Lefty, few insights on the Sprinter vans:
We run 3 of them now in a different business that does deliveries in two states. We run a lot of miles. The Sprinters are great for that. The older models had the inline 5 cylinder motor got us around 22 mpg, but rusted like crazy and were pretty loud. The newer models we have now with the V6 motor we are getting around 16 to 17 mpg and are much more comfortable . We run the longest models with the added height.
With the diesel motors we change the oil every 10,000 miles and every time they go in it is between 1,500 to 2,000 for the service and misc repairs. The fuel filter is like $180 its self (rip off)
In the carpet business I run a few Astro vans, Great size for VLM, and a Chevy 2500 express (gas motor) The Express van is so much less expensive to maintain, and on the highway I can get almost 16 mpg.
The Chevy will not run as many overall miles or have as much room as the sprinter but if I was just using it for in town running I would stay away from a diesel. JM2C
Now if you could find a sprinter w a gas motor, that would be cool.
In 2015 ford is bring a larger Transit to the market
http://www.ford.com/commercial-trucks/transit/
Wow that was long
