Sprinter Owners

[turritrans]

I have only owned big trucks my whole career. I have always toyed with the idea of getting into sprinters, but most everyone I talk to tells me a sprinter has a short lifespan in comparison to the larger trucks and were not made for OTR applications. Spending 35k on a vehicle that will only last 2-3 years is tough to swallow being for a bit more money I can buy a nice used semi with low miles and get 5-6 years out of it. Am I wring in my assumptions? What do you sprinter owners do as far as approaching ownership of sprinter vans? Is there other vehicles that are maybe better suited for OTR applications that has a longer lifespan that still non-CDL?

Thanks in Advance,

 

[scottm4211]

Have you looked at the Chev CargoMaxx? There's brand new '09s out there for under 30k and with the 6.0 Chevrolet motor and drivetrain it'll be durable. Not knocking Sprinters but this is a good alternative for those that are hesitant to go MB.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

Sprinters have a short life span?......hmmm

 

[chefdennis]

I don't own a Sprinter ( i own a 09 Chevy Cargo Max) but I guess the people here running 05 & 06 Sprinters with 400,000 to 600,000 miles on them and hauling upwards of 2000 lbs more then a few times on a regular basis are just an illusion....

Would I be right in thinking you are getting your advise from "other BIG truck people???

Personally I wouldn't and didnt buy a Sprinter, but it certainly wasn't because they don't last doing what we ask them to do....

 

[Turtle]

I'm guessing that "most everyone I talk to" means people who have never owned a Sprinter because they are afraid of them and they have to justify their fear somehow.

 

[scottm4211]

Are you guys that own the previous generation Sprinter comfortable with having a new(er) one when the time comes? Honest question.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

Are you guys that own the previous generation Sprinter comfortable with having a new(er) one when the time comes? Honest question.

Not right now....maybe the 2013-14 models....they still have some bugs...if something happened to mine right now I'd go with the Cargomaxx...
Having to deal with MB or FL scares the beheevies outta me...

 

[ATeam]

I wondering if Sprinter owners might give more direct answers to the original questions asked? Turritrans's question was clear and respectfully asked. I'm interested in
the answer too.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

I wondering if Sprinter owners might give more direct answers to the original questions asked? Turritrans's question was clear and respectfully asked. I'm interested in
the answer too.

Thought I did in #7.....

 

[beachbum]

Well as of next year we'll have the big fords to compete against the Sprinter and maybe the Fiat van and I heard that VW might bring theirs.

If I was to buy new I would have to look into the Ford since it will be built in the U.S.

 

[Monty]

Honest answer? I am comfortable with the Sprinter I have, (2008 model), but I would not purchase another.

There are options now, like the CargoMaxx that make it less than desireable.

The ONLY redeeeming feature of the Sprinter was the large capacity in the high roof, extended body.

Those things have been addressed by other manufacturers now.

The LARGEST drawback to these German wonders is the lack of rebuild capability. Want a u-joint? Buy an entire driveline!

Should a "newbie" invest in one? Sure, why not ... they've been providing service for a long time.

But so has the Ford E250, or the Chevy 2500 and MaxxAutomotive has provided an alternative for cargo capacity over OEM capabilities.

 

[Steady Eddie]

I think in 2013 a change is comming to the Sprinter. Yes, the 2007 and newer have bugs, and in 2013 the new style will have new bugs. I have a 2005, and it is still rolling, I only have 593,000 miles on it though.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

hey....Sprinters are built in the US....in a way...

 

[Turtle]

Are you guys that own the previous generation Sprinter comfortable with having a new(er) one when the time comes? Honest question.

Ditto what OVM said, except dealing with MB dealers doesn't bother me that much, since they are highly experienced with MB vehicles. Freightliner, on the other hand....

As for the original question of, "What do you sprinter owners do as far as approaching ownership of sprinter vans?", I can't speak for other, but as for myself, I approach owning a Mercedes as if I owned a Mercedes, and not as if I owned a Ford.

 

[chefdennis]

Honest answer? I am comfortable with the Sprinter I have, (2008 model), but I would not purchase another.

There are options now, like the CargoMaxx that make it less than desireable.

The ONLY redeeeming feature of the Sprinter was the large capacity in the high roof, extended body.

Those things have been addressed by other manufacturers now.

The LARGEST drawback to these German wonders is the lack of rebuild capability. Want a u-joint? Buy an entire driveline!

Should a "newbie" invest in one? Sure, why not ... they've been providing service for a long time.

But so has the Ford E250, or the Chevy 2500 and MaxxAutomotive has provided an alternative for cargo capacity over OEM capabilities.

It is my understanding that Maxx Auto Group is no longer handling the Ultra and Terra Maxx units as they lost the Cargo Maxx a few yrs ago, I heard that they are no longer a Rep for TurtleTop....It also appears that they are no longer advertising here....If my info is wrong, i apologize, but it comes from their clients that are waiting for returns of their deposits from them...

 

[scottm4211]

So was 09 the last year for CargoMaxx?

 

[chefdennis]

So was 09 the last year for CargoMaxx?

No..Maxx Auto Group did not build or own the Cargo Max nor did they build or own the Ultra or Terra Max....they were simply Sales Reps for them....Cargo Max bodies is owned By Carter Chevrolet out of Okla. Ultra and Terra bodies are owned and built Turtle Top Corp....

You can order 2013 Cargo Max's now..there are a few 09s left because of a issue with a customer...there were 2011s ans 2012s....

The Cargo Max and the Ultra and Terra Max are totally different trucks...Built by 2 different companies...

 

[davekc]

I think comparing vans whether Sprinter or Cargo Maxx is a totally different animal compared to the larger trucks. Different freight, costs, volume of vehicles, qualifications, make them very difficult to compare. Just my opinion.

Full disclosure...........never owned a van, but washed the wifes Town & Country a few times.

 

[LDB]

I currently drive a standard Chev 1 ton extended. Sprinters are on my "suspect list" along with Ford, Nissan and Maxx vehicles. The key with Sprinter vans is maintaining them as a Mercedes not a GM. Doing so, and being meticulous about it, should give you 2/3 to 3/4 million miles service life. That seems to compare favorably to, if not better than, a used semi.

 

[Rocketman]

Before buying my CargoMax, I talked to a lot of GM van owners and its my understanding that 500-600,000 mile lifespan is a reasonable expectation with some going much farther. Sprinters will do at least as well and likely better.

If you buy a 3 y/o tractor with 300-400,000 miles and expect to get it to a million miles.... it's a wash on usable lifespan. Personally, I think you need to look at overall profitability...per mile, per month, etc (depends on your type of operation and use) and base your decision on that.

I used $40,000 initial cost and 400,000 miles for my numbers which gives me 10 cents per mile for equipment cost+ maint+ fuel. There are lots of threads discussing the fuel and maint.

Sprinters have well proven themselves to be a great vehicle. I prefer the CargoMax only because it is a simpler vehicle. The Sprinter will get better fuel mileage. It is an individual preference between the two. Do your research.

Full Disclosure: I dont own Isis....but Im about to eat there.