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1 members (Scott35),
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 40
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I bought a chevy express 3500 work van. It is a 2003 model and was used as a fleet vehicle for TYCO-Simplex alarms. The milage is high at 95,000, but the van was serviced as required, and I got the carfax report with it. The van has a rating of over a ton and a half, and is equipped with a lot of options like power windows, good ac, towing electronics ,cruise control, etc... The engine is the largest v8 you can get, gas milage is ok, and I will deduct my milage at tax time anyway so I want power and torque on demand. I got my company logo on both sides and the back, and I am proud to drive this vehicle to do my service work. Also, it came equipped with full roof racks and parts bins as well as a driver shield from flying parts. I was able to finance this at 6% interest and paid 11,500.00 for it at five years making the payments at 216.00 a month. This van new with all the accessories would be about 30,000.00. My business is too new to afford something like that.
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 23
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I'm looking to get into the commerical market should that have any part in my decision?
By the way thank you to all for all the great info this is a great site.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 138
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Hard to beat a used van. Yeh, you'll have some maintenance costs but I'd rather have a truck I could spend money on during the slow times than one I had to make large payments on every month.
Vans keep materials dry, have nice large sides for advertising, and an accessible top for your ladders.
I have a 2000 extended one ton Chevy that I bought with 120,000 miles. It gets 10 mpg but I paid $6,000 cash for it. Have bought tires, done my own brake jobs, and put a ladder rack on top. I've put 30,000 miles on it will little to no money other than what was mentioned. I did put an alarm system on it for $200 (bought on Ebay). It'll tow the largest trencher you can rent and will fit 10' material inside when needed.
[This message has been edited by PE&Master (edited 04-06-2006).]
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 259
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Last month I bought an 06 Express diesel van. Paid 26k out the door. Low finance rate, 3.8 I think so I put nothing down and keep my cash in the bank I would have put down on it to keep the payments low.
Milage is just over 18mpg. Quiet and rides very nice.
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 141
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2 things I want in any van from now on
- remote control mirrors cause I'm fed up with not being able to adjust the passenger side mirror while driving.
- a light on the dash if any door is open. Anyone who has driven off with the side or rear door open will understand that one.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 82
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Number one priority for service van?
Get power door locks. You make lots of trips to your van in a day and you need to lock four doors every time.
My last van was a 2003 cargo express 1 ton, and I liked it a lot but didnt like putting fuel in it. It drove like a car.
I since have gone out on my own and bought a used astro cargo which I like also but for different reasons. Its smaller but my shop is now at my home (my garage) so I dont need to carry as much. I go home every night so I can store some stuff I dont use as often off the vehicle which saves fuel. They are discontinued however and will not be made in 2007 I am told.
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 141
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I used to have a Transit till I snapped the chassis in half.
I wouldn't mind working out of an old Bedford again. I've been using Hi-Aces for years because of their reliability but the old Bedfords had much more style and room.
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 687
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Nope. Ford had a Windstar. I don't think I seen a cargo one. Not sure if they still make them. Before that was an Arostar but that was a rear wheel drive.
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 200
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I'm part-time self employed outside of my normal 40hour week. I have a computer background in addition to electrical. So far I'm not encountering the kind of work that requires me to have a loaded 1-ton van handy at all times.
I'm looking at various station wagons.... possibly a Focus or Jetta, even a Mercedes 300TD caught my eye. Sprinter looks promising, but too new still for my budget. (Heck, a Liberty CRD is cheaper!)
I can always use the family vehicle (F350 crewcab) if I have a serious load of material or equipment to deliver.
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Posts: 806
Joined: October 2004
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