Wanting some help on vehicle choice...

[Martinjmpr]

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2015-mercedes-benz-sprinter-4x4-first-drive-review

2016 Mercedes-Benz 2500 High Roof 3.0L V6 Diesel 4WD Van
Model: 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
MSRP: $44,000
Horsepower: 188 hp @ 3,800 rpm
Towing capacity: 5,000 lbs
Engine: 3.0 L V6 diesel
Curb weight: 5,864 lbs
Torque: 325 lb-ft @ 1,400 rpm
Fuel tank capacity: 24.5 gal

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So, am I the only one who is kind of underwhelmed by those numbers? Less HP than a 3.4 V6, less torque than a GMT-800 5.3 V8 and the same towing capacity as a 2nd gen V6 Tacoma, all in a package that weighs nearly 3 tons and costs 44 grand? And with that high profile, I can't imagine you'd get very good MPG, so with the 24.5 gallon tank it's got a range of what, maybe 250 miles? Maybe 300 on a good day?
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I get that numbers don't always tell the story, and I get that "back in the olden days we used to go traveling with a Kaiser 4 cyl or a Toyota 22r or a VW bus with 65 hp." I get that speed and power are not everything.
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But still, for 44 grand I would think you could do better. Hell, buy an old Excursion diesel or a GMT-400 Suburban 2500 with the diesel engine for less than 10 grand (for the GMT-400, probably less than 5 grand) and spend another 10k on it and you'd have a killer platform. True, it wouldn't have the headroom of a van but neither would it have the higher center of gravity.

 

[p nut]

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So, am I the only one who is kind of underwhelmed by those numbers? Less HP than a 3.4 V6, less torque than a GMT-800 5.3 V8 and the same towing capacity as a 2nd gen V6 Tacoma, all in a package that weighs nearly 3 tons and costs 44 grand? And with that high profile, I can't imagine you'd get very good MPG, so with the 24.5 gallon tank it's got a range of what, maybe 250 miles? Maybe 300 on a good day?
.
I get that numbers don't always tell the story, and I get that "back in the olden days we used to go traveling with a Kaiser 4 cyl or a Toyota 22r or a VW bus with 65 hp." I get that speed and power are not everything.
.
But still, for 44 grand I would think you could do better. Hell, buy an old Excursion diesel or a GMT-400 Suburban 2500 with the diesel engine for less than 10 grand (for the GMT-400, probably less than 5 grand) and spend another 10k on it and you'd have a killer platform. True, it wouldn't have the headroom of a van but neither would it have the higher center of gravity.

There are always tradeoffs, so you can't directly compare this to truck/SUV's. First, I believe highway MPG is pretty good, in the high teens to low 20's. Not bad for such a tall van. (Some tests said mid-20's!). They also did a 90mph crosswind test and their stability system did very well.
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The van also has much MUCH more useable room than the Excursion and Suburban. Trade off is less prowess off road. But for people looking for max room, can't beat a van. And remember, the Excursions were also in the $40k's.

 

[Clutch]

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So, am I the only one who is kind of underwhelmed by those numbers? Less HP than a 3.4 V6, less torque than a GMT-800 5.3 V8 and the same towing capacity as a 2nd gen V6 Tacoma, all in a package that weighs nearly 3 tons and costs 44 grand? And with that high profile, I can't imagine you'd get very good MPG, so with the 24.5 gallon tank it's got a range of what, maybe 250 miles? Maybe 300 on a good day?
.
I get that numbers don't always tell the story, and I get that "back in the olden days we used to go traveling with a Kaiser 4 cyl or a Toyota 22r or a VW bus with 65 hp." I get that speed and power are not everything.
.
But still, for 44 grand I would think you could do better. Hell, buy an old Excursion diesel or a GMT-400 Suburban 2500 with the diesel engine for less than 10 grand (for the GMT-400, probably less than 5 grand) and spend another 10k on it and you'd have a killer platform. True, it wouldn't have the headroom of a van but neither would it have the higher center of gravity.

Yeah, not the greatest... it is what it is, (go Transit with the ecoboost if you want more oomph.) I have some moto buddy's that use them as bike haulers campers...they love 'em, 20-25 mpg...and will go highway speeds. Not power houses like the Burbs/Excursions...but you can toss couple bikes in (Long wheelbase)...and still have seating for 5. One of my buddy's was in a rush and didn't have enough time to work on his bike before a big CO trip...he installed a new topend in his bike while in transit. He has an Excursion too, but uses the Sprinter for traveling...he has since upgraded to a Transit.



If I was the OP, I would do a 15 passenger version...rip out the back seats for gear. 6 people plus there stuff is quite a bit.

We did a trip down to Baja in a friend's Excursion, there were 5 us, while comfortable (think 6 would of been pushing it for comfort sakes)...not much room left for gear...most of our gear bags had to go on a trailer. That had a 6.0 in it...left him stranded a couple times...was not happy! He now drives a Ram Mega Cab.



If cost is an issue...do an E-Series van...and just smile and nod at that wife...throw in a couple "yes dears"...and do it anyway. Better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.

 

[Silverhorse]

Ford or Chevy Van, convert to 4x4. Ford way easier to convert! basically a bolt on... E350 can be found cheap and converted cheap. Gas or diesel 5.4, 6.8 v10, 7.3 diesel or ( 6.0 diesel(DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS MOTOR) in older vans.. I have a chevy express extended with duramax, only reason why is I wanted something newer and the Ford V10 is a gas GUZZLER..... I tow a 30" travel trailer though... you might not need a 3/4 or 1 ton though. If I wasnt towing so much weight I would have gotten the Ford with the 5.4, we use these as our work vans... they have been reliable....

 

[SpeedAddict502]

The Transit is a 4WD conversion done by Quigley, they work close with Ford...apparently you can get it ordered through Ford.

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2015/04/quigley-motors-now-offers-ford-transit-4x4.html

Sprinters are 4WD from the factory.

Looks like it ticks off your requirements...

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2015-mercedes-benz-sprinter-4x4-first-drive-review

2016 Mercedes-Benz 2500 High Roof 3.0L V6 Diesel 4WD Van
Model: 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
MSRP: $44,000
Horsepower: 188 hp @ 3,800 rpm
Towing capacity: 5,000 lbs
Engine: 3.0 L V6 diesel
Curb weight: 5,864 lbs
Torque: 325 lb-ft @ 1,400 rpm
Fuel tank capacity: 24.5 gal



She may not like a van, but to haul 6 people and not being too much of a barge on the trail...might be the way to go.

Those LC Troop Carries look miserable for passengers...

The new 4x4 Sprinters are really nice, but with any options at all they go over 50k real quick. Just seems like a lot.

The normal LC troop carriers would be horrible I'm sure, but the ones I'm talking about are setup like a three row SUV, all forward facing.

There are always tradeoffs, so you can't directly compare this to truck/SUV's. First, I believe highway MPG is pretty good, in the high teens to low 20's. Not bad for such a tall van. (Some tests said mid-20's!). They also did a 90mph crosswind test and their stability system did very well.
.
The van also has much MUCH more useable room than the Excursion and Suburban. Trade off is less prowess off road. But for people looking for max room, can't beat a van. And remember, the Excursions were also in the $40k's.

That is the great thing about the vans. More interior room for the same length and wheelbase, and the nice height. But tradeoffs for sure.

Ford or Chevy Van, convert to 4x4. Ford way easier to convert! basically a bolt on... E350 can be found cheap and converted cheap. Gas or diesel 5.4, 6.8 v10, 7.3 diesel or ( 6.0 diesel(DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS MOTOR) in older vans.. I have a chevy express extended with duramax, only reason why is I wanted something newer and the Ford V10 is a gas GUZZLER..... I tow a 30" travel trailer though... you might not need a 3/4 or 1 ton though. If I wasnt towing so much weight I would have gotten the Ford with the 5.4, we use these as our work vans... they have been reliable....

It is pretty hard to find a nice 7.3 E350, and then the conversion sure isnt cheap. Ive seen on ok looking 6.0 4x4 vans recently for 25-30k, which is probably what I would do, then bulletproof the 6.0