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Jun 26, 2014 20:53:43 GMT
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Appreciate it's probably not the right place for this but my sister is starting a small business and she's asked me to find her a van. Being on here obviously I've got a bit of mechanical knowledge and can usually tell a dog when I see one, but I actually know nothing about vans.
Immediate thoughts are a Ford Transit (Easy for parts and repair). But finding something that doesn't look like it's been used by 10 builders is proving difficult.
Does anyone have any pointers/advice, particularly where to pick a good one up from (Having been looking on Autotrader and eBay) - Budget isn't huge at £2-4.5k max.
Thanks....
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Jun 26, 2014 21:03:59 GMT
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It depends on what she wants it for and also where abouts in the country you are, I wouldn't be buying an older diesel if you ever have to go within the m25 plus there are rumours the lez will be changing to needing the next euro standard, modern transits all have their issues after the mk5 and they also like to rot like any other vehicle.
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fred
Posted a lot
WTF has happened to all the Vennies?
Posts: 2,957
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Jun 26, 2014 21:08:15 GMT
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Whats her business going to be, as in does she need a huge luton, or an escort van?
Sprinter vans Ive heard good noises about, but I guess there is a lot more clever bods on here
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'79 Cossie ran Cortina - Sold
2000 Fozzer 2.0 turbo snow beast
'85 Opel Manta GSI - Sold
03 A class Mercedes
Looking for a FD Ventora - Anyone?
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Jun 26, 2014 21:09:45 GMT
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Last Edit: Jun 26, 2014 21:13:17 GMT by bandicoot
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MrSpeedy
East Midlands
www.vintagediesels.co.uk
Posts: 4,791 
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Jun 26, 2014 21:38:34 GMT
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What size van does she need?
You could get a tidy Maestro van for 2-3k and they're not as bad as rumours would have you believe. Find a late 'Ledbury' built one and you'll be sound. They're also actually massive in the back!
Falling that, you've got your mk4/5 escorts and mk3/4 astras. If you go Vauxhall aim for the Isuzu diesel or 8v petrol
Suzuki supercarry / Bedford rascal are a good little van if you can avoid the rusty wheel arches
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Jun 26, 2014 22:42:32 GMT
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Vito gets my vote its just that handy size that is not to big nor to small.
Avoid the phase 1 as they rust like you wouldn't believe and later models return to RWD as a bonus.
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Some days you just need to take a grinder to an inanimate object, just to make your day a tiny bit better!!
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If you are looking at Transit sized vans, with a 2-4k budget, you are looking around 2005-2008 with average miles.
Transit would be a late mk6 around there - good vans, like to rust, dual mass flywheel needs addressed, LWB ones are RWD and very thirsty, FWD are ok on juice.
Renault and Nissan offerings are problematic in the engine dept and not wise buys for you that is unfamiliar with vans and her that assumedly knows nothing about vehicles at all.
Mercedes are pricier than the others, rusty at that age group, lower payloads, higher insurance, but fairly car-like inside (comfortable). Engines can give bother if not maintained right and are costly to fix.
Vauxhalls are best avoided altogether.
Ivecos if you're going big are good vans but costly to maintain and not economic.
LDVs use old tech Transit running gear, are low quality and expensive to run, however you will get a fresher van for less money and mileage tends to be low.
You've three sensible choices.
Toyota Hiace - one size fits all, Toyota obviously not concerned about offering different payload sizes but the vans are totally reliable but expensive to buy (sought after). Watch for rust and lack of maintenance.
Fiat Ducato/Peugeot Boxer/Citroen Relay - gearbox can give bother, and is expensive to repair, but find one without and there are no other serious issues. Fiat engines the most economic, Peugeot the most powerful, Citroens are the cheapest and in SWB form probably have the 1.9 or 2.0 hdi units, very cheap to sort out.
VW Transporter - you'll end up with an older one or more miles for the money but they can take it and are very car-like inside. Not so much choice with head height in bay but reliability is key in a working vehicle. Standard VW engines so generally reliable, powerful, good rep and the van isn't as ugly as the Vauxhall or Peugeot etc.
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squonk
Part of things
Posts: 864
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Or buy a large people carrier. I bought a Renault Grand Espace to help us with moving house and am very pleased with its versatility. Inside with the seats out its about as big as a Vito but with far more comfort and a much more car like driving experience. Windows all round help to make it easy to drive and it regularly returns 40+ mpg without trying. Probably cheaper to insure than a van as well.
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2004 Chevrolet Avalanche Z71
2005 Mercedes CLK320 Cabriolet
1996 Mercedes C180 Elegance Auto Saloon
1996 Rover 620Ti (Dead fuel pump)
1992 Toyota HiLux Surf
1987 Range Rover Vogue (Rusty)
1992 Range Rover Vogue SE (More Rusty)
2006 Chrysler Grand Voyager
2008 Corsa 1.4 Design
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joe90
Yorkshire and The Humber
Posts: 1,027
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Jun 27, 2014 10:07:41 GMT
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If she only needs a smaller van I would suggest a Fiat Doblo, the 1.9 JTD gives good mpg and is nice to drive, and £2000 should get you a good one.
Bryan
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Jun 27, 2014 17:46:04 GMT
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Thanks, some useful pointers. It will be used for carting furniture around so it must be transit sort of size.
I'd considered a Mercedes and had heard that when running fine they are really good vans, but Vitos are a good bit smaller than a Transit and when things go wrong parts prices were horrific.
Age is not an issue, condition is the important thing, so I'll include a T4 in the list of possibles.
Don't know why but don't fancy looking at a anything French, strange as Peugeots have been some of the best day to day cars I've owned.
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Last Edit: Jun 28, 2014 12:00:11 GMT by shandylegs
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Jun 27, 2014 17:48:12 GMT
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Bedford CF with slot mags and rover V8 ...........
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Jun 27, 2014 17:50:41 GMT
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Thanks, some useful pointers. I'd considered a Mercedes and had heard that when running fine they are really good vans, but Vitos are a good bit smaller than a Transit and when things go wrong parts prices were horrific. Age is not an issue, condition is the important thing, so I'll include a T4 in the list of possibles. Don't know why but don't fancy looking at a anything French, strange as Peugeots have been some of the best day to day cars I've owned. Having done some more reading on the internet It will be used for carting furniture around so it must be transit sort of size. I'd be looking at high roofed style vans for moving furniture around. |
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Jun 27, 2014 19:38:42 GMT
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Thanks, some useful pointers. I'd considered a Mercedes and had heard that when running fine they are really good vans, but Vitos are a good bit smaller than a Transit and when things go wrong parts prices were horrific. Age is not an issue, condition is the important thing, so I'll include a T4 in the list of possibles. Don't know why but don't fancy looking at a anything French, strange as Peugeots have been some of the best day to day cars I've owned. Having done some more reading on the internet It will be used for carting furniture around so it must be transit sort of size. I'd be looking at high roofed style vans for moving furniture around. and a low floor. |
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compass
Posted a lot
www.compasstrading.co.uk
Posts: 1,644
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I don't know too much about vans, bit all i would say is don't go anywhere near a Vauxhall Vivaro! Gearboxes seem to go for fun.
From what i hear, sprinters are thirsty, and parts expensive. They do high mileages, but the turbo tends to go around 150k.
In fact, going on my limited knowledge of van (gained through friends who buy new ones every couple of years) they all seem to have there pros and cons.
The only van type vehicles i have owned are car transporters. I've had a 2000 iveco daily, which was cheap as chips, and just about indestructible. It had its issues, but never ever let me down and i did 50k in it in just over a year. I also had an 07 Citroën Relay, which was crazy quick for a truck, nice with the 6 speed box. It had a few electrics gremlins, which generally put it into limp mode, but when it was working it was superb.
Plenty out there, so choose well. Maybe look for a privately owned one as opposed to a company owned one too. It will generally have been looked after better, and not driven/thrashed by countless employees who don't have to worry about paying for the reapirs!
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recarouk
Yorkshire and The Humber
Posts: 435
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Jun 28, 2014 13:52:14 GMT
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sprinter or a crafter for that money, LWB will tackle just about anything you throw at it, great to drive and can do moon miles as long as you keep up with the servicing  |
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MK2VR6
Posted a lot
Mk2 Golf GTi 90 Spec
Posts: 3,329
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Jun 28, 2014 14:23:02 GMT
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Watch out for $cene tax on T4's. I like them, but living in Cornwall they're absolutely everywhere, all lowered and priced at about double their 'real' value. Guess they get cheaper the further away from Cornwall you travel.
As for Transits, my builder neighbour his old 05 Vauxhall Vivaro after masssssive bills for engine work. He googled them and looks like they let go in style for a pastime. He since bought an 06 Transit as it seemed basic, with a pretty good rep. After 12 months he paid a four figure sum for the fuel pump to be replaced. Any 'modern' diesel van is likely to cost $$$$ in maintenance over the long-term, it would seem. Find a cheap, tidy van local to you and drive on, I'd say. When it's broken, bin it and replace.
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