mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701 
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Jul 16, 2016 17:40:44 GMT
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Long story short, after 6 years of sticking bikes on the back of my Saab 9-3, using various racks I've had enough.
Some released themselves, others wrecked the bootlid, the latest has warped the rear bumper.
The wife has a bad back (condition, not temporary) so roof mounted is a no-go.
Tow bar fitting, and a wheel mounted rack will see me £700 poorer. No chance.
So, I'm back looking at dayvans and saw over on single track forum, peeps gave included garages in them for mucky bikes.
Idea appeals as:
1) bikes inside so secure when at stops/b&bs/days out
2) no damage to bike or vehicle
3) if wife not feeling 100%, can do warm up trail with .e then rest as I do another hour or so.
To fund this, of sell the GTI. So £2500 would be my budge.
Possible?
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Jul 16, 2016 17:58:10 GMT
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One of the reasons I bought my Elgrand. The rear seats split and fold up on each side against the side windows so you can roll bikes in and just bungee rope them up in place and still have seating for four.
Budget is probably a bit short for my shape Elgrand but you'd get an earlier E50 model for your budget.
Think the delica, toyota picnic, and Mazda bongo have similar fold up rear seats though.
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Jul 16, 2016 18:00:42 GMT
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Oh and the seats are as comfy as hell so wife can chill out with a drink and a book / kindle / magazine / tablet.
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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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Jul 16, 2016 18:24:16 GMT
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£2k elgrand be a v6?
Did 1200 miles last week with bikes on, at 45-47mpg so dropping to high teens, would hurt.
The chilout idea for the wife would be handy
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Jul 16, 2016 19:31:23 GMT
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Older type (Matra made) Renault Espace ?
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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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Jul 16, 2016 19:42:50 GMT
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Possible, know nothing of them.
Currently wondering how much bork-factor a £1500+ Vivaros or vw transporter or Vito can yield.
LPG powered GMC/Chevrolet stuff is £3000+
But so cool
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squonk
Part of things
Posts: 864
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Jul 16, 2016 21:15:12 GMT
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I was looking at day vans a couple of years ago to help with a house move and various other transportation needs. Good ones were too expensive to buy, too expensive to run and not much use for anything other than carrying people in. So I bought a cheap Mk3 Grand Espace 2.2 diesel. Quite frankly it was the best decision I made. It is so flexible as a load carrier. With the centre row of seats in place I can still get the wife's mobility scooter and a dog cage in the back. Take all the seats out and it's a van!!
As for driving, it is very car like. Comfy, quiet and smooth. Even with 170k on the clock and driven hard it can manage close on 40 mpg. Take it easy and high fourties are the order of the day. As for reliability, it has needed nothing more than service parts (brakes, tyres exhaust & battery). And four years ago I only paid £700 for it - it's by far the most useful car I have ever had.
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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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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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Jul 16, 2016 22:44:33 GMT
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Must admit there's a 2003 espace 2.2dci local, £1500 with 12 months test, 98k and history.
If bikes would stand up in it... 2 seats at front.
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Jul 16, 2016 23:09:38 GMT
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£2k elgrand be a v6? Did 1200 miles last week with bikes on, at 45-47mpg so dropping to high teens, would hurt. The chilout idea for the wife would be handy The earlier ones came in 3.2 diesel, not quite as good as 45-47 I'm afraid but in the 30s. I'm currently squeezing 25mpg out my v6 with steady Eddie driving. |
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Jul 16, 2016 23:25:15 GMT
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Avoid the later 2002 onwards Espace. Loads of problems makes then not worth considering and the reason why they can be bought so cheap - owners are sick of them and just want rid !
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squonk
Part of things
Posts: 864
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Avoid the later 2002 onwards Espace. Loads of problems makes then not worth considering and the reason why they can be bought so cheap - owners are sick of them and just want rid ! The Mk3 with the DCI engine is not as reliable as the TD engine, hence my buying a TD version. Mk4 Espaces are all horrible!! As for carrying bikes, I have regularly carried three standing up in the back of mine and still had one of the middle row seats fitted. Last Friday I even got a large lawn tractor into the back of it! |
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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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id get an estate, for all those other days you're not taking the bikes it'll be more practical and cheaper to run, yet still carry bikes with ease.
if you liked the saab then a nice 9-5 wont stretch the budget at all.
i use an e34! though its been small french cars till recently!
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Last Edit: Jul 17, 2016 6:15:30 GMT by welshpug
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mad
Part of things
Posts: 126
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I brought an early Honda crv to get my bikes about. It cost me £450. They are an old couples car for a reason. It's so practical. You can fold the rear seats completely flat and get 2 bikes in or sleep in it. I've had 5 people and all there camping gear in it. 4wd when your stuck, most have towbars and best of all the boot floor comes out and is a picnic table.
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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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Some good points, suspected that the later Espace' may well be a bit... French.
As for an estate, no need. Keeping the 9-3 as its been with me 6years, so this is a van shaped solution for biking/camping.
Unsure how to multi-quote.
Elgrand's seem to hold their money, are Largo's as sturdy? Seem reasonable priced and do a 2.0td
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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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Also, Toyota offerings seem cheap... Estima, Lucida, Previa etc.
Any to avoid?
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edessex
Part of things
Posts: 514
Club RR Member Number: 42
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I'm guessing we're talking pushbikes not motorbikes?
Are you after a pre-made day van, or are you going to convert it yourself?
I've got a 54-reg Vauxhall Movano (Renault Master) MWB High-roof panel van, which cost me less than a grand. I've got it for work, but would keep it even if I changed jobs, as it is a very useful sized van. Easily converted into a day van or even a stealth camper. Main benefit of this over the Vivaros is I can stand up in the back.
It's got the 2.5 CDTI engine, and must return 30+mpg.
So I'd advise a larger van if you would use it regularly, even doing it as a stealth camper instead of using B&Bs, but it does mean you need ample parking for it at home.
Another option might be a box trailer, that you can tow behind the Saab?
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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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Jul 17, 2016 10:46:24 GMT
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I'm guessing we're talking pushbikes not motorbikes? Are you after a pre-made day van, or are you going to convert it yourself? I've got a 54-reg Vauxhall Movano (Renault Master) MWB High-roof panel van, which cost me less than a grand. I've got it for work, but would keep it even if I changed jobs, as it is a very useful sized van. Easily converted into a day van or even a stealth camper. Main benefit of this over the Vivaros is I can stand up in the back. It's got the 2.5 CDTI engine, and must return 30+mpg. So I'd advise a larger van if you would use it regularly, even doing it as a stealth camper instead of using B&Bs, but it does mean you need ample parking for it at home. Another option might be a box trailer, that you can tow behind the Saab? Cheers, I've had a nosey at them, lt35s and high top transits with that in mind. However, driveway space is limited. Nose to tail, I can get 3 medium cars on and shut the gates. With the GTI going, that'd leave me the space for vivaro maximum. I'd self convert, as ideally I'd have a proper sized double bed at the back, with storage underneath. Then bikes stood between that & front seats. Kitchen/sink/TV etc need not apply. As we live in a tight cul-de-sacwith zero on street parking c/o nobbish neighbours with a car per kid etc who don't use their own driveway, I'm limited. As for towbar and trailer, I'd need a license upgrade and a towbar fitted, and a trailer. There's £2k gone all in. |
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edessex
Part of things
Posts: 514
Club RR Member Number: 42
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Jul 17, 2016 11:42:42 GMT
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They do make high roof Vivaro's (Renault Traffic's), but not sure how high they are. I've got a bad back, and am 6ft2, so I'm fussy with roof heights!
I know the Vivaro/Traffic are very popular as day vans, and if you don't need the sink/cooking gear then that will free up space.
I've always liked the idea of beds folding into the walls, so they are out the way during the day time, but there are loads of different ideas on it.
I'm restricted on towing too, as I passed my test well after the 1997 cut off. But you'd be surprised what you can still tow...
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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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Jul 17, 2016 19:51:21 GMT
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I'm 6'6, but not fussed about being able to trampoline in the back of it. So low roof would suffice.
Towing, still the £££. By the time I've stuck a bar on the Saab, bought a trailer, and then lugged it around with me... Could've bought a van.
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lilbob
Part of things
Posts: 419
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Jul 17, 2016 21:36:10 GMT
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fiat ducato gets my vote comfortable to drive parts are cheap and easy to get good on fuel loads of space to convert into a day van
And if you get the 160 multi jet engine you they absolutely fly (i'v seen 100+ on a private road fully loaded (3.5t)
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