In this week’s Ask Nathan:
- Can’t find an affordable used car?
- What if I buy the wrong tire?
The first question comes from a fan who is frustrated with used car prices.
Q: RE: Used cars are too expensive, can you help?
Hi Nathan and welcome back to Colorado!
So bummed that it’s just a visit but it’s good to see you hanging with the crew. Now that you’re back can you give me a hand? I think used cars are too damn expensive and I need to replace my 2009 Ford Escape. It’s like tipping the clock at 170 thousand miles and that’s crazy high! I haul around little critters as part of my job with the state. Like bugs and lizards and snakes.
I sent you three listings from Facebook marketplace and I was hoping you could help! Three small vans from Nissan, Ram and Ford.
— King of the Toad
A: Happy to help!
All of your choices are priced between $5,000 and $7,000, and they all have well over 150,000 miles on the odometer. At that point, you are not really shopping vehicles as much as you are shopping condition, history, and how much life is realistically left.
That means it comes down to longevity and bang-for-your-buck, in my estimation. Service records matter more than badges here. A well-maintained example of any of these will beat a neglected one every time. It also depends heavily on whether any of these vans have had major work done, including transmissions, cooling systems, or suspension refreshes. At this mileage, those are not “ifs,” they are “whens.”
I can only base this on my experience with these vans when they were newer, and how they tend to age in fleet use.
The Ford Transit Connect has always struck me as the most stout of the group. It is not exciting, but it is predictable, and that is exactly what you want in a high-mileage work van. Parts are everywhere, most shops know how to deal with them, and they tend to hold up reasonably well if they have not been abused.
The Ram ProMaster City is the most spacious. If cargo capacity is your top priority, it is the easy winner. It drives bigger than the others, which can be a good or bad thing depending on your needs. When it is sorted, it is actually pretty pleasant behind the wheel. The catch is maintenance. These can be great, or they can nickel-and-dime you if they have been neglected.
Then there is the Nissan NV200. It is the efficiency play. It tends to sip fuel compared to the others, which adds up if you are using it daily. That said, in my experience, it is also the least inspiring to drive. Underpowered is being polite. It gets the job done, but it is not in a hurry to do it.
Real world experience
I recently spoke to a fleet owner in Orange County who runs a mix of vans, including all three of these. He leans heavily toward full-size options like the GMC Savana and Ford E-Series. His reasoning was simple. Utility, durability, and the ability to haul without compromise. In his world, the compact vans make sense, but only up to a point.
That tracks with my own experience. The smaller vans are easier to live with day-to-day, better in tight spaces and cheaper to run, but they do not have the same long-haul toughness when pushed hard over time.
As for driving impressions, the NV200 feels like it is working overtime just to keep up with traffic. The ProMaster City feels more substantial and, when maintained properly, can actually be the nicest place to spend time. The Transit Connect lands right in the middle. It is never the best at anything, but rarely the worst.
With all of that in mind, I would still put the Ford Transit Connect at the top of the list. Not because it is the most capable or the most efficient, but because it is the safest bet. Solid reputation, relatively inexpensive parts, and fewer surprises. That is what matters most when you are buying something with this kind of mileage.
— N
The last question comes from a fan who thinks he bought the wrong tires, .
Q: Via Facebook:
Man did I mess up Nathan. I bought Interco Super Swamper TSL/Bogger tires and put them on to my 2023 Jeep Wrangler Sahara. This was after a small lift. It ruined the ride and the handling bit time. They look super cool but I think it offroads worse than when it had on the used Firestones.
Not that I messed up everything, how can I fix this mess?
– Ndera2088
A: Greetings.
Yup, Swampers are built for a unique type of terrain, and they are not ideal for the city. If you bought them new, you’ll find it difficult to ask for a refund or replacement.
Honestly, try to sell them on the market as soon as you can. You might make back 1/2 your money, which will help you shoot for better driving tires. I have had great luck with BFGoodrich off-road, Goodyear and even Kumho. You need to find a tire that suits your needs… for real.
Be realistic about your tire choices. Many people buy what looks cool, while not considering how those tires will actually be used. It’s a shame, because it can be a safety issues as well.
– N
