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Ross,
Enjoy.
Just went through the same van-buying exercise. Nine months Due Diligence, on-line research, library research, two seasons of CR car reports,
assorted books, guides, Auto Traders, on-line shopping, etc. About 2″ of collected printouts.
My choices were 1 – Econoline, 2 – Chevy, 3- Dodge (which has the best body styling of the lot.)
Went for the Ford Econoline 150 as they have a good rep. For some reason, CR gives the Dodge vans a consisent solid black (as in Bad)on Body Integrity. Perhaps you have experienced this.
The used market in stuff that does not have 100k+ miles on it is very tight. It was looser in December – perhaps leftover from the model year changeover. If you can wait till fall, there should be better hunting.
Get on-line if not there already. The information out there is really copious and helpful.
I found a ’98 E150 at an Enterprise Auto Sales lot – an arm of the Enterprise rental company. They sell late model used vehicles from their fleet. See if there is one near you. The price was fair (1.8K under the dealer up the road.) and they provide a 12mo/12k powertrain warranty.
Besides that, in Orange County, CA, there were 3 similar vehicles showing in the dealer websites. All starting at higher prices. Tight is it. If you want loose, check the pickups. Thousands of those.
ToolBear
Replies
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Ross,
Enjoy.
Just went through the same van-buying exercise. Nine months Due Diligence, on-line research, library research, two seasons of CR car reports,
assorted books, guides, Auto Traders, on-line shopping, etc. About 2" of collected printouts.
My choices were 1 - Econoline, 2 - Chevy, 3- Dodge (which has the best body styling of the lot.)
Went for the Ford Econoline 150 as they have a good rep. For some reason, CR gives the Dodge vans a consisent solid black (as in Bad)on Body Integrity. Perhaps you have experienced this.
The used market in stuff that does not have 100k+ miles on it is very tight. It was looser in December - perhaps leftover from the model year changeover. If you can wait till fall, there should be better hunting.
Get on-line if not there already. The information out there is really copious and helpful.
I found a '98 E150 at an Enterprise Auto Sales lot - an arm of the Enterprise rental company. They sell late model used vehicles from their fleet. See if there is one near you. The price was fair (1.8K under the dealer up the road.) and they provide a 12mo/12k powertrain warranty.
Besides that, in Orange County, CA, there were 3 similar vehicles showing in the dealer websites. All starting at higher prices. Tight is it. If you want loose, check the pickups. Thousands of those.
ToolBear
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I have a 1994 Dodge van ending its lease, and have to start thinking of another one. Not too pleased with Dodge, just little things, but they seem to fall apart in myriad ways. Probably no better with Ford or Chev / GMC, but it looks like it's one of those two this time around, most likely a 1996 or possibly 1997.... how do you like your Ford or Chev van, would you buy another one?
*Ross - When my 72 Ford E300 was on its last legs a few years ago I went shopping for another. The used market was so tight that I soon started looking at new ones. I liked the ride of the Ford and after 15 years of daily driving, I had a bit of brand loyalty. The one thing that made me consider GMC/Chev was that my wife had 240,000 miles on the V-6 in her Safari and it was still running great. After much thought I ordered a 3/4 ton GMC with that V-6. The salesman looked at me like I was from Mars. I drive empty probably as much as full and after 60,000 that sweet little V-6 gets about 17 mpg in daily driving - 19 on my recent trip down to S.F. (750 freeway miles each way).The paint job still looks great after 4 years and I've only waxed it a couple times. And the seats are the most comfortable I have ever owned. Now, if I could only load it down like that old Ford, sigh. - yb