Bob La Londe wrote:
"Pinstripe Sniper" wrote in message
...
I may be in the market for a utility van (the traditional rectangular
style) and I am curious what opinions RCMers may have on Ford vs
Chevy. If any have a diesel powered, I would be very interested in
reading how it has been. (I'm also looking at the tall Sprinter
(diesel) and the smaller Ford Transit - looks like no diesel in the
US)

I figure they are pretty close so for the big fleet operators it's
more what you have used traditionally rather than one being
drastically better in price/performance/reliability?


I have had really good luck with Chevies since 2001 when I bought my first
new truck, however the last "new" truck I bought was a 2008 1500 (I've got
an '03 and an 07 2500 too). That 08 really disappointed me. It ran great
and had really good 4wd, but the sheet metal all over was paper thin. You
drop a screw driver getting it out of the work cap, and you dented the
truck. Not kidding. I opened the door once and bumped the side of a house
where I had to park close, and it folded the edge of the door over. I can't
tell you how it help up otherwise since I rolled it with only 7000 miles on
it when a wild burrow ran out in front of us, but I can say from the look of
the cab if we hadn't had a work cap on the truck it would have totally
collapsed.

My other Chevies have all been excellent, but the newest one in the stable
right now is a 2007.



Since 96 when GM switched to body on frame for the vans they have been
much better.
If you're planning on a Ford you will want to buy new NOW. They are
shutting down the E serier van next year. They are replacing it with a
new design. The Sprinter is OK in the larger versions. Don't buy the
early units though. They had a LOT of problems with the front hubs/brakes.

--
Steve W.