Sprinter passenger van shots
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2006
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Sprinter passenger van shots
Record Breaker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,412
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From: Nashville
RE: Sprinter passenger van shots
It sure is. 
However, Diesel is $2.81 where I live and regular is sitting at $2.34. That's a 0.47 cents more. Sure, diesel can get you farther, but the tank size and the extra cost at the pump right now are not worth it. Besides, I only have two stations in 15 miles that offer diesel.
I've looked at getting a 2004 10-passenger SWB Sprinter, but the high sticker price put me in a 12-passenger Ram Van B2500 with a far better interior and leg room instead. It has the 5.2L/318cid HD suspension and towing package. I get 13.3mpg typically with it. The DW's Ram Van B1500 V6 3.9L/237cid gets nearly 18mpg on the highway and the van is fully loaded as conversions go.
One last statement here. The DW and I test drove the 2004 10-passenger Sprinter. Chance happened that it was raining that day. Ever wanted to know what a Coke can sounded like fizzeling inside? Just drive a Sprinter in the rain. Ting, ping, ting, ping, ting ... 1,000 times per second as the light rain fell. It will drive a person totally nuts !!!
The DW was not impressed either with the euro-seats in the rear of the Sprinter. A person could only sit in them for 10 mins without cry out in pain. Those seats are worse than wooden church pews!
The Ford's did not hold up very well on a 1,000 trip we did to NC and back. They were newly rented and strange things were going wrong with them when we had returned them. Forget the GMC's of the Express/Savanna. I'll never own another GM since they put that DexCool crap in their enignes.
So, the Ram Van was the only choice for our family of nine. We're happy with it. I know that a second generation of Sprinter is due out for the 2007 model year. I'll make one more attempt to consider it. However, I wouldn't hold my breath. I know the DW would like to test it in the rain again to hear if the sheet metal tings and pings again.
However, Diesel is $2.81 where I live and regular is sitting at $2.34. That's a 0.47 cents more. Sure, diesel can get you farther, but the tank size and the extra cost at the pump right now are not worth it. Besides, I only have two stations in 15 miles that offer diesel. I've looked at getting a 2004 10-passenger SWB Sprinter, but the high sticker price put me in a 12-passenger Ram Van B2500 with a far better interior and leg room instead. It has the 5.2L/318cid HD suspension and towing package. I get 13.3mpg typically with it. The DW's Ram Van B1500 V6 3.9L/237cid gets nearly 18mpg on the highway and the van is fully loaded as conversions go.
One last statement here. The DW and I test drove the 2004 10-passenger Sprinter. Chance happened that it was raining that day. Ever wanted to know what a Coke can sounded like fizzeling inside? Just drive a Sprinter in the rain. Ting, ping, ting, ping, ting ... 1,000 times per second as the light rain fell. It will drive a person totally nuts !!!
The DW was not impressed either with the euro-seats in the rear of the Sprinter. A person could only sit in them for 10 mins without cry out in pain. Those seats are worse than wooden church pews!
The Ford's did not hold up very well on a 1,000 trip we did to NC and back. They were newly rented and strange things were going wrong with them when we had returned them. Forget the GMC's of the Express/Savanna. I'll never own another GM since they put that DexCool crap in their enignes.
So, the Ram Van was the only choice for our family of nine. We're happy with it. I know that a second generation of Sprinter is due out for the 2007 model year. I'll make one more attempt to consider it. However, I wouldn't hold my breath. I know the DW would like to test it in the rain again to hear if the sheet metal tings and pings again.
Champion
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,313
Likes: 8
RE: Sprinter passenger van shots
A friend of mine has had a Sprinter for several years as a delivery truck for Tabor Coffee in Chapel Hill NC.
He, and all his drivers also complain about the seats.
Reliability has not been up to high standards either,
and parts are expensive.
MPG in mostly city driving has been in the 17-23 range.
He, and all his drivers also complain about the seats.
Reliability has not been up to high standards either,
and parts are expensive.
MPG in mostly city driving has been in the 17-23 range.
