SO DEEP …
So here’s a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van rolling through the streets of Mount Pleasant, S.C. The $50,000 passenger van was spotted on Johnnie Dodds Boulevard, actually, the city’s main thoroughfare …
As you can see from the license plate, it’s a state government vehicle … one purchased from Baker Motor Company of Charleston, S.C.
So … why would a state agency need a $50,000 passenger van? Especially a state government that’s always claiming to be broke?
Good question … although it’s telling that all the cars around this ritzy government vehicle are pieces of crap (consistent with the state’s stagnant income levels).
“It offended me,” our source said. “Thought it might offend you too.”
It does …
Last year, FITS wrote on mismanaged state agencies splurging for expensive vehicles … so we’ll be looking forward to bringing you the agency responsible for this sweet ride as soon as we track it down.
RAPID REACTION
@fitsnews saw a Prius with Govt tags today. Would hate to see the cost of maintenance on the entire fleet! Does everyone hired get a car?
— Craig Caldwell (@craigtcaldwell) September 3, 2014
@craigtcaldwell @fitsnews SCDOT bought over 50 of them. Guess they fix the roads with them.
— Hollentour (@Hollentour) September 3, 2014
21 comments
More unresearched bullshit from FITS. Formerly labeled as Freightliner, Dodge and now Mercedes, the vehicle can be bought on the South side of $35K. They are dependable, economical in the diesel models, and durable under stop and go conditions as service vans, their primary use.
Not sure if this is the one.
Contract 4400007295
http://webprod.cio.sc.gov/SCContractWeb/contractDetail.do?contractNumber=4400007295&hideReturnButton=false
VAN CARGO FULL SIZE HIGH ROOF 1 TON
Unit Price: $ 36,029.00
Total Price: $ 2,161,740.00
Sic Willie don’t need no research!
http://www.mbsprinterusa.com/sprinter/cargo-van
MSRP looks to be $35,920 on a 2014, of course not sure what the price would come to with a bit of haggling. Doesn’t seem much more expensive than other vans, probably holds a good bit more and is more reliable anyways.
“BERT DEYS DRIVIN A MERSAYDEEZ!!!”
Assembled at plant on Palmetto Commerce Pkwy. in North Charleston.
Can you get 24’s for them and gold plated emblems?
Can I order them with my state issued P-card?
It’s a Chrysler product, Dumbass.
Mercedes was never part of Chrysler. Chrysler was bought by Mercedes and is is now owned by Fiat.
Must be an entertaining vehicle. Its a 2012 year model registered in CHS according to its carfax, and has logged less than 4,652 miles from 8/16/12 to 2/6/14 when it had the oil changed at Baker of CHS. Thats pretty low miles for a “fleet” vehicle. Some of these are outfitted very nice inside.
WOW…..check out this comment section info tornado. These yuks can dig up a car fax but yet cannot get their paws on the person who signed for it that works for the SC State Government..? The purchasing agent does have a name and phone number…!!!
Boomerang 101, 404, 901………..Jack of “Lexington” Clubs…..
The big black Suburbans you see rolling around COLA will run you $50k as well. Should be buying BMW SUVs. Whatever happened to the 5-series BMW the SC Highway Patrol used to drive around on 385 and 26?
BMWs are great…until the warranty runs out. Then the costs of repair bite you in the ass.
Yes, I am living that now. Maybe Gov. Haley can get Honda to move to SC with some nice tax breaks and no chance of a workers union.
Doesn’t the City of Columbia buy Escalades for its city manager?
The SC Dept. of Transportation set the meeting on planning the next 25 years of state transportation policy for the Charleston area for Daniel Island, which you can’t get to on public transportation and can’t get to on a bicycle or on foot, unless you go about 20 miles out of your way, in each direction. We’re having to rent a bus to transport transit riders from North Charleston to Daniel Island so they can get to the meeting. I think the State Government should use this van to transport the people who want to go to the meeting from Superstop in N. Charleston to Daniel Island and back. The planning meetings start on Sept. 8 in Charleston. Here are the details on our shuttle plan. Government meetings should be held in locations people who don’t have a car can get to. There were plenty of good options for that in the Charleston area. http://hungryneckstraphangers.com/riders-invited-help-plan-next-25-years-sc-public-transit-sept-23/
and here I thought that cause Joe Riley could walk on water (via special purpose legislation) po’ folks could too.
FWIW, I like your idea William, since CARTA don’t do Daniel Island…
wait a sec…makes us look like a classy, rich state…you know, the one denying Medicaid to hundreds of thousands….the one with data breaches….the one with the Corridor of Shame when it comes to our schools…..
But what the fuck are they for? The ones that I see around Greenville are passenger rides with 10 or 12 captains chairs, usually being driven by the soccer mom type.
I love FITS’ references to 90s gangsta rap. Specifically the Chronic. Such a good album!!!
Saw it last week with police escort going to the USC/Texas game. No, they weren’t stuck in traffic…
You can’t go by the MSRP. Vehicles purchased on state contract are much cheaper than the public can get them. For instance the “The big black Suburbans you see rolling around COLA will run you $50k” usually run between 35-40K on state contract.