2017 Van versus 2006 Van

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Aesop

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Currently, (April 2nd, 2023), I have my eye on 2 vans. One is a 2017 GMC Savana 2500, 6.0, 6 speed transmission, barn doors, G80 Locking Rear Differential, 53,100 miles, the household power outlet, 1 owner and the guy wants $30,000 or so for it. It's really clean (from the pictures, I haven't seen it yet in person) Also not sure how far he'll go down on price....

The other is a 2005 GMC Savana 3500, 6.0, 4 speed transmission, also barn doors, 132k miles, G80 Locking Rear Differential, unknown number of owners, and has wear and tear on the inside from being used as a work van. The guy has had it for about a year and a half. With this one, it's beat up on the inside, from wesr and tear from being used as a work vehicle, however even with a basic build, just using wood or whatever, would just cover all those scratches and dents up, preventing them from being seen by the eye.

Both these vehicles have the powerful 6.0 liter v8 gas motor, and the g80 locking rear differential, and cruise control, the 2017 one obviously has the newer (presumably better) 6 speed transmission. Both these vans have the ability to tow, and have the motor oil and trans oil cooling system. The 2017 van can take E85 gasoline, and appears to have Stabilitrak as well.

Now, my dilemma is I could take out an auto loan and get the 2017 van and have basically no problems and not have to clean up someone else's mess as opposed to that 2005 van which would need some cleaning up and some TLC. In addition, the 2005 van almost certainly has the chevy peeling paint job from that era, although from the pictures it appears to not be that bad looking from the outside.

Basically, the 2005 van costs less, but I could pay for it in cash and just be done with it. But it's older, more miles (132k) and more beat up than the 2017 van, so as most of us here do, we have more time than money, so if we were to go with the 2005 van we would just spend time cleaning it up, possibly chasing parts, etc. OTOH we would be saving money.

My thing is, I could just pay cash for the 2005 van and not be in debt and have to deal with the auto loans interest rate and all that nonsense. Whereas, with the 2017 van, if I were to get that one, it would be newer, cleaner, and more modern, but I would almost certainly take an auto loan out on it, and hence be in debt (for how long remains unseen, I would try to pay it off quickly) in these uncertain economic times. Not to mention, higher insurance rates cause of the loan on it and it being under 10 years old.

With the 2005 van since it is older does it have less electronics/computers (for maintenance purposes) than the 2017 van, does anybody know? That would be one advantage I could think of, for going with the older 2005 van.

Also, any differences between the 2500 and 3500 cargo vans? I would think since that both have the 6.0, one would probably get more, better gas mileage cause the 2017 one has the 6 speed transmission.

Reason being is I remember talking to someone who has a brand new 2020 Mercedes Sprinter 2500 van, diesel, def, etc, and they were telling me that when you press the accelerator pedal on that van, it's all electronic, meaning the computer tells the fuel "injection" system how much fuel to squirt into that diesel motor. Basically, it's all computerized as opposed to the older, carbureted vehicles. So, that be one thing to go with the 2005 van instead of the 2017 van.
 
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Why do you feel those are your only choices? Are you in a huge hurry? You are not happy with either of them.
 
I believe both the vans are fuel injected and do not have carburetors. Basic rule here is buy the newest low mileage vehicle you can afford after having it checked out by a trusted mechanic. Don’t buy any vehicle without physically going to check for rust/damage and driving it in town and at highway speeds to a garage to have it checked by the mechanic. If you have to get a loan you probably can’t afford it. There were lots of vans built between 2005 and 2017. Keep looking until you find the best one you can afford. That’s my advice.
 
Regardless of which van you get. Make certain you have a healthy emergency fund that can cover whatever might happen.
 
I believe both the vans are fuel injected and do not have carburetors. Basic rule here is buy the newest low mileage vehicle you can afford after having it checked out by a trusted mechanic. Don’t buy any vehicle without physically going to check for rust/damage and driving it in town and at highway speeds to a garage to have it checked by the mechanic. If you have to get a loan you probably can’t afford it. There were lots of vans built between 2005 and 2017. Keep looking until you find the best one you can afford. That’s my advice.
I can pay cash for it, however that would wipe out most of my cash reserves that it has taken me months to save up. Why spend most of your money on a van then have none left, when you could just take out an auto loan on it and keep your money and then have peace of mind? Yeah, but what i'm looking for is a van with the G80 locking rear differential. I figure on going with the 6.0 cause at least then I could tow.
 
Why do you feel those are your only choices? Are you in a huge hurry? You are not happy with either of them.
Currently I have a half-ton van with awd. Drove thru Canada to Alaska with it. Felt every bump on the way up. I just miss the sturdiness and firmness of a 3/4 ton or better van.
 
I believe 2008 is when there was a significant safety feature (side air bags?) upgrade. Probably a consideration. I like debt free, but I also like rust free. Interior scrapes and dings might contribute to that behind walls. Just my two cents. As Maki mentioned... There will be other vans but it's hard to wait.
 
"There will be other vans but it's hard to wait."

This is true.
As for air bags, I'm not sure I've ever had to use those, let alone seen them used in real life!
 
Factor in insurance cost for the newer van. 132k does not seem like that much, but I don't have much experience with Chevy vans. Still, I see them for sale with 250-300k, which I think is reasonable. And remember, everything will cost more on a newer vehicle - everything.
 
Factor in insurance cost for the newer van. 132k does not seem like that much, but I don't have much experience with Chevy vans. Still, I see them for sale with 250-300k, which I think is reasonable. And remember, everything will cost more on a newer vehicle - everything.
What do you think of a 2500 van versus a 3500 van? Any differences, pros and cons?
 
3500
Heavier duty components. If you have a lightweight build, it'll be bouncier
 
I would not buy a 3500 van for conversion or camping purposes. If you need to haul pallets that weigh 2000 pounds then yeah.

The 3500 is really for 'true' cargo hauling, or extremely heavy conversions (several house batteries, really large water tanks, etc) Without some weight back there, the ride will be very stiff.

2500 is the sweet spot. Heavier frame, brakes, and cooling than the 1500 but the leaf springs will be a little bit more forgiving than the 3500 leaf springs. Any normal conversion and assortment of batteries and provisions will be 'just right', and the ability to tow a 2000-4000 pound trailer is icing on the cake.

The 6 speed will be a better choice for towing, assuming there is a 'tow/haul' mode available and the rear end ratio is short enough.

Financing? Well...not my first choice but neither is an older van that might need major repairs in a few months or a couple of years.

I agree with the others, keep looking, the market has opened up a bit in the last few months and you might be able to find a better deal if you are patient.

Good luck!
 
I would not buy a 3500 van for conversion or camping purposes. If you need to haul pallets that weigh 2000 pounds then yeah.

The 3500 is really for 'true' cargo hauling, or extremely heavy conversions (several house batteries, really large water tanks, etc) Without some weight back there, the ride will be very stiff.

2500 is the sweet spot. Heavier frame, brakes, and cooling than the 1500 but the leaf springs will be a little bit more forgiving than the 3500 leaf springs. Any normal conversion and assortment of batteries and provisions will be 'just right', and the ability to tow a 2000-4000 pound trailer is icing on the cake.

The 6 speed will be a better choice for towing, assuming there is a 'tow/haul' mode available and the rear end ratio is short enough.

Financing? Well...not my first choice but neither is an older van that might need major repairs in a few months or a couple of years.

I agree with the others, keep looking, the market has opened up a bit in the last few months and you might be able to find a better deal if you are patient.

Good luck!
I agree that a 2500 would be the sweet spot, however I've seen plenty of people on social media, with older 90's era Ford econoline vans that are e350s, I even saw one guy with a Ford extended van e350 with the 7.3 diesel.

as of right now, the choice is between a 2017 van, 2500, 6.0, 6 speed automatic, 53,100 miles, g80 locking rear differential or a 2005 3500 6.0, 4 speed transmission, g80 locking rear differential, that I could pay cash for and also would obviously need some work when/if I get it, since it's beat up (at least on the inside) Basically I could get an auto loan to help pay for the newer 2017 one and Basically not have to worry about it or and have worry free reliability. 2 a dozen, half a dozen of the other 🤷‍♂️

Oh well, and you're right, another van will always pop up for sale later down the road. there's always other fish in the sea.
 
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Another question that you might have answered previously. Are you planning on putting a lot of miles on it? Or boondocking and doing shorter trips?

Mpg differences might make a difference in gas costs if you're doing enough driving. I would assume the 6 speed would be easier on gas. And the engine, over time.
 
I agree that a 2500 would be the sweet spot, however I've seen plenty of people on social media, with older 90's era Ford econoline vans that are e350s, I even saw one guy with a Ford extended van e350 with the 7.3 diesel.

Of course, you can use any van you like.

But what I said is: *I* would not buy a 3500 class (or 350 class ford) for use as conversion or camping van. Meaning that's not what I (meaning me) would do. The ride is just too stiff for my comfort, UNLESS it's loaded fairly heavy.

And obviously price and availability come into play. If all your local dealers have is 1500 or 3500, and you need one now, then sure, its probably better to buy the heavy duty van.
 
Newer does not always mean better. When I left to drive 700 miles to go to college with my friend, his father wanted to follow along to make sure his son got down there ok and see the college since he went there too. So, we had a 3 vehicle convoy. My buddy's Dad was driving his brand new Audi that he paid a ton of money for, his son had a older Chevy with over 100k on it and I had a 1970 Plymouth Fury with over 100k on it that I bought for $500. In that single trip which should have taken about 12 hours, he had to have his Audi towed and repaired at dealerships 3 times and it took 4 days. (Not kidding) The last repair was because his AC compressor bolts sheared off and the unit hit his fan and destroyed it. I later made that trip another 15 times in my Plymouth and never once had a single issue. Generally newer vehicles have less mechanical issues but a lot depends on how they were taken care of, (or not) and the mileage. I suppose some new vehicles are just crap to begin with no matter the price.
 
Another question that you might have answered previously. Are you planning on putting a lot of miles on it? Or boondocking and doing shorter trips?

Mpg differences might make a difference in gas costs if you're doing enough driving. I would assume the 6 speed would be easier on gas. And the engine, over time.
I agree. although for all the 2003 to 2009 GM vans, those were all 4 speed I'm pretty sure. The 2004 GM van I'm driving right now is a 4 speed. I would think that with the newer 6 speed transmissions that the vans with those get a little bit better gas mileage, cause of the higher number of gears.

But, my conundrum is, I can go with the 2005 van with the 6.0 and the 4 speed transmission and just pay cash for it and be done with it and not have to deal with all the auto loan nonsense. But then of course I would have to spend additional time and money fixing up the 2005 3500 van. Two a dozen half a dozen of the other it seems 🤷‍♂️
 
Of course, you can use any van you like.

But what I said is: *I* would not buy a 3500 class (or 350 class ford) for use as conversion or camping van. Meaning that's not what I (meaning me) would do. The ride is just too stiff for my comfort, UNLESS it's loaded fairly heavy.

And obviously price and availability come into play. If all your local dealers have is 1500 or 3500, and you need one now, then sure, its probably better to buy the heavy duty van.
what do you mean by "stiff"?

oh, I just remembered, at the hotel I stayed at in May/June of 2022, I believe they had a Ford extended passeneger van which was an e350, it was a comfortable, decent ride.
 
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