Replies

  • Thank you everyone for your thoughts on the subject. I have done my research and I will be going with the Ford E250 V8 or the Chevy 2500 V8. I will keep everyone informed. Thanks again for your thoughts and comments. Stay safe and GOD bless.

  • I have the E150 that has the smaller V6 engine and I get 17-18 mpg on the highway. Robert mentioned that he gets about 14mpg so I would imagine that he has a V8.

    I would gladly trade my V6 for a V8 because although the mileage is better the engine lacks power when the van is fully loaded and is most noticeable in hilly country...step on the gas and not much happening..

  • Thanks for the info Robert M. Wallis. Where would I go to look up used rental fleet?

    • Enterprise is where I bought mine from. Check your local yellow pages or do a google search for rental fleet sales. The advantage of the rental fleet sales is the vehicles are maintained well, and mileage is relatively low for the age of the vehicles. 

      • I bought mine from Enterprise as well.  The neat thing about Enterprise is that they also take trade ins on their rental vans that they sell.  So you can also get other vans besides the standard rental cargo van.  I bought a trade in E250 extended length van from them several years ago and it has been very reliable.

        • That is what we have, Alison. Lots of cargo space to hold those tall panels and framed photos. A powerful V8 that will take you anywhere. We started with a V6 and this was a great improvement, especially when we'd be merging through busy city freeways in Chicago, Atlanta, Miami, etc. Mileage? about 17 mpg. This van was dedicated to the shows. We rarely drove it otherwise. We live in a small town and could be on the highway in 2 minutes. 

  • Yeah, for 2-D you might need more than a minivan, I have a 2006 Town & Country that the seats fold into the floor and I like it fine. I just saw on facenook, a 2014 VW microbus, that looks awesome, but I dont think they are making it yet, and certainly not here. But I would lave a camper van of some sort, but not a huge camper. We used to have a VW campervan 1978 I think, that would have been a perfest art fair vehicle, if it only went over 50 mph.

  • I second the good old solid Ford cargo van.

  • I know you said mini-van, Jimmy, but us old Ford lovers are crazy about the reliability, cargo room and smooth ride of our E series vans, let alone the powerful engine when you are traveling through the mountains to get to the far away shows. We have an E250 with captain's chairs, over 160,000 miles on it and it has only needed new tires and brakes. I can't speak to mini-vans, but wanted to put in a plug for these vans. We've had 4 of them.

    • Thanks for the insight Connie. I was thinking more of gas milage and affordability. You are right about the engine and space of the E250. Since I am 6'6" I would need a van that can fit my height as well as my equipment. 

This reply was deleted.