1999 Pleasure Way or 2004 Sprinter?

[Yzvan]

Trying to choose between a 1999 Dodge Pleasure Way and a 2004 Dodge Sprinter. Having a hard time deciding, so looking to see what recommendations everyone can provide. We are looking to use the vehicle to stay in neighborhoods for 3 days out of the week. We work a long distance from home, and also use it to go on trips for climbing, snowboarding, camping, etc. on weekends. Here’s some info of each vehicle:

Pleasure Way:
Gas
80k miles
Has solar but small battery
Missing a generator
Everything else works and is in great condition
Costs about 5k cheaper than Sprinter

Sprinter:
Diesel
300k miles
High top
Solar with 400amp batteries
Nice interior wood finishes
Bed, water pump, sink, fridge (electric), stove (mobile, not attached)
No toilet
No heater (besides the driver area)
No AC [font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif](besides the driver area)[/font]

[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]The Pleasure Way has more features and space inside and less miles. But my concern is if I’m going to have problems with stealth parking because it’s bigger. It’s a bigger vehicle to drive, and my girlfriend will need to drive it about half the time, and not sure how well it will do driving up in snow. It also has lower MPG, but diesel is more expensive, so maybe that’s not that big of a deal. [/font]

What are your thoughts? 

Sprinter




Pleasure Way:

 

[LERCA]

What are the costs of each? I’d pick the Pleasure Way but don’t want diesel. I just got some money and am looking at class Bs just like the one you posted. I want something small like your gf that’s easy to drive.

 

[Yzvan]

Pleasure Way is $15k, Sprinter is $19k

 

[Parkedinavan]

Pleasureway in my book, because at 300K miles your pushing the envelope.

 

[Stardust]

If by “ staying in neighborhoods” you mean “be stealthy/blend in”, then the rv is a no, since no rv will be inconspicuous But whatever you decide, get maintenance records, esp for the Sprinter. If you don’t know if the diesel particulate filter has been replaced (about $5000+), or other replacement of emission/exhaust parts, I would say forget about any diesel with that many miles. Even if the Sprinter has been meticulously maintained, 19K is a bit much for that vintage with that mileage.

 

[highest_vision]

This mostly empty sprinter is near me:
https://westslope.craigslist.org/cto/d/placerville-2003-diesel-sprinter-van/7050345002.html
It has half the miles, and they have dropped the price since listed. Not outfitted like that other one, but for comparison's sake, it seems 19k is high. You could outfit this shell for 10k and have half the miles!

 

[highdesertranger]

warning, warning, diesel sprinter, warning, warning. beware of diesel sprinters. highdesertranger

 

[andi]

2004 SPrinters don't have particulate filters. Is anyone in this group knowledgeable about old sprinters? Apparently 2006 and earlier are desirable.

 

[WanderingRose]

I’m on my second diesel Sprinter since 2007, and have found these engines to be reliable workhorses when well maintained.

I agree that 300K miles is at the outer edge of the predicted lifespan.

 

[chris84]

Pleasure way, because a pushrod v8/ auto trans, rwd dodge is stupid simple to fix when it breaks. Everything breaks eventually.