Alternative "day-van" ideas

That was my thought with the Nissan Elgrand.

I like the idea of one of those, low, and big comfy seats for journeys with the Mrs. Rock & roll bed in the back.

I know little (sod all) of the J import stuff, or the yank buses.

Mazda Bongo Friendee Freetop 2, you don't have to sleep upstairs if you don't want, pop it up for extra headroom. (or Ford Freda if you like a blue oval on the front)

www.bongofury.co.uk/

And they will go wrong... with a big bill.

What about something like a Berlingo?

Thanks for the info re: rot. Useful to know. Is a fresh import c/w warranty a good idea? Then underseal everything.


As for LPG I feel it wise as we'd want to travel, a fair bit. Scotland, the bits I like are 500 miles/12 hours drive. So not needing £200 of juice each way, would be a bonus.

As for berlingo idea above, I'm 6'6 and the wife is 5'10.....

Given the far-flung nature of your destinations, I don't think a 'proper old van' would be the best weapon.
Nor even the Bongo devices (thirsty, questionable reliability, generally similar price sillyness to T4's, Vitos)
I'd go with the Pistonpopper MPV idea. Things like the Galaxy/Sharan/Alhambra or the Grand Espace (if you want a bit more space) have seats which lift out easily to give a flat floor, plus will be capable of covering lots of miles in comfort & efficiency. And they're really cheap compared to imported JDM stuff.

We were after a day van a couple of years ago. We ruled out any VW on the grounds of stupid prices and a Vito on the grounds of reliability and spares prices. We looked long and hard at Yank vans but rampant rot and bodged mechanicals put us off all the ones we saw. Most of them smelt like a dogs kennel as well!. Eventually I bought a Mk3 Grand Espace diesel instead. Glad I did as it has proved to be a fantastically practical and cheap vehicle to run. Front seats swivel to face backwards and the permutations with the remaining five seats are endless. We generally use ours with just two of the rear seats in. It leaves loads of room for teenage daughter, two large dogs and the wifes mobility scooter.

Over the three years we have had it I have had to replace one brake cylinder, the steering rack arms, front discs and the exhaust system. It has never failed to start, has reasonably good acceleration and will cruise all day at 80+ mph. All this and 38 mpg around town, 50 mpg on a run (it has the mechanical injection engine so easily maintanable and arguably a better engine than the CR unit).

It cost me £700 to buy and is probably the most useful and practical car I have ever owned.

Espace is a good call price wise, but upon looking, not do-ablefor overnight use. Bit too compact.

Joined a couple of day-van facebonk groups, idea trawling.

Cheers for the info. Doing steady research when I get time.

Wife has seen the Bumble campers, based on a Toyota previa, look reasonably well executed.

I've seen the Granvia which has more headroom. Some of them lend themselves to modifying also,if the JDM scene appeals.