astro or e150/e250?

[steveh2112]

not wishing to start a ford v chevy war (in Australia there really is a war over that), but i've been checking astros against e150/e250 cargo vans. in terms of second hand prices they look almost identical,

2004-2005, 150-160k miles, $4000-$4900
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4952358869.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4953593179.html

there are a load in that range every day of the week. and that's my price range. suppose i saw a chevy and a ford in pretty much identical condition, details and price, would there be a clear winner? i didn't include dodge because i've never been a big fan. i drove a ford explorer for years and the thing never let me down so i am a bit pre disposed towards ford.

 

[One Awesome Inch]

Between Dodge, Ford, or Chevy they are all good. It really mostly depends on each individual vehicle and its service history. There are some small differences... I think the Chev Express is 3 inches larger and one of them, cant remember which, has a smaller turning radius... making it easer to turn around.

As to the Astro mini van, you'll get about 3 mpg, but lose alot of space and about 4 inches of headroom. The positives is that they are easier to park and more stealthy.

For the record, I found a good price on a decent E150 and went for it. No regrets.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

I'm a fan of long 1 ton vans. Not that I want to load out to the max. I like the stiffer suspension and the extra ground clearance and larger truck tires. There's plenty of interior space to accommodate 2 adults (with full sized bed) and our little dog.
Even if I was traveling alone I'd still shy away from anything less than a 1 ton.

Just my opinion

 

[Almost There]

Definitely go for the full size van. The Astro looks large in the pics until you have to try living in it and packing your stuff in it. I've lived full time in both and you definitely want the larger van, especially since there's two of you.

As to which of the 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton to choose from, it's a toss up. You're not planning on towing with it so that doesn't need to be a consideration.

 

[GotSmart]

Every Astro I have seen has been a nightmare mechanically.

Extremely difficult to troubleshoot, even for the dealers.

That is one of the few vehicles I will not recommend.

I personally love Dodge, and have had better than average results with them.

I grew up in a Chevy family, and their other full size products seem to be good. The Astro seems to be a mistake they made. I could list mistake vehicles for Ford and Dodge, but the vans are mostly great.

Just my opinion from personal experience.

I think I once worked on that place where the Astro is. It sure looks familiar!

 

[steveh2112]

Definitely go for the full size van. The Astro looks large in the pics until you have to try living in it and packing your stuff in it. I've lived full time in both and you definitely want the larger van, especially since there's two of you.

As to which of the 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton to choose from, it's a toss up. You're not planning on towing with it so that doesn't need to be a consideration.

by 'full size van' can you give me an example?

i'm a bit reluctant to go too big i have to say. i'm not thinking full time, just 4-5 months in the van and we'll have a tent. i'm mostly thinking boondocking in the mountains, not stealth in town, so the van will be for traveling and sleeping, that's it, everything else outside (weather permitting) or in a tent.

 

[platinum]

Chevy Astro ( GMC Safari ) powertrain are nearly bullet proof and i can confirm that they are easy to park in packed city streets. It was the obvious choice for me as gas price are costly where i live and currently planning on using it as a second dwelling for long road trip use. Better MPG and stealth ability is good.

If you are 2 persons dwelling in it full time, i would definitely choose a full sized van.

For a more nomad single person i would choose the Astro.

 

[platinum]

Every Astro I have seen has been a nightmare mechanically.  

Extremely difficult to troubleshoot, even for the dealers.

That is one of the few vehicles I will not recommend.

I personally love Dodge, and have had better than average results with them.  

I grew up in a Chevy family, and their other full size products seem to be good. The Astro seems to be a mistake they made. I could list mistake vehicles for Ford and Dodge, but the vans are mostly great.

Just my opinion from personal experience.

I think I once worked on that place where the Astro is. It sure looks familiar!

As an auto tech in a GM dealership for the last 20 years, i respectfully disagree with your opinion.

 

[SoulRaven]

I'm with Bindi&us on this one, 1 ton is heavier duty everything, and an extended body gives you more room.

That extra foot or two of room can make the difference between comfort and misery.

 

[GotSmart]

There is one member of this site that just had the dealership fail to repair her Astro after having it a week. She ended up buying another van because it could not be fixed. The example listed has already gone through its transmission. Definitely not bulletproof at all!

An old girlfriend had more duct tape on her Astro holding it together than I have used in my life!

My last post on this subject. RUN AWAY!!!

 

[steveh2112]

if you mean e350 it looks to me like its the same size as the e250
http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/muddyford/2012-02-15_023802_1.png

its quite hard to find detailed dimensions on these things. edmunds and cars.com are useless

 

[platinum]

if you mean e350 it looks to me like its the same size as the e250
http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/muddyford/2012-02-15_023802_1.png

its quite hard to find detailed dimensions on these things. edmunds and cars.com are useless

Usually e250 and e350 are the same body, it's the frame, brakes, wheels and suspension that are different.
like comparing a 3/4 ton versus a 1 ton Van.

 

[ttpadilla]

The difference in length is between the regular and extended, not the 250 and 350, which has to do with towing capacity I believe. The 250 is a 3/4 ton and the 350 a full ton. I believe most have advised that you go with the Ford E150 Cargo Van, as it's longer than the Chevy Astro. I apologize if I misunderstood the question.

 

[platinum]

One advantage of the econoline has is the 4" taller roof. The wider body also help in fitting the bed in the back in a perpendicular way, this layout gives a lot more space in the middle of the van for other things.

One advantage of the Astro is that i can park it in the underground garage of my condo tower where a regular full size van would not enter due to height issue.

 

[MikeRuth]

let me put my 2 cents in, I have a 2007 E-150 that I bought new. I'd swear it's built like a 350 but I know it's not. It has 6 in frame rails and the 350 has 8 In./
Mine has 8 lug wheels, disc brakes all round, oil and trans cooler, ABS, all stock. Power windows door locks AC and Alarm, Standard size box. For me  right now I wish I had that extra 20 inches of a extended version. I'll make do. 5.4L V-8 not the best in mileage but it gets up and goes when you need it. Handles really well. I'm not a total lead foot any more but I tool along at 75 80 all the time very comfortably. I drive it in the mountains here among some of the most notable roads in the US, namely the Snake on Mulholland Highway, and hard at times. Again handles that relly well. I'm very happy with it.

at 55K miles I just took the front wheels off for a brake check, a tad under 1/8 of pad still left, not bad. Still tight as it was when I got it. No squeaks or rattles.
So I can only say I'd recommend one.
On the Chevy Express, when I was shopping in 2007 I test drove a couple and I had driven older chevy vans a bunch but I just didn't feel as comfortable in it as the Ford. Believe me I'm no brand addict. Again just my 2 cents worth.

In regards to the Chevy Astro that couldn't get fixed, doesn't every manufacture produce a bad one now and then>? YES they do, There are thousands of parts etc involved in the creation of a vehicle and I have no doubt every manufacture simply produces a bad one now and then. 

 

[akrvbob]

I will give a third vote for an extended van. They are longer so they give you much more room. It'll be called an "extended" van or maybe a 15 passenger van.

Fords are good vans, just be sure the model you buy doesn't have a 5.4 that spits out spark plugs or that it's already been fixed.

Better yet, buy a Chevy with a 5.3 and get a much better motor and better MPG and you'll never have to worry about your spark plugs.
Bob

 

[steveh2112]

thanks all, so i'm hearing a lot of good things about the ford, i just found this
http://www.new-cars.com/2003/chevrolet/chevy-astro-specs.html
http://www.new-cars.com/2003/ford/ford-econoline-specs.html

van: astro e150/250 van (not ext)
total length 189.8 211.9
total width 77.5 79.3
cargo area height 47.6 52.5
cargo area width at floor 73.3
width between wheel housings 51.6 52.5
back of front seats to back door 98.6 114.3
cargo volume ? 256cuft
ground clearance 6.8

so yep, the e150/250 is bigger

 

[TucsonAZ]

You're trying to decide between an Astro and a 1/2 van so I'm not going to tell you to go 1 ton or extended as that's even more extreme. I'm going to just say that if you were looking for 90s I would say Ford but for the years you're looking I would say GMC, I'm basing this on motor and in part the ride quality. I would avoid the 5.4 and 6.8 you find in the Ford or I should say I'm choosing to. The Express in the 1500 will give you a much better fit for your needs.

If I were looking for a 1/2 ton, I would be ALL OVER THIS:

http://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/4933670086.html

I'm fairly certain he would do $2,500 but $3,000 I'd say is a for sure deal based on talking to him. Good guy, well off, dealer maintained, you can't ask for much more in a used van.

 

[LeeRevell]

Can a salvage title be registered and tagged? That damage is an easy fix for any decent body man. Mostly bolting on new parts. Very nice van otherwise.

 

[steveh2112]

that looks nice and i'd certainly look at it except AZ is not much use to me, that's half way through my trip. i wonder about salvage title too. savanna is just another name for an astro right? identical in every way?

i like the fact that econline vans are a bit bigger and i'm 6' tall so that's good for me