Advice on 5.8 vs 5.4 Sportsmobile vans
 

Howdy,
newbie here with a couple of ?'s

Looking at 2 different Sportsmobile converted RV vans. Both regular body.
One is 96 E350 w/ 5.8l and 122k on it. Suspension has been upgraded w/ a lift, overall very clean
Other is a 00 E250 w/ the 5.4l only 54k on it and almost the same price as the 96. Pretty clean w/ no upgraded suspension.

With cost being the same @ 21k, what would you do? I know the 00 has half the miles and I'd be looking for the most trouble free van, both vans primarily had highway miles and I'd be putting maybe 10-12k a year on it

Thanks

I'd go with the newer van. Parts should be easier to get and you have the latest generation engine. Also, Dual airbags vs Driver only. E 250 might ride a little better, softer suspension possibly. If you need a lift, I don't think that would be too expensive.

If you plan on owning this a long time, I would compare the cost of a rebuilt engine and transmission for each vehicle. If you look under the hood, the 5.4L is much harder to work on then the 5.8L. It does have a better engine management system and will get better gas mileage then the 5.8L.


Are these 4x4 vans? If so, I would take the one (probably E-350) with the Dana 60 in front or the one with leaf springs.