Promaster vs. Sprinter Van

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Happiegrrrl2

Trad climber
Topic Author's Original Post - Aug 25, 2016 - 12:05pm PT
Someone drove up the other day in a Ram Promaster 1500 and of course I was envious. This person said the merits of Promaster vs. Sprinter was certainly the cost - around $25K vs. the almost twice the price Sprinter.

The vans have a similar look and frankly I would not feel bad at all that I had the Sprinter knockoff, if I could afford either.

Nonetheless, I WILL be needing a new van. This one just can't be asked to cross the desert with the oil leak problem. Just too damned hot. So this winter I will be in the southeast again, but I do miss the desert and Sushifest!

So - anyone have experience with the Promaster?

The one I saw was JUST what I would like - it had windows in the back doors and one on the passenger side. I would want that just to feel like I'm not living in a bunker; don't know how people can have those no-window rigs. He said it got 20+ MPG on the highway on a recent trip, and it is wide enough to make the bed be sideways, which is a major space saver.


labrat

Trad climber
Erik O. Auburn, CA
Aug 25, 2016 - 12:20pm PT
I think the bones are exactly the same between the Dodge and the Mercedes.
JLP

Social climber
The internet
Aug 25, 2016 - 01:11pm PT
No, not even close, neither are Dodge either. Promaster = Fiat, and Fiat thus far has yet to maintain a vehicle in the US market for long due to quality issues. This Promaster version is too new to tell, but lots of horror stories of the prior version on EU websites. We'll see. Sprinter is MB, always has been 100%, including when they came with Dodge hood ornaments, only real issue is the modern diesel emissions equipment that plagues similar vehicles after 2007 - EGR, DPF, etc. IMO, in summary, if you don't have a lot of cash laying around, buy a used class B RV on a domestic van chassis. With the new vans taking over, lots of good deals on the used market.
labrat

Trad climber
Erik O. Auburn, CA
Aug 25, 2016 - 01:38pm PT
I stand corrected for the newer models in the title. My apologies.

I think I'm confused because I was thinking about older models like Freightliner-badged model in 2001, then as a Dodge in ’03, and I guess it has now changed to a Mercedes in ’09.
guyman

Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
Aug 25, 2016 - 01:43pm PT
It would cost a lot less to fix- rebuild a motor, so that it didn't leak or use any oil, than it would cost to Pay the Sales Tax and pay the new car registration fees.

Just saying.

John M

climber
Aug 25, 2016 - 01:48pm PT


I have no idea if Fiat has improved its quality, but based on my experience with Fiat, I wouldn't buy one. FIAT = Fix It Again Tony.
Gnome Ofthe Diabase

climber
Out Of Bed
Aug 25, 2016 - 01:54pm PT
I just saw a Dodge whatever towing the perfect sized (55foot full cabin ) boat !
The Ride looked boxy but it was a towing monster. Had to be a diesel . . .( dual-ly?)
If that was the way I rolled that would be a way I'd like to roll.( you needed a bank, not just a bankroll for the boat, his ride was his marine shoppe... Stayed aboard the boat....
He was headed to New Port RI. Then to Bahamas just at the start of hurricane season.
I was drooling ..
At another moment just sweaty after blasting up to the ridge near the highway I saw a Square box Westland/V W camper, that's the version with the external frame.
It was fully raised-no hanging Tran/Dr's link - it was deep wine with California plates!
I howled after it
Take me. With you your ride is great, I dream he was headed to a climbing area.

Happy new birthday the big one!,

I'm sorry that since I threatened to cast a shadow at your door I've only grown more...
'Round about the middle of next month if at all
still
To some who still dream of the 'End of The World', "waterhole"
You have it all. Again every day one day at a time there is almost no reason for this rhyme
Congrudlations! And mozoltv!

voL ALchL., 0.00% by x24/7~365x 20yr
8/26/96 !
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Aug 25, 2016 - 03:10pm PT
Any decent used Sprinter is gonna run in the 20's. A well used Class B
motorhome can be had for well under 10K but then you're guaranteed to have
many issues with leakage, rodents, leaking grey and black tanks, etc.
A rebuilt short block for your van can't be more than 3K installed, can it?
the Fet

climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
Aug 25, 2016 - 09:29pm PT
Also check the ford transit for a euro style unibody van.

I'd agree with the above that you'd get more for your money out of a used class b on a ford or Chevy chassis.
NA_Kid

Big Wall climber
The Bear State
Aug 25, 2016 - 10:05pm PT
Is it just me, or does the promaster look really ugly?
nita

Social climber
chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.
Aug 25, 2016 - 10:45pm PT
*
Wish i had an extra big pile of cash to share with you so you could get a better ride..

I put this up on Tad's thread..but this is on my wish list....
This young man and his family used to vacation @ Tuolumne Lodge every summer, nice folks..
http://www.tetongravity.com/story/culture/how-to-hack-your-van-into-the-ultimate-camper

Good luck.. Miss Happi......
tradmanclimbs

Ice climber
Pomfert VT
Aug 26, 2016 - 03:59am PT
If your living full time a spreinter is the gold standard for a rig that is still small enough to get into forest service areas and gets decent fuel economy. The new euro style fords supposedly get decent fuel economy and are fairly roomy but still not the headroom of a sprinter. Chevy/GMC savana come in awd but still can't stand up in them. AWD sprinter is the dream rig.
Gary

Social climber
Desolation Basin, Calif.
Aug 26, 2016 - 05:55am PT
Does either of them come with a multimeter?
tradmanclimbs

Ice climber
Pomfert VT
Aug 26, 2016 - 06:14am PT
The dream is getting an AWD sprinter new enough to not need an effin multimeter....
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Aug 26, 2016 - 07:43am PT
Like a multimeter will do you any good on any vehicle made in the last 15 years?
OK, it would help you suss out a blown tail light, but that's about it. :-)
Happiegrrrl2

Trad climber
Topic Author's Reply - Aug 26, 2016 - 03:30pm PT
I like on the edge, s I don't need no stinking mulitmeter!!1!11

I think I am just enjoying the fantasy of that roomy high top, hoping that somehow by thinking about it, the universe will react and, shazaaam, suddenly it has manifested. It's my new tactic....hahah. Hey - it can't hurt, and my jewelry business IS beginning t pick up, so maybe there's something to it.

I do wish I could read the future and know that a rebuilt motor for Penny was a right choice. But, you just can never really know. It does run smoothly, but the thought of then having a transmission issue and having to do that(because you really would almost have to, after putting in a new motor).

But nothing will be happening this year anyway. Still, it is fun to get input about the various rigs. I really liked the idea that the bed can fit sideways, which I suppose is possible in the Sprinter too.
labrat

Trad climber
Erik O. Auburn, CA
Aug 26, 2016 - 03:38pm PT
No harm in dreaming. I'm doing it as well.

The multimeter line cracked me up! Thank you...
Gary

Social climber
Desolation Basin, Calif.
Aug 26, 2016 - 04:16pm PT
A friend loves his Sprinter. He's a retired auto mechanic, and German to boot, so his opinion is solid.
tradmanclimbs

Ice climber
Pomfert VT
Aug 26, 2016 - 08:52pm PT
I also am trying to manifest an Awd sprinter by dreaming about it.... I
Happiegrrrl2

Trad climber
Topic Author's Reply - Aug 29, 2016 - 04:49pm PT
Well, today a guy came into the trailhead with a tricked out Sprinter and I was like "I love your van!"

He goes "I hate it." Why, I cannot guess but I had a snappy comeback and pointed to my van and told him it was quite reliable, except for the oil leak, and that I would trade him..... He didn't go for it.
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