Which one would you pick out of these two? Need experienced input on pros and cons.

[juanappleseedq]

https://collegestation.craigslist.org/cto/6128217670.html

https://houston.craigslist.org/cto/6066486791.html

Hoping no one tries to swipe these from under me by me asking about them lol. I need to move out of my place very soon and these are the only affordable options I've found.

The GMC Vandura 6 cylinder has a spec'd mpg of 19hwy/14city and the Econoline 8 cylinder has a spec'd mpg of 17hwy/13 city.

I like the look of the vandura way better. I don't care that much about stealth. From all the people who live in RVs say it's not as big of a deal as people make it out to be. 

The Vandura is a '96 and has 156,000 miles.

The Econoline is a '99 and has 118,000 miles.

This is my biggest deciding factor so far. I would much rather have the super cool looking van but don't know if it's worth it with the extra years and mileage.

The driver of the vandura said it was only used by him for traveling, i.e. highway miles. The econoline is the woman's daily driver and she lives in it currently. Meaning maybe it has been treated more harshly?

They both say they are very reliable and nothing is wrong with them.

What do you guys think?

 

[gargoyle]

High Top for the win.
Extra room is a huge bonus.

Whatever you pick, I hope it works for you.

 

[juanappleseedq]

High Top for the win.
Extra room is a huge bonus.

Whatever you pick, I hope it works for you.

Thank you! I do feel like the high top would be better initially on the econoline, but at 6' 1" I don't think it will still be tall enough. I almost think I will be more motivated to get a custom high top for the vandura because it's so low lol. And that I may just "accept" the inches that prevent me from fully standing in the econoline.

 

[GotSmart]

The almost high top.  

The other one is used as a tow vehicle.

 

[juanappleseedq]

The almost high top.  

The other one is used as a tow vehicle.

Someone else told me that would be a red flag as well. Especially if he is towing while he is traveling.

 

[ArtW]

I'd go with the high top

 

[Ballenxj]

I'm the wrong guy to ask when it's a choice between Chevy and Ford. I will choose the Chevy every time. Sorry. Yes I have had a Ford van as well as other Ford vehicles, and is part of my reasoning.
The Chevy probably has the 4.3 if it's a six. Good engine. I did own a 95 Chevy that was a lot like the one you posted. Had a V8, and I loved it. Gave it to my daughter eventually, and she loved it too. 
The biggest thing that worries me about the Chevy is he shows it towing a heavy load.
Either one you choose, inspect the mechanical's closely.

 

[StarEcho]

Not to hijack this thread, but why does it raise red flags if someone tows with a vehicle that is equipped to tow???? I don't get it. I have a vehicle that has a tow hitch and is equipped with a brake controller. Are you saying that I should never tow (oops too late) and that if/when I go to sell it people are going to turn their nose up and say, oh my you've towed with this, that is bad? BTW, both of the vehicles referred to here have tow hitches.

 

[OutdoorFT]

I saw a saggin ford explorer today towing a flat trailer full of wood. I would not want to be the buyer of that.

 

[CottonTexas]

At first, I automatically thought the GM because in '96 it would most likely have the Vortec V-8, but upon further analysis they both have their issues, and I'd have to say go with the Ford, and here's why:

I am of the opinion that the best way for 6-cylinder engines to move a truck-sized load is when the cylinders are in-line (not in a "V"), which is why Dodge was able to keep the tiny (and notoriously reliable) 225ci slant-six in production for so long, and Cummins is still doing it today.  The problem when over-working the 4.3 (as with most any smaller engine), is that they wear out faster (a hard lesson I am still learning with my poor little 4-cyl. Ranger).  Pre-'08, I was a GM junkie, and when asked my honest opinion, I still believe GM builds a superior product overall, but the 4.3 would never be my choice engine.  When loaded, you're going to get the same MPG's as a V-8, but the torque required is generated at higher RPM's and would be eating away at the engine bearings and valve-train components at a much faster pace.  Well there's that and...

This looks like shoddy body-work fixing to let loose from a slime & prime paint-job that could be masking evidence of a pretty hard hit - or a major rust problem.

I've never been a fan of the anemic 4.6 Ford either, and 5.4's have spark-plug problems (some spit theirs out, and others freeze in place making replacement expe$ive), but the E150 has fewer miles, a lower probability of being used as a tug-boat, and I can't ever see you regretting the high(er)-top either.  No, you wouldn't be able to stand, but every square inch of interior space matters when you're packing up everything you own.  My only reservation would be that there is already someone living in it which means everything inside would have to be clean, clean, CLEAN, and I would still have to clean it thoroughly myself.  Also I would wonder why someone already setup to live in a van is selling one that functions perfectly fine already  :huh:  I am far from a professional, but this 2¢-worth is coming from more of an avid enthusiast, and since you really can't tell much of anything by looking at the pictures, I say go look at 'em both.  Whatever you decide to do, I wish you luck in your upcoming adventures.  Cheers, Cotton

 

[djkeev]

Vehicles which have a "Tow Package" means the unit is equipted with a hitch, a wiring harness for lights, brake controller, heavier Springs, an auxillary or bigger Transmission cooling package and a rear differential geared a bit lower to help get a heavy load from a dead stop into motion.

The main components, the engine and transmission, are most often the same as any other unit without the tow package.

When you tow you are stressing the engine and trans, making it do a LOT more work than a unit that does not tow.
Often transmissions need to be rebuilt at a much younger age as a result of towing.

I purchased my Dodge in part because it has never towed. No hitch and no tell tale signs of a hitch having ever been installed and later removed. (Though I'm going to put a hitch on it, Not so much for towing but for bikes, a rear step or a rear carry basket)

Anyway.......
Good luck, choose wisely!

Dave

 

[djkeev]

BTW...... the Chevy has been listed for two months...... one must ask, why has no one purchased it yet?
A major red flag!

Of the two listed (both have hitches) knowing only what's in the ads....... The Ford comes home with me.

Dave

 

[highdesertranger]

when I had my auto repair shop the used car dealers always had us remove the hitches, brake controllers, those big ole Texas style front bumpers, aftermarket car alarms, aftermarket roof racks or anything that gave the appearance that the vehicle was used for anything but going to church on Sunday. we had a good secondary business selling all that stuff. highdesertranger

 

[Ballenxj]

Not to hijack this thread, but why does it raise red flags if someone tows with a vehicle that is equipped to tow????  I don't get it.  I have a vehicle that has a tow hitch and is equipped with a brake controller.  Are you saying that I should never tow (oops too late) and that if/when I go to sell it people are going to turn their nose up and say, oh my you've towed with this, that is bad? BTW, both of the vehicles referred to here have tow hitches.

Hi Cindi, I have nothing against towing if done right. My van has a class III hitch that I put on it. The mechanic I used in Vegas knew the history of it and told me it was used to deliver safes on a small trailer,so they apparently took a hitch off before I got it.. I can live with that as it's a 3/4 ton van. That would be considered light duty for it. I have a 10 foot cargo trailer that I plan on towing some day, and that is well within it's limits as long as I don't overload it. The Chevy in the AD has a heavy trailer attached with a car on it, and the guy bragging about how much it can tow, and for long distances. He apparently has no problem abusing a vehicle. A van is usually medium duty at best as far as weight and towing capacity goes.
In the end I had the van gone through with a fine tooth comb, and had all services done. My main concern with towing is the transmission. I had my buddies at Earls Transmission in Vegas change fluids and inspect the transmission. They told me it looked new inside, "and" was the same tranny Dodge put behind diesels. I feel really good about that.

 

[user 37446]

Lots of good info - I cannot pull up the ads but I was able to discern info from the posts.

I can't see a big issue with a 4.3 motor, but it isn't that strong to tow a lot with so NO to that one. Towing puts a big strain on the entire driveline. If this was a 1 ton truck and it towed with a V8 or diesel then hey, no big deal. It's not... Neither the old van tranny, nor the motor, nor the brakes are up for heavy loads. Transmission coolers are fine but you can still roast the trans fluid with a cooler - all it takes is slippage...

The "mid top/tv top" conversion vans won't usually allow for anyone over about 5'5" to stand up straight - but they do give you some increased vertical room, sometimes that's all it takes to feel better.  The fiberglass roofs tend to hold up well, just remember they aren't steel as far as carrying weight on them. I personally am looking for a mid top as the cargoes with high tops are rare as hens teeth and I don't want to drop 3-4K in a new one, installed.

Being a daily driver isn't a problem - it means it has not sat and rotted.  Newer is usually better as far as that goes.  

As with anything else, a competent mechanical and body inspection is needed. Bear in mind that this likely will not be your "forever" van, so get something that will work to start out with, and don't worry if you end up reselling and getting something else. Lots of people do that. Some of the you tubers have had 3 or 4 different vehicles in their video careers.  Watch a few videos and you will see them change.  Each one was the "cat's meow" for awhile, then their needs changed... So will yours.

Rooting for you!