I think I'm going to be one of "those guys" who lives in a van eventually.

"Vimto" (smudgey) 08/23/2014 at 08:39 • Filed to: None

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The question is, Transit Connect, Econoline, or Nissan NV?

They all have their pros and cons.

Transit Connect:

Pros:

-More maneuverable

-Comparatively great gas mileage

-Engine pretty easy to access

Cons:

-Small engine, not very powerful

-Tall and narrow, may be susceptible to crosswinds

-Not as much living space

Econoline E-150:

Pros:

-Huge amount of space

-Readily available parts

-Cheap to buy, long reputation

Cons:

-Engine is buried underneath dashboard = hard to work on yourself

-Poor gas mileage

-Has more 'free candy creeper' vibe than other vans

Nissan NV:

Pros:

-Easy to access engine

-More space than Transit Connect

-Better gas mileage than Econoline

-Proven engine from Frontier and Titan-based platform mean it should be reliable

Cons:

-Long nose = less space for overall size (but still plentiful)

-High resale value (high purchase price for me)

I'm not sure why the idea of living in a van particularly tickles my fancy, but it does. I'm just daydreaming here, but I eliminated the GM twins and the Nissan NV and new Ford Transit because reasons.

jkm7680 > Vimto 08/23/2014 at 08:51

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Haha, I've had that idea in the past about stealth camping.

I'd say go with the Ford, it's the least conspicuous because it's the most common.

Gabor Vajda (@Gabor_V) > Vimto 08/23/2014 at 08:51

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Nibby > Vimto 08/23/2014 at 09:07

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SOON

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > Vimto 08/23/2014 at 09:07

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What about a Sprinter? Lots of room, and I have heard great reliability and mileage.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Vimto 08/23/2014 at 09:16

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what about one of these?

Ram Promaster 1500 diesel. If you are going to be living in it means you might be doing some traveling all over the place. In the snow FWD will be much (MUCH!) better than RWD the only draw back is you will get less sideways action.

fhrblig > Vimto 08/23/2014 at 09:20

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Yeah, you'll be living in the Transit Connect alright. When the transmission fails. Which it will. A LOT.

Vimto > fhrblig 08/23/2014 at 09:26

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I had no idea they have transmission problems. Is it pulled out of the Focus and being overstressed or something?

Vimto > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 08/23/2014 at 09:32

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I completely forgot about these. Thanks!!

fhrblig > Vimto 08/23/2014 at 09:52

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I don't know where they got it from, I just know they all crapped out on us between 60-120k miles. The rest of the van is just as durable, too. Never again.

Alex B > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 08/23/2014 at 10:01

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Wat. I thought these were RWD.

Alex B > Jeff-God-of-Biscuits 08/23/2014 at 10:02

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Good idea. Purchase price might be too high though...

Alex B > Vimto 08/23/2014 at 10:02

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VW Eurovan!

ranwhenparked > Vimto 08/23/2014 at 10:33

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I'd forget the Transit Connect, due to the small size, the only camper conversions that exist don't have bathrooms and only very rudimentary galleys.

An E-Series will be the cheapest option and you should be able to find one reasonably equipped as a wheeled house, which would make living in it not exactly pleasant, but at least not as unpleasant as it otherwise could be.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Alex B 08/23/2014 at 10:35

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nope FWD my friend.

here's a pic of the drive train

hike > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 08/23/2014 at 11:46

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Or maybe one of these?

mazda616 > Vimto 08/23/2014 at 12:02

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Sprinter!

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > hike 08/23/2014 at 12:13

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Not quite the mobile apartment I would be looking for.

TheMightyTexMex > Vimto 08/26/2014 at 00:54

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Definitely the NV. Its interior is much better than the others, making it more livable.