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I’m finally biting the bullet and trying to set up a small landscaping business here in north Florida, and after weeks of comparing cargo space versus payload ratings, I’m totally stuck on choosing one of the best commercial vans for small businesses in this segment. My budget is tight—under $35,000—and I need something that can haul heavy mulch bags and ride out the humidity without constant AC repairs, so the pressure is on to pick the right van before the spring season hits.

I started by looking at the Ford Transit 250, which a local contractor swore by, but the $38,200 sticker on a low-mileage used model felt too close to my ceiling, and the fuel economy on the test drive seemed worse than I expected—or maybe I was just driving it too hard. Then I nearly pulled the trigger on a Ram ProMaster City because of its turning radius, but friends in the trucking subreddit warned me about transmission issues on earlier 2016 models, so I passed on that. More recently, I rented a Mercedes Metris for a weekend, and while the load height was perfect for shovels, the repair costs scared me off after hearing a dealer quote $1,200 for a basic brake job. A neighbor suggested I check the Nissan NV200, but that feels like a step down in payload for my needs.

For those of you who run service or delivery vans with similar budgets, do you think I should sacrifice a bit of cargo height for a more reliable drivetrain, or is there a specific year or trim from the Transit, Sprinter, or even the discontinued Ford Transit Connect that I’m overlooking entirely?

I understand your concerns about balancing cargo space and reliability. I've had experience with the Nissan NV2500. It's a bit pricier than the NV200 but offers better payload capacity and sturdiness. It holds up well in humid conditions, and the drivetrain is more dependable than you'd expect. Might be worth considering, especially if you can find a gently used model within your budget.

Honestly, I think you might be overthinking this. The Ford Transit is popular for a reason, and local contractors often have realistic insights. Sometimes investing a little extra in something tried and tested saves money in the long run. If you can handle the extra cost or negotiate, I'd lean toward the Transit.

A friend of mine had the ProMaster City, and while the maneuverability was great, the transmission issues are real. It was a headache for him. I'd steer clear of early models. The newer versions might have sorted those bugs, but do your research to avoid those pitfalls. It’s crucial you pick something that won’t constantly break down.

You mentioned the Transit Connect, which might be more affordable and easier to maintain than the bigger Transits. It may sacrifice some size, but if you find a recent model, they can still be pretty capacious and reliable enough for landscaping needs. Something to consider especially if you keep hearing bad things about the others.

I think looking at the maintenance records and getting a mechanic to inspect any used vehicle you're considering is your best bet. It doesn’t hurt to hear from the owner about issues they've faced. Ask if they'll let you test drive it for a day or two, so you get a feel for how it handles with a full load.

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