TheOMB wrote: Just called my local Ford dealer Sales Manager who is a fan of my act (thru me a $100 tip a few weeks ago) and...
He can't get me an E350 5.4L, like a fleet dealer in the right market (Orlando is close to me) because he's not a fleet dealer/no market for vans here.
But he did verify and explain the pricing equation just like you. As an example, Mullinax Ford Orlando has many E350's on lot around $18,500. Sticker price was about $35,000 on these. He said Mullinax does about an $800 mark up. He said I might get them down to 17 but not likely, that would make your -1800 for vehicle close to spot.
Thank you for lease/rental/ford value/auction equation, will work that out on specific vehicle.
Oh the E series is still up for some production... I heard it was out all together. I agree with you, I can't imagine every biz that needs a van wanting to switch to the transit, especially with a V4, only about 1400lbs? of cargo and ford saying "do not tow with this vehicle" They would be giving sales away straight to Chevy and Nissan. I did read that Ford has registered T150, T250, T350 and T450 presumably for other versions of the transit.
Safety...
I got a bunch of wrench style strap downs for securing things
I'm thinking about installing a cage wall, unfortunately that will be installed when I can afford it. My wife loves the idea.
My ford sales manager fan said "get the warranty".
Only thing I question from conversation with Ford Sales Manager is he said 6,700 tow limit is off the bumper, put a class 4 hitch on it and your good for 10,000 pounds.
And yeah the V10 will cost more in purchase and more to drive local. Who knows it may even depreciate harder and will be harder to sell.
Only thing with being slower, I have a history of heavy foot but have not gotten a speeding ticket for 3 or 4 years now. I just turned 40, would that be a bunch mark for slowing down
Thanks again, I got to mail off contracts, pick up kids and gig tonight so... I'm not going to let this forum sidetrack me from my "to do list" for the rest of the day.
Marc
Based on local demand, which is pretty high in Orlando, 17k may not be bad for a 1 year old (in service date check), 12,000 to 15,000 mile vehicle.
Completely clean, no dings, no damage to upholstery, nothing... spotless.
My price presumes a bit of ding, etc. that are cheap to ignore or fix.
We are within $1800 if my guess... can't do much better without a real vehicle in front of us to discuss.
I can get you a source that will sell you the extended Ford (top of line) warranty at a great discount off list.
Don't know about the weight distributing hitch vs. bumper... but again, got to have a real vehicle with a real VIN for me find out.
Well... I am glad things will work for you!
Oh.. cage is not essential... proper tie downs tied to strong frame member (e.g. the seat bolted stuff) will do fine.
Keep the kids safe.
* This post was
edited 04/05/12 12:14pm by NewsW *
I called today, random sales guy said price is price with no haggle
I'm waiting for a couple of high paying gigs to pass and one big ol check in the mail in the next few weeks.
Also, I got a whole sale car guy (also musician and fan of my act) who picks up trade in vehicles from about 10 Florida dealers. He never knows what he's gonna come across BUT if he finds a decent van he's gonna call. I can imagine him coming in with a good price, but nothing like the low miles on these off lease/rental Ford E350's
- Current in Chevy Express LT 1500, 7 bad engine codes, leaks Not sure if I got my monies worth out of 200k miles I've drove so far.
- Moving to 1 Ton Van & BH trailer soon
Yup. Most folks don't care about the details. But the Ford has much taller, heavier gauge frame rails,
Think that is the reason Transit is replacing the E.
It is too expensive to build material cost wise.
~30% more brake swept area, ~15% more brake piston area,
One of the neato possibilities is to fit a hydroboost on the E van replacing the vac. boost.
That raise the clamping pressure.
bigger electrical system, and much larger total cooling package.
Electrical system is a known weak spot --- and uprating of cabling is a "on the shelf" project for Fords.
Cooling is going to be challenged on the E form factor no matter what you do --- hence the derating of the engines.
And yes, a 6.0 diesel can be made reliable. If addressed early enough (as in, before the oil cooler plugs up), a simple coolant filter installation
Turned out to be unnecessary in my case.
and high-idle switch will prevent most common issues.
There was a fuel issue pre 2009 that resulted in EGR clogging, once cleaned post 2009, the EGR valves have not clogged again. Possibly also to do with reprogrammng to not EGR until engine is thoroughly warm (wet fuel)
However, I firmly believe the V10 will always have a lower lifetime cost of ownership.
Below 200,000 miles ownership, yes. Above that, cumulative fuel savings kick in.
Any repair on the diesel is $$$, and most V10s will never need any power-train repairs.
The infamous frozen spark plugs problem... fix that and...
Ditto the 5.4L. The 5.4L just isn't any fun to drive. Also, starting in '05 the V10 also nets you a better transmission (The TorqueShift).
Ford transmissions are tanks of tanks.
The 6.0 in the E 350 starting 2005, and seriously from 2006ish, is completely solid if not modded and properly maintained.
If I wanted to trade (I don't) I would get a 2010 E350 6.0 diesel.
275,000 miles is easily achievable with factory parts with no major repairs.
Pretty close to B50 life spec of 375,000 miles.
* This post was
edited 04/06/12 06:19am by NewsW *
As far as the modifications go, don't be afraid to change the rear gears. You could find a 4X4 shop that can swap out high gears (3.55) for 4.10 or 4.30 for about $1,000 or less. That will really boost towing performance of a 5.4L, especially once you hit the Appalachians.
Do an engineering analysis of exactly what is so different between the E350 short wb super duty and the Chev 3500.
Equip them with 5.4, 6.0gas chev, 6.0 diesel, 6.8gas, etc.
What you will find is GM greatly pushed the envelope on the tow rating.
Ford greatly understated it.
GM I derate by my normal 30% and bring it right down to Ford range.
Ford E 350 5.4 I might not derate at 7,000lbs.
They are very comparable, engineering wise.
Yup. Most folks don't care about the details. But the Ford has much taller, heavier gauge frame rails, ~30% more brake swept area, ~15% more brake piston area, bigger electrical system, and much larger total cooling package.
And yes, a 6.0 diesel can be made reliable. If addressed early enough (as in, before the oil cooler plugs up), a simple coolant filter installation and high-idle switch will prevent most common issues. However, I firmly believe the V10 will always have a lower lifetime cost of ownership. Any repair on the diesel is $$$, and most V10s will never need any power-train repairs. Ditto the 5.4L. The 5.4L just isn't any fun to drive. Also, starting in '05 the V10 also nets you a better transmission (The TorqueShift).
Bryan
2000 Ford E350 DRW Wagon (14-pass all captains chairs)
V10 w/ Banks PowerPack, Diablo Predator, 4.56 LS, ~350,000 miles
New Desert Fox in the works!
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Not sure if I got my monies worth out of 200k miles I've drove so far.
