 extended 5.4L V8. It's getting 15mpg, 16 if I'm lucky, and it's as close to 100% mechanically sound as I'm going to get for it's 280k miles, with new tires and everything. I'm ok hanging out in it, but I don't feel I have enough room for me, my gf, my 20lbs dog, and our climbing, kiting, skiing, and surfing gear to head down to Terra del Fuego on a years long trip. Mainly, I want to be able to stand up and hang out! Instead of a dorm room on wheels, I'd like a micro apartment on wheels. I can probably sell it for 7k in my market.
Enter the Sprinter. I'm looking at a good condition 2003 Sprinter 3500 long bed with 190k miles and pretty full records, partially built out, for 15k USD, or a 2004 Sprinter 2004 cargo long bed with 380k miles, but a new engine that I can get a pre-inspection on and for 7k USD. I'd use the price difference to upfit it with nice stuff.
I can afford the higher quality of life, but I'd like to keep costs under 20k USD. Should I send the ford for a high top and pimp it out, get the expensive partially kitted out sprinter, or get the cheaper blank slate sprinter?
E250 Pros: I know the van already, it's reliable, good clearance, it's cheap (maybe not after a upfitter work) and parts and mechanics will be easy south of the border, and it's less conspicuous south of the border (maybe not after a hi top conversion).
E250 Cons: Less space, gas engine, gas mileage.
3500 Pros: Dulley has good traction, already finished in a good way, and easily customizable, just add solar, 190k miles, space.
3500 Cons: Dulley has ok mileage, 15k USD, not perfectly kitted out, lots of recent "preventative" engine work including new gaskets and alternator, but it has all service records and is probably mechanically sound, needs new tires, no easy support south of the border, less dirt road ability.
2500 Pros: Best gas mileage, cheap at 7k or less, mechanic's inspection, blank slate, space.
2500 Cons: 390k miles with an unknown mileage/ reason new engine, largely unknown history, blank slate, no easy support south of the border, less dirt road ability.
What would you do? I'm leaning towards the 2500 and taking it to an upfitter.
Enter the Sprinter. I'm looking at a good condition 2003 Sprinter 3500 long bed with 190k miles and pretty full records, partially built out, for 15k USD, or a 2004 Sprinter 2004 cargo long bed with 380k miles, but a new engine that I can get a pre-inspection on and for 7k USD. I'd use the price difference to upfit it with nice stuff.
I can afford the higher quality of life, but I'd like to keep costs under 20k USD. Should I send the ford for a high top and pimp it out, get the expensive partially kitted out sprinter, or get the cheaper blank slate sprinter?
E250 Pros: I know the van already, it's reliable, good clearance, it's cheap (maybe not after a upfitter work) and parts and mechanics will be easy south of the border, and it's less conspicuous south of the border (maybe not after a hi top conversion).
E250 Cons: Less space, gas engine, gas mileage.
3500 Pros: Dulley has good traction, already finished in a good way, and easily customizable, just add solar, 190k miles, space.
3500 Cons: Dulley has ok mileage, 15k USD, not perfectly kitted out, lots of recent "preventative" engine work including new gaskets and alternator, but it has all service records and is probably mechanically sound, needs new tires, no easy support south of the border, less dirt road ability.
2500 Pros: Best gas mileage, cheap at 7k or less, mechanic's inspection, blank slate, space.
2500 Cons: 390k miles with an unknown mileage/ reason new engine, largely unknown history, blank slate, no easy support south of the border, less dirt road ability.
What would you do? I'm leaning towards the 2500 and taking it to an upfitter.
