mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701 
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Jan 14, 2016 20:45:36 GMT
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Evening all,
For about the last 3 years I've been wanting a day-van for my wife & I to use with mountain bikes, her photography, the dog etc. Even the odd overnight break.
Now the prices have gone silly it seems, £5k gets you a rotten VW with 280,000,000 miles on it, no history and "a few small niggles" (read as "will fail next MOT spectacularly")
So I've been looking at alternative ideas... Mainly Japanese MPVs such as the Nissan Largo, and a 3.3v6 Toyota... As well as the Yank stuff, GMCs with lots if leather.
Does anyone have experience of either?
Currently the yank stuff appeals IF I can find one with LPG.
My wife has a couple of conditions, so legroom,comfy seats and reasonable ride are a plus.
As for seating/camper qualities,we ain't looking for full Spammy spam spam spam, no thank you, man., cupboards, TV etc. Think " tenting with a solid structure "
So bed only, then use camping kit.
Thanks in advance.
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Jan 14, 2016 22:46:31 GMT
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This might sound a bit daft but have you thought about a people carrier? Strip out the interior and black out the rear windows etc. If you used something like a Chrysler Voyager, those things are massive, and the older ones are fairly cheap!
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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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Jan 14, 2016 23:09:07 GMT
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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.
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Jan 14, 2016 23:22:45 GMT
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I'd still look at VW but indeed forget the T', rather look at the swb LT, not much heavier, similar engine, much the same easy enough to work on but a bit bigger without being unwieldy.
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Alternative "day-van" ideasaccord83
@accord83
Club Retro Rides Member 51
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Jan 15, 2016 14:36:57 GMT
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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/ |
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74 Mk1 Escort 1360, 1971 Vauxhall Victor SL2000 Estate.
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Battenberg
Part of things
Time for Cake....
Posts: 745
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Jan 15, 2016 15:08:23 GMT
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Merceds Vito??
I have been looking at a few to use as TAT haulers as my Shogun is only SWB, my observations are that they can turn steel into rust quicker than a Lancia and most are ex cabs!
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Current Fleet:
1968 Wolseley 1000
2022 BMW 430xd MHT Coupe
2007 L200 Animal - Dog walking transport
1998 318is Coupe
2007 Mini Cooper Supercharged
1989 BMW 530 - in storage
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Jan 15, 2016 19:25:03 GMT
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Merceds Vito?? I have been looking at a few to use as TAT haulers as my Shogun is only SWB, my observations are that they can turn steel into rust quicker than a Lancia and most are ex cabs! And they will go wrong... with a big bill. |
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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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Jan 15, 2016 19:28:37 GMT
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Merceds Vito?? I have been looking at a few to use as TAT haulers as my Shogun is only SWB, my observations are that they can turn steel into rust quicker than a Lancia and most are ex cabs! And they will go wrong... with a big bill. I think that is the problem. Got a few mates in the trade, and the stories aren't positive. Vito wise, £7k for an empty van us steep. Same in VW world. Transit/vivaros/etc the wife refuses to consider as they're "builders vans". Currently Chavvy Astro appeals |
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Del
South East
Posts: 1,451
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Jan 15, 2016 19:41:29 GMT
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What about something like a Berlingo?
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'I come not from Heaven, but from Essex'.
The Retro Rider formerly known as Silvermac.
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Jan 15, 2016 21:07:53 GMT
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Yank day vans seem huge value for money, they do rot though so have a poke about like you would anything else. If you aren't using it daily LPG isn't really a necessity they should return about 20mpg plus on a run. Expect to pay £800 to £1800 for a conversion depending on the age of the vehicle, the level of tech you want and the size of the tank(s)
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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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Jan 16, 2016 11:05:15 GMT
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Yank day vans seem huge value for money, they do rot though so have a poke about like you would anything else. If you aren't using it daily LPG isn't really a necessity they should return about 20mpg plus on a run. Expect to pay £800 to £1800 for a conversion depending on the age of the vehicle, the level of tech you want and the size of the tank(s) 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..... |
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Jan 16, 2016 11:18:16 GMT
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What about going for classic such as Commer PB or Bedford CF (I'd love a CA) ?
When I bought a van for conversion the insurance was expensive however insurers said if I fitted windows and bed etc then motorhome would be a lot cheaper. Obviously you have to get V5 changed by DVLA (they now tend to change to "van with windows" rather than "motorhome" but that is equally acceptable by my insurers for the lower premium.
What I'm saying is if you find something suitable double check how registered before committing to buying and if still recorded by DVLA as a van then that is grounds to negotiate on price.
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pOG
Posted a lot
SHATNER'S BASSOON
Posts: 1,341
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Jan 16, 2016 16:23:46 GMT
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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.
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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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Jan 16, 2016 16:39:50 GMT
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Some good ideas, agree re: DVLA issues and classic not being ideal.
Do good Espace still exist?
Reckon I need to do some research as currently the comfort & spec of astros appeal
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squonk
Part of things
Posts: 864
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Jan 16, 2016 18:52:03 GMT
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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.
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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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heathrobinson
Part of things
Broken everything
Posts: 848
Club RR Member Number: 111
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Alternative "day-van" ideasheathrobinson
@heathrobinson
Club Retro Rides Member 111
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Jan 16, 2016 19:45:55 GMT
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I saw a 2.0 turbo espace with lpg on it a while ago. Having been in the standard 2.0 t, it's pretty quick for a big lump, and they reckoned they were getting about 25mpg, so on gas that's pretty cheap to run.
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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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Jan 17, 2016 17:16:33 GMT
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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.
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squonk
Part of things
Posts: 864
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Jan 17, 2016 19:13:39 GMT
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Mk3 Grand Espace is bigger inside than an Astro!! That was another thing that sold it to us. Bear in mind that the rock n roll bed in the back of an Astro is designed so that you sleep across the back of the van. Fine if you are no taller than five feet!
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Last Edit: Jan 17, 2016 19:17:00 GMT by squonk
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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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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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.
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Remember the Espace is galvanised frame with fibreglass outer panels. That means fitting an elevating roof isn't such as structural problems it might be for other vehicles. My choice would be a MKI -  |
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