Clint1991
PR Addict
Personally I'm the other way around. My first van had 230k miles. Second was in the 180 range. I prefer late 90's early 2000s vehicles because they are a little simpler to work on. 08+ and it would require a lot of googling to get me going on bigger repairs. That being said you will work on an older van. I replaced a few suspension/steering parts on both E250s.
And a van should not need an engine/transmission/differential rebuild at 150k miles IMO. Front end parts go much sooner in my experience, usually around 100k. Water pumps & alternators go around the same time. (Again.. just speaking from my personal experience. I've had ~10 ford trucks/vans and I always buy used junkers)
One thing about a van vs a truck.. working on the engine can suck. Unless you need to access anything on the rear of the engine, then you have awesome access! But pulleys, belts, alternator, a/c, etc can be pretty bad.
O yeah, I used to be an auto tech and dreaded seeing a van pull in the lot. It would be convienient having one souly with the purpose of being a moto van though, I could see one someday in the future if the kids get into moto. I don't mind pulling a trailer though other then the gas milage...