Thoughts on a new vehicle?

DannyD · Oct 3, 2005

I will be purchasing a new vehicle soon & any input anyone may have would be helpful. I'm debating whether to get a Ford Diesel or a Sprinter.

I've read the archives as thouroughly as I can & still have a few questions. I realize diesel & gas prices aren't the same, but as best as I could figure if I'd had a diesal rather than a gas engine, I would have saved about $3300 in fuel this year. (85K miles, $2.60 ave gas price, 21mpg vs 16mpg)

I have read good & bad things about the Sprinter. That has me somewhat prepared. Does anyone have a 158wb Sprinter, & are you getting enough extra freight to justify having it?

What kind of vehicle to you have & if you had to do it over, would you buy the same vehicle? What is it you like/dislike about your current vehicle?

Finally, if I take the milage deduction can I also depreciate my truck come tax time?

Thanx in advance for any input,
Drive safe,
Danny

terryandrene · Oct 3, 2005

>Finally, if I take the milage deduction can I also
>depreciate my truck come tax time?

You may do one or the other but not both. If you think mileage is for you and you've had enuf miles to be profitable, you'll most likely come out way ahead at tax time.

Although others disagree with me, you can carry more bulk but not more weight, safely or legally, with Sprinter. Check the vehicle spec for each of the vans in which you are interested. Talk with your preferred service managers about the availabily of parts for the most frequently failed items and factor your forecast down time (lost revenue potential) into your profit/loss decisions.

Terry

TJ959 · Oct 3, 2005

Hey Danny. I just bought a 158" wheelbase Sprinter. My reason for buying it was comfort. It has standing headroom and plenty of room for my comforts like TV, Microwave, ETC. It also has the optional auxillary heater with an isolated battery. All I did was add an other battery and an inverter. Now all I need is loads. So far that has been the problem.

bryan · Oct 3, 2005

Hi
I love my Ford 7.3. I'd love to have the extra space that a Sprinter has.So how about a Ford E350 ext. with turtle top with the 7.3diesel.
If your still running alot of Canada and Norther Michigan I would stear clear of the Sprinter because the EGR doesn't like idling.At-40 degrees what choice do you have but to idle.
Only problems I have had with my 02 Ford was a glow plug timer at 50,000 (still under 100,000 mile diesel warrenty)and an altenater at 200,000 miles.
Thanks have a good one.

LDB · Oct 3, 2005

An Espar heater will solve your northern winter problem without idling and messing up the EGR valve. The bigger problem I see is your southern summers.

Leo Bricker
OOIDA 677319
truck 4958
73's K5LDB
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

LDB · Oct 3, 2005

If I were going to a van my first choice would be an Aerocell. Not the SRW but the full Aerocell in whatever the maximum size is to stay at 9999 pounds gross. That should give you a cargo area as long as a Sprinter but much wider. It could be built out to be a very very comfortable unit.

Next I'd go to either a Sprinter or Aerocell SRW. I would have to look at the SRW to be sure it would be a coin toss to the Sprinter. It may not offer the interior room and may belong as a coin toss to a standard Ford/GM. The Sprinter is definitely in position two because it offers much more interior room than Ford/GM. You could have a much more comfortable build out in the Sprinter. I would only do a 3500 Sprinter and have the wheelwells modified by Harris Truck to allow skids to slide between them.

My last tier would be Ford/GM because of interior space. They offer the least space available for build out. I'm stuck on comfort so that is a big issue to me. Some are fine in this size and if it works for you they are a good choice as well.

Leo Bricker
OOIDA 677319
truck 4958
73's K5LDB
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

DannyD · Oct 5, 2005

Thanx to those who responded & also to Geo. I think I'm going to go w/ a 2006 Sprinter & hope that I get a solid vehicle & not one similar to some of the one's that some EO members have gotten.

My logic is that a new Sprinter isn't actually that much more than a used one. If I'm buying a $12,000 vehicle that I can use for 2 years or a $35,000 vehicle I can use for 6, the cost per year isn't really that much different. Right now I'm paying $250 van payment & over $1000/month in gas. If I have a $600 payment & spend $600 in gas, the cost will be about even & I'll be driving a van I've had since day 1.

Talking to Geo was very helpful in how to set the van up. I wanna take a moment to thank him here. His insights came in handy.

Thanx,
Danny

tiredofsittn · Oct 5, 2005

while watching motor trend saw a eurovan ford makes overseas, they were putting it up against a sprinter, it was better in all aspects. they said they will bring it to u.s. soon

Crazynuff · Oct 6, 2005

The problem is he's talking new and the 7.3 was replaced with the 6.0 which has been plagued with problems . But you're right . I'd prefer a used 7.3 over anything new that is offered . Going new I'd wait for the Chevy Duramax to come out .

OntarioVanMan · Oct 9, 2005

The egr problem is a done deal on the newer made models
my reason is also comfort after 3 yrs in my Dodge we deserve the space ALSO my signed on company will upgrade you to the next pay scale (do a D or C job and thats what ya get)
Sooo all things considered it's a good investment for us.

tazman · Oct 9, 2005

2006 Sprinters are going to be in short supply...

They (Dodge) have recently purchased an American LaFrance plant to beef up assembly in the US (yes they are kind of assembled here).
However that plant will not be up and running until the 2007 model year hits the ground

Most Business Link dealers are getting about 10% of their requested inventory allocation for 2006....

Our dealership has no 2005 units left...and 1 2006 scheduled to by built by end of November....

Just an FYI...

Frank in Pa.

"The Beast in the East"

OntarioVanMan · Oct 9, 2005

am picking up my 2005 this 17 in Troy Michigan

bryan · Oct 9, 2005

Hi
Can't wait to see the new Ford. It should be awesome.I ran with a test vehicle about 5 years ago. Was love at first sight.Just don't understand what is taking them so long to get it into prodution.

hondaking38 · Oct 9, 2005

i have a 2005 sprinter sho 158" hightop, ive gotten quite a few higher paying loads being able to haul 3 pallets up to 1.11 a mile including fuel surcharge, i am going to put a sleeper conversion in it so it will only hold 2 pallets after x-mas,(hopefully things slow down for a week).. egr fix will cost ya 10 cents, use a small diameter dowell rod, cut at 9.5 inches, cut a v in one end. put v on bottom edge of dashboard and other end on gas pedal, it should push the pedal down enough for the motor to idle at 900-1000 rpms instead of 650.(actually i trimmed it just under 9.5 inches but use that as a refence point..and you wont ever have to worry about the build up in the egr

LDB · Oct 9, 2005

Isn't there an option that gives a high idle?

Leo Bricker
OOIDA 677319
truck 4958
73's K5LDB
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

Crazynuff · Oct 14, 2005

When you figure sales tax , property tax and property damage insurance plus depreciation there's a little more expense to a new vehicle .

TheGoodGuy · Oct 15, 2005

Danny If you can find a $12000.00 used sprinter please let me know. In most cases I can't even find a 2003 158" hightop for less than $30000.oo.

Still Looking...

DannyD · Nov 7, 2005

>Danny If you can find a $12000.00 used sprinter please let
>me know. In most cases I can't even find a 2003 158" hightop
>for less than $30000.oo.
>
>Still Looking...
>
>

Oops, the $12,000 was for the Ford I bought just previous to the Sprinter. Sorry 'bout that. Someone else mentioned a few of the other expenses. Insurance, sales tax & what not. He's correct in that it's a little more expensive per year for a new vehicle. I'm not sure it's that much more though. This being my first new vehicle for work I'll know more after I get more information. Insurance & truck payment is more for sure, but I think the savings in gas will offset most of it.

Be safe.